The sign says, “Highland Country Club,” which indicates that it is a private place to play golf.

Continue to drive on Oxford’s North Town Farm Road, and you see pins in nine short holes on the seven-acre property at 22 North Town Farm Rd. The term “Highland” comes from a beautiful view of Maine’s western hills/mountains. In that respect, the Highland Country Club, aka East Oxford Highlands, is the equivalent of Summit Springs, Paris Hill and Norway, also nine-hole courses with great views of Maine to the west.

Bill Kennedy, Golf Columnist

That, however, is where the comparison ends because Highlands is not a business. It is just a piece of the farm owned since 1940 by the family of Erwin “Poppa” Ward and his son, Scott, who smiles when he tells you that he is the course “superintendent.”

Scott Ward, who has owned the property for seven years, is so happy with the tract that he said, “This is truly a hobby golf course.”

The nine holes at the Highlands are not totally separate. Twice in the nine, there are greens used for two holes. Seven of the nine holes are par 3s, while two are relatively short for par 4s. Twice there have been holes-in-one recorded at the course, both by Wards. Connor Ward got his ace on the “Apple Tree Hole” which is No. 1, and 105 yards. Randall Ward did it on the 220-yard second hole, which is a par 4. So, it could be said that the Wards are keeping the Highlands aces in the family.

The heavy rain that fell in June has postponed the 2023 season opening of the Highlands. As Scott Ward said, “It is so wet that we cannot mow the grass.”

Hopefully the course will be ready for play at the July 15 Mark Ward Memorial Tournament, which is one of the charity events, all scrambles, held there. From this event, scholarships are given to graduating seniors at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High school.

Other events at the course are organized by Lou Annance of Mechanic Falls, president of an ATV club called Bog Hooters. Annance’s daughter, Julie, is married to Scott Ward. His efforts in other golf tournament dates, and those of his ATV club friends, raise funds to purchase food at Thanksgiving for needy families in the RSU 16/SAD 17 school district. This year’s funding will go through the Pink Feather Foundation, another Oxford County charity.

There is history to this course. In 1964, the U.S. Golf Association authorized the property for the creation of a golf course. That never took place, but the family was honored that its property was considered.

In 2006, the property became a “golf facility,” as the Wards chose not to become a “golf course” for tax purposes. And it is not a private course, either, because it is not commercial.

“We want this to be a place for kids to play, getting them into the game,” Scott Ward said.

The Ward Family clearly has the best of many golf worlds, being able to enjoy the sport of golf right there on its own East Oxford farmland. Who has it better than them?

*****

Several area men’s players will compete in the 104th annual Maine Golf State Amateur Tournament July 11-13 at Samoset Resort.

Martindale has six players in the field (Jace Pearson, Matthew Ouellette, Matthew Simard, Ethan Guerette, Kelly Cates and Ashley Fifield). Fox Ridge will send four to Samoset (Jordan Jones, Craig Chapman, James Frost and Jonathan Latourneau), while Fairlawn has three (Zachary Pelletier, Branden Lever and Chris Cloutier), and Point Sebago two (Noah DuPrey and Rich Fullbride).

Players from other clubs are Joe Baker of Norway, and Brian Henderson of Springbrook..

*****

Roger Williams of Turner Highlands and his playing partner, James Quinn of Augusta, captured the Maine Golf Senior Four-Ball championship July 5-6 at Fairlawn with combined scores of 63-69—132.

Runner-up honors went to Len Cole of Martindale and Mark Plummer of Augusta (67-67—134) in a field of 55 teams.

*****

Women’s play days scheduled by Maine Golf are July 11 at Turner Highlands and Sunday River.

Bill Kennedy, a retired New Jersey golf writer and editor now residing on Thompson Lake in Otisfield, is in his 11th season as Sun Journal golf columnist.