SHARON, Mass – In 1959, the same year Hawaii became a state, Fidel Castro rose to power, and the music industry held the first Grammy awards, members from neighboring clubs south of Boston formed an idea for a golf course they named Spring Valley Country Club.
When my family had a membership at Spring Valley in the ’80s, the course suffered terribly from poor drainage issues and out-of-place bunkering. In 2006, Craig Schreiner, president Schreiner Golf, Inc. was hired to renovate and realign the course with the same eye for detail as he did with notable PGA Tour stops such as Oak Hill Country Club and Firestone Golf Club. His work can also be found at the Dedham Golf & Polo Club.
In 2016, the club joined The Cape Club family and, in 2017, the name changed to The Cape Club of Sharon.
After significant capital improvement, the golf course is one of the region’s most pristine and toughest tests thanks to redesigned green complexes and greenside bunkers, improved drainage, 20 new tee boxes, and an advanced irrigation system.
TheCape Club of Sharon has hosted both champions and championships alike. It’s the current home club to former Mass. Women’s Amateur Champion Allison Paik. The spot has landed events such as the Massachusetts Open Championship, the New England PGA Championship, Senior Fourball Championship, several Dana Farber charity tournaments, and two annual LPGA golf clinics for women.
Meanwhile, Cape Club of Sharon Head Golf Professional, John Carbeau, and his certified PGA staff have plenty of ways to help members sharpen their game or start one with their Gateway to Golf program and junior golf clinics.
Today the championship 18-hole track measures between 5,600 and stretches to 6,800 yards. You can’t spray it everywhere and expect a good score. Regardless of your power and ambition, you still need to think your way around the course.
For instance, the 2nd hole, a par-4 dogleg right, is about 400 yards. For a birdie chance, you need to drill a 220-yard drive to clear the turn. For a birdie try, you’ll have to squeeze your second between two greenside bunkers. It’s a challenging hole.
The eleventh, a par-5 that plays from 454 to 565 yards, is a double dogleg right and memorable for me. In 1986, I watched Greg Norman smack his second shot- a hard slice over a fairway creek while avoiding the pond to the right of the green. And yes, he drained the putt for eagle.
The 16th, a par-3, measures from 190 to 235 yards. The critical threat here is the agua that hugs the right all the way from tee to green. When the wind swirls, it’s a test.
Cape Club of Sharon is a real gem receiving praise from members and guests over its 62-year history. Anther feature is a golf practice facility with natural hitting stations and short-game practice area with six sets of tee boxes to accommodate all skill levels.
“The Cape Club of Sharon is one of Boston’s newest jewels in golf & country club lifestyle,” said Larry Gulko, a retired marketing executive and longtime member. “Unlike other private clubs, the vision of Cape Club of Sharon is to deliver a country club lifestyler coupled with a resort and member-engaging experience. It’s awesome. For Baby Boomers or anyone looking to join a private club, they should check it out.”
The club is also a popular destination with a well-earned reputation for hosting weddings, outings, business conferences or any size event.
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