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Cummaquid Golf Club
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Photography by George Peet
Our office is located in Dennisport, about a 20-minute drive from Cummaquid Golf Club and just over the border separating the town of Dennis and the village of Yarmouthport on the Cape’s north side. We decide to take the scenic route along Route 6A. When traveling west, the club’s entrance is on the left side of the road and is identified by a small sign that reads simply, “Cummaquid Golf Club, Established 1895.” History records that, indeed, Cape Cod’s oldest golf club had its official beginning on August 7, 1895, and that it was the first in Barnstable County; that is to say, on Cape Cod.
A small group of golfers from Yarmouth and Barnstable carved out a nine-hole course from a once-upon-a-time cow pasture, two years before the official organization of the club. Less than a year later, the club’s first clubhouse was built overlooking the first tee. That clubhouse still stands, though it has been updated many times. In 1968, the club approved the land purchase that would allow the club to expand to 18 holes. Henry Mitchell of West Dennis (who designed the spectacular Dennis Pines course in 1966) was hired to oversee the expansion plans. Two years later, on July 8, 1970, the 18-hole course was unveiled to the membership.
Today, 110 years later, the one-time cow pasture is recognized as one of the Cape’s more challenging designs and one with strong character. The most recent changes at Cummaquid have come in the form of improving the entire course with a new irrigation system and with the reshaping of the 1st and 18th holes.
Playing at 6,350 yards, the course is not long by modern standards, but low scores are deceptively difficult to find. We set out to find out why. The very first hole gave us a big clue.
This is a short hole; however the prevailing wind blows in the direction of the out-of-bounds that lines the entire right side. The hole’s right side terrain slopes severely toward those white stakes. Deep rough guards the left side but is worth the risk because of the OB on the right.
The second hole is a longish par five that is reachable in two, provided you hit the second shot perfectly straight. The fairway narrows between large trees along the left side as you approach the large green, and out-of-bounds stakes loom large not far off the right side of the fairway. Let’s see, two holes, 900 yards and out-of-bounds all along the right side. Aha!
The third hole is a good par-4 that plays down to a large two-tiered green protected by bunkers left and right. A solid drive will get down the hill past the 150-yard marker. Hitting the green looks easier than it really is and, once on the green, taking two putts is a challenge. The fourth hole plays through a narrow opening with marshland (lateral hazard) down the left side and tall trees protecting the right side. This is a demanding tee shot into a fairway that climbs to a severely elevated mesa-like green. Deep bunkers guard both sides, and out-of-bounds beckons for misjudged shots over the green. The No. 1 handicap rating is well deserved.
The sixth hole is a typical of many of the holes at Cummaquid, with a narrow tree-lined fairway where driver is not always the best choice for the tee shot. Accuracy is a must. The short-iron second shot is into an elevated two-tiered green. Hit it close to make birdie. Oh yeah, out-of-bounds runs behind the green.
The ninth hole is a reachable par-5. The uphill drive must be kept to the right side of the fairway to catch the downslope, if you hope to reach the green in two. The green is nestled down between two small mounds and bunkers threaten left and right. The green slopes back to front, and anything long will encounter evergreens guarding the backside. Birdie is realistic here for both long and short hitters.
The 10th hole starts a series of three par-4s that are characterized by narrow fairways lined on both sides from tee to green with, you may have guessed it, out-of-bounds. The 11th hole is so narrow that it is almost impossible not to steer your tee shot. If you hit in bounds and onto the short grass, your second shot is into a green that slopes away from the player. With nerves still tingling, we proceed to the tee at No. 12, where we view an even narrower fairway. Out-of-bounds is lurking everywhere. Right side, left side, and long. The best bet is to hit your 180-yard club right center. From there you are left with a short iron into an elevated (left-to-right) two-tiered plateau of a green. Two putts are not easy here.
Cummaquid, typical of all good courses, finishes strongly. The 15th hole is a good slight dogleg left par-4, one that requires a perfectly placed and long tee shot down the right side if you want a clear shot to the green. A large oak tree blocks any opening to the green from the left half of the fairway. The green is small and set in a bowl with a large bunker catching any shot short and right.
The 17th hole is the best par-4 on the course. It is a dogleg right with a water hazard placed at the corner, which is also protected by large trees. The left side is marked by a lateral water hazard and out-of-bounds. There is a hill on the left side, sloping down to the fairway. The club’s members call it “Double Bogey Hill.” This hole demands length and accuracy off the tee. The second shot is also long and uphill to a small green guarded by a deep bunker on the left. The green, fast from back to front, is nestled into another bowl.
The 18th hole is a solid par-4. The drive demands length, and must avoid the thick rough and evergreen trees down the left side. Big hitters must be aware of the large boulder on the right side. Depending upon the wind, the second shot can be a short iron or a three-wood. The green slopes front to back, is very difficult to hold, and is surrounded by bunkers.
Don’t miss any opportunity to play this course. Keeping it in bounds may well secure a second invite.
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