As I passed the flower-adorned granite sign welcoming me to Willowbend Country Club in Mashpee, I had to giggle.
After all, it’s not every day a public-course-playing kinda gal gets to play a round at a club of that caliber.
The clubhouse ahead of me stood pristine (and memory-laced; my favorite sister-in-law joined our family there via her wedding years ago). Before it stood a mature and magnificent Willow tree (but of course). Beyond it spread the lush green fairways of the 27 holes that make up Willowbend’s golf program. And everywhere you looked, flowers of all kinds offered pops of perfect color.
It’s easy in the delight of a lucky chance to play there, to let all that beauty charm you – or make you wonder if it’s fooling you. After all, at the end of the day, what matters is the golf experience.
I’m here on the other side of 18 holes at Willowbend, giving you permission – when you visit – to lean into that charm and beauty right away. Giggle away, because Willowbend (https://willowbendcapecod.com) as a golf experience doesn’t disappoint. Rather, it treats you to lovely views, woodsy cart paths, glimpses of the ocean and a chance to play a variety of holes that demand your attention and your full set of clubs.
It’s glorious, pretty and yes – exclusive and expensive. But you know what it isn’t? Pretentious. On a sunny late summer day, from arrival to play time to post play lunch to depature, I felt at home. (Stay with me; I’ll share how you can play a round there too).
My foursome arrived early. Having heard their practice area is fantastic (it is; you can even track your shots with the Cape’s only TopTracer Range (super easy; download the app and you’re good to go), we wanted to take our time warming up.
Before I even got to the range, a staffer approached me with a fresh cup of coffee and an apology. “Our continental breakfast isn’t offered on weekdays after Labor Day.” I hadn’t even asked for the coffee, but being the mind reader he was, he knew I needed more. Lovely.
The starter found us on the range and let us know he could put us out early. Our second nine, he warned us, had freshly aerated greens. I’ll worry about that later, I thought.
Willowbend, no matter which two nines you match for your round, isn’t a long course, coming in under 7,000 yards (6,675) from the golds, a smidge over 6,000 from the whites and just over 5,000 from the reds.
That might sound walkable, but there’s some distance between a few holes; carts (equipped with GPS and a cooler with water) are a must.
And that shorter distance in no way means easier. There’s a reason big time events like the 2024 Mass Open choose the course: It’s a true mental challenge in the best of ways.
The Fairways and greens are pristine. Greens were rolling well – a tiny bit fast but nothing you cannot adapt to – and the fairways were forgiving. Strategy is your best tool here. Your driver isn’t always your best friend from the tee box; and even the par 3s are challenging. Good news: the course starter gave us some tips, and the club’s website has an excellent hole-by-hole for you to do your homework ahead of time.
And, oh: the scenery. You’ll hit past sparkling ponds, a few fountains, some classic New England style buildings and even a view or two of the sea.
Everywhere you look, flowers are vibrant, healthy and captivating. I’m told two women do all the work maintaining them. Wow.
Post-round lunch is a must: the lovely clubhouse (seating inside and out) looks out over the course and offers great and classic club fare: the chicken fingers (believe it or not!) are a club favorite.
So, you say: That’s all nice but what about me? Good news: there are ways to play there.
First, if it’s in your budget: They have some membership openings. The club also features a robust racquet program, huge pool and many social events.
Next, the club’s real estate program now offers some seasonal rentals (a month at a time) that now come with – while you’re there – club membership.
And then there are the charity tournaments. A benevolent club from the get-go, Willowbend is host to many each year, like the Independence House tourney benefiting programs around domestic abuse, the Bright Horizons Foundation tourney, helping homeless children, the Marine Corps Scholarship tourney and many more.
That means for an average of a $250 per person donation, you not only get to play a top private course; you get meals, prizes and more as well.
Worth every giddy moment.