The two courses listed by BillV are the ones in question. I' am providing a detailed hole-by-hole analysis of Hidden Creek and will offer the same for Shore Gate in the next day or so.
Kudos to owner Roger Hansen for the foresight and tenacity in getting the talented team of Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore to come to the Garden State with their first design. Roger indicated to me that he had been trying to get the duo to design a course for him since sometime after Ben's first win at the Masters in '84.
Hidden Creek is located on about 750 acres of land in the community of Egg Harbor Township -- only minutes away from the glitter of the AC Boardwalk. The primary goal of Hidden Creek is to provide members with a quality golf course that blends in with the existing terrain without all the earth moving one sees far too often at other courses throughout the country.
Crenshaw & Coore have done this without making Hidden Creek artificial or out of step with its existing location. Nature envelops the property and you don't get the claustrophobic feeling that happens at so many other courses. You are alone with your thoughts throughout the round.
The scorecard for Hidden Creek reads as follows:
1). 402 yards / par-4 10). 476 yards / par-4
2). 372 yards / par-4 11). 121 yards / par-3
3). 534 yards / par-5 12). 467 yards / par-4
4). 222 yards / par-3 13). 391 yards / par-4
5). 395 yards / par-4 14). 200 yards / par-4
6). 446 yards / par-4 15). 411 yards / par-4
7). 179 yards / par-3 16). 470 yards / par-4
. 300 yards / par-4 17). 495 yards / par-5
9). 583 yards / par-5 18). 408 yards / par-4
Out - 3,433 yards / par-36 In - 3,439 yards / par-36
Total - 6,872 yards / par-71
Course rating & Slope info not yet available
1st hole -- provides generous landing areas (a feature that's constant on almost all of the holes). The green is slightly tucked away to the left and lightly out of view from the tee. The starter is not a back-breaker, but will not yield automatic pars to indifferent play.
2nd hole -- Tee shot goes slightly downhill to a gradually narrowing fairway. Fairway bunker centered in middle of the fairway but provides more of a directional role rather than a strategic one. For a hole of just 372 yards it really peaks your interest.
3rd hole -- This par-5 of 534 yards is a good example of risk and reward. The tee shot (day we played was right into a 15 mph wind) is to a genrous fairway. If conditions permit and you hit the perfect tee shot the long hitter has the option in trying to reach the green in two blows. However, a blow out area filled with sand guards fiercely any shot that is even slightly pushed. The green is elevated slightly above the fairway and the pin locations can vary dramatically.
4th hole -- This redan type par-3 plays from an elevated tee to a tremendous sized green (likely no less than 7-8 thousand square feet). The hole played into the wind on our visit and the golfer had best play a swinging draw as the green is wonderfully protected to the left by a large bunker. When the greens get to full speed this hole will claim many three-putts.
5th hole -- Slightly less than 400 yards the hole features a huge mound in the center of the fairway that is angled from left to right and approximately 50 yards from the green. The fairway is also slightly angled from right to left so if you overhit a draw you can reach the high grass on that side. The green is very, very deep (probably about 45-50 yards. For a flat hole there is plenty to think about on the tee.
6th hole -- Pro forma long par-4 that played into the wind on our visit. The tee shot is straightforward and the approach must reach another green that is nicely contoured without being savage.
7th hole -- Completely different par-3 of 179 yards and demands a well-controlled iron shot to a green that could vary by as much as 2-3 clubs depending upon pin location. Average hole -- nothing special.
8th hole -- Drivable par-4 of 300 yards but debatable on the risks that it calls for. There is a fairway bunker that is roughly 250 yards to carry on a direct line with the green. If a player can carry the bunker with any pace the ball will scamper down a slight slope and reach the putting surface. Golfers do have the option in playing to the left side of the fairway bunker and having a short pitch.
9th hole -- Long par-5 that played downwind on our day there. The hole is difficult to assess on which way it goes but there is a huge fairway bunker that serves as a guiding post. The fairway runs out at about 320 yards (?) and the second shot must go slightly from right-to-left to avoid a series of bunkers that protect the right side. Bill reached the green in two big blows and both of us agreed a fairway bunker in the middle of the fairway about 80-100 yards directly in line with the green would have been a better option.
10th hole -- Back nine starts with a long par-4 that angles slightly from right to left. There is ridge that must be carried but if done will provide a boost to one's tee shot. The green may be the longest on the golf course (50 yards easily) and does fall away from the player. If the pin is upfront (it was on our day there) and you hit the green with too much pace it will release and run all the way to the back of the green and leave you with a return putt in excess of 100 feet. Solid hole for thinking on what you want to do. Play too close to the left and there is a small, but exacting bunker waiting to grab you.
11th hole -- dynamite short par-3 that plays uphill and is no more than 125-130 yards depending upon pin location. Bunkers protect the front and right and there is a fall-off the left for any player who misses in that direction. The green is elevated with the toughest locations in the front. It literally appears as the pin is resting on a knob when looking at it from the tee. No more than a 9-iron, PW or SW on most days but is a wonderful change of pace hole after the long 10th. You could make a case that this hole mirros to some degree the challenge of the 11th at SH. Let's just say it's junior league version of that marvelous hole.
12th hole -- Arguably the best par-4 on the course. Plays 467 yards and there is a fairway bunker in the drive zone that is angled from left to right (simply awesome). You can place your ball between the bunker and the right woods but it will take control and plenty of nerve. Golfers can hit short of the bunker but will be left with a slightly blind approach (you'll see much of the pin but little of the total putting surface) and one that is longer. Green is elevated slightly and when pins are placed in the corners will require a deft touch with your approach play.
13th hole -- Good medium-length par-4 that dog-legs right -- the first of its type encountered. The hole has a series of bunkers that pinch in from the left and there is an opportunity to carry a tree line down the right provided you can do it.
14th hole -- Sleeper type par-3 of 200 yards. The green is really long (almost the same length as the 10th) and club selection can be as much 3-4 clubs depending upon wind patterns.
15th hole -- Good slightly uphill par-4 that bends to the left. The tee shot must be drawn to favor the hole movement. Only weakness -- there is a fairway bunker on the right that has trees directly in front of it (Mike was unfortunately trapped and doubly penalized) and there are two deeper fairway bunkers that come into play only for Jason Zuback.
16th hole -- Although a long par-4 this hole is more of a slog without any real character. Straightaway hole that lacks any real strategic vision.
17th hole -- Good gambling par-5 and the view from the tee sets this hole apart from many others at Hidden Creek. Two fairway bunkers on the right side are set down when looking at them from the tee and they really do provide a challenge to avoid. There is also a long bunker that angles from left to right and can catch tee shots for those who pull their tee shot.
18th hole -- Medium-length par-4 of 408 yards and only the second hole that moves right in the round. The best tee shot is a slight fade which sets up a shoprt to medium iron to a large green that features a slight false front. When the pin is placed just beyond this rise pity the player who comes up short or back spins off it.
Hidden Creek in my mind is a solid 5. I believe Mike and Bill said they would give the course no less than 5.5 on the Doak scale. There are times during the round when minimalism offers a "less is less" situation -- particularly a few holes on the front. On the flip side -- the course does pick up the pace with much of the back nine (minus #16).
The charge for Crenshaw & Coore was to create a members course that would provide countless opportunities for fun and imagination without featuring penal elements such as forced carries, intrusive water hazards (no H2O thoughout he course) and the like. They have done this.
If Hidden Creek becomes extremely firm the challenge it poses will only increase. Balls were bouncing nicely so a ground game option is possible. The turf coverage for such a young course is outstanding and the superintendent and staff deserve high marks for their efforts.
Where does Hidden Creek rest in comparison to other Jersey courses? It's not a top ten candidate because the field of other courses in the state are too strong in my opinion. Might it be top 20 or top 25? That's a possibility and one worth watching as the course matures.