Taft’s Infamous 27
During a 1911 round at Kebo, President William Taft carded a legendary 27 on today’s 17th hole—forever known as 'The Taft.' His presidential struggle endures as perhaps the club’s most famous lore.
The verdict
History, Heritage, and Classic Challenge
Kebo Valley Club delivers a walk through American golf history with New England flavor and strategic challenge on every tee. The classic routing rewards precision, celebrates tradition, and serves as an architectural treat just steps from Acadia National Park.
Course DNA
Difficulty
77
Scenery84
Conditioning68
Shot Variety79
Walkability72
Green Complexity80
Wow Factor80
Design Quality82
At a glance
Quick facts
Oldest Golf Club in Maine
Founded in 1888, first play in 1891
Course Record
67 by Walter Hagen in 1922
Presidential Lore
President Taft once carded a 27 on the 17th
Acadia Proximity
Borders Acadia National Park
Signature Par 4
8th hole praised by Walter Hagen
Multiple Architects
Leeds, Ross, Bates, Liscomb, Booth
Publicly Accessible
Open to all golfers, not private
Downeast Metro Amateur
Host venue for respected regional event
The design
The architecture
Kebo Valley radiates the charm of golf’s Golden Age with its strategic use of the property’s natural slopes, subtle doglegs, and compact, walkable routing. Herbert C. Leeds laid the bones, Donald Ross refined the rhythm, and later stewards protected the course's integrity. Old-school greens demand careful placement and imagination, while stone walls, mature trees, and a blend of uphill and downhill shots make every round a trip back in time.
Esteemed for their Golden Age vision, H.C. Leeds and Donald Ross made Kebo Valley both timeless and relevant—not by overpowering the land, but by drawing out its character through subtle strategy, clever green sites, and respect for the terrain.
Defining features
- Strategic doglegs and angled fairways
- Classic, modestly contoured greens
- Natural stone walls framing several holes
- Walkable, compact Golden Age routing
- Blend of scoring chances and tough demands
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 2
Relentless Valley Challenge
PAR
4
YARDAGE
443
The 443-yard 2nd is a demanding, long par 4 where both placement and distance control are critical. A premium opening stretch leaves little margin for mishit drives or loose approach play.
Play it smart
Split the fairway to leave a manageable long-iron or hybrid. Attacking from the wrong side courts bogey.
Where it bites
Miss left and you court tree trouble; miss right and approaches from rough are doubly penal.
Course management
Shots to think about
Tight driving corridors
Choose position over power to set up the best approach angle and avoid tree trouble.
Long par 3s (6th, 9th)
Be conservative with club, favoring a safe miss to maximize scrambling odds.
Downhill approach into 8th
Trust the correct side for best green access—right is almost always better.
Short par 4s (7th, 12th)
Resist going for the green; a wedge from the fairway beats a recovery from trouble.
Par 5 decision time (5th, 14th)
Benign layup often trumps a bold but risky second shot here.
Green reads under pressure
Account for subtle back-to-front slopes and keep your putts below the hole whenever possible.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Classic, well-kept New England turf with historic character; tidy but not ultra-manicured.
Pace
Generally brisk thanks to compact routing and walkability, but expect summer leisure during peak travel.
Vibe
Warm, historic, and subtly clubby—a window into classic American golf tradition.
Dress code
Standard golf attire recommended; collared shirt and neat appearance, but confirm specifics with the club.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Bring A Full Bag
You’ll need every club, especially long irons and hybrids, for demanding approaches and long par 3s.
02
Expect Subtle Greens
Brush up on green reading and commit to speed—these sloping surfaces reward a steady touch.
03
Plan For Downeast Weather
Layers and light rain gear will keep you ready for shifting coastal weather.
04
Book Ahead In Summer
Peak summer rounds fill quickly amid Bar Harbor tourism; advance booking is essential for ideal tee times.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1888
Kebo Valley Club incorporated, making it Maine’s oldest golf club.
- 1891
First golf holes opened, marking the start of organized play.
- 1911
President William Taft notoriously scored a 27 on the 17th hole.
- 1922
Walter Hagen set the course record with a blistering 67.
- 1926
Donald Ross contributed to course revisions and routing updates.
- 1999
Modern work or consultation by William Bradley Booth noted in club history.
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Walter Hagen’s Record
Golf legend Walter Hagen played Kebo Valley twice in 1922, shooting even-par 70 and then a 67 that remained the course record for half a century. Even Hagen was awed by the demanding 8th hole.
A Social and Sporting Hub
In its golden era, Kebo regularly drew New York socialites and saw its tournament results published by The New York Times. The course was a center of summer society as well as serious sport.
A Club Shaped by Legends
From Leeds’ original six-hole layout to Ross’s clever tweaks, each era’s architect left a mark, culminating in an 18 that delivers classic New England golf against a storied backdrop.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Oldest golf club in Maine and eighth oldest in the USA.
2
President Taft’s infamous 27 is commemorated annually with a fun event.
3
Walter Hagen’s praise brought national spotlight to Kebo’s 8th hole.
4
Greens and features blend Leeds and Ross architectural touches.
5
Course results once appeared in The New York Times during its summer-social heyday.
Build the trip
If you’re plotting a Bar Harbor golf escape
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
The Causeway Club
Public
Quintessential Mount Desert Island golf just a short drive from Bar Harbor—scenic, casual, and a true local staple.
Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf
Public
Family-friendly mini-golf fun, five minutes from Kebo—perfect for off days or non-golfer travel companions.
Stay in Bar Harbor to minimize drive times and maximize access to the course, Acadia, restaurants, and island sights.
Course DNA
If You Like Kebo Valley Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.4
Stonewall Resort Palmer Course
Roanoke, West VirginiaWhy it matches: Stonewall Resort Palmer Course is a natural next stop after Kebo Valley Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match8.6
The Prairie Club - Dunes Course
Valentine, NebraskaWhy it matches: There is real overlap here. The Prairie Club - Dunes Course a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Kebo Valley Club.
Strong DNA Match8.4
Rhode Island Country Club
Barrington, Rhode IslandWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Rhode Island Country Club's own setting.
Community Sentiment
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