
Dutch Elm Course
Dutch Elm Golf Club



About this course
Dutch Elm Golf Club occupies rolling terrain in Arundel, a small town in southern Maine's York County, positioned inland from the coastal resort communities of Kennebunkport and Kennebunk. Lucien Bourque designed the course, which opened in the mid-1990s as part of the region's golf development during that era. The layout takes advantage of natural elevation changes characteristic of this part of Maine, where glacial activity left behind varied topography mixing wooded sections with open meadow areas. The routing moves through stands of mature hardwoods and evergreens typical of southern Maine, with the course name referencing the elm trees that once dominated much of New England's landscape before disease drastically reduced their numbers. The design incorporates natural features into the playing corridors, with several holes playing along or across wetland areas that are common in this region's hydrology. Bourque's work here reflects the practical design approach of many New England courses from this period, balancing playability for a range of skill levels with strategic interest. Dutch Elm serves primarily as a daily-fee facility, making it accessible to both local golfers and visitors to Maine's southern coast. The course fits within the broader context of York County golf, which includes a mix of classic seaside layouts closer to the ocean and inland courses like this one that offer a different character rooted in forest and rolling land. The club provides a straightforward golf experience without the formality or exclusivity of private clubs in the region.
Quick facts
- Location
- Arundel, ME, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1965
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Lucien Bourque
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,375 yards
- Difficulty
- 70.3/123
- Course Vaults score
- 7.1
Getting there
Dutch Elm Golf Club sits in the quiet marshlands of southern Maine, accessible via Portland International Jetport (PWM), roughly 30 miles south, a drive of just under an hour that carries you north from the coast through pine forests and past the gentle tidal rivers that define this corner of New England. The route winds inland from Route 1, trading salt air for the subtle fragrance of spruce and fir as the landscape opens into the broad, undulating terrain of the Arundel plain. Private aviation finds its closest option at nearby regional strips, though the club's relative seclusion - nestled between working farmland and protected wetlands - lends the final approach an unhurried, almost pastoral quality, with the clubhouse emerging quietly from the surrounding marshes rather than announcing itself. The journey itself becomes part of the experience: a deliberate transition from the bustle of the Maine coast into the contemplative solitude where Dutch Elm has quietly established itself as one of New England's most understated golf destinations.

FAQ
Common questions about Dutch Elm
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Dutch Elm has a Course Vaults score of 7.1 out of 10 based on 12 logged golfers.
Dutch Elm was designed by Lucien Bourque.
Yes. Dutch Elm is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Dutch Elm is 72.
Dutch Elm plays 6,375 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Dutch Elm is 123.



