Travel News



A Chamber day at the Cape
by Al Mottau

Golfing on Cape Cod is a unique experience and one that should not be missed by the golfing devotee.   Within the confines of the 64 mile length of the peninsula are over 50 golf courses available to golfing vacationers.  The courses range from the very private to some of the best par 3's in the country.

 On the Cape the term private is a misnomer.  For many of the private courses are available for public play during the off season September to December and January to May.  The Cape, warmed by the Golf Stream as it flows into the Atlantic offers golf 12 months a year.

Incidentaly, the spring and fall are actually great times to explore the Cape. You may have to forego a dip in the ocean for the water will be a little chilly, but everything else is full bore.  It is a small sacrifice with many wonderful rewards.

 You will find some great golf packages at all of their luxury motels.  Each of them has access to the outstanding golf courses for which the Cape is noted.

All are anxious to fill those empty rooms once jumping with happy vacationers; they reduce the cost of a golf vacation considerately. For example, my late May golf adventure cost me $240 per person and included 3 nights and 72 holes of golf (with cart). I* stayed at the Bayside Resort on the outskirts of Hyannis right in the heart of all the action. A similar package in season (July and August) would be $312 plus cart. The Bayside Resort (like all Cape resorts) are very accommodating to family groups and will work out the best possible arrangements including cost for rooms, and tee times on courses you will enjoy. For more info go to CapeCodGolfVacation.com.

 This was our third year in a row visiting Cape Cod after a hiatus of over 25 years.  Many years ago it was an annual event that somehow drifted away from us as job transfers took us further and further away from our beloved Cape.
 
Three years prior Mary suggested we visit Cape Cod for our yearly golf vacation.  I wasn't very receptive recalling bygone days and the arduous task of driving seemingly endless miles from upstate New York.  It was usually over narrow roads to an area, who at that time had limited golf.  As Mary exclaimed, "We are in the year 2003 now.  I'm sure things have changed.  Let's give it a try"

 As much as I hate to admit it, she was right.  That tedious long trek was reduced to a pleasant 5 hour drive over dual, well maintained highways.  The only traffic light we encountered was at the end of our road before turning onto the Northway. And the golfing community has expanded from a mere five or six courses that were available to me during my younger days to well over 50 and all are very playable.

The Cape Code Chamber of Golf Division is now run by News Director John Cherry.  The enthusiastic Cherry realizes the boundless potential of providing visitors with excellent golf courses.  That coupled with other recreational opportunities found no where else in the world, Cape Cod provides a wondrous vacation for golfers and non-golfers alike.. Where else will you find great public beaches with water warmed by the Gulf Stream, ferry rides to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island, whale watching excursions, a trip to fascinating Provincetown, a day long trip on a well maintained bicycle trail, a dune buggy ride, etc?  Top that all off in one of their great seafood restaurants.  All of this is contained on a small Massachusetts Peninsula with great historical significance. 

 For Mary and me, it is all about golf.  And for the third year in a row, we were not disappointed.  Thanks to the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.  They remembered our last visits and arranged an entirely different golf itinerary.  (Their service is available to everyone by visiting them on www.CapeCodChamber.org)  It proved to be our best trip ever.

 Our opening round began at the Ballymeade Country Club in North Falmouth.  With 18 holes of shear beauty, there are a few holes that offer an awesome view of Buzzards Bay;.  Don't let the views distract you from your attended purpose for being there. The course recently redesigned by Chi Chi Rodriguez is a true test of golf providing a challenging and memorable golf experience.  With a par of 72 and a course rating of 74.3 and a slope of 139, make sure that you select the right tee box or you're in for a long day.

 The Chamber was a little easier on us the next day and booked a 9:30 am tee time at Dennis Highlands.  The Highlands was built in 1984 as a sister resort to the very popular Dennis Pines that was opened in 1966 and is one of the mainstays of traditional Cape Cod golf.  The Highlands is a lesser challenge than the Pines with wider fairways and 500 yards shorter.  The slope rating at the Highlands is 118, at the Pines it is 127.  It makes for a very comfortable round of golf while enjoying some extremely tricky greens.  The Highlands could best be described as a course with no gimmicks, just straight golf.  It was Mary's favorite layout.

The early starting time gave us the opportunity to explore other aspects of Hyannis.  A visit to the multitude of shops along its main street, lots of people watching and ending with a basket of fresh fried clams as we watched the many yachts and ferries move in and out of Cape Cod Bay.

 Our third day was a very special surprise even though it necessitated us getting up at 5:30 am to catch the 6; 30 am ferry to Nantucket Island to play the Miacomet Golf Course, the island's only public course. The high speed ferry got us out into the Atlantic Ocean and to the picturesque island with its narrow cobblestone streets in an hour's time.  We were at the golf course by 8:30 am but we had to wait another hour for the heavy ocean fog to lift and disclosing a wonderful 18 hole layout.

 Originally it was a nine hole course used mainly by affluent local residents.  In 2003 a second nine was added and intermingled with the original nine.  The new holes are easily distinguishable for the new greens are twice as big as the old greens. The course could be best described as a Scottish links style course.  Near the ocean, relatively flat and void of trees, the course can be a charmer if the day is calm.  Let the wind blow, as it usually does, and the course becomes a monster.  New player or veteran you will surely find playing the Miacomet Golf Course is an experience worth repeating many times.

 We finished our round in ample time and allowing us the opportunity to explore the village before the ferry departed for Hyannis.  Cost for the high speed ferry was $64.00 per person round trip.  There is a slower ferry (2 hours each way) for $33.00 per person round trip.  Maicomet was certainly the highlight of our vacation.

Our trip ended in grand fashion by playing the Twin Brooks Golf Course that is part of the Four Points Sheraton Hyannis Resort.  A self-contained resort with all the enmities and where you could spend your whole vacation without leaving the confines.  Their course is open to the public.  The Twin Brooks Course is one of the nicest Par 3's in the country.  A full 18 holes it serves a number of levels of golf.  It is perfect for the family unit with varying levels of abilities.  The less proficient golfer can learn the basic rudiments of golf in a very relaxed atmosphere.  And the low handicappers can sharpen up their short iron game and chipping ability, skills that are usually neglected with normal practice. You will probably leave your driver in the bag and that is not necessarily a bad thing.

 The course was in wonderful shape, boasting of some of the best greens in the area.  The Cape is getting to be known as the Golf Coast and Twin Brooks is an intricate part of it. One of its most redeeming features is the whole golf experience takes under 2 ½ hours for the full 18 holes.  That is perfect for the vacationer who doesn't want to spend his entire day on the golf course.  There are too many other wonderful opportunities available.

 And it was perfect for us.  We wanted to play golf on the day we were leaving.  But on a regulation course it would extend the day considerably.  With an early starting time and then a box lunch provided by the Sheraton we were on the road by 11:30 am and on our way home at a decent hour.  We had 4 ½ hours to reflect on 4 glorious days.  Mostly we talked about the great opportunity we had to play some good golf at reasonable rates ranging from $33.00  per person a round at Twin Brook to a high of $95.00  plus cart at Miacomet (well worth the experience).  At BallyMeade expect to pay $60.00 weekdays, $75.00 weekends including cart.  Dennis Highland is $55.00 a round plus $15.00 a cart (not mandatory).  You won't find courses of this quality, at these rates anywhere in the country.

 Cherry's new slogan for Cape Cod Golf is "a short distance to far away”. Even though we felt like we were a million miles away from all our worries, we were able to do it on one tank of gas.  At today's inflationary prices, it certainly is a major consideration.  We arrived home in less than five hours fully refreshed and ready for any challenge that life has to offer.

 We are already planning another trip up this fall when the courses are less crowded, where motels and golf courses have reduced rates and you can get into any one of their fine seafood restaurants without a reservation. Golfing on Cape Cod can be so exciting.  If you are an avid golfer, you should give Cape Cod serious consideration.  Believe me! You will not be disappointed.

Bayside Resort Web Site:     www.baysideresort.com   Phone 1-800-243-1114

Dennis Highlands Golf Course   www.dennisgolf.com

Miacomet Golf course   www.miacometgolf.com

Cape Code Chamber of Commerce   www.CapeCodChamber.org