The course at the private golf community in Mashpee, Mass. on Cape Cod’s Nantucket Sound will reopen Memorial Day weekend after a project that prioritized full renovation of 79 bunkers. Several approaches were also reshaped, many fairways were expanded, and two greens were completely redesigned and repositioned.
The Club at New Seabury in Mashpee, Mass. has completed renovations to The Dunes Course as part of a multi-year, multimillion-dollar investment. The course will open Memorial Day weekend, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony set for May 24th. Chris Card, President & Executive Director, will provide the welcome and opening remarks.
The Dunes Course, which sits on 125 acres within New Seabury proper, sits inland and threads through wetlands and woods. It now features redesigned and rebuilt, repositioned bunkers; expanded fairway edges through the green, re-contoured mounds and softened slopes on multiple greens, as well as the relocation of cart paths on designated holes.
The Dunes Course project spanned three months until completion and was designed by Bruce Hepner of Hepner Golf Design, with construction by Agriscapes Golf Course Construction.
“The first priority of the project was the full bunker renovation, which included 79 bunkers that were redesigned and repositioned for today’s golfer,” said Scott Nickerson, the club’s Director of Agronomy and Project Manager for the renovation. “The bunkers went from deep and challenging to a little more forgiving, and now provide golfers of all skill levels a chance to hit shots from a very consistent sand surface.”
Several approaches were also reshaped to give golfers an option and avenue to access the greens without forced carries, allowing higher-handicap players with lower shot trajectories a chance to get rewarded for their shots.
With the same concept in mind, many fairways were expanded. The most visible change in fairways is on the former 7th hole, which is now the 16th hole. Prior to the renovation, golfers were forced to carry a large pond to access the green from 140 yards, or lay up well left to a small patch of rough.
Two greens were also completely redesigned and repositioned. Now, the 18th (previously 9th) hole will stand out as a risk-reward par-5 finishing hole, as players with length will be challenged to carry the pond short and left of the green, with an accurate shot towards a well-contoured green with a false front.
Players laying up will need to navigate their way around a new fairway bunker on the right, and the pond long left, before hitting their third shot over water. “The 18th hole will be a great finishing hole that is sure to determine the outcome of many matches,” said Jim Clay, New Seabury’s Director of Golf. “We believe the collective enhancements and playability of The Dunes Course will be greeted enthusiastically.”
“We are excited to invite the New Seabury members and resort guests to come and enjoy an enhanced experience on The Dunes Course,” Clay added. “We were receptive to feedback on how we could make the course more enjoyable and expect golfers of all levels will be delighted with the changes, many at their encouragement.”
C+RB will feature The Club of New Seabury as the cover story of its August 2019 issue. In addition to The Dunes Course and the club’s other championship waterfront golf course, the property includes a full-service clubhouse, five restaurants, two beach clubs and beach bars, a state-of-the-art fitness facility, sixteen tennis courts, pools, walking trails and more.
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.