u4249452

Let me preface this review by saying that I really do enjoy playing Toddy Brook; it's a great public course in the heart of North Yarmouth, 15 minutes from Portland, but also within a reasonable commute of Gray, Windham and other surrounding cities/towns.
I purchased the Hot Deal for Toddy Brook recently, $30 for 18 holes w/cart, which compares to about $50 if someone were to book a tee time without GolfNow. I arrived about an hour early to hit a small bucket and practice on the chipping green. Spring in Maine is normally characterized by soggy fairways, but there was a sunny stretch in the week prior so I expected that I would have fairly-dry conditions. After paying for range balls, I was surprised when the green-keeper said that the range was limited to short irons only. I'm not sure what the reasoning was, but the range was in surprisingly good shape, and the chipping green was well maintained.
Carts were also limited to cart-paths only due to sogginess of the fairways which made playing as a foursome a bit more time consuming, but after the front-nine we found that the fairways held up a bit more due to the elevation change. Players who enjoy courses at Sugarloaf or Sunday River, will find that the back-nine has some of the same charm. Holes 14 and 15 not only offer amazing views of the countryside, but they also give the player a unique challenge that they won't experience elsewhere on the course (or in the area).
Overall the course was in relatively good shape, the fairways were tight for some holes, but wide enough to hit driver on most. Our foursome found that if you hit FIR, it's not difficult to make par on this course. I encourage any golfer in the area to at-least give Toddy Brook a shot, personally I will wait until Summer when it dries out a bit before going back.

Great value for an 18-hole course in Portland. Other courses around the area fluctuate between $30-$40 for a full round (walking) while Riverside generally has a more accessible price point. I have played the 9-hole South course several times, but saw an opportunity to play the North course and am glad that I did. Though the course was windy & soggy in places, the fairways & greens were in surprisingly good shape. Elevation changes make this course interesting to play, and a mid-handicapper like myself will find Riverside North a challenging alternative to other municipal courses in the area. Expect a good workout, this course is not for the faint of heart if you plan on walking. I will be playing Riverside North again in a few weeks with my father-in-law and will absolutely be driving a cart. All-in-all a great experience and I look forward to being back.