CHAMPIONSHIP NEW ENGLAND GOLF FOUND ON SCENIC CAPE COD Challenging but Friendly Fairways the Lure of With the abundance of signature resort courses in many areas of the U.S., few golfers would suspect that a unique championship course would be situated on the north shore of Cape Cod. While this protrusion of land dangling in the Atlantic Ocean is better known for its beaches than its fairways, the Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club puts this region on the golfer's map of memorable and distinctive courses. Located in the Cape's historic town of Brewster, Ocean Edge played host to the New England PGA Championship from 1986-1991 and continues to pique the interest of players of all handicaps. Open all year (weather permitting), with the exception of January, the property's 18-hole championship course, designed in its current form in 1986 by Geoffrey Cornish and Brian Silva, is open to visitors of the resort, Club members, residential property owners and the public. It was originally built in the late 1920s with nine holes; two more holes were subsequently added in 1979, making Ocean Edge (then the Old Brewster Golf Course) the only 11-hole golf course on Cape Cod at that time. The course closed for remodeling in 1985 and reopened the following year to meet PGA championship standards. It measures 6,665 yards from the championship tees and plays to a par 72 (with a slope of 129), thus making accuracy a premium over distance. Artfully undulated greens, 56 Scottish-style bunkers (half sand and half grass) and five fresh water ponds give each hole its own personality. Yet, the challenge of the beautifully conditioned fairways are further elevated by tee and pin positions that change daily, as well as gusts of winds (versus steady breezes), which inspire different club selections - and thus different game experiences - each day. Additionally, in 1998, renovations took place focusing on hole numbers 1, 8, 10 and 14. The front nine holes are fairly wide open, more forgiving for golfers with no time to warm up. The back nine is peppered with trees. In either case, hitting the ball slightly off line means hitting bigger numbers. The signature hole is #8, a par 5 of 601 yards with an elevated tee and elevated green. The second shot requires one to get the ball up onto a landing area, a feat which is rewarded with an angle to get on the green (the third shot). The #18 finishing hole stars an eye-opening ravine and the will to just get over it. Harry Parker, director of golf at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club, brings 29 years of professional golf experience to the property. In 1991, he became the 87th professional to achieve the PGA classification of Master Professional. Out of the approximate 20,000 PGA members, less than 200 have achieved this ranking. In addition to the clinics and lessons regularly held at the resort, Parker directs the Ocean Edge Golf School from April through July, a program designed for enthusiasts interested in building, improving and refining their game. Ocean Edge's staff of PGA instructors, led by director of instruction Ron Hallett, cover a curriculum of full swing techniques, putting, chipping, pitching, bunker play and course management. The Ocean Edge Resort golf course has been the recipient of many awards including the "Greens of Distinction" award from Corporate and Incentive Travel magazine 1998 through 2001, the "Gold Tee Award" from Meetings & Convention magazine in 2000 and "Top 100 Women Friendly Award" in 1999 from Golf for Women. Ocean Edge, located on historic Route 6A in Brewster, is Cape Cod's premier golf and beach resort. Guests enjoy a selection of lodging accommodations, championship golf, tennis, indoor and outdoor pools, and a beautiful private beach on Cape Cod bay. In addition, the 26-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail offers cycling enthusiasts a scenic route from Ocean Edge to the National Seashore. Dining options include four restaurants including a recently redecorated English-style pub in Ocean Edge's turn-of-the-century mansion and a new restaurant overlooking the golf course. For hotel reservations and information about Ocean Edge, call 800-343-6074 or visit the website at www.oceanedge.com.
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