Kebo Valley Golf Club Top 100 Review

Established in 1888, Kebo Valley Golf Club is the oldest golf club in Maine and the eighth oldest in the United States. The course features 18 holes of championship-caliber golf set against the majestic backdrop of Cadillac Mountain in Bar Harbor, Maine.

The course presents a challenging layout suitable for players of all skill levels, characterized by well-maintained fairways and notably fast, pristine greens that demand accuracy and precise short-game execution. The terrain flows naturally with a mix of hole dynamics, incorporating water features including streams and ponds with crystal-clear water. Notable for its classic, traditional design, the course has hosted numerous distinguished players throughout its history, including President Howard Taft, Sir Walter Hagen, and U.S. Open Champion Scott Simpson.

The signature 8th hole is particularly renowned; Sir Walter Hagen famously called it "one of the toughest four pars I have ever played" after recording a course-record 67 in 1922. The 17th hole, historically known as the "Elbow," is commemorated as the "Taft" hole after President Taft's 1911 play there. Currently rated as the third-best course to play by Golf Week, Kebo Valley maintains its reputation as a challenging yet accessible course that combines sporting excellence with scenic beauty.