Conference 7.286::golf

    I have been going to Bethel for the last four years and leave this 
    Friday for our annual trek.  It is a lovely country Inn with good
    food and friendly atmosphere.   All of the "action" is at the Inn
    itself since the town has no evening entertainment.
    
    The 18-hole golf course is scheduled to be opened in July, however
    they do have at least 9 available for play.   It is hardly what you
    would consider a champion course (the fairways last year were pretty
    bad especially because of the construction of the additional 9 holes),
    but the course is fun, the food is excellent, and we have made some  
    good friends over the years.
    
    In the past we have stayed at one or two of their buildings adjacent
    to the main Inn (remember this is primarily skiing country), and the
    rooms can be quaint, indeed.  This year we will stay at one of the 
    new condos that have been built along the fairway.   They have a 
    heated swimming pool, saunas, pool-tables, and other games in a 
    separate building (new last year) so it is a great place for families.
    
    You can't get a better buy for your money.   If you wish further
    information, give me a call (276-9458).
    

    Bethel Inn-GO FOR IT!
    Fully concurr with reply .1: Quaint (Fun), Top Notch Everything
    Food, WINE CELLAR, and the Piano Player! Remember that quaint is
    indicative of an Old Inn--TV's and telephones are not priority items
    and don't get too picky about the room wallpaper--Otherwise, ENJOY!
    

    
    
    For us who missed the ad in the Globe; Can anyone quote any prices
    for the packaga deal mentioned in .0 ?
    
     Mark
    
    (whose looking for a good and fairly reasonably priced course near
     Kennebunk, ME)

    re .3
    
    The Bethel Inn package is 4 days/3 nights for two; breakfast and
    dinner daily and unlimited golf - all for $356.
    
    The problem for you would be that it's nowhere near Kennebunk -
    in fact it's closer to Mt. Washington!  The June Golf Digest has
    some suggestions on places to play and stay in Maine - how about
    the Cliff House which wouldn't be too far from Kennebunk?  Don't
    know anything about their packages, tho.

    
    My wife and I have been to the Bethel Inn twice this year. First
    time was the weekend the course was supposed to open, but it snowed.
    Second time was over Memorial Day weekend. 
    
    We like old Inn's. Whenever we take time to get away, it is usually
    to the Bethel Inn, or the Rangely Inn or any Inn. My wife grew up
    in the hotel business and she spent time with her parents at a lot
    of Inns in Maine. (for those who may remember, her father was the
    last owner of the Augusta House)
    
    The golf course at Bethel is short. One long Par 5. It is a nice
    course where anyone could score well. Now, add the new 9 holes
    and you've got a challenging course. They will be moveing some
    tees to accomodate the layout. The new holes have big sand traps
    in the fairways and surrounding most greens. Considering all the
    rain we've had, the entire course is in pretty nice shape. 
    
    They have 3 different price ranges, with 2 different offerings.
    
    	2 Nights, 3 days unlimited golf, breakfast and dinner each
    	day. Beginning at $229 double occupancy for a standard. Superior
    	is $249, deluxe is $309.
    
    	3 Nights, 4 days unlimited golf begins at $349. It all depends
     	on how many days you want to spend. They do have longer packages
    	and a per day amount ( I think it is $124/day).
    
    What else is there to do.
    
    	Mt Washington is 45 minutes away.
    
    	Conway and shopping is about an hour.
    
    	Many sites in the area. If you ride a bicycle, bring it.
    
    	Fishing, swimming, drinking and dancing.
    
    
    Final comment - The food is very good with. Wine cellar is well
    stocked although, in my opinion, expensive. If you go, try to have
    the waitress from Texas, her name is Sue. She is very nice and
    entertaining.
    
    Enjoy
    

    re .5
    
    Thanks for all the good data on the Bethel Inn.  It's nice to know
    that if we get 4 days of rain on our planned sojourn in July, there
    will be some other alternatives.
    
    If you like old Inns with golf courses and haven't been there already,
    you would probably enjoy the Lake Morey Inn and course in Fairlee,
    Vermont.  Sounds like it is very much like Bethel, and certainly
    has a challenging 18 hole course which they advertise as being the
    "home of the Vermont Open"!

    Wanted to give you an update to our Bethel Inn experience which
    took place last week.
    
    Our expectations of the Inn and food were met given all the good
    input I received.  The Inn was certainly charming and the food
    commendable. However, our primary reason for going was the golf
    aspect and here we were sorely disappointed. Although advertised
    as an 18 hole course, the back 9 was still incomplete, and the front
    9 was, in our estimation, poorly designed and not in terrific shape.
    We didn't expect a championship course, but neither did we expect
    heavy equipment to delay our play as front end loaders drove across
    the fairways.  We also seemed to be plagued by mowing machines
    following us from hole to hole at odd hours of the day.
    
    To make a long story short, we left 2 days early and drove west for 2 hours
    to Lake Morey which is truly a delightful course, expertly maintained
    (but not during the height of play !) and very professionally managed.
    
    We'll try Bethel in another 5 years when it's had a chance to season.

    In last weekends paper they said construction is all done..
    
    There is some kind of amatuer tournament up there sometime in the
    next few weeks. I know one of the people playing, so I will get an
    update.
    
    Sorry your disapponited...
    
    Jim
    

    Any updates on Bethel?  We are planning to go in July to golf, etc.
    
    Loraine
    223-3606
    LUNER::DOIRON