Yarmouth’s municipal golf courses are experiencing a historic surge in activity, with the Golf Enterprise Committee reporting a record-breaking 1,436 members and a 46% increase in member rounds compared to last year. During a detailed operational update on July 14, Vice Chair Jessica Simmons highlighted that total rounds played since April 1 have jumped from 34,500 in 2024 to 41,000 this season. Simmons noted that while the courses are busier than ever, the percentage of rounds played by members has actually outpaced public play, stating, I think sometimes the blame of not getting tee times gets put on the public a lot, and it's really also just competitive for members versus members.

The committee is leveraging this momentum to move forward with a significant management plan for Bass River that includes structural changes to the course layout. Golf Director Scott detailed a proposal to reverse holes five and six to mitigate safety concerns. The majority of the problem is the slice, so the slice will go into the course instead of off, Scott explained, noting that the redesign would also move the tenth tee to declutter the cart house area. These adjustments, which include moving hole seven to a par four, will ultimately transition Bass River to a par 71 course. Member Drew Krauss emphasized the financial weight of the membership base in supporting these improvements, noting that membership covers about 68% of total revenue.

The record growth has brought fresh scrutiny to the town’s tee-time booking system. Member John Mitchell raised concerns from female members who requested more transparency, specifically the ability to see who is booked in other slots to help with pairing. I think you might have given the impression to some people that Club Profit doesn't offer that as an option rather than they offer it as an option but we decided not to, Mitchell said. However, Director Scott pushed back on the idea, citing high costs for software upgrades and a desire to avoid cherry-picking players. Scott argued that the current system runs perfectly fine the way it is, and that players seeking specific pairings can still call the pro shop directly.

Clerk Glenn Martin supported the current booking system’s competitive nature, arguing that users who are faster at their computers are simply more prepared. If they put in the time at 7:00 sitting there waiting, they know how to use the system. That's not favoritism. That's just being first, Martin said. The committee also discussed the standby alert system, which Member Gail Charette noted has worked well for her earlier this year, though Simmons warned that the system requires constant vigilance: The snooze you lose.

The meeting also served as a debrief for the recent 125th Anniversary celebration at Bass River. While the event was largely considered a success, some members reported frustrations regarding food service logistics. Chair Phyllis Vennberg suggested that the single-line buffet for 140 people was a bottleneck, saying, Maybe you should have had a feed of two or three lines, not single-threaded for that many people. Member Charette added that some guests found the price of the walking taco menu high for what was served. Restaurant Manager Mark defended the team’s performance under difficult weather conditions, noting the staff had to move operations under the patio overhang due to a threatening storm. My team was honored to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime event, Mark said, while Vennberg offered praise for the overall improvement in restaurant staff friendliness this year.

Administrative clarity was a final priority for the committee as they looked toward the 2025 season. Clerk Martin identified a significant error in the wording of the new refund policy, noting it lacked the clear 30-day window present in the 2024 version. The 2025 one doesn't emphasize the 30 days. It's totally meaningless. We need to go back to the old language, Martin insisted. The committee reached a consensus to revert to the 2024 language for the upcoming year to avoid confusion. Additionally, Chair Vennberg reminded the public that the committee is actively recruiting new members, clarifying that while they do not need to be golfers, they must be a registered voter in the town of Yarmouth.