Cape Cod Trip

[Ronald Montesano]

I'm heading to Cape Cod for a whirlwind, four-day trip in a few weeks. The purpose is to gather material for some articles and to shoot images. I have five courses lined up and am looking for three more. I know that there are multiple threads on CC golf on GCA; I've read them. I'm curious what the current batch of GCA squatters would suggest for CC golf.

Thus far I have confirmations from Bass River, both courses at the Captain's Golf Club, Highland Links and Cranberry Valley.

I was told "no thanks" by the Dennis Pines and Highlands courses, so they are out. Woods Hole is tournamenting and aerating, so it is also out.

I don't have the luxury of eliminating public-access courses and writing a piece on exclusive clubs, but I would like to add a private club or two.

Have at it, denizens. Your thoughts?

[Dan Byrnes]

It's been covered here but Eastward HO is a gem from what I have seen here and elsewhere could easily be a top 100.  I would like to see something on Hyannis Port.  Also Oyster Harbours and Wianno.  I would pass on Cape Cod National.

Dan

[Ally Mcintosh]

Ronald,

I am in Cape Cod from August 19th to 23rd if by any chance that fits in with you?...

Am planning on sneaking out quickly to Highland Links and would be great to meet, even if just briefly.... If I had time, I'd be trying to see Eastward Ho but family comes first this time...

Ally

[John Foley]

If you can give yourself some room and sway off of the Cape Cod proper and head to Plymouth - I would recommend Pine Hills & Waverly Oaks.

BTW - Cranberry Valley & The Captains are strong public access gems - Quashnet Valley & Ballymead are two others can fill out your list.

[Mike Feeney]

Pocasset is a private Ross course...nicely restored in 2005 or 2006, fun layout, usually in A+ condition -- may be receptive to a call from your professional.  Close-by is Cape Cod CC (public) -- 1st 15 holes are well-done & entertaining...highlight is 14th with its volcano green complex...the last 3 holes are weak.  Oyster Harbor & Hyannisport are wonderful but not very accommodating to outside play -- especially in the summer.  As someone else said Plymouth is close-by....Plymouth CC (Ross) was wonderfully restored/updated by Ian Andrew.  Kittansett is just off the Cape in Marion -- summer access an be challenging

[Mark McKeever]

I would RUN to see Eastward Ho! if you can.  Some phenomenal photo opportunities lay out there.

Mark

[Carl Nichols]

Is the Nicklaus renovation at Ocean Edge Resort (in Brewster) any good?

[Bill Crane]

Looks like a nice schedule of courses.

I understand that Bass River has Donald Ross roots but I was not overly impressed with it, although it was probably 18 years or so when I was last there.  I think that the Hyannis Course may actually be a better course, although there are some picturesque holes at Bass River.  Has a Historic Renovation been done on Bass River?

Captains and Cranberry Valley are solid courses that I have played a ton of golf on since we had family homes in Wellfleet within 25/40 minutes away.  Remember that Cornish and Silva designed most of the courses in New England, and many on the Cape, with similar terrain there are definitely similarities among all of them.  I don’t really like Dennis Pines that much, but there are some hard holes.  Dennis Highlands is almost more fun, my son broke 100 there for the first time shooting 93.

The rolling sandy terrain with tons of pines can remind one of Pinehurst.  The wind can blow at any time.  Late Sept or early Oct is really the best time to play although I have had great rounds as late as Thanksgiving weekend.  Access to private clubs in the fall gets a little easier as well.

Speaking of wind, I have posted comments about Highland Links several times and it is a true links experience, somewhat raw and really exposed to the elements.  This is the only course that I have played with wind strong enough to blow the pins out of the cup!  It is my wife’s favorite and the views are excellent on a clear day. Here is a link to a few comments:           http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php?topic=54461.0

Take an opportunity to play E Ho, or Kittansett, I love them both.  As a Flynn design, I am partial to Kittansett, but only by a whisker.  Hyannis port is also worth playing if you can get on, there are a few fun quirky features there, especially over the marshes.

Wish I was going, I miss the Cape so much !

Wm Flynnfan

[Ronald Montesano]

Reasserting my charge that the purpose of this trip is to gather information and photographs for articles of some worth, it is necessary to dominate with public-access venues. I have a nearly-complete list of courses. No dates have yet been set, but it looks like this:

Bass River
Captain's Golf Club (both courses)
Highland Links (will play it twice)
Cranberry Valley
Pine Hills (both courses)

The Pine Hills inclusion is fortuitous, as it will allow me to make a getaway from the Cape and not have to go off-on-off-on (or something of that ilk.) I have space for one final round and have extended enquiries to a number of less-accessible courses. With luck, one will land heads-up.

I do appreciate all the suggestions. There is much experience and wisdom here and I do not take it lightly. If photos turn out as anticipated and winter affords the opportunity, I will post images from these courses.

[Ronald Montesano]

I confirmed my 8th course today and in the words of



it's a peach, hun.

It's all over but the waiting...and driving...and driving.

[Bill Crane]

Ron:

I am surprised that you have not put New Seabury on the agenda.  It is really semi - private. The holes along Nantucket sound are really fun and in a beautiful setting. Architecturally they are OK, nothing incredible.  The holes away from the water are pretty similar to many of the other courses on the Cape including the Cornish and Silva courses.

You also don't have any courses on your agenda from the "upper Cape" toward the mainland such as the courses in Falmouth or Sandwich.
Interesting phenomena are the nine holes courses on the Cape – many pretty old like Highland Links.  I think there are six nine hole courses on the Cape and several on the Vineyard and Nantucket as well.  Some have true quirk that is not normally found in the US. At Highland Links I think of the tiny 9th hole, huge drop on the second, the severally elevated tee shot to the par 3 third, blind 4th tee shot etc, and at Wellfleet (affectionately the "sand trap") the third drops from an elevated tee to a valley and then back up a steep hill to a partially blind green.  Wellfleet also has some of the tiniest tees I have ever seen.

FYI there is a Cape Cod Golf magazine, that is decent for a regional publication.

Wish I was going.
Wm Flynnfan

[Bill Shotzbarger]

Ron, I'm jealous! Love the cape.

[Ronald Montesano]

Nice avatar! My lawn is up and it needs to be cut...what are you doing today?

I haven't been since I was a child. It should be interesting. How goes law school in Syracuse?

[Ronald Montesano]

Unbelievably, just added another course to the trip. This one was a direct result of recent GCA discussions. Some folks in the golf industry really do get the transcendent longevity of the game.