Bee Keeping

PCC Has Six Beehives

For the past several years the Portland Country Club has kept six bee hives on their property.  The Assistant Superintendent of grounds, Markus Wiles, has been managing the hives. Markus has been taking bee keeping classes through the Honey Exchange in Portland as well through the U-Maine cooperative extension.  His continual education and passion for honey bees has led to multiple gallons of honey each summer.  

Portland Country Club continues to focus on environmental stewardship. Honey  bees are often referred to as the ambassadors to nature.  They teach us to be cognizant of the golf course landscape, inspiring the staff to create more bee habitat and less monoculture turf areas.  Environmental concerns regarding pesticides has been an ongoing concern with the Club. Bees are highly sensitive to pesticides especially insecticides.  The grounds staff takes pride in maintaining a beautiful golf course while creating safe habitats for the honey bees.