Atlantic City area golf

[Ted Sturges]

What golf courses are within a 100 mile radius of Atlantic City (including what is in AC) that would be high on someone's "to do" list.  In making recommendations to me, consider that Ran makes fun of me by saying that I only enjoy playing on golf courses who's architects are dead.  What suggestions can you offer for me?

Also, I'm trying to make a list of 2 or 3 courses I have not played before.  So, please don't include Baltusrol, Merion, and PV, as I have already had the pleasure of a visit to these.

TS

[Mike_Cirba]

Ted,

Within 100 miles are so many superb courses that I'd literally not know where to start.  For instance, that takes in all of the Philly area, southwest to nearly Baltimore, and the areas in and around NYC and Westchester county.

Lots of dead guy courses too!  

Are you primarily looking for hidden gems, or courses you'd be remiss to have missed as they are so close to where you're staying?  

[Mike_Sweeney]

I grew up summers in Avalon, and still go down once or twice a year. Of the ones I have played in South Jersey in priority:

1. Twisted Dune, 6-7 on Doak scale, very nice.
2. Atlantic City Golf Club, which I played pre-Doak restoration. One of the casinos owns the course now and that is the only way to get on, I think. Used to be the great old club at The Shore, but may have changed. I would assume the Doak restoration would make it worth the trip, but you may have to lose your shirt at the casino to get on.
3. Blue Heron Pines - West is very nice, have not played the East. West is links, East I think is more tree lined.
4. Seaview - 2 old, traditional course Ross courses, worth a play and it is closest to AC.
5. Sand Barrens - I can't say it is my favorite Shore course, but it may be worth a look.
5. Wildwood CC - Same category as Sand Barrens. More open than SB. It is private, but you used to be able to get on during the week.
6. Stone Harbor - It has been toned down since the original Desmond Muirhead design. Bizarre is a good way to describe the original design by Muirhead. If you like to see "different" types of architecture try it, otherwise, I would pass.
7. Cape May National - nice but many better on the way from AC.
8. Avalon GC - I used to work there as a kid. Back then it was the only game in town, now I would pass.
 

Heard good things about but have not played:

1. Hidden Creek - just opened, Coore & Crenshaw, walked a few holes in April.

2. ShoreGate - just opened

3. Galloway National

[Dave_Miller]

Ted:
If you are going to go as far as Phila. there are incredibly good courses there:
Manufacturers
Rolling Green
Aronimink
Gulph Mills
Huntington Valley
AppleBrook - Newer course
St. David's
SunnyBrook
Phila. Cricket - Now has a second 18
Phila. CC
 
This is only the tip of the iceberg. Gosh the list is endless.  These are all Private Courses so you would need some way to get on.
Best
Dave

[Matt_Ward]

Ted:

Let me echo what Mike Sweeney mentioned. Play Twisted Dune because there is nothing like it in the general AC area. Many of the courses within that area are really ho-hum boring layouts that offer little differences. On the Doak scale I agree with Mike Cirba on the number 7. You won't be disappointed.

Atlantic City CC is also a good option provided you can get on through Park Place Entertainment. Doak did a solid job in restoring this marvelous old gem.

I also mention Galloway National which in my opinion, is one of Jersey's ten best courses. TF did one of his best design jobs here and you don't get all of the same pro forma stuff you get at other layouts of his. Unfortunately, Galloway is also private.

On the public side I also would add Scotland Run in Williamstown (Burlington County) which is on the way from Phillie to AC. Good Stephen Kay design -- the back nine really picks up the pace as it plays through an old abandoned sand quarry.

Plenty of others to mention but the above aren't bad in my book. Enjoy yourself!

P.S. Hidden Creek is private and a Crenshaw / Coore design. Worth a look if you're in the area.

[Mike_Cirba]

Ted,

As Matt mentions, I've sent a number of people to Twisted Dune, and the positive opinions have been unanimous.

Just gotta get Tom Paul to finally try it...

[BV]

Ted

Don't forget Lehigh!!!!!!!!

Echo the sentiments for Twisted Dune in A.C..  Can't recommend Shoregate unless you want to difersify your portfolio or something.

[Mike Nuzzo]

I will third the recommendation of Twisted, as I played there this past monday.  Unfortunately for the course I played after seeing the first round of the Philly Open at Pine Valley so it was quite over shadowed.
To rate Twisted's relative merit to another course seen by many here, I would put it near Barona but give Barona a slight nod for its green sites.
One of the neater dunes was used to block a forward tee (9th?), and when they cut the path through it (which were not paved, very nice) it had a much more natural appearance.  Some of the dunes looked a little manufactured in shape.
Looks like they are building more holes out there too.
Hit 'em straight.

[Ted Sturges]

Where exactly is Lehigh?  Is it near Philly?

TS

[Scott_Burroughs]

I'm surprised no one answered Ted on this.  Lehigh is in Allentown, 45 minutes north of Philly.

[Dave_Miller]

Ted Sturges:

Lehigh is in the Allentown-Bethlehem area.  Probably an hour or so Northeast of Phila.

Cheers,

Dave

[ET]

Ted - You had several recommendations for Twisted Dune. After playing there yesterday I say it's a must play if you haven't already. Architect Archie Struthers is very much alive, don't hold it against him,( he was in our 4some). He should be ready to do another course now that his time might allow.

[Henry Hudson]

Many public courses come immediately to mind: Scotland Run-near Walt Whitman Bridge(NJ side) and The Architects Club--great new course(arch: Steven Ray?) near Phillipsburg, NJ.

I haven't played Pine Hill in Clementon--supposedly similar to that other course in Clementon.

The Golf Course at the Glen Mills School (arch:Weed) Glen Mills, PA is also very, very nice.

There are quite a few more!!!

[Henry Hudson]

I caddied at Lehigh in the late 1960s.
Loved seeing the photos!!!!!

Ted

Don't forget Lehigh!!!!!!!!

Echo the sentiments for Twisted Dune in A.C..  Can't recommend Shoregate unless you want to difersify your portfolio or something.

[Matt_Ward]

Ted Sturges:

If you happen to have time after playing Twisted Dune you can also play another new course that's just opened that is literally down the street on Ocean Heights Avenue called McCullough's Emerald Golf Links designed by Stephen Kay.

Interesting design for a municipal course and it contains conceptual replica of holes from the British Isles -- most notably the famed Lido hole. Best of all -- you don't have to atke a second mortgage out to play it.

Tel # is (609) 926-3900 or check their Website at www.mcculloughsgolf.com

Hope this helps ...