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V O L . X X X I N O. V I I A P R I L 7 , 2 0 2 5 28 R E A L E S TAT E / C O N S T R U C T I O N / E N G I N E E R I N G F O C U S "I think part of it is when you play indoor golf you don't have outdoor golf pressures," Bickford says. "You have time, there's no one behind or in front of you. I think it's less intimidat- ing as a result." Compared with conventional golf, the average age of golf simulation play is about 10 years younger, averaging age 35, he adds. "e technology plays to a younger demographic," he says. "And you're not thrashing around in the mud. ere are no bugs. ere's music." Maine Golf recently began adding golf simulation locations to its listings. Breaking down barriers For the past three years, Maine Golf has been leasing about 100 acres from L.L.Bean at the former Freeport Country Club at 2 Old County Road Extension in Freeport. e plan is to build a not-for-profit golf learning center that aims to break down the barriers to golf for youth and families. Last year, Maine Golf announced the launch of a $2.5 million capital campaign to build the Maine Golf Center Freeport facility, with a family- friendly clubhouse with a full-service pro shop, snack bar, indoor classroom, high-tech indoor golf simulators for year-round play and instruction and a Toptracer driving range with 20 hitting bays. e current nine-hole course will be revamped and a par 3 "short course" installed. To date, Maine Golf has raised $1.8 million of its $2.5 million goal, primarily from private donations. Maine Golf also recently revitalized the First Tee program in Maine, a junior golf and youth development program based in Ponde Vedra, Fla. e First Tee and other golf access and educa- tion programs such as Youth on Course, PGA Junior League and LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, will be headquartered at the Freeport facility. Maine has lost 11 golf courses in recent years (five in Cumberland County and six elsewhere), to lucrative real estate development opportuni- ties, says Maine Golf. Combined with a surge in adult golf since 2020, that has significantly reduced the amount of available tee times for junior and beginner golfers. at comes as interest in junior golf has grown. Since 2021, Maine Golf 's Youth on Course program, which gives young golfers access to local courses at a low cost, has signed up over 3,200 junior golfers. To break down barriers, the center will be geared specifically toward juniors with offerings such as low- to no-cost equipment programs and low-cost junior tee times Construction of the driving range in Freeport is expected to start this summer. Goals include hosting Maine's first U.S. National Development Program, a program launched in recent years by the U.S. Golf Association to nurture promising junior players. "We're also looking at this as the hub of a more statewide plan to provide juniors in different areas of the state golf opportunities," says Bickford. Laurie Schreiber, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at lschreiber @ mainebiz.biz (207) 282-7697 | ncormier@pmconstruction.com | www.pmconstruction.com WE BUILD RELATIONSHIPS Your trusted partner for commercial construction in Maine and beyond Jayne Van Bramer, Sweetser's President & CEO S U C C E S S I N N OVAT I O N C O L L A B O R AT I O N Scan to view profile » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E R E N D E R I N G / C O U R T E S Y O F M A I N E G O L F P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F M A I N E G O L F The Maine Golf Association is raising money to build a not-for-profit golf learning center, in Freeport, that aims to break down the barriers to golf for youth and families.

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