Golfing and Fishing

During June, the Stone Wharf on Chebeague Island bustles with activity as barges drop off cars and trucks, passengers come and go on the Chebeague Transportation Company's ferry, Islander, and lobstermen rig traps and load them onto their boats. At this time of year, lobsterman Stephen Johnson can be found in the midst of all of this activity fathoming out his rope and making sure his knots are secure. 

From time to time he glances to the other side of the barge ramp as golfers come onto the wharf, clubs in hand, and head for the seventh tee of the Great Chebeague Golf Club, which is located on the southerly end of the wharf in the midst of Chebeague's working waterfront. At the end of the day Johnson hopes to be out on the golf course enjoying a casual game of golf as he has for more than five decades. Johnson was about six he started playing golf. At first he tagged along with his older sister, Pam. In those days islanders had the course pretty much to themselves before Memorial Day and after Labor Day.  Golf gave island children something to do when they weren't playing baseball. While many of the island children just hit the ball to see how far it would go, Johnson worked at perfecting his skill. In 1973 Steve Johnson was the first islander to win the Great Chebeague Golf Club's men's championship.

Today, Johnson looks at golf as a way to relax after a hard day on the water. Although he sometimes plays the course alone, he enjoys the camaraderie and competition of playing with his wife, Beverly, and his friend, Doug Ross. He says that playing golf gets him out and keeps him moving, and if once in awhile he gets in a few good shots it makes it all worthwhile!

Johnson considers the golf course is a great asset to the community and appreciates its long history and tradition. "It's good for the economy," he said in a recent interview. "The  GCGC has preserved open space. If we didn't have a golf course there would be houses all along the shore. This way everyone can enjoy the view!"