It's too bad that deleting a golden age golf course is a financially better option than selling to someone that is committed to golf, but it's obviously the owner's right to do what he wishes within the zoning and town laws. I wonder if less travel in 2020 meant no "COVID bump" to the Cape courses like in many other areas.
Golf on the Cape was very busy this summer. Private courses saw rounds up 30-50% YOY, principally due to week-day play as many
'weekend-only' homeowners were down full time. The muni courses were up 15-30% Y-O-Y rounds. The ones that were only up 15% were probably operating at 85% capacity pre-COVID. You literally couldn't get a tee time on the Cape from June through September
Remember that these numbers include the fact that the state shut down golf from March 10-May 15, so in some ways play was up even more than suggested above. (Now not a ton of play happening on the Cape in March and April - but almost all outside events were cancelled as well). Despite this increased demand, I am assuming the owner can make more money leasing to this solar farm operator. The owner apparently owns another course in New Hampshire that he is exiting in some way as well. I don't know all the details, but I hear he is "tired".
As far as CCCC, will be a shame if this happens. There was a town council meeting this week that I understand surprised the council members how much support there was for this course. From a location perspective, it is kind of in the middle of nowhere in Falmouth, so not exactly sure how in demand this location would be for residential real estate development so solar is likely the most profitable path forward