Steve:
Sorry to break the news to you -- but I have played ALL the courses I mentioned this playing season including Mountain Ridge. This time around you don't have the Sand Hills argument in your favor.
The 18th at Plainfield was not the original closer -- it was placd in that position when the driving range was added years after the course opened.
I'm not a big fan of the hole but it's far from being awkward as you and others may be inclined to believe. Try to hit the approach close to the hole and watch out for the green speed which can quickly provide a three-putt or more.
Planfield is miles beyond Mountain Ridge -- in fact -- I see the course as being the only other Jersey course -- PV included obviously -- that belong with the top 50 courses in the USA. The work by Hanse & Bahto added even more luster to the course. That's not to take anything away from what was done to MR with its restoration / upgrades. MR has the potential to crack the state's top ten -- Plainfield is solidly embedded as the state's #2 course IMHO.
Steve, we shall agree to disagree -- Essex County is a better layout -- ditto #2 + #4 nines at Montclair -- the greens at the latter are among the most vexing of any in the state. I have seen US Open sectionals played at Montclair and no one -- ncluding the likes of Bob Murphy, Mark O'Meara and a host of others -- could never shoot low there.
I have studied the likes of Somerset Hills for years and this is one layout that is vastly overrated because of its tony location and the fact that the USGA HQ is right down the street. Yes, I like what Tillinghast did there but there's plenty of so-so holes at best at SH and it gets plenty of a mileage from the people who play there frequently.
I also think the 12th is one of the most overrated approach over water shots there is. If anything -- the 16th is underrated because of the remarkable green complex. The 8th is a fine hole but not especially so.
However, with all that said the Eden 3rd at Banks at Forsgate is top tier stuff -- ditto the reverse redan at the 7th and the short horseshoe shaped 12th -- finished off with the long par-3 17th -- candidly, if they ever restore the 17th to what Banks orginally wanted the quartet of par-3's would be even better.
I still stand what I said ... on the best par-3 front ...
PV
Plainfield
Forsgate / Banks
Last thought -- I like Trump National and will need to see what shakes out with the new 18 being built.