Thursday, August 28, 2003

Natanis owner dies while working on course
Golfing community mourns loss of Bob Browne

By GARY HAWKINS, Staff Writer

Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
Re-printed by permission.

VASSALBORO — Natanis Golf Course majority owner and general manager Bob Browne died Wednesday of an apparent heart attack while working on the course he helped build into the largest in the state. 

Browne, who celebrated his 60th birthday Tuesday, collapsed while talking to a couple of course rangers on the sixth hole of Natanis' new Tomahawk Course around 1 p.m. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful, according to his brother, Bill Browne, a state representative from Vassalboro.

According to Bill, his brother had a history of heart problems but had just recently passed a stress test. Their father, Paul Browne, who started Natanis in 1965, also died of a heart attack on the course in 1982. It's more than a coincidence both men died on the golf course they helped build, since they spent most of their time there. Bob spearheaded the drive to expand Natanis to 27 holes in the early 1990s and helped make it the state's only 36-hole course last summer.

"I think it was really his vision," Bill Browne said. "He was the mastermind behind expanding it to 27 and 36 (holes)."

The Browne family is one of the most prominent golf families in the state. They also own Lakewood Golf Course in Madison and formerly owned Moose River in Jackman. Many family members are employed at Natanis, including Bob's sons Allan, the course superintendent, and Rob, the business and clubhouse manager. His younger brother Dick is the course pro while his wife, Julie, and sister Liz are also employed there.

"I like the course for its family atmosphere," said Norm Gagne, a longtime member from Waterville. "You feel comfortable and like you're part of something."

Bob Browne, who also lived in Vassalboro, seldom asked any of the workers on the course to do anything he wouldn't do himself, immersing himself into both the construction and maintenance at Natanis.

"It's a horrible loss for the community," said Jean Cassidy, a member since 1986 and part-time worker at the course. "As far as the golf course was concerned, he was it. You couldn't ask for a nicer, more honest person on this earth."

With expansion at Natanis also came expanded business, including more than 70 corporate and charity outings a year. The course also has hosted the Maine high school boys and girls state championships each fall, as well as serving as home to several area high school golf teams.

Browne still managed to find time to help other golf course owners in the area, including George Hall, who opened Sheepscot Links in Whitefield a few years ago.

"He always had answers and information," Hall said. "I took samples of materials I was going to use for my greens to see what Bob thought of them.

"One of the things that always struck me when I was a member there was after they got done working they would all tee off. Bob was always in his work boots."

Browne played in the men's twilight league finale Tuesday night, then participated in the season-ending banquet. League members later honored him with a rendition of Happy Birthday.

"He was a hard worker and just an easygoing guy," Gagne said. "He'd always take a minute no matter where you were on the golf course to stop by and kid with you about your putting or chipping, then be back on his way doing what he was doing.

"He loved the course. He was just a good friend and a good man."