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1000 Freemans Way, Brewster, MA 02631
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History & Staff
Brewster, MA, is known as Cape Cod’s “Sea Captain’s Town”. In 1850 there were over 50 sea captains living in Brewster at one time; 115 have lived there since 1840. The golf holes at the Captains Golf Course are named after some of these sea-faring men.
When the original 18 holes were under construction, the Golf Commission at the time selected the name Shipmasters Golf Course for the new facility. Shipmaster was a title earned after schooling in fields from astronomy and navigation to money management and reading. Brewster’s fine school system prepared young boys for the many skills that would be required when they were at sea, commanding ships and being responsible for the needs of their crews. Brewster shipmasters were in high demand and captained many ships that sailed trade routes from Maine to China.
Though shipmaster was a title held in high esteem in the 1800’s, as the name of a golf course in 1984 it was, according to Golf Commission minutes, “frowned upon” by the Board of Selectmen. The Golf Commission went back to work and proposed a new name, the Captains Golf Course. The Selectmen approved the new name, and work continued in preparation for a May, 1985, grand opening. In 1997, Brian Silva, of Cornish, Silva & Mungeam, was hired to expand his original design. The new design was incorporated into the original course and in August, 1999, the new 36-hole layout was opened as Port and Starboard.
The 36 golf holes are named after Brewster shipmasters and captains, none more famous than J. Henry Sears (original #9, now Port #18). In addition to being a great shipmaster, he was an enthusiastic golfer with his own private golf course located on 32 acres of sandy property on Lower Road in Brewster. This is only one story of the exciting and adventuresome shipmasters and captains of Brewster’s past. Names such as Nickerson, Eldredge, Knowles and Crosby are still seen on streets and buildings throughout Brewster and surrounding towns.
Mark O’Brien – Director of Operations
Mark is a Class "A" member of the PGA. with a vast experience in public golf course management. Mark is a native of Cape Cod and worked at Captains from 1989 to 1996 as the Assistant Pro/Manager before accepting the Operations Manager's position in North Kingstown, RI. Mark came back on board at Captains in September 1999. In 2010, Mark was awarded the Gary Philbrick Golf Professional of the Year by the Cape Cod Chapter of the New England PGA recognizing his contributions to golf in this region.
Steve Mann - Course Superintendent
Steve is a certified Golf Course Superintendent by the GCSAA. Steve has worked at the Captains since the course was opened in 1985. He is a graduate of the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts and his work experience includes a stint at Medinah Country Club (site of the 1999 PGA Championship).
Jay Packett - Head Golf Professional/Pro Shop Manager
Jay is a Class “A” member of the PGA and is also a native of Cape Cod. After his graduation in 2000 from the Golf Management Program at Methodist College, Jay joined the Captains team. Jay was recognized in 2008 as the Junior Golf Leader of the Year by the Cape Cod Chapter of the New England PGA and he has a loyal following of golf students of all ages.
Steve Knowles - Head Golf Professional
Steve is also a Class “A” member of the PGA and a native Cape Codder as well. He has been employed at the Captains since 1998 and he has been in the golf business since 1985. He is an accomplished golf instructor, teaching students of all abilities and ages. In addition, Steve is a leader in golf instruction for individuals with physical limitations working in cooperation with the Spalding Rehab.
Last updated: June 27, 2011