There are some great modern golf courses on Cape Cod, but if you like your history and old style layouts, then head to Bass River Golf Course in Yarmouth. One of the oldest golf courses in Massachusetts, Bass River opened at the dawn of the 20th century, in 1900 as a nine hole layout. It was later expanded to 18 holes and redesigned by the imminent golf architect Donald Ross in the late teens.
Due in large part to 20-year-old caddy Francis Ouimet’s stunning victory over Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in the 1913 US Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass, golf caught on with the masses in this country in a very short amount of time. Around this same period, a young greens keeper named Donald Ross emigrated to the United States from his native Dornoch, Scotland and landed at Oakley Country Club in Watertown, Mass. Ross displayed a true affinity for designing golf courses early on and was hired to turn Bass River Golf Course into a legitimate 18-hole course in 1918. As many golfers know, Donald Ross went on to become one of the most prolific and respected golf course architects ever.
Bass River Golf Club was purchased by the Town of Yarmouth in the mid 1950’s and has since been operated as a resort course for visitors as well as providing a club like atmosphere for Town residents.(The Town also operates the Bayberry Hills Course in West Yarmouth in the same manner). The Bass River course occupies a beautiful spot on a bluff overlooking the River with some of the holes, particularly the Par-3 9th, offering spectacular water views.
The Bass River is an estuary, separating the towns of Yarmouth and Dennis at the central, southern sections of the towns. At its widest and most southerly point, the river opens to, and meets, Nantucket Sound. Its brackish, northwestern end flows into Follins Pond, from there winding further north as a brook, to Mill Pond, then as an underground stream that nearly bisects Cape Cod. The mouth of the river is between Smugglers Beach on the Yarmouth side and West Dennis Beach on the Dennis side. West Dennis Beach has become a popular site for kite boarding the past few years, in the same way Kalmus Beach in Hyannis has become popular for windsurfing.
Inside the Bass River’s bed, there is an island covered with sea grass called ‘Marsh Island’ by the locals. Marsh Island separates Bass River into two parts. The right side of the river, referred to as the Old Field Channel, goes toward West Dennis and the Fingers development. The left side is the main channel of the river passing Windmill Beach, Bass River Yacht Club and Ship Shops Marina. After the marina, the river goes under the Route 28 bridge and winds five more miles deep into the Cape. Bass River was once considered a viable location for a canal traversing Cape Cod and is the largest river the Mid-Cape Highway spans.
Bass River Golf Course has many of the same qualities that other early-1900 courses feature, such as generous fairways with ample landing areas, both of which come in handy considering the ubiquitous Cape breezes. The small, undulating greens tend to make club selection a challenge, especially when the wind picks up. Although not long at a little more than 6,100 yards from the back tees, the 18-hole, Par-72 Bass River offers exceptional variety in shot making and strategy due to the ever present River breeze, and can play quite a bit longer as many of the holes play into the wind.
Jim Armentrout, Director of Golf at both Bass River and Bayberry Hills, is joined at Bass River by Golf Operations Manager Ron Hewins, PGA Head Golf Professional Fred Ghioto, and PGA Superintendent Rick Lawler, GCSAA. Together, this group has made the improvement of course conditions the focus during the past few years.
In the last four years, the Town of Yarmouth has invested more than $2 million in upgrading the irrigation systems at Bass River along with an ongoing course improvements and upgrades to the clubhouse. Golf is a very competitive business these days and Armentrout knows that he has to produce a great golfing experience every time to keep folks coming back. It seems to be working since rounds are holding steady, or even up slightly, the past few years, regardless of the difficult economy.
Greens fees are around $58 for 18 holes, “in season” and walking is allowed. Bass River Golf Course is located at 62 High Bank Rd, S. Yarmouth, MA. For more information, call 508-398-9079 or visit golfyarmouthcapecod.com