Because the student population on campus drops dramatically during the summer, Hanover Country Club has witnessed a drop in season pass sales since graduation.
For Summer term, only 14 undergraduates and six graduates bought season passes, which cost the same as about ten rounds of golf at the course. With sophomore summer classes, there may not be as much time to devote to a pastime that requires four hours to complete 18 holes of exciting highs and frustrating lows.
The numbers, however, may be deceiving. According to Alex Kirk, the head golf professional at Hanover Country Club, students paying on a per-round basis have played 280 rounds of golf since graduation.
"We see a lot of the same students most of the time," Kirk said. "On occasion, some students come in just for a round and a number of members, alumni and parents of students play as well. We are not your typical club. We see a lot of different faces during the season depending on events at the school."
For this upcoming parents weekend, the course likely will be busy with visiting families going out and playing a round of golf with their children.
Jake Kahane '09 is one of the students with a season pass, and he has found that it has been well worth it.
"Having the season pass has pushed me to get out and play a lot this summer," said Kahane. "I love being able to go out and relax on the course. It's just a good way to get away from BlitzMail and some of the more hectic aspects of Dartmouth life."
For the most part, traffic at the course follows the cycles of the Dartmouth school year.
"More students play in the spring than the summer and fall," Kirk said. "The course does lighten up in the summer with most of the campus not here. This year, however, the course has been a lot busier with the weather and the course condition being superb."
Some students take physical education golf lessons, many to fulfill one of the three physical education classes required for graduation. This summer, 20 students are signed up for golf lessons, compared to 75 students in the spring and 50 in the fall.
In the midst of the multitude part-timers who head out to the course, members of the College's varsity golf team are using this summer to help get ready for the fall season.
"It is great to be able to spend the summer practicing at our home course," Lauren Strickler '09, a member of the women's varsity golf team, said. "The course is in such good shape and the weather for the most part has been good, so we've had lots of opportunities to play."
Alex Abate '09 of the men's varsity golf team echoed similar sentiments.
"Being able to play here in Hanover all summer gives us a chance to get to know the course very well," Abate said. "Hanover is a very unique course and so you can never truly master it."
Hanover Country Club is Dartmouth's oldest existing recreational and athletic facility. It was built in 1899 as a nine-hole course. In 1922, the College expanded the course to its current 18-hole configuration.
The course is in excellent shape and there are discounts for students. The student rate for a full round of golf is $25, cheaper than greens fees at many public courses with inferior maintenance and design.
