I was out on Cape Cod yesterday and drove past The Captains Golf Course. Conditions looked great and the parking lot was empty. Of course, it was 30 degrees out and 20 mph winds, but the sun was shining. For $20, I got the twilight rate at 1:00 and was back in my car by 3:30.
Even in the off season, this is a very fun course designed by Brian Silva. (I played the Starboard course. There is also a Port course). Unlike some of his courses that are hampered by very difficult terrain (Cyprian, Shattuck), the Captains property has some wonderful rolls and humps but no steep hills. As a result, it is a very easy walk.
The Starboard course hhas a very New England look to it, with fairways lined by pine trees. However, it never feels tight, and most fairways have generous width inthe landing areas. Here are some photos (not many, because my hands were getting cold holding the camera):
The opening hole is a straightforward par 4 with no tricks—just getting things going.
The second is a severely downhill par 3
After a 450-yard par 4 fourth, there is no rest. This 213-yard par 3 is one of the best holes on the course. There is tons of bailout room to the right, and the green slopes severely from right to left.
This is a look at the second shot from this 300-yard driveable par 4.
I think this is the par 5 seventh. The tee shot is uphill into a saddle. Carrying the top of the hill means lots of extra roll. The picture is the approach to the green
Hard dogleg left par 4. Second shot is significantly down hill.
The only right angle dogleg on the course. The tee shot is mildly interesting, but the green site is terrific.
The 12th is another short par 4. You would like to stay to the left. I didn't and had to cope with the bunker on my approach.
An interesting use of trees on the 14th. Lits of room out to the right, but I went left and had this to look at for a second shot. Not that big a deal in March, but I'd guess that in June the view to the green is completely obstructed.
The beginning of a great finish. The 16th is a massive hole at 468 yards. Anything left off the tee falls off into a pond. The green is way off to the left. To shorten the second shot, you would want to play as close to those bunkers as possible.
A very cool short par 3 17th. That center bunker is probably 5 yards short of the green.
The closing hole is a 530 yard par 5. The tee shot is difficult, but the layup and approach are pretty easy, making this a definite birdie hole. I would say this is a feel good finish, since there isn't a whole lot of risk and great potential for reward.