As most locals prepare for the busiest month of the season, most vacationers are hitting the beach or enjoying a stroll down Circuit Avenue. Among the vacationers are those who travel for the great golf the Island offers. Among the courses on the Vineyard you’ll find Farm Neck Golf Club, Mink Meadows Golf Club, Vineyard Golf Club, Edgartown Golf Club, and on Chappaquiddick, the Royal and Ancient Chappaquiddick Links.
Whether you’re a novice golfer or a professional, the courses on the Island offer more than a great round. They offer scenic views of the ocean or overlooking lakes, tennis courts, and fine dining. Golf courses are stepping up their game quite literally when it comes to their culinary options. Out of the five local courses, two have dining on property: Farm Neck Golf Club and Vineyard Golf Club. We took a look at what they have available to satisfy your hunger after a rousing game of golf.
Farm Neck Golf Club, Oak Bluffs
Resting on a peninsula (or “neck”) of rolling farmland that overlooks Nantucket Sound, Farm Neck was established as a semiprivate club, and is open to the public for golf, tennis, and dining between the months of April and December. During the course of your 18 holes, you’ll encounter woodlands, open meadows, salt marshes, and stunning water views. A distinctly New England golf course, under the rules it is mentioned that “any ball moved or stolen by seagulls should be moved back or played at the original lie.” Island memberships are available, but currently full.
Full is also what you’ll feel after leaving dinner at Farm Neck Cafe. Led by creative Executive Chef Carlos Montoya, the dining experience is unlike any golf food you’ve ever tasted, especially at dinnertime. Born in Colombia and raised in New York City, Chef Montoya has worked with some of the top restaurants in the city, cultivating his passion and expertise for food.
One of my recommendations there is to explore the five-course tasting menu ($60 per person), where you can experience the range of Chef Montoya’s skills. He’s focused on locally sourced ingredients from North Tabor, Morning Glory Farm, the Good Farm, and Menemsha Fish House, among others, and often serves up a twist, using Asian techniques and flavors. “Seasonality inspires me — local and fresh ingredients push our creativity,” says Chef Montoya.
Farm Neck Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch daily (seasonally); dinner is served Tuesday through Saturday; live jazz Friday evenings; and Sunday brunch buffet. Call 508-693-3560 for reservations.
Vineyard Golf Club, Edgartown
Located on 235 preserved acres, and just two miles outside historic Edgartown village, Vineyard Golf Club (VGC) is currently the only private and organic golf course on the Island. Originally designed by Donald Steel, and undergoing a remodel under the guidance of golf architect Gil Hanse, it has received accolades not only for its golf course, but for its dining as well. The Golf Club offers Island memberships, and as Island members, you get to enjoy the intimate and sophisticated experience that is VGC.
Executive Chef Mark Chaput and his culinary team, including Sous-Chefs Anthony Rabeni and Brian Murray, have been with the course since its conception. Chef Chaput designed the kitchen (a fun, yet challenging adventure, he mentions) — everything from the layout to which pots and pans to use. From the moment you sit down and experience the handcrafted amuse-bouche until that last delicious bite of dessert, you’ll feel like royalty while dining at the Golf Club.
Chef Chaput has worked in restaurants all over the Cape, including owning his own restaurant in Harwich Port. When the offer to move to the Vineyard to open up VGC presented itself, he jumped at the opportunity. Fourteen years later, he has created one of the most pristine and honest food offerings on-Island. Sourcing from local farms is always a focus; “when you source the best possible ingredients, cook them simply and as best as you know how, you’ll obtain great results,” says Chef Chaput. This season, try the Grilled Shellfish Casserole or the Caramelized Cape Cod Sea Scallops — great displays of delicious New England cuisine.
Vineyard Golf Club is open for lunch seven days a week, and for dinner Tuesday through Sunday (seasonally). For reservations (members only), call 508-627-8930.
Island Cove Adventures
If you’re out putting around with the family and aren’t an experienced golfer, but love to have fun, check out Island Cove Adventures in Vineyard Haven. Not only do they offer mini golf, but a fun climbing wall, as well as casual dining options. Great summer eats such as grilled chicken, vegetable wraps, burgers and cheeseburgers, and hot dogs are available. You don’t have to be a pro to enjoy a game of golf and some good food.
For more information, check out their website, islandcoveadventures.com, or call 508-693-2611.