Want to run a Cape Cod golf course? Here's your chance to tee it up

Eric Williams, Cape Cod Times

Have you ever dreamed of running a golf course on Cape Cod? Perhaps you have watched the movie "Caddyshack" dozens of times, picking up pointers about gopher eradication, carefully considering the most delectable snack bar offerings and vowing not to hire Bill Murray as greenskeeper.

Well, here's your big chance. The National Park Service recently announced that it is offering a 10-year concessions opportunity at Highland Links, a scenic and historic nine-hole course along the Atlantic Ocean in Truro, right next to Highland Light.

The course is generally considered to be one of the oldest on the Cape. According to a park service historical account, the "original design of the 1898 Highland Golf Links recalled the ancestral courses of the Scottish Highlands. Rolling landforms, views to the ocean, and naturally occurring hazards influenced the siting of holes."

The National Park Service recently announced that it is offering a 10-year concessions opportunity at Highland Links, a scenic and historic nine-hole course along the Atlantic Ocean in Truro, right next to Highland Light. In the 2019 photo, a golfer tees off at Hole 7.
The National Park Service recently announced that it is offering a 10-year concessions opportunity at Highland Links, a scenic and historic nine-hole course along the Atlantic Ocean in Truro, right next to Highland Light. In the 2019 photo, a golfer tees off at Hole 7.

In an email to the Cape Cod Times, Linzy French, visual information specialist at the Cape Cod National Seashore, wrote that the current concessions contract is expiring and is being re-advertised by the park service. According to a release from the Seashore, the "new contract is expected to begin January 1, 2025."

In 2014, Johnson Golf Management, Inc., was awarded a 10-year contract by the park service to run Highland Links. Previously, the town of Truro had run the golf course for more than 50 years.

Jason Laramee, business manager for Johnson Golf Management, Inc., said the company plans to submit a proposal for the next concessions contract. "Highland Links is a very historic and special place and we are fortunate to have been stewards for the last ten years," said Laramee.

Golfers on a green at Highland Links, with the Atlantic Ocean shimmering in the distance.
Golfers on a green at Highland Links, with the Atlantic Ocean shimmering in the distance.

Despite the relatively short length of the course, Larramee said Highland Links can be a challenging place to play because of strong winds, tall fescue and clever design of the holes. "It's not for the faint of heart," he said with a laugh.

The park service is hosting a site visit at Highland Links on April 9 for those interested in running the course. According to the park, each interested offeror is limited to five persons attending the site visit, and all attendees must be 18 years or older. Interested parties should register for the site visit by April 5, by sending an email to Katie Trudeau at Kathleen_Trudeau@nps.gov.

More information about the concessions opportunity is available at nps.gov/caco/learn/news/index.htm.

Eric Williams, when not solving Curious Cape Cod mysteries, writes about a variety of ways to enjoy the Cape, the weather, wildlife and other subjects. Contact him at ewilliams@capecodonline.com. Follow him on X: @capecast.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: A chance to run scenic Cape Cod golf course in Truro: Park seeks bids

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