Captains Membership Rates Increase By 5 Percent

BREWSTER – On Monday, Jan. 27 the select board voted unanimously to approve a 5 percent increase in membership rates at Captains Golf Course. 

Town officials also approved 25 non-resident memberships, which will be pulled from the current 415-name waiting list. Cart fees will not change from the previous season.

On Jan. 14, members of the golf commission met to discuss the upcoming 2025 season at the course. Five members were present to deliberate on membership rates, cart fees and non-resident memberships.

In the projected financial forecast for this year, expenses increased by 4.9 percent. In addition, the last special town meeting approved just over $1.2 million in capital expenditures from the course’s enterprise fund. These projects, including updates to the maintenance building, equipment replacements and clubhouse improvements, will begin this year.

While a 5 percent increase was an option, the commission opted to recommend a 6 percent increase in membership rates to the select board, with the caveat that cart fees would stay the same.

“When you see budgeting expenses going up almost 5 percent again, part of you says I’d like to maintain the status quo,” said golf commission vice chair David Valcourt. “We’re in a very good place in terms of our equipment, but as we look down around the corner at the things we know are on our plate like the maintenance facility and irrigation and stuff, that scares the bejeebers out of me. Status quo just doesn’t seem to satisfy what I think is the requirement.”

Valcourt’s argument swayed some of his peers who had originally been in favor of a 5 percent increase.

Commission chair Jay Paggi pitched a drastic increase of 10 percent every year for the next three years to offset long-term debt, which he said has mainly received negative responses from current members.

The proposed five-year fiscal plan has an increase of 5 percent for the next two years and then 6 percent for the following three years. 

Mike Moore, president of the Captains Course Men’s Golf Association (CCMGA) reached out to the select board advocating for a freeze on membership rates. His position was representative of the entire board of directors. Rob Harris, former member of the golf commission and current member of the CCMGA, attended both the select board and golf commission in person to state his case. 

He argued that even without an increase, the course is set to bring in more revenue than previously projected.

With the now approved 5 percent increase, resident rates will be as follows: early rates will be $1,449, morning rates will be $1,103, twilight rates will be $599, college rates will be $450, and junior rates will be $204. Non-resident rates will be early $2,410; twilight $893; college $650; and junior $292. 

Applications for new memberships have not yet been released.