Upper Montclair Country Club - Jordan worthy?

[Mike_Sweeney]

Jordan Wall, Not Michael Jordan.  

Through a backward series of events, I now have reciprocal privileges at UMCC. Assuming Jordan is able to work his way East this summer to play Yale and The Creek, is UMCC worthy of a young architectural student who will be tucking in his shirt?

I have never played there, and it is only referenced in a search of the archives of GCA.com. I only know:

* They play the NFL Seniors PGA event there
* RTJ did some work, but who is the original architect?
* 27 holes

Any pictures that I can post, please send.

Thanks

[Matt_Ward]

Mike:

If memory serves -- UMCC in its original form was designed by Tillinghast. When the Garden State Pkwy was created in the mid-50's the course brought in RTJ and he then designed three new 9-hole layouts -- the East, South & West.

The South & West combos have been used for all the big-time events played there. Given the course's location -- 12 miles from Manhattan and right off Rte 3 is an easy reason why the club has been used for a host of events.

Located in my home town of Clifton, I caddied at UMCC when in high school and college and ther course is your typical RTJ layout. Loooooooooooong tees and very big greens with flanking bunkers being the predictable style.

There are a few holes of note -- the long par-4 3rd on the South nine is very good but it can be quite vexing for those playing it for the first time.

One of my favorite holes is one that often goes underappreciated -- the first hole on the East -- a tough 435-yard par-4 that calls for a slight fade off the tee to a fairway that is often way toooooo wet. The green is set back in a cluster of trees and you need to take plenty of club to get near where the pin is located.

Unfortunately, the bulk of the routing is generally
predictable -- going out in one direction and returning the other way.

[mark chalfant]

 Mike: Montclair GC (Ross 23/ Banks 9) , Essex County (Banks/Tillinghast) and North Jersey ( Travis) are very worthy. Upper Montclair, even 9 holes,  would be poor time managment for Jordan's trip. If access is  problematic take him to Bergen Hills ( Orrin Smith) where there is more good design just on the front nine than exists at all 27 holes at UMCC !