Strutting in Knickers

by Herb Werner

I've been traveling to Myrtle Beach for nearly thirty years, obviously I t is my favorite place to play golf. However, after my second trip to Cape Cod, this piece of real estate in New England is becoming a close second.

I attended the 5th Annual Hickory Heritage Media Golf Event in Yarmouth, Massachusetts, which is located in the center of Cape Cod, only a few miles from Hyannis. The event is sponsored by Tom Martin, a fellow golf writer and publisher of a golf magazine that covers the Cape Cod area. "One thing we don't have here on Cape Cod is the 5-star resorts or the huge convention centers or a lot of stuff that a lot of other destinations do have, but the one thing we do have is a rich history and tradition in golf. So I decided to have an event to honor our past in golf,'' Martin explained. "It keeps growing every year and participants keep bringing more people every year.''

This year there were 90 golfers registered. What makes this tournament so unique is that everyone, including women, must wear knickers during the tournament which are included with the entry fee. It is quite a sight to see 90 golfers strutting around in kickers.

The event began with a practice round on Oct. 1st, at Bayberry Hills Golf Club, located in Yarmouth. Rain seems to be following me wherever I go and we only got in four holes when a downpour cancelled play. Tom assured us that the next day would be much better. This was important, because the tournament round was scheduled for Martha's Vineyard.

Last year we had two hall-of-fame days and the tournament round was played the island of Nantucket. I was really looking forward to playing on Martha's Vineyard. Tom's prediction was on the money and the day started a little chilly, but under clear skies, later it got into the 70s.

Riding the fast-ferry to the islands is also an experience. The ocean was very choppy, but the ferry glided over the water. In one hour we were pulling into the harbor at Martha's Vineyard. We boarded buses and headed for Farm Neck Golf Club, which is one of four courses on the island, and is considered one of the best.

Many of the holes boarder the Atlantic Ocean and it becomes difficult to concentrate on golf because of the beautiful setting. Then the course moves inland and you almost believe you are playing on a course in Pennsylvania because of the abundant foliage.

I should also mention that, in keeping with the heritage, not only do we wear knickers, but we play the stymie rule used in the U.S. Open of 1913, when Francis Quimet of Brookline won at Brookline Country Club. Once you tee off you cannot touch your ball. On the green if a ball is in your line to the hole you must chip your ball over the ball in your line. Try it sometime. Also, many golfers played with actual hickory shafts.

The people at Farm Neck made us feel welcome. After the tournament it was dinner at the Season's Restaurant in the center of town.

My stay in Yarmouth was at the Irish Village Motel, and if you ever venture to Yarmouth, you will find this place a pleasant surprise. When checking in you know right away why it's called Irish Village, because you will be greeted by someone with an Irish brogue. Seems many of the help came from Ireland. It has a wonderful restaurant and the Irish breakfasts are to die for. I headed for the Irish Pub, which has nightly entertainment highlighted by Irish music. These people know how to have a good time and the Guinness flowed freely.

I should point out that on Sunday after golf was cancelled, we had dinner at the Red Jacket Resort, located next to the ocean. Again, the hospitality was overwhelming. We had a choice of steak or lobster. I really don't know how to handle a lobster, so I opted for the steak, but after they started bringing out the lobster I had second thoughts. I swear they were over a foot in length. The cracking of shells was deadening. Under each lobster was a bed of oysters and clams, a seafood lover’s delight.

No matter where I go to play golf, the people you run into makes the game that much more enjoyable. The people at Yarmouth know how to do that, and then some.