The Edge of Greatness

New Jack Nicklaus design at Ocean Edge is well worth the trip to Brewster

Guests who get tired of the sand at Ocean Edge’s sprawling private beach, can try their hand at avoiding the course’s 60 bunkers. The majestic Jack Nicklaus re-designed course opened this spring in Brewster.

By Peter Blais

BREWSTER – Ocean Edge Resort & Club pro Mike Medeiros pulled up in his golf cart, a huge smile on his face as two golfers ambled back to the clubhouse.

“So what did you think?” he asked, sounding every bit the proud papa of the $8.5-million Nicklaus design golf course that reopened all 18 of its renovated holes here this spring. “Pretty special isn’t it?”

Hard to argue on that score, the two players agreed.

Medeiros, who spent 16 years at Nashawtuc Country Club in Concord before moving to Ocean Edge Memorial Day weekend 2006, takes great pride in the rebirth of the Cape Cod track.

“We started changing the club into a private resort that weekend,” he remembered. “It meant having upscale services and amenities with a private club feel. In the past Ocean Edge was just one of many public courses on Cape Cod. We are differentiating ourselves as a private resort.

“On the membership side, we wanted this to be just like our members’ clubs at home. On the resort side, with this type of course and environment, we are attracting guests who are often members of private clubs at home. We want them to have the same private club experience at our resort –a wonderful vacation and golf experience rather than just a round of golf. “

Nicklaus totally redesigned the sometimes-quirky former Ocean Edge course. The Golden Bear’s architectural team reshaped greens to United States Golf Association (USGA) specifications; rebuilt tees, fairways and roughs; renovated many of the club’s 60 bunkers; added 300 yards of overall length; replaced old grasses with newer bentgrass varieties; and generally improved the course’s playability.

Those who experienced the former layout will notice that while hole Nos. 1 and 10 are in roughly the same areas as before, the remaining holes have been flipped. In other words, former hole Nos. 2 through 9 are now 11 through 18, while the old 11 through 18 are now 2 through 9. The Nicklaus team did an excellent job creating green and bunker complexes that fit the type of approach shot needed for each hole.

Interestingly, on a course where bunkers provide considerable character, one of Medeiros’ favorite holes is the par-4 14th. The downhill dogleg is devoid of sand – the only hole so blessed on the course – inviting a ground-ball approach to an undulating green.

“It reminds me of the 11th hole at Oyster Harbors Golf Course [in nearby Osterville],” Medeiros said. “The length is similar. The landing areas are similar in that both slope gently downhill. They differ in that Ocean Edge’s 13th doglegs right and Oyster Harbors’ 11th moves left. Both have a wetland area on the left side near the putting surface and open entrances allowing golfers to take the low road to the pin.”

Holes 17 and 18 are among the best finishing holes on the Cape.

The 17th is generally considered the signature hole. Stretching to 600 yards from the tips, it doglegs uphill and left. The key is the second shot. If played boldly, it should clear a set of bunkers along the left allowing the ball to chase downhill to about the 125-yard mark. The safer play to the right will stay wide of the bunkers, but leave an approach of closer to 150 yards. Either way, the kinder, gentler Jack Nicklaus of the early 21st century has molded the earth so the ball funnels back to the center of the fairway.

Nicklaus Design Associate Chris Rue said of the facility’s seaside setting: “Ocean Edge is blessed with a great natural landscape – mature trees, rolling topography and the right elevation changes to create a parkland setting. In the redesign, we’ve maximized those features.” Director of Instruction Paul Rudeen leads the golf schools (varying from one to three days), weekly clinics (including a Saturday-afternoon session open to members and resort players), and a Thursday ladies’ night golf school topped off with crantinis (cranberry martinis).

Medeiros said the club has sold roughly 230 of its 300 golf memberships. Guests staying in the resort’s 334 rooms can play the course in-season for $145 (including cart) from Memorial Day through Labor Day and $110 during the off-season. Junior and nine-hole rates are also available. Resort guests may also enjoy a 700-foot private beach, four outdoor and two indoor pools, two toddler pools, six hot tubs, bicycle rentals, a fitness center, USPTA-certified tennis complex and four restaurants. The 26-mile bicycling Cape Cod Rail Trail passes through Ocean Edge.

For tee times or additional information, call 508-896-9000 or visit www.oceanedge.com.