ORONO – Change was promised and change is being delivered at Penobscot Valley Country Club.

Groundwork at the formerly private club, which was purchased by Harris Golf last fall, began April 18 and already a significant number of bunkers and tee boxes have been dug. More bunkers and boxes will be done soon, also, with completion planned in about six weeks.

“The renovation is being done in the true Donald Ross tradition,” said Chad Curley, the new head pro who is in his eighth season at PVCC.

The course is still open for play by members and the general public during the renovation.

One major change already under way is a new green on the 476-yard, par-5 hole, about 50 yards behind the current green, which because of its slope and size was difficult to keep the ball on from any distance.

“[The hole] will be about 525 yards, a true three-shotter,” said Curley.

“And [the green]’ll be three times the size,” he added.

The work started above the ground, though.

“The bulk of the restoration tree work is done,” said Curley. “It was done over the winter.”

The difference was easily noticed.

“A hundred and eighty-seven trees, I think, are what they took out,” said Curley.

Rick Ambrose of Glenburn, who shot the course record of 10-under-par 62 in 1966, had one thought when he saw all the trees gone.

“I thought it would be wicked easy,” he said.

But now that he’s seeing all the bunkers they’re putting in and some tees being lengthened, he’s thinking it will be more difficult to go low.

“I can’t see many people being able to shoot below 72,” he said. “[Maine Amateur contender and club member Joe] Alvarez, maybe. The rest of us, if we shoot 72 once a month, we’ll be lucky.”

That’s not to say it will be unplayable for golfers with higher handicaps.

“It’s not just for the Maine Amateur,” said Curley, referring to the tournament the club last hosted in 2004. “We have to renovate for the average golfer, too.”

That includes more forward tees so golfers of different ability levels will be comfortable playing, too.

“It’ll be fun, friendly and fair so golfers of all abilities can enjoy the facility,” said Curley.

Gary Robinson of Bangor, a member since 1996, noted another factor with the missing trees.

“For longtime members, it may be hard to get used to,” he said. “The landmarks you used to [aim for] are gone now.”

Over the years, many of the bunkers became smaller because the grass started growing in around the edges, for instance. Some of the work now is to enlarge them to their original size, if not bigger. That’s happening, for instance, on most of the holes on the front nine right now.

Others are being added – such as on the third hole – to make golfers think more about what they need to do.

“You’re going to have to think your way around instead of just busting [the driver],” Ambrose said. “You’ve got to have a plan.”

Robinson is excited about the changes.

“I’m certainly impressed with what the Harrises are up to,” said Robinson.

“I played Sunday River [in Newry],” added Robinson about another course Harris Golf built. “If they make changes here like they laid it out there, it’ll come out very well.”

Ambrose admitted he was against the changes at first, but now he agrees with Robinson.

“With the money and the work they’re putting into it, it’s going to be a gem,” he said.

Membership rolls, which were about 240 last year, are filling up again.

“Our ultimate goal was to hit 300,” said new general manager Jeff Bickford, pointing out that they are right around that now. “And we know we have 15-20 snowbirds coming.”

Ambrose thinks other former members may come back or wish they had.

“When all is said and done, I think a lot of old members are going to want to come back,” he said.

Both Bickford and Curley stressed, though, that the course is open to all golfers.

“We want the public to feel like they’re welcome here,” said Curley.

dbarber@bangordailynews.net

990-8170