Old Sandwich. Sounds like we should be in England right? Sandwich Massachusetts (est. 1637) is the oldest town on Cape Cod and was named for the seaport of Sandwich in Kent, England. Plymouth Massachusetts, the location of the club, is one of the earliest settlements in America having been founded in 1620. The two settlements were relatively close together and as would be expected the 17th century settlers in these towns would have occasion to travel between Plymouth and Sandwich. The trail that they used came to be known as Old Sandwich Road and is now the oldest continuously operated unpaved road in the United States. Old Sandwich Golf Club is located just off this road, and so the name pay homage to this.
The Club opened in 2004, and sits on a sandy piece of land in the area known as the Pinehills. The famous team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw were responsible for routing and building the course. Similar to their other layouts, like Friar's Head, Coore and Crenshaw created a course with great width, to create strategic options on a firm and fast track. Greens are large and undulating; hazards are ample, but avoidable to the higher handicapper; and the course is fun and visually beautiful.
The pleasant stroll from the clubhouse to the first tee is across a peaceful lake, however, this is not to be a feature on the course itself.
Coore and Crenshaw are not fans of moving earth unnecessarily. The par five 1st hole, is the only area in which this was done. The hole works its way through a dune, that was blown out to create the valley you drive through. The materials from this dune were used on the course to build greens and tee complexes.
The bunkering is a great feature of the course. Evident to you as you reach the fairway on the par four 2nd, A brilliant complex in the centre of the fairway as the hole turns to the right.
The first of the par threes is a real test. Coming in at approximately 210 yards, the 4th asks plenty of questions of you, both from the tee, and at the large green.
The short par four 5th hole is one of the best on the property. A brilliant short cape style par four, enticing you to bite off more of the carry than you probably should.
The par four 7th is another brilliant hole. A shot of about 230 yards towards the tower in the distance is required to keep the ball in the fairway.
The approach needs to then work it's way past this. A bunker that stretches about 80 yards from the fairway all the way to and around the green. You know it is a big bunker when there is a walkway created within it.
The view from behind the green shows very well the grain within the greens here. A place where the grain plays a huge role in the pace and line of your putts. Caddies are vital to getting you somewhere near close to the hole, and even those guys, who are really experienced with the course need to take a second look on occasion.
The 11th is the first of three par threes on the inward nine. And it is a beast requiring a shot of 217 yards.
The par five 13th is a beautiful hole, with a great little green complex.
Views like this make you feel like you are at one of the heathland courses of Surrey. It is such a peaceful and idyllic golf environment.
The view from behind the green on the 13th.
The par three 15th. Although relatively short, the green is well protected.
The final par three, the 17th.
The approach to the par four 18th hole, a really strong hole to finish with, making you earn that first drink on the terrace back at the clubhouse.
Sharon Marks was our winner today.
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