In 1966 golf course architect Henry C. Mitchell was hired to design a golf course that would serve two purposes—to provide the residents of Dennis a golfing venue and to entice golf vacationers to the town.
Mitchell’s design stretches to over 7,000 yards from the tips and winds its way through 170 acres of pine-forest.
“The Pines,” as it is called by the locals, forces a golfer to be proficient with just about every club in the bag. Holes range in length from the 172-yard 13th hole, the farthest point from the clubhouse, to the 518-yard 12th hole, as tough a par-5 as there is on Cape Cod. The strength of Dennis Pines, however, lies in its par-4 holes that range in length from the 344-yard 16th, which requires a lay-up tee shot, to the demanding 442-yard eighth hole.
The course has a number of run-up greens that will benefit the golfer who does not feel comfortable lofting a lob shot to an elevated green.
Though front and back nines of Dennis Pines are similar in concept, their designs are decidedly different. The front nine works its way through the woods, while the back nine appears a bit more wide open—despite its four water holes.
The 10th and 11th holes circle the biggest body of water on the course. Players approaching the 11th are likely to send a ball splashing into the pond, for the hole slopes slightly toward the water.
The 15th hole is a par-5 with water on each side of the straight fairway. Long hitters keep their drivers in their bags, as they can easily put an off-line tee shot into one of the hazards. The next hole, the short 365-yard 16th, requires a lay-up tee shot, again to avoid the water that protrudes into the left side fairway.
Both nines end with solid par-4s that require accurate and long tee shots to hit into well-protected greens.
