Golfers in Maine wait with anticipation for the winter snow to melt away, knowing that with the white stuffs disappearance that golf season is just around the corner.

That was not the case at the end of the 2012 for those who enjoy spending their days on the links at Apple Valley Golf Course, located a stone’s throw from the Lisbon town line at 316 Pinewoods Road in Lewiston.

Owner Gard Craw announced that 2012 was going to be his last as owner of the course, and as fall turned into winter, no one had stepped in to revive the course, known for its family-friendly prices along with a layout considered not as difficult, though tricky as members will tell you, as several courses throughout the state.

That is until Linda Kelley and husband George Daddona stepped in, announcing the purchase of the par-35, nine-hole layout in March. Kelley owns the course and runs things, while Daddona is a jack of all trades, from grooming the course to running the pro shop, along with nephews Holden and John, making Andy Valley a true family business.

“To own and operate a course has been a lifelong dream, having been involved with golf since 1979,” said Kelley moments after the course’s woman’s league teed off for a Wednesday session. “My husband saw the article in the Sun (Lewiston Sun Journal) in late August and we came over to see the course. I had been here as a child and had walked it with my father as the caddie, what we all did to learn golf when we were little. We came out to see if it was what we remembered.

“We talked throughout the course of the winter, and there were no other announcements about someone purchasing the course. Everything came together in March, and my dream became a reality.”

This first season under new ownership has been hampered by rain and heat.

“It has been a tough season, with 43 days of intolerable weather,” said Kelley. “When it wasn’t raining, there was excessive heat with high humidity, which hurts golf.”

Still, Kelley has remained positive.

“But, it has been fun,” she said. “We believe that this can be a good family golf course, and the only way we will grow the game of golf is through the younger players. If you can start with a family, get those younger children playing, you have at least a two-for, a parent and child, and maybe even a four-for, with the entire family.

“What I remembered as a child here is that the course had a lot of apple trees, part of its name, and today there are more pine cone trees out there.”

There have been few changes to the course itself, which features generously wide fairways, a little bit of water, some sand, trees for those poorly hit shots and challenging green conditions.

“We haven’t made changes to the course, but in the clubhouse we made changes to our food menus,” said Kelley. “Golfers are coming around to buy the food now because we are not offering them frozen pizzas and burgers. We have ‘real’ food now. The challenge has been getting the word out to the golfers, who are taking to it slowly.”

Golfers of all abilities are making their way to Apple Valley.

“We are not real good players, playing just once a week, so this course is our speed,” said Lewiston native Roland Bonneau, who plays the course every Wednesday. “We don’t par too many holes, but we have a lot of fun. They cut the high grass away, which gives us better shots, and they have maintained everything, including the prices from last year. It cost us $12 for nine holes after 4 (p.m.), which you can’t beat. It is a great walking course. We were very excited that the course was saved, being that we live close, and we come out, play our nine holes and have fun.”

For those who believe the course is easy, think again.

“It can be a deceivingly hard course. It will give you some difficulties,” said longtime Andy Valley member David Gregoire. “The course has not changed much. But, the clubhouse atmosphere is really good, and the Friday tournaments are a lot of fun. They are working with the youth and trying to get things going in that direction. I just love the proximity to home and that you can come out and play a quick round.”

“This course can be very challenging, and golfers can put themselves in jail if they don’t hit the ball straight,” said Kelley. “But, it is a place to come and have fun.”

Kelley has shaken things up, with Friday tournaments and youth leagues.

“We created the three-person scramble on Friday, a night typically dead,” said Kelley of one of the changes she has made to bring in more business and expand the game of golf. “We have a scramble and a meal afterwards (meal not included in cost), and we include everyone that wants to come out. They can come just for the meal if they like. We mix things up, do ‘Red, White and Blue’ nights, where everyone has to play from all three tee markers. We will be having a ‘9-Club’ Tournament, and we will host a fundraiser for ‘Pars for Patriots,’ a program from the Wounded Warrior Project. That will be in September. We recently did a ‘Shamble’ with members bringing a guest. We have a women’s league at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays, and those who can’t make it at that time can call and we do another one on Wednesdays at 4 p.m.”

Kelley feels that success of her course, and golf as a whole, will come from the youth.

“The members here really appreciate the younger children out here,” said Kelley. “They were happy when we put in a junior program. It’s the only way we are going to grow this golf course, getting the families out here, and we need junior members, the seniors and everyone in-between. When golfers come in the door, we are always laughing and joking. I have never belonged to the LPGA, and my husband has never been with the PGA. We don’t take the game seriously because it is meant to be fun. We just want to get people out here. To see golfers out there enjoying themselves, even if they don’t play well, is special for me. They are outside enjoying themselves. That is the key. I would much rather see a kid out here whacking the ball around the golf course than sitting at home playing a video game. They are getting some exercise.”

The price is reasonable in comparison to courses throughout Maine. An individual adult membership is $600, while juniors under 18 pay $340 for the season. A couples membership is $860, as well as a parent/child membership. A family of three or more pays $1,060, with weekday only memberships costing $340.

“We like to keep it affordable. We will never be Augusta National. That is not my goal. It is to get people introduced to the game,” said Kelley, who discussed her junior golf program. “We run a junior clinic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $7. They get a lesson in etiquette and go out and play. The ages range from 5-15.”

Daily rates vary depending on the time. For instance, a 9-hole round cost $15, with 18 holes running $22. But, after 4 p.m. weekdays, the 9-hole rate drops to $12. On weekends, twilight begins at 3 p.m. For those wishing to play unlimited golf, the twilight rate is $17.

Apple Valley does offer riding and pulling carts. A riding cart is $7 per person for nine holes, while 18 holes runs $12 per person. A pull cart is $3 for nine holes and $5 for 18.

And, Kelley has plans for the winter.

“We will stay open for golf until the snow flies, and if we get enough snow, we will groom some cross country trails, just to keep the name ‘Apple Valley’ out there,” said Kelley. “We may even have a little ice skating area.”

As for the future, Kelley has high hopes for golf course.

“I hope to see Apple Valley top out its membership, and I hope to see a junior program that is vibrant and strong, and the juniors go on to enjoy the game of golf for the rest of their lives,” said Kelley. “We have members here that are 84-plus, out here every day. They don’t hit it very far, but they are walking the course. It is meant to be fun. If you take golf too seriously, it will eat you up.”

For more information on Apple Valley Golf Course, call 784-9773, or visit online at www.applevalleytgolfersclub.com.