Great Chebeague at Great Chebeague Golf Club

Great Chebeague Golf Club occupies a distinctive setting on Chebeague Island in Casco Bay, accessible only by ferry from the mainland near Portland, Maine. Wayne Stiles designed the course in the late 1920s during a period when he was creating several layouts across New England, often characterized by strategic routing over rolling terrain and an emphasis on natural contours. The island location and era of construction suggest a relatively compact design that works with the available land and coastal topography.

The course reflects the practical constraints and charm of island golf, where the ferry schedule and walking tradition shape the experience as much as the design itself. Stiles typically favored courses that rewarded thoughtful play over raw distance, and the layout likely incorporates elevation changes and natural features characteristic of Maine's coastal landscape. The club operates as a nine-hole facility, common for smaller island communities where land is limited and the membership draws from seasonal residents and year-round islanders.

Great Chebeague represents a quieter chapter in American golf architecture, preserving the character of early twentieth-century resort and community courses built in New England's coastal regions. The combination of Stiles's design principles and the island's isolation creates a setting where golf remains unhurried and closely tied to its natural surroundings, offering a contrast to more accessible mainland courses in the Portland area.