Bayonne

[Jin Kim]

xx

[cary lichtenstein]

Should be really neat after it grows in fully

[Mike_Sweeney]

Should be really neat after it grows in fully

Cary,

Did you see how much dirt is being moved!

Jin

It looks like Twisted Dune on the Jersey waterfront, a good thing as I like Twisted Dune. I know they are selling location to the membership but to be honest, I really rather not drag my clubs accross Manhattan and then take a ferry to play golf everyday. Of course driving to New Haven and Long Island is no picnic either, but my wife isn't moving so maybe they have a market.

[Matt_Ward]

What's amazing is that two (2) courses will be located within Hudson County -- where no regulation courses exist. In fact, Hudson County is one of the most densest populated counties in the USA -- roughly 35 square miles with nearly 550,000 people.

Eric Bergstol is the man behind Bayonne GC and the course is expected to open in the Spring of 06. Total yardage will be just over 7,000 yards and likely play to a par of 71.

The dunes settings have been completely created by man and there will be a complete absence of trees.

Bergstol did design Branton Woods and Hollow Brook -- two courses in the upper Hudson River valley area. In addition, he is the man behind Empire Golf which operates several facilities including Pine Hill, NJ National, Pine Barrens and Twisted Dunes.

What's even more interesting is that Liberty National will also open roughly at the same in neighboring Jersey City. Here you have a design from Bob Cupp / Tom Kike which will play just over 7,400 yards and a to stingy par of 70. More info can be obtained through libertynationalgc.com.

[David Panzarasa]

I know that area very well, and is it just me that thinks that might be on of the ugliest and depressing views in the world? those views are what people see on TV all the time and the reason people think NJ is a $hit hole. Not saying the course is not going to be great, but my god, you go to play golf to have fun, get away, and absorb the beauty around you (at least that is for me) i think I would need a an anti-depressant looking at those views while playing golf there,,and not cheap either! Just my opinion on it.

[Jim Franklin]

I think those views will add to the character of the course. Kind of like the warehouse at Camden Yards or even the city of St Andrews. While I am not from Jersey, I think it will make for an interesting backdrop. JMHO.

[Mike_Cirba]

Matt,

You forgot to mention that Eric Bergstol also designed Pine Barrens in NJ, which is quite well done.

I'm betting that Bayonne will ultimately be regarded as a better golf course than Liberty Nat'l.

[Matt_Ward]

Mike:

I had the opportunity to speak to Eric and he's quite excited about what will be unveiled next year. The intention will be to mimick "link" type firm turf.

Yes, you are right -- he did Pine Barrens -- one of the 4-5 best public courses one can play in NJ IMHO.

One further note -- the views from the site are clearly Jersey related but did anyone expect to have something different. Guys -- c'mon -- the course as well as Liberty National are in a location that is choked with people and congestion.

[David Panzarasa]

Matt,
 No, I did not expect anything different, which to me is just not a great reason to join a club like that. For people that are not from the area, believe me it does not add character to this course. The views are sad and depressing. And when you are close by the water there, the water is gross and really looks like the slums and possibly the worst that New Jersey has to offer. It is not like st. andrews with the buildings at all, it is more like where tony soprano will go and shoot someone and then drop the body. Sorry, but this is just my opinion and to me would beyond take away from what could be a great golf course. I am not commenting on Liberty because I have yet to see that, but I would never play gold at Bayonne. If you look at the second picture where it looks like it is a green or at least grass in the back next to the water...well on a hot day and standing next to the water there you could smell the pollution, I would be scared for my health! lol

[JeffTodd]

The view from the course appears (from the photos) to be somewhat similar to what one sees when playing Riverwinds (NJ), across the Delaware from South Philadelphia. Along the same lines, Riverwinds provides stunning vistas of shipping lanes, loading docks, Navy ships in mothballs, and the airport. That said, a golf course can be an oasis, and its role as such can be highlighted even greater when the surroundings are bleak. When you live in a golf-starved, urban area, the sight of fairways and greens can be more than enough to make you forget about the concrete and steel that surrounds it.