Bryson DeChambeau Takes on Maine's Sunday River and Sugarloaf Golf Clubs

Bryson DeChambeau takes on Maine’s toughest golf courses

Professional golfer and YouTube personality Bryson DeChambeau recently visited Western and Northwestern Maine to test his skills against the state’s most demanding terrain.

The two-time U.S. Open champion played rounds at both Sunday River and Sugarloaf Golf Clubs as part of a series where he visits public courses across the country to attempt to break their existing course records, WBLM reported.

The visit occurred during the peak of the fall foliage season, providing spectacular visual backdrops for the rounds DeChambeau shared with his followers on YouTube. While the scenery was a highlight, the technical difficulty of the courses remained the primary focus for the professional golfer.

Both Sunday River and Sugarloaf are known for being difficult. According to WBLM, the courses feature narrow fairways, complex undulations, dramatic elevation changes, and greens that require precise reading. Local players often note that the mountain winds can shift unexpectedly, adding another layer of difficulty to any round.

Sugarloaf presents a high-altitude challenge

DeChambeau’s performance at Sugarloaf was particularly notable for its technical complexity. Reality Sports Online reported that he shot a 69 at the club, a round he ranked highly in terms of design experience. He placed the Sugarloaf stretch in his top three favorite designs, trailing only Augusta and Cypress Point, though he noted the ranking might be controversial.

The conditions during his play were far from calm. Reality Sports Online reported that from the seventh hole onward, DeChambeau dealt with winds measuring between 30 and 35 mph. He described the greens as tricky, suggesting he would likely need several more rounds to fully master the nuances of the course.

The course history includes structural changes following natural disasters. A longtime staffer named John told Reality Sports Online that Hurricane Bob washed out the 14th and 15th holes in 1991. These holes were subsequently redesigned by Jones, leading to the course’s reopening in July 1992.

The search for new course records

Despite his high level of play, DeChambeau did not succeed in his primary mission of breaking the course records at either location. WBLM reported that while he put up a “heck of a fight” with massive drives and respectable short game play, the records remained intact.

Bryson DeChambeau shoots 69 at Maine's Sugarloaf and ranks it behind only Banff — Photo: tpl.realitysportsonline.com

His rounds were described as consistent and respectable, especially considering it was his first time playing these specific layouts. While birdies were difficult to secure at times, he avoided high scores by managing the challenging terrain and unfamiliar greens effectively.

The visit also included a moment of local celebrity that stood in stark contrast to the professional golf setting. WBLM reported that DeChambeau was spotted at a gas station in Western Maine around 2 a.m., a detail that captured the attention of local residents and night-shift workers alike.

For those interested in replicating the experience, Sugarloaf is open from May through October. The club is currently accepting tee times for 2027 and is offering lodging savings of up to 20% in connection with his visit, according to Reality Sports Online.

Worth a look