Sable Oaks Golf Club

Sable Oaks Golf Club sits in South Portland, Maine, on rolling terrain that was once farmland and forest. The course opened in 1989 as a collaboration between Geoffrey Cornish, the prolific New England architect whose career spanned much of the twentieth century, and Brian Silva, who worked extensively with Cornish before establishing his own practice. The design reflects Cornish's traditional approach to routing and strategic bunkering, adapted to the wooded landscape of southern Maine. The layout moves through stands of pine and hardwood, with elevation changes that are modest but meaningful in the context of coastal Maine topography. Fairways are generally tree-lined, and the design emphasizes accuracy off the tee and approach play into greens that are contoured but not severe. Water comes into play on several holes, typical of courses built on this type of converted land. The bunkering follows Cornish's preference for functional hazards that define playing corridors and frame greens without excessive ornamentation. Sable Oaks serves as a public facility and has been a regular host for regional amateur competitions and qualifiers, contributing to the competitive golf scene in the Portland area. The course provides a straightforward test of golf that rewards sound strategy and execution, characteristic of Cornish's design philosophy throughout his long career in the Northeast. The setting offers a wooded, parkland experience within easy reach of Maine's largest metropolitan area.