Sports - Economy makes me rethink golf vacation

It was so much easier in times past. All I did was select a destination that I knew provided excellent golfing opportunities and was off and running.

But in 2008, it’s a whole new ball game (or should I say golf game). Like many of you who are also feeling the economic crunch, I, too, have limited my length of travel. No more expensive airline tickets, rental cars or exorbitant greens fees. If I cannot reach my destination and back on two tanks of gas, I’m not going.

Thank goodness for Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It always offers the same opportunities that I search for elsewhere, and I can reach my chosen destination in under 4 hours. There is no better place in the world than Cape Cod in the summertime, particularly if you’re a golfer. The area abounds with great (and relatively inexpensive) golf courses.

If you’re a golfer that loves vacation rather than a vacationer who loves golf, then Cape Cod is the place for you. There are so many activities other than strolling down the fairways: whale watching excursions, deep-sea fishing, numerous bike trails, dune buggy rides, a trip to Provincetown, the Hyannis Playhouse, historical sites, etc., are all activities that will occupy your leisure time.

As a frequent traveler, I prefer to spend my vacations in a self-contained environment rather than staying in a motel and heading out several times a day whether it’s for golf, the beach or restaurant, etc. I like my basic necessities close at hand, and I found such a place half-way down the Cape in the quaint and historic town of Brewster. The Ocean Edge Resort is one of the oldest but up-to-date vacation spots on Cape Cod. It has its own 700-foot private beach, numerous dining opportunities throughout the complex, five well-maintained tennis courts, two indoor and four outdoor pools, a fitness center and a bike trail that leads to the Cape Cod National Seashore and Provincetown. The resort complex boasts of 334 accommodations that involve 90 units on the main property and 224 fully-equipped 1, 2 or 3 bedroom villas. And best of all, it is home to one of the finest golf courses I have played in a long, long time.

The Ocean Edge Golf Club is a brand-new addition to Cape Cod; it opened for play in May of 2008 at a cost of 8.5 million dollars. The course was designed by Chris Rule who is the leading architect for the Jack Nicklaus Company. It is the only Nicklaus-designed course on Cape Cod, and it is a beauty. It is destined to become one of the best, if not the best, courses in a region of our country that abounds with great layouts. Word of a new course that golfers were referring to as a masterpiece was what attracted me to the resort. I was not disappointed. Meandering through the Villa development, it encompasses over 40 acres with no parallel fairways. Once you tee off, the course becomes your own bit of paradise. Lots of elevated tees; you can set your feet and swing away to ample and well-maintained fairways.

The secret to truly enjoy your round at Ocean Edge begins when you select the proper tees to play from. If you are an average golfer who decides to play from the black tees at 7011 yards, you are in for a horrible experience. Set your ego aside, move up to the white tees (6085 yards) and enjoy your day. And the ladies or the senior golfers will find their comfort zone on the forward tees at 5205 yards. Golf is supposed to be fun – make it so!

I’m often asked, upon finishing a round of golf, what I consider the signature hole. Usually I can find a hole that stands out above the rest. At Ocean Edge, as far as I’m concerned, they are all signature holes. And when you have the opportunity to play this marvelous layout, I’m sure your reaction will be similar to mine.

Unfortunately, the golf course is not available for public play. You either have to become a member of the club or you have to be a guest of the Resort. That is not necessarily a bad thing, for the Ocean Edge Resort is a nationally-recognized vacation destination and is listed by Parents Magazine as among the Top Ten Family Beach Resorts in the country. It offers some very attractive golf and tennis packages to entice both golfers and tennis players to enjoy all of their state-of-the-art facilities.

When I was there, I planned to play on other well-known courses in the area. However, I found the Ocean Edge course so enjoyable that I played it every day with the enthusiasm of a little boy with a new toy. Like any great course, conditions change each day dictated by the weather or pin placement. Believe me, you will never be bored playing Ocean Edge over and over again. An added bonus was the fact that I didn’t have to drive my car for my entire mini-vacation. Their free shuttle service was always available and wheeled me around the complex in grand fashion.

Now don’t despair if a busy summer keeps you close to home. Give some serious thought about a brief respite to the Cape come the fall. You may not be able to go in the fast, chilling waters, but everything else is available. And as an extra bonus, you will find the highways less crowded, reduced hotel and motel rates and seating in area restaurants more readily available. For further information on Ocean Edge, call (508) 896-9000 or visit their web site at www.oceanedge.com.

It could prove to be the best golf or tennis vacation you’ve ever experienced.