Osterville Men's Club

Golf is said to have originated in Scotland, where the first written record of the game is James II's banning of golf  in 1457, as an unwelcome distraction to learning archery. James IV lifted the ban in 1502 when he became a golfer himself, with golf clubs first recorded in 1503 "For golf clubbes and balles to the King that he playit with"

However, Boston holds a special place in American golf history, with the first game of golf played in 1882 at The Country Club in Brookline. It was here Francis Ouimet’s historic 1913 U.S. Open win took place.

In the fall of 1890, George Wright and his friend John Smith went to the southern slope of Franklin Park in Boston and laid out holes with a yardstick fashioned with a red flannel pennant for flags. With this crude, makeshift course, Wright and a group of his friends enjoyed the first game of golf in Boston. Not only were these first golf players in Boston destined to create a trend, but it was also, according to Fifty Years of American Golf, Undoubtedly…the first golf ever played in a public park in this country.” The William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park was officially established in 1896 and is considered the second-oldest public golf course in the nation, the first being behind Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx of New York City. An eighteen-hole golf course, it was designed by Donald J. Ross, ASGCA, one of the foremost designers of golf courses in the twentieth century.

Golf is considered an art and many play for “a combination of social connection, mental relaxation, physical exercise, and the personal challenge of improving their skills. It offers a unique escape into nature, acting as a stress reliever that encourages "flow" through a balance of difficulty and fun.” According to Bill Cutliff, “Golf was introduced as early as fifty eight [1958]. Those were different times, OMC played the big three Wianno, Oyster Harbors and Hyannisport, with Green Fees never exceeding five dollars.” Even seventy years ago, members of the Osterville Men’s Club joined to enjoy eighteen holes but at a significantly higher greens fee! Whatever handicap one has, there were some golfers who were quite impressive. One was Don Ellis who served as Chair of Golf in 1998. Said to be “A very affable chap; seldom talked much about his past. In the 1960’s Don was Producer of NBC Sports. Word has it, he sported three Emmy’s in his pack.”

Well, whether we have an Emmy in our pack or just enjoy the camaraderie and excitement of the game, it is a welcoming group. This year the golf season begins on May 4^th at the New Seabury Country Club. Some of the courses that will be played this year include The Cape Club, The Ridge Club, Indian Pond and Ocean’s Edge. The purpose of the OMC Golf Tour is for golfers of all levels to enjoy each other’s companionship at some of the finest golfing venues in and around the Cape. If this sounds like something you would like to participate in, Eric Solomont, Ronnie Farquhar, Kevin McCarthy serve as Co- Chairmen so please call if you would like to participate (508) 954-0775.