Brax Landing’s Waterfront Dining

Author’s Note: I continue to be amazed by how much you can do on Cape Cod in autumn. The shoulder season is packed full of events, from dog friendly days, festivals, craft fairs, road races, as well as clearance sales at many stores. Most outdoor activities, such as whale watches, mini golf (and large golf), kayaking, biking, fishing charters, etc., are still open and not nearly as busy. That last point paving the way for “restaurant hopping,” which in peak summer season, would require the waiting game. Not in autumn.

That familiar sign along Route 28.

Waterfront dining is at a premium on Cape Cod. While it may be easy to find waterfront dining options thanks to articles like this and Apps like Yelp, it will likely take a good chunk of time to be seated. Nothing could be more true of Brax Landing, located prominently along Route 28 overlooking Saquatucket Harbor, in Harwichport. For the last 42 years, Brax Landing has been a go-to restaurant to fuel up after a fishing trip, catch a game in the lively bar, or relax with a cocktail and view on the deck. You just may need to ignore the seemingly hundreds of cars in the parking lot and parked on the grass.

Prior to 1976, the building then known as the Bourne House, provided housing for staff of former and legendary Thompson’s Clam Bar, located further down Route 28, off Snow Inn Road, overlooking another waterfront, Wychmere Harbor. Brax Landing has been an institution on the Lower Cape’s restaurant scene ever since — not too mention a fixture of the Shaw Family’s rotation for dining out.
Everyone has a waterfront view at Brax Landing.

The restaurant’s exterior weathered wood panelling just oozes Cape Cod, with a dark wood interior channeling a well traveled tavern consisting of four rooms. The first room being the largest and brightest, the dining room with large rectangle windows overlooking the patio and harbor. Take a few steps down, and the tables next to the windows are on a lower level so the view for everyone in the dining room is unobstructed. The second room is the bar, with about 12 stools (once again, overlooking the harbor — think that’s a theme), 4 table tops and an open area near the fireplace for folks to mill about. The third room is an extension of the bar with about six table tops for open seating.

The view from the cocktail deck is one of the best on the Lower Cape, 2012.

Saving the best for last is the outdoor patio, with over 20 tables, and again, the deck area designed with an upper and lower level with waterfront views. You can taste the salt air. Recently, a firepit was added surrounded by Adirondack chairs so patrons can enjoy a drink while waiting for a table or enjoy a nightcap in the crisp evening air.

The famed Lobster Roll and pint to pair.

Brax Landing’s blackboard menu features specials such as prime rib, baked stuffed lobster, and catch of the day, appearing on your left as you walk down the dark hallway to the hostess. It sets a tone that the restaurant has a range of menu options and seeks to please all. The regular menu is casual, with a mix of hearty soups, big salads, tavern fare and a short list of entrees. For the last 10 years or so, the Lobster Roll has been a hard selection to pass up. While the $22.99 “market price” might turn some off, the 50-50 claw to tail meat ratio is worth it. The hard roll is comically large, nestled next to two handfuls of fries, cup of cole slaw and a dill pickle. Add a summer ale – or in this season –  a harvest ale – and you will leave feeling full and happy. We also learned they have gluten-free bread to swap in for hard rolls, which is a nice touch and reassuring that they accommodate people with food allergies.

The wait staff hustles, the bartender banter is hilarious -if not contagious should you have the pleasure of nabbing a seat at the bar. Brax Landing’s character, breathtaking view and hearty fare keeps locals, seasonal residents and visitors coming back. A full parking lot and 45+ minute wait should not stop you from landing at Brax!

Shoulder Seasons are When to Visit Cape Cod

Author’s Note: The autumn equinox on September 23 – as opposed to Labor Day weekend – marks the end of summer. Some parents found this out the hard way this year as many schools cancelled classes because of a lingering heat wave as classes resumed. With cool and crisp days and nights ahead, make a point to visit Cape Cod this autumn. 
 
The Wonderful Shoulder Seasons on Cape Cod
A lone sunfish glides off Ridgevale Beach.

As local and seasonal residents can attest, the “shoulder seasons” on Cape Cod are less crowded, slower-paced and weather still cooperative for outdoor activities.  The first shoulder season is the winter/spring change-over around March through Memorial Day, followed by the summer/fall change-over in September and October. Many restaurants remain open through November, some even dropping prices, and almost every community hosts an annual festival or celebration (Exs: Cape Cod Canal Day, Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival, Falmouth hosts the Cape Cod Marathon, Truro Treasures, Wellfleet’s Oysterfest, etc). But the fun doesn’t stop there; many towns and their business community have embraced the winter months to attract visitors with holiday strolls, historic inn tours, and “First Day/Night” Celebrations on New Year’s Eve/Day. It may seem hard to believe, but a winter shoulder season is in the mix too. So come on down, up or over to Cape Cod next shoulder season!

Geography
The Chatham fishing fleet preparing for another bountiful catch.

Living in the northeast puts Cape Cod in comfortable driving distance from any location as far south as New Jersey and as far north as Maine. In the shoulder seasons, you rarely have to fight traffic on Route 3, I-495 or even at the bridges. The weekend train, the Cape Cod Flyer does not run past Labor Day, but this only applies if you are coming from Boston. There are no fees to park at town beaches and you will not back up traffic should you need to make a left turn on Routes 28 or 6A.

History
The Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown.

From the famous pilgrim landing on Plymouth Rock to the invention of the wireless telegraph by Guglielmo Marconi to a premier amateur baseball league to the maritime trades, Cape Cod is loaded with traditions and history. I won’t pretend to be a Cape Cod historian, but know there are many historians that want to share their knowledge as well as direct you to the many historical sites in each town. The shoulder season is a great time to visit art and cultural attractions, especially on cooler autumn days. Too often the rush to the beach, bike trail or clam shack become the priority of the day, but there are plenty of historical sites and charming offerings across the peninsula.

Food
Post brunch smiles outside the 6A Cafe, Sandwich, in 2012.

Whether seared seafood, piping hot clam chowder, hearty baked stuffed lobster, locally roasted coffee, or the simplicity of soft serve ice cream, many popular restaurants remain open through November. Though, if you have your heart set at dining at a specific restaurant, call ahead! I still remember a comical morning over Martin Luther King Jr holiday weekend in 2012 where we drove from Chatham to Yarmouth to have brunch at the Optimist Cafe only to find the restaurant closed. What to do? We continued to drive down 6A to the next open breakfast spot, which happened to be the 6A Cafe….in Sandwich!

Fun
A morning fishing trip on calm waters is the perfect start to a summer day.

While I’m hanging onto my mid-30s, I still get giddy when thinking about the simple joy that comes from playing a round of mini golf, catching a fish, riding a wave on a boogie board, taking in an evening band concerts or baseball games, even playing Uno or attempting to complete a puzzle on a rainy day. While the baseball and band seasons end in early August and Labor Day Weekend, respectively, there are plenty of other activities to fill an afternoon. And if you enjoy shopping, most stores will have sales on most of their merchandise to make room for next season’s line.

 
Reputation with a Touch of Yesteryear
While Vermont is typically known for The General Store, Wellfleet has one too!

Cape Cod is a special place to many. The protected national seashore, quaint set of seaside villages, maritime culture, fresh seafood, commitment to preservation and roots in early American history. There are iconic restaurants, beaches, drive-in theaters, main streets, historical sites and people. Families and adults have plenty to do. One of the popular radio stations still features radio ad jingles. There is an understandable resistance to big box stores, chain restaurants and over development which threatens the natural landscape that gives Cape Cod its identity.  While real challenges exist – increasing beach erosion, warming waters, over fishing, compounding pollution, opioid use, affordable housing and plentiful job opportunities to name a few – the Cape has a lot to offer – to a lot of people – all year long.

Locals
The back of the compass t-shirt is a spitting image of the Cape Cod Canal and Bourne Bridge.

While most people tend to keep to themselves, their friends/family or their phones (ugh!), a cup of coffee and conversation with a local can be a memorable one. Just last month, I met an artist, Vanessa Piche, at the Chatham Festival of the Arts, who’s coastal painting scenes were memorizing. She also screen prints her designs onto t-shirts, sweatshirts and kitchenware. I had to have the t-shirt that captured a perfect day on the Cape Cod Canal with the Bourne Bridge in the distance and totally forgot about my bike ride. Of course, these types of interactions can’t be planned, so just stay on alert. Locals live here, news travels fast, and they know what’s what.

Sunrise, Sunsets & Scenery
The magic of Cape Cod sunsets from our backyard.

“Winter, spring, summer or fall, all you got to do is call, and [the Cape] will be there, you got a friend.” James Taylor’s words are appropriate when it comes to Cape Cod’s sunrises, sunsets and scenery. With many beaches facing east, sunrises are a particularly good view if you don’t mind getting up early!

Return Trip
A friendly sign awaits you.

While other coastal, jungle, mountainous, desert and remote parts of the world compete for our attention, our time and our hard earned dollars, you can always count on that infamous sign along Route 25, Welcome to Cape Cod! Massachusetts 2018 Cape Cod and Islands, like an old friend guiding you back home.

Run the Cod Challenge Part 2-Races

Run the Cod Challenge Part 2-Races.
This is the second part a multi-part series about a new running event on Cape Cod – Run the Cod Challenge! Make sure to read Run the Cod Challenge Part 1 before you dive into the lists below.
2018 Races by Town (off-Cape towns follows Yarmouth)
I’ve compiled a list of almost all races by town to give you a sense of who (organization) is doing what (event type) where (town). The big takeaway is to see where it is easy or difficult to find races to complete the challenge. Many races tend to keep the same time frame each year so there is a good chance that an event in 2018 will occur on/around the same weekend in 2019.
Disclaimer: The information below is not exhaustive as there is no central list of every running race/event. Well, until now! The races below were compiled from a variety of sources, including online, print, and word of mouth via running clubs and stores. Additionally, some races do not have their own website, and instead, use either a registration company or third party to host event payments and race details and/or rely on social media (Facebook, Instagram or Twitter). These promotional partners are subject to change so the links to event pages may not work or become outdated. Fortunately, race/event names rarely change so just use Google to track down the latest event information – or contact me. Bottom-line, there A LOT of opportunities to Run the Cod Challenge! Here they are:
1. Barnstable

Sat, Feb 23, Hyannis Marathon 10K, 10:00am

Sun, Feb 24, Hyannis Marathon, Half & Relay, 9:30am

Sat, March 10, Shamrock Shuffle, 11:00am

Sun, May 6, Cape Cod Beer Race to the Pint 5K, 3:00pm

Sat, May 19, Cape Abilities Harbor Run Fun, 9:00am

Sun, May 27, Great Hyannis Half and 10K, 7:30am

Sat, June 16, Hyannis Triathalon 1 (Centerville)

Sat, June 16 Women Running Wild 5K (Osterville), 6:00pm

Sat, July 21, Cape Cod Run for the Osterville Library, 8:00am

Thurs, Aug 9, Old Home Week 5K (Centerville)

Sat, Sept 8, Hyannis Triathalon 2 (Centerville)

Sat, Sept 15, Girlygirl P.A.R.T.S. 5K for Ovarian Cancer, 9:00am

Sat, Sept 29, David Lewis 5K, 10:00am

Sat, Oct 6, Race to Hope 5K/10K (Hyannis), 3:00pm

2. Bourne

Sat, May 12, Feet, Fins, Flippers 5K, Buzzards Bay, 9:00am

Sun, May 13, Cape Cod Canal Mother’s Day 10K, 7:30am

Sat, May 26, U.S. Coast Guard, Duathalon, 9:00am

3. Brewster

Sat, Aug 11, Brew Run 5.2, 4:00pm

Sat, Aug 18, PaddleSwimRunWalkKayak Against the Tide Series, 8:30am

Sat, Oct 13, Gutcheck Triathalon/Dualathon, 9:00am

4. Chatham

Sun, June 24, Chatham Harbor Run 10K, 12:00pm

Sun, Nov 18, Chatham in the Fall 10K, 11:00am

5. Dennis

Sat, July 28, Annual Dennis Road Race, 10:00am

Sun, Sept 2 Dennis Chamber of Commerce Labor Day 5K Road Race, 10:00am

Sat, Sept 9, Mighty Meehan 5K, 10:00am

Sun, Oct 28, Dennis Police Halloween Hustle 5K, 11:00am

Sat, Nov 24, Andrea Holden Thanksgiving Race 5K, 10:00am

6. Eastham

Sun, Sept 9, Eastham Windmill Weekend Road Race 5K, 8:00am

Sat, Sept 22, Run For Heart Health 5K, 9:00am

Sun, Oct 21, Lower Cape TV Reel Race 5K, 9:00am

7. Falmouth

Sun, April 8, Cape Cod Trail Race (multiple distances & start times), 8:00am-1:00pm

Sun, May 6, Liam McGuire Irish Pub Almost 5 Miler, 9:30am

Sun, Aug 19, Falmouth Road Race, 9:00am

Sat, Sept 29, Zooma Cape Cod Women’s Race Series (multiple distances & start times), 7:30am

Sat, Oct 27, Cape Cod Marathon Half*, 7:30am

Sun, Oct 28, Cape Cod Marathon* & Relay, 8:30am

*Run both for the Clam Chowda Challenge 39.3 miles

8. Harwich

Sat, April 7, Logan’s Run 5K (cancelled in 2018), 9:15am

Sat, Aug 4, Irish Pub Road Race, 10:00am

Sun, Sept 30, Cranberry Harvest  Half & 10K (multiple distances & start times), 11:30am

9. Martha’s Vineyard

Sat, May 19, Marathon, Half & Relay, 8:30am

Sun, May 27, Oak Bluff Memorial Road Race, 10:00am

Aug 5, Amity Island 5K (Edgartown), 9:00am

Aug 18, Annual 5K Run for Jabberwocky (Edgartown), 9:15am

Aug 25, Annual Sullivan’s Run/Walk 5K (Oak Bluffs)

Sept 8, Vineyard Triathalon (Oak Bluffs), 7:00am

10. Mashpee

Sun, May 6, Lovin’ Life 5K, 9:00am

Sat, July 14, Rhiannon McCuish Woodland Run/Walk, 9:00am

Sat, Oct 20, Screech at the Beach 5K, 11:00am

11. Nantucket

Sat, April 29, Daffodil 5K, 9:00am

Sun, June 23, Small Friends 5K Fun Run, 8:00am

Sun, Oct 7, Half Marathon, 8:00am

12. Orleans

Wed, July 4, Nauset Heights Fun Run (2.2 miles*), 8:30am

Sat, Sept 1, Five-O 5K, 10:30am

Sat, Dec 1, Orleans Chamber of Commerce Santa Stampede 5K, 10:30am
*This race may be limited to residents and guests of that community; it is unclear if it is timed.

13. Provincetown

Sat, May 5, Run to the Top, 3:00pm

Sun, May 27, Diva Dash 5K, 10:00am

Sun, July 15, AIDS Support Run/Walk 5K, 8:30am

Sun, July 29, Run the Trails for the Whales 5K, 8:00am

14. Sandwich

TBA, Jan 1, 1st Day 5K, 11:00am

Sat, April 28, Sandwich Cancer Fun Run, 9:00am

Sat, June 16, Mackenzie’s 5K Run for Crohn’s Disease, 9:00am

Sat, Sept 22, Cape Cod Moves Y-Not Trail Race & Expo (multiple distances & start times) 8:00am-1:30pm

Sun, Sept 23, Captain Gerald F. DeConto,USN, Memorial Scholarship 5K Run/Walk, 9:00am

Sat, Oct 6, Cape Cod 4 Kids 5K, 10:00am

15. Truro

Sun, June 10, Ocean to the Bay 5 Mile Run/Walk, 9:00am

Sun, Sept 23, Truro Treasures Pamet 5K River Run, 9:00am (dog show to follow!)

16. Wellfleet

Sun, July 8, Annual Wellfleet Road Race, 8:30am

Sun, Aug 12, Cape Cod Outer Beach Run, 7:00am

Sun, Oct 15, Oysterfest Shuck N Run 5K, 9:00am

17. Yarmouth

Sat, April 28, D-Y Dolphin Dash 5K

Sun, May 20, YPD Blue 5K, 11:00am

Sat, June 16, Run for the Arts, 9:30am

Sat, Oct 7, Yarmouth Seaside Festival Road Race, 9:00am

18. Off-Cape

Buzzards Bay

Sat, Sept 22, Cape Cod Canal Run for the Troops, 10:00am

Sagamore Beach

Sat, Sept 22, Scussett Beach 5K & Family Fun Day, 9:30am

Wareham

Sun, June 17, Lazy Lobster 5K, 9:00am

 2018 Races by Calendar Date

I’ve also compiled the races in chronological order as it may be easier to select races based on your available weekends. Race locations (towns) are listed in bold. Same disclaimer from above applies!

JANUARY

TBA, Jan 1

Sandwich 1st Day 5K, 11:00am

FEBRUARY

Sat, Feb 23

Hyannis Marathon 10K, 10:00am

Sun, Feb 24

Hyannis Marathon, Half, 10K and Marathon Team Relay, 9:30am

MARCH

Sat, March 10

Hyannis Shamrock Shuffle, 11:00am

APRIL

Sat, April 7
Harwich Logans Run 5K (cancelled in 2018)
Sun, April 8
Falmouth Cape Cod Trail Run 5K, 8:00am-1:30pm starts
Sat, April 28
Yarmouth DY Dolphin Dash 5K, 10:00am
Sandwich Cancer Fun Run 5K, 9:00am
Sun, April 29
Nantucket Daffodil 5K, 9:00am
MAY
Sat, May 5
Provincetown Run to the Top, 3:00pm
Sun, May 6
Mashpee Lovin’ Life 5K, 9:00am
Sat, May 12
All Day Ragnar Relay Cape Cod
Buzzards Bay (Off-Cape) Feet, Fins and Flippers 5K, 9:00am
Sat, May 19
Martha’s Vineyard Marathon, Half & Relay, 8:30am
Sun, May 20
Yarmouth YPD Blue 5K, 11:00am
Sat, May 26
Sun, May 27

Barnstable The Great Hyannis Half Marathon & 10K

Martha’s Vineyard Oaks Bluff Memorial Day Race, 10:00am

Provincetown Diva Dash 5K, 10:00am

JUNE
 
Sun, June 10
Sat, June 16
Barnstable Women Running Wild 5K (Osterville), 6:00pm
Yarmouth Run for the Arts, 9:30am
Sun, June 17

Wareham Lazy Lobster 5 or 10K, 9:00am

Sat, June 23
Nantucket Small Friends 5K Fun Run, 8:00am
Sun, June 24
JULY
Wed, July 4

Orleans Nauset Heights Fun Run, 8:30am (unclear if timed/open to the public)

Sat, July 8

Wellfleet Annual Wellfleet Road Race, 8:30am

Sat, July 14
Sun, July 15

Provincetown AIDS Support Run/Walk 5K, 8:30am

Sat, July 21
Sat, July 28

Dennis Annual Dennis Road Race, 10:00am

Sun, July 29

Provincetown Run the Trails for the Whales 5K, 8:00am

AUGUST 
Sat, Aug 4

Harwich Irish Pub Road Race, 10:00am

Sun, Aug 5

Martha’s Vineyard Amity Island 5K (Edgartown), 9:00am

Thurs, Aug 9

Barnstable Old Home Week 5K (Centerville)

Sat, Aug 11

Brewster Brew Run 5.2, 4:00pm

Sun, Aug 12

Wellfleet Cape Cod Outer Beach Run, 7:00am

Sat, Aug 18

Brewster PaddleSwimRunWalkKayak Against the Tide, 8:30am

Martha’s Vineyard 5K Run for Jabberwocky (Edgartown), 9:15am

Sun, Aug 19

Falmouth Road Race, 9:00am

Sat, Aug 25

Martha’s Vineyard Sullivan’s Run 5K (Oak Bluffs)

SEPTEMBER
 
Sat, Sept 1

Orleans Five-O 5K, 10:30am

Sun, Sept 2
Sat, Sept 8

Barnstable Hyannis Triathalon 2

Martha’s Vineyard Triathalon (Oak Bluffs)

Sun, Sept 9
Sat, Sept 15
Sat, Sept 22

Buzzards Bay (Off-Cape) Cape Cod Canal Run for the Troops, 10:00am

Eastham Run for Health Health, 9:00am

Sagamore Beach (Off-Cape) Scussett Beach 5K and Family Fun Day, 9:30am

Sandwich Cape Cod Moves Y-Not Trail Race & Expo (multiple distances & start times), 8:00am-1:30pm

Sun, Sept 23
Sat, Sept 29

Barnstable Annual David Lewis 5K, 10:00am

Falmouth Zooma Cape Cod Women’s Race Series (multiple distances & start times), 7:30am

Sun, Sept 30
OCTOBER
Sat, Oct 6

Barnstable Race to Hope 5K/10K, 3:00pm

Sandwich Cape Cod for Kids 5K, 10:00am

Sun, Oct 7

Harwich Cranberry Harvest 10K, 11:30am

Nantucket Half Marathon, 8:00am

Yarmouth Yarmouth Seaside Festival Road Race, 9:00am

Sat, Oct 13

Brewster Gutcheck Trathalon/Dualathalon, 9:00am

Sun, Oct 14

 Wellfleet Oysterfest Shunk N Run 5K, 9:00am

Sat, Oct 20
Mashpee Screech at the Beach 5K, 11:00am
Sun, Oct 21
Sat, Oct 27
Sun, Oct 28

Dennis Police Halloween Hustle 5K, 11:00am

Falmouth Cape Cod Marathon & Relay*, 8:30am

*Run both for the Clam Chowda Challenge (39.3 miles)!
NOVEMBER
 
Sun, Nov 18

Chatham in the Fall 10K, 11:00am

Sat, Nov 24

Dennis Andrea Holden Thanksgiving Race, 10:00am 

DECEMBER
Sat, Dec 1

Orleans Santa Stampede 5K, 10:30am

I invite the Cape Cod Athletic Club, Falmouth Track Club, Hyannis Road Runners Club, Marathon Sports Mashpee Runners and all other running clubs to Run the Cod Challenge!

Cape Cod Melody Tent Summer Evenings

I bought my first concert t-shirt in decades to commemorate the back-to-back DMB shows.

Authors note: Earlier this summer, I was lucky enough to attend back to back Dave Matthews Band concerts, the first at Great Woods (Mansfield, MA), the second at the Meadows (Hartford, CT). Yes, I intentionally omitted the venues official names due to the evil nature of the tech company that owns the naming rights. Plus, my “coming of age” concert experiences were in the days when both of those venues were actually named, Great Woods and the Meadows. Ahh, the good-old days. There was a comical number of incidents with the Great Woods tickets that made the weeks leading up to the show equally memorable. Perhaps I’ll tell that story another time.

 

It had been some time since I attended back to back concerts of the same band – like, a long time. First, DMB is one of my favorite bands. Second, due to their enormous portofolio of music, they play different songs, mix up their set lists; and of course, are known for their improvisation and jams. You never know what you’re going to hear at their show. Third, their fans are some of the best. Both venues were packed, crowds were into each song and the music was loud and in sync. It was a memorable weekend and DMB Radio on Sirius XM even continued our tour for a few more weeks.
 
Ziggy Marley and company opens up Bob’s original, “Is This Love?”

Live music really is something special. Those back to back shows reminded me of what David Letterman said at the 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony when introducing Pearl Jam. He said, “Never take the opportunity for live music for granted. What a gift live music is.” Those words are hard to forget, on point and reminded me of another special venue that provides that almost lost opportunity to hear live music up close and personal — the Cape Cod Melody Tent.

Eddie Money and family taking us home tonight!

The Cape Cod Melody Tent is a seasonal nonprofit theater located in Hyannis, and a sister performing arts venue of South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, MA. Over the last few seasons, I’ve seen some entertaining shows at the Tent, including Ziggy Marley, Eddie Money, Doobie Brothers, Rusted Root, and Steve Miller Band. My parents never miss the Beach Boys performance and were tempted to not only see them twice, but twice in one day! (Instead they suggested that fine dinner at the nearby Old Yarmouth Inn.) We’ve also checked out comedy shows, including Bill Maher, and attended a food festival. As the shoulder season on the Cape becomes more popular for visitors, I expect (hope) the Tent to expand their season.

The Doobie Brothers says, “Listen to the Music.”

The stage of the 2,300 seat venue rotates slowly so there is not a bad seat in the house. The staff are good humored and helpful. The concession stands are reasonably priced, but you will stand for a bit. (The whimsical quote, “If you’re in a hurry, you don’t belong on Cape Cod,” comes to mind. At least you can read their wall of fame listing every performer the venue hosted while waiting.) The parking lot is a slight challenge as you line up behind the car in front of you, so you cannot leave until the performance ends. However, if you can handle a short walk, there are a number of nearby parking lots that provide a quick escape.

If only. This picture was taken at Great Woods, but Jimmy would blow the roof off the Tent!

For a modest $80 annual membership (via “Gold Circle”), you get “sneak peek” event announcements, first dibs on ticket sales, and a dedicated ticket/security entrance. The former is especially useful as some events are announced after their season starts, so you would need to check periodically for new event info if you are not on a mailing list. All in all, the Tent is a great summer venue to hear live music, catch a comedy show or enjoy some of the Cape’s finest chowder (fest)!

And just imagine how magical the evening should your favorite band or musician show up? Say, a Special Night with Dave Matthews Band at the Cape Cod Melody Tent. Wow-za.

When is the last time you visited the Cape Cod Melody Tent?

Mini Golf Masters Cape Cod

Author’s Note: A few weeks back- when Tiger Woods was mounting epic comebacks at The British Open and PGA Championship — I found myself staring in unexpected excitement at the leaderboard. As we all know, Tiger’s overdue comeback eventually fell short, most recently to Mr. Rock Steady Brooks Koepka. The excitement of climbing the leaderboard didn’t just stay with me watching those tournaments, but sparked a decades old memory of my own race to the top.

 
About 20 years ago, “Bogey Brother” Dan (a reference to our usual per-hole golf score) and I mimicked the chase for leaderboard supremacy, but on a sand bar rather than on a fairway. “Scoop golf” was the game; and we were both pretty good at the art of scooping (flinging) a paddleball off the sand towards a hole (with a flag) anywhere from 50 to 200 yards down and around the beach and/or sandbar as the tides dictated. The game enjoyed a strong following for two summers on Ridgevale Beach in Chatham, with the final tournament of the final season being most memorable.
 
The Ridgevale Scoop Golf Association (RSGA) Cup. First awarded in 1989, I won it in 1997 after winning 3/4 majors.

We all know the PGA Tour features four (or should I say “fore”) annual “major” tournaments (The Masters, The U.S. Open, The (British) Open and the PGA Championship). These are the events the scoop golf seasons mimicked, though we called them the Quarter Moon Open, Ridgevale Open, The Masters, and Farewell Tournament for reasons to be explained upon request. Additionally, professional golfers compete for the FedEx Cup, the trophy (and earnings) awarded to the winner of the tour. The scoop golf tour also had a cup dating back to 1989. Finally, another golf competition, the Ryder Cup, features the United States golfers squaring off against their European counterparts in the biennial match play tournament. We never played anyone from another country, but had that third season occurred, who knows. 

 
The 1997 Scoop Golf major tournament awards. Much to my wife’s chagrin, it’s times like these I’m happy I tend to save things!

Why all the background you may be asking; these are all important elements that describe a new competition on Cape Cod. Realizing summer was winding down, I felt the need for a dose of mini golf and another “lightbulb moment” occurred – to do a Mini Golf Masters Cape Cod!  

Other than catching a late afternoon or evening Cape Cod League Baseball game, the “mini golf then ice cream” combination is probably the favorite activity or night cap for most families – and many adults – during summer on the Cape. At last count, there are 20 mini golf courses on Cape Cod, including Martha’s Vineyard. Yarmouth, located on the mid-Cape, is “the home” of mini golf on Cape Cod, similar to Scotland being the home of golf. Admittedly, that is quite the comparison. Yet Yarmouth features four mini golf courses, three of which are consistently top picks or recommendations in every article or activity guide that mentions mini golf. So, yeah, it’s a big deal in the mini golf world.
The highest ranked mini golfers on Cape Cod!

This past Labor Day weekend seemed the ideal time to schedule the inaugral Mini Golf Masters Cape Cod. I first pitched the idea to “Frenemy” Matt (Frenemy Matt was mentioned in the cornhole boards post in June) and he was all in. Our better halves reluctunatntly agreed to tag along, though I’m sure the kid in them said heck yeah! After all, mini golf can be the great equalizer; but more likely because of the “ice cream to follow.” The scoring system was a point system, with the format a combination of stroke and match play. Like the scoop golf masters, this tournament would feature “majors.” The course selections were both nostolgic (Arnold’s in Eastham and Cape Escape in Orleans as they are the closest to where we live) as well as highly rated, such as Prirate’s Cove and Skull Island in Yarmouth.

Pirate’s Cove features two 18-hole courses: Captain’s and Blackbeard’s with pirate history on each hole.  We should have left Matt in the pillory.

The original idea was to pick a cloudy day and do it all at once. But Labor Day weather turned perfect, so golf was spread out over three days. On the first day, I did work in Yarmouth. Perhaps a little pirate runs through my blood, as I took care of business on Skull Island and Pirate’s Cove—Blackbeard course. I also just missed winning Pirate’s Cove – Captain’s course by a mere stroke. I also was on the winning side of team match play on every set of nine holes except one. After day one, I sat a top the leaderboard with 4 1/2 points, followed by Kate with 2 1/2 points, then Ellen and Matt with 1/2 point each. We added another Matt at Pirate’s Cove-Blackbeard and others were to join the following day.

The “log” and “bridge” hole at Arnold’s featured a delightful waterfall to soothe any tee box jitters.

But storm clouds approached as we headed east to the Outer Cape. First, the point system doubled and team match play ended. There was precedent for the points doubling in a recent golf tournament, as it gives everyone a chance to win even if they had a rough round or were just joining the competition. Since mini golf is meant to be fun, this must be the case. If you can hit into a waterfall, windmill or clown’s mouth, you should!

The shoddy leaderboard. We will do better next season.

On the second day, despite a field of seven, Matt owned Arnold’s in Eastham, winning the front, back and stroke play as well as just missing an even round by one stroke. The leaderboard was tied just like that at 4 1/2.

On the final day, I pulled into the parking lot of Cape Escape in Orleans with Jimmy Buffett playing on the golf course speakers. I smiled. This seemed like a sign from the mini golf gods as Matt hates Buffett (that’s not a typo). However, after a solid front 6 and up one stroke, the two level green of Hole 7, ironically named Chatham, sent my ball flying off a brick, off the course and the penalty shot ended up causing a 2 shot swing in favor of the bad guy. Front 9 lost with a bad bounce. It was suddenly 5 1/2 to 4 1/2 to 2 1/2.

As if the world turned upside down, another bad brick bounce happened on Hole 11 (Barnstable) and Matt gained another stroke leaving little room to make up three shots. I needed aces. With two holes to play, I cut the lead to 3, pretty much insurmountable…unless I aced and he had another “Matt Meltdown,” a playful term coined after his six at Pirate’s Cove-Captain’s course on the second hole. It was painfully comical to watch.
On Hole 17 (Martha’s Vineyard), I managed honors after winning the 16th and took a good long look at the break. The pace of my putt was near perfect, but the ball just grazed the right of the cup and missed. And on Hole 18 (Nantucket), a similar result; my ball came out of the waterfall and stopped a few inches from the left side of the hole. Another Matt win when points doubled and just like that, the inaugral mini golf masters was over.
The scorecards of the inaugural Mini Golf Masters Cape Cod.

Interestingly, after calculating all the scores for our shoddy leaderboard, I discovered an odd anomoly. I actually shot 4 strokes better than Matt. If not for the doubling of the points on the last two rounds (he won 4 points and another 4 points), those two round wins would have matched my two round wins (2 point each), leaving us tied at 4 1/2 points each! (The 1/2s were earned during team match play.) That would have been some way to kick off an inaugral competition. A tie! And what would a tie-break even look like? Play the last hole again? Play the course again? Play another, completely different course? Rock, Paper, Scissors? Hmm. How about using stroke play to break the tie? That would mean I would have won by 4 strokes. Hopefully there will be many more years of the Mini Golf Masters Cape Cod!

What Cape Cod mini golf courses should be part of the 2019 Mini Golf Masters Cape Cod?