Golf Course Review: Dunegrass Golf Club
What would one do after selling off your travel agency empire that you built from the ground up? You kick back, move to Maine and buy yourself a golf course. That’s what Domenic Pugliares, a former North Andover resident did earlier this year. Dunegrass Golf Club changed hands this past March when Dom took over the reins. They handed him the keys then he turned this club around. Domenic knows how to entertain and he hasn’t lost a beat. Would you expect anything less from a gentleman that made his living selling “dream vacations” and “trips of a life time” to thousands of families, couples and individuals?
Why am I telling you all this? Who cares about the owner, we’re reading to find out about the course, right? Well this story should sound eerily familiar to one we all know so well; a local guy who loves his game jumps in and saves a floundering golf course, a course that, at the time had 26 members and losing customers fast. Although on a much smaller scale, doesn’t this sound a lot like what the Kraft family did in Foxboro almost 20 years ago?
Now, I’ll try to get my point across without being too long winded, but this isn’t going to be like any of my previous course reviews. See, I’ve played this course several times before. My buddy Bob and I take our hacks here every summer at least once. Last Saturday we left our ladies at the beach and heading inland to continue the tradition.
Half of our foursome failed to meet us up in Maine that day which actually was a blessing in disguise. A new member of the course, Paul Lawson from Scarborough, ME happened to be in the clubhouse looking for room in their schedule for a single. I introduce myself and asked him to join us. He accepted; then we headed to the range to loosen up. We followed that with a great round of golf then headed to the restaurant for a few pops. Paul turned out to be one of the better golfers I’ve ever played a round with. I learned quite a bit and I appreciate the pointers
Over the course of a round, you go thru the motions, the small talk that you do with the guys. What do you do for work? How’s business? Economy sucks… all that bullshit. And of course we got around to talking about Barstool. I hadn’t been there to write for this column but while sitting down afterwards, Paul introduced us to Domenic and we were invited back the following week so I could do my thing.
Our fee’s for this round were compliments of the Pugliares family but the previous week our round cost us (and will run you) $75 bucks. Previous rounds there were $90, but those rates were slashed when the course changed hands.
The layout here is set on about 300 acres of property, with all the holes meandering through the neighborhood on which it was built. Each hole is isolated from the others which fully defines the uniqueness of Dunegrass. Mother Nature had golf on her mind when she created this patch of land.
The greens… these greens were the fastest I’ve played in a long while. But like I’ve said a thousand times before, if you can read them, you should make them. But before you can make those putts, you need to get there first. And what could make it any easier than a well marked course. The best visual aid that any course can give me is, and Dunegrass does it right, is the black/white striped 150 yard marker dead center of the fairway. Nothing helps me shoot better than a visual reference point to aim at from the tee. You can make your approach shots with the same club all day if you choose to.
The lighter side of golf is just as important to me and when its time for a beer they give you options. Ashley took care of us all day long. She’s there to make money, she hustle’s, and she does it all with a smile. When was the last time you bought a Corona, with a lime, in a bottle from beverage cart at a golf course? Probably never but you can do it here.
After your round, make sure you head into the restaurant. There’s a full menu, a full bar and you’ll probably see Dom there - enjoying himself with the customers that he really takes pleasure in providing a good experience to. He’s added 200 members over the past 5 months, he must be doing something right.
Domenic would love to buy every Stoolie a drink if you make the ride up to play his course, but since Maine law prohibits him from doing so, he’ll knock $5 bucks off of every players round if you mention Barstoolsports. Use those savings for a cold one after your round.
Dunegrass is about a 90 minute ride from Billerica, so gauge your own travel time off of that. However long it does take you to make that trek up 95, I promise you you’ll find a Championship caliber golf course waiting for you.
Dunegrass Golf Club is located at 200 Wild Dunes Way
Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064
www.dunegrass.com
For Tee Times: 207.934.4513
If you would like us to review your course, contact Dave at barstoolsports.com and he’ll let us know.
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