The improvements designed by Robert McNeil, ASGCA (The Northeast Golf Company), at Dennis Pines and Dennis Highlands in Dennis, Massachusetts, have been driven by the directive of establishing a new styling to the courses bunkering while providing a maintainable form.
The saying “they look harder than they are” can well describe the work that has been executed by McNeil, NMP Golf and the team at the Town of Dennis. Speed of play, maintainability, strong character and strategy were all considered when redesigning the bunkering at each of these fine municipal layouts.
The project was broken into four phases. The Pines course back nine, then front….then the Highlands course back nine then front. To date, three of the four phases have been completed to high praise and increased revenues. The scope includes all new bunkering, tee improvements, cart paths and tree management.
A new forward tee system was created at each of the courses to provide an enjoyable round for beginners, juniors and others looking to have fun and not be overcome by length. The tees have been positioned to recognize the “real” average driving distance of these players and has allowed the true strategy of the holes to be in play from these tees. The new forward course at Dennis Pines plays at just over 4000 yards. These tees have proven successful in capturing new golfers, juniors and families.
“The Dennis Pines Golf Course has seen such a positive response to the recent renovations designed by Robert McNeil of Northeast Golf Company. Already a beautiful championship golf course, Rob’s vision of making the course more player-friendly while keeping the overall appeal of still being a challenging round hit a home run. The number of rounds played at Dennis Pines since the renovation completion has increased and continues to garner interest from locals and visitors to Cape Cod alike. For Fiscal Year 2016 there was a 10% increase in green fee revenue as well as a 12% increase in member round play.”
