Life + Style G O L F I N G
DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH
GOLF GEMS AROUND CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS BY BILL HIGGINS
The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce promotes all that is good about the region, and so when it comes to playing golf, why not herald itself as The Golf Coast? Indeed, the Cape and islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket have nearly three dozen public courses, with challenges to suit everyone’s game. Beyond the high-profile venues, there are also many other layouts worthy of exploring. We’ve researched a week’s worth to sample, with this thought as we stock our bag with extra balls and tees: Golf spelled backwards is flog. Have fun!
Chequessett Yacht & Country Club in Wellfleet 680 Chequessett Neck Road, Wellfleet, 508-349-3704; Chequessettclub.com This is a throwback course tucked on a bluff overlooking Cape Cod Bay and dates to 1929. It’s nine holes, but if you want to make it an 18-hole round, there are multiple sets of tees for a variety of looks. Chequessett is a comfortable, fun place to play. You need not be long off the tee—there are three par 4s under 315 yards— but small, bunkered greens, buffeted by wind, will test you. No. 4, a 435-yard, par 5, is a wonderful risk/reward hole with the tee box at the highest point on the course overlooking Wellfleet Bay.
Dennis Highlands in Dennis 825 Old Bass River Road, Dennis, 508-385-8347; dennisgolf.com This Highlands is one of two town courses in Dennis and an excellent complement to the more-established Pines. The Highlands plays will tempt you off the tee with room to rip it and strategy around and on the greens will be rewarded. The sixth hole is a meaty par 4, 416 yards from the tips. If you spray your tee shot, it’s likely to roll into valleys left or right. A good drive will leave you with a demanding uphill approach to a sloping green. You don’t want to be above the flag putting downhill.
Bass River in South Yarmouth 62 Highbank Road, South Yarmouth, 508-398-9079; yarmouth.golf Designed by the legendary Donald Ross (think Pinehurst in North Carolina and Seminole in Florida), this is one of two Yarmouth courses, along with Bayberry Hills. It’s also one of the Cape’s oldest layouts (1900) and most enjoyable to play. The greens are small and undulating and there’s a premium on course management. Water is in play often, including on No. 9, a 169-yard par 3 over marshy grasslands. A greenside bunker will catch shots headed for a watery grave.
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