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Joe Bausch

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Metedeconk: a photo tour (tournament course: all holes up now)
« on: September 16, 2011, 04:33:15 PM »
Recently I was fortunate to join another GCAer for a round at Metedeconk.  We played what they call the 'tournament' 18 holes, which is the third nine (called holes 19-27) and first nine (holes 1-9) of the 27-hole RTJ,Sr/Rulewich layout.

Here is a brief description of the club from their web page:

Nestled in the upper region of the New Jersey Pinelands, atop one of the highest spots in central New Jersey is Metedeconk National Golf Club.  The private, 27-hole facility was designed by world-renowned golf course architects Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Roger Rulewich.

Inspired by the varied topography of the preserve, Jones and his chief designer and top aide, Roger Rulewich, created a 27-hole masterpiece of tree-lined fairways, well-placed bunkers to maximize accuracy and the subtly contoured greens for which Jones is internationally known. And, typical of all Jones' creations, the development of water as a playing hazard is a strategic consideration on seven holes at Metedeconk National. Extensive and multiple tee boxes - another Jones trademark - allow for unlimited flexibility and permit the course to be played at yardages ranging from approximately 5,200 to 7,200. From the championship tees, the course has a rating of 75.4 and a slope index of 146 with a par of 72.

Masterfully routed, the three nines embrace the site's natural wilderness. Almost every hole is an entity unto itself. The proximity of marsh and lowland pine forest throughout provides a delightful dividend to golfers who may be fortunate enough to be joined on their round by the occasional deer, fox, muskrat or circling hawk who continue to make Metedeconk their home.


Here is the routing:



Let's get started with the first three holes late on this Friday afternoon!

#19.  Slight dogleg left par 4.  We played from the blue tees in the hole diagrams I'll provide.  Taking on the bunker is a ~250 carry.



The blue yardages in the diagrams are what MNGC calls the member tees.  

View from the member tees:



From just short of the dogleg:



Approach shot of about 100 yards after an ideal drive:



What we found out very early on is that Metedeconk has some very firm greens.  They will hold, but it must be a well struck shot.

From the back of the green:



As the routing diagram goes, it is a bit of a haul to the next tee, but i nearly birdies the first hole so I didn't care so much.  ;)

#20.  Slight dogleg right par 4.



Member tees view where you must be careful to not drive it through the fw left; a line actually at the left edge of the right bunker will work with driver if you choose:



Approach shot view to a fun very front pin this day:



More narrow green at the front, pretty wide at the back:



View from long and left of the green:



#21.  A dogleg right par 5.  



From the members tees it is only 180 yards to clear that bunker; a line to the right of the bunker actually works, even for the bigger hitters playing all the way back.



Nice wide fw here, although it pinches ever so slightly as you near the junk to cross on the third shot:



A good second shot leaves this for the approach:



A view from left of the green:



From just over the green:



More later.
« Last Edit: September 22, 2011, 01:19:30 PM by Joe Bausch »
@jwbausch (for new photo albums)
The site for the Cobb's Creek project:  https://cobbscreek.org/
Nearly all Delaware Valley golf courses in photo albums: Bausch Collection

Dan Herrmann

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Re: Metedeconk Nat'l GC: a photo tour (tournament course: holes 1-3 up)
« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2011, 09:58:10 AM »
Fantastic practice facility too!

Noel Freeman

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Re: Metedeconk Nat'l GC: a photo tour (tournament course: holes 1-3 up)
« Reply #2 on: September 17, 2011, 07:50:12 PM »
I have not been there in 7 years, but have played it 4 times.. All of the nines.. To me one of the most underrated courses around which has terrific par 4s, great par 5s and a lot of variety from my memory.  Shot values are very high.  The only issue for me the par 3s.. They are not very good.  My best recollection is of playing their the first time with a caddy who had only done a few loops.. On one of the holes he said aim for that rock.. I said a rock in the fairway are you sure.. He said yes.. Turned out to be a deer which I almost hit as it was laying down.. Funny moment.. For those who have issues with RTJ or Rulewich, this is a must see because it is damn good.


Joe Bausch

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Re: Metedeconk Nat'l GC: a photo tour (tournament course: holes 1-3 up)
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2011, 10:48:50 AM »
Dan, you are dead-on about the practice facility.

Thanks for checking in on this thread Noel!

Three more holes today.

#22.  Par 4; not super long but the No 1 stroke hole on the tournament course.



View from the members tee, where I think the lateral right off the tee plays a large part in the low stroke hole rating:



Approach shot view where farther left in the fw is an better angle into a difficult green:



From left of the green:



From long and left of the green:



#23.  Par 3; the first par 3 on encountered and if you search the archives of this site, the par 4's and par 5's get way more love.



View from the members tee, where there is no room for a tentative swing here!



From short and right of the green:



From the edge of the water:



#24.  Par 5; this one I really like.



Slight dogleg left off the tee:



A lateral comes into play left and it narrows up considerably as you near the green:



Playing conservatively staying back to a wider area leaves this view for the 3rd shot:



From short and right of the green:



From over the green:



More on Monday morning!
@jwbausch (for new photo albums)
The site for the Cobb's Creek project:  https://cobbscreek.org/
Nearly all Delaware Valley golf courses in photo albums: Bausch Collection

Dan Herrmann

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Re: Metedeconk Nat'l GC: a photo tour (tournament course: holes 4-6 up)
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2011, 10:55:08 AM »
Joe - as usual, thanks for the great pictures.    I've driven by on I-195 many times, but haven't ever played. 

Dan Boerger

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Re: Metedeconk Nat'l GC: a photo tour (tournament course: holes 4-6 up)
« Reply #5 on: September 19, 2011, 03:50:52 PM »
Thanks for the pics Joe. I was supposed to play there last year, but something came up. Now I really regret it -- look forward to getting out there some day.
"Man should practice moderation in all things, including moderation."  Mark Twain

Joe Bausch

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Metedeconk Nat'l GC: a photo tour (tournament course: holes 4-6 up)
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2011, 03:57:11 PM »
Dans, thanks.  If you get there, bring your A game.  Or a couple extra sleeves of golf balls!

#25.  Par 3.



Tee shot view:



From just over the junk:



From the hill over the green:



#26.  Par 4.



Tee shot view:



Approach shot view:



From 75 yards out:



From just over the green:



#27.  Dogleg right par 4.  IIRC, many love this hole, me included.



Tee shot view:



A decent drive is needed to start getting a glimpse of the green:



An approach shot view, although the ideal line off the tee is probably slightly left of here:



From just short of the green:



From a perched position over the green:



Holes 1-9 of the tournament course start tomorrow.
@jwbausch (for new photo albums)
The site for the Cobb's Creek project:  https://cobbscreek.org/
Nearly all Delaware Valley golf courses in photo albums: Bausch Collection

Mark Saltzman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Metedeconk Nat'l GC: a photo tour (tournament course: holes 25-27 added)
« Reply #7 on: September 19, 2011, 05:28:46 PM »
Really enjoying this thread.  Thanks, Joe.

Joe Bausch

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Re: Metedeconk Nat'l GC: a photo tour (tournament course: holes 25-27 added)
« Reply #8 on: September 20, 2011, 04:58:49 PM »
Thanks Mark.

Time to begin the first nine, which is the back nine of the tournament course (whew, that's confusing!).

#1.  Dogleg left par 4.



Tee shot view:



Approach shot view:



From just over the green:



#2.  Par 3.



Tee shot view:



From back and right of the green:



From back and left of the green:



#3.  Another fun par 5.



Tee shot view:



Second shot view where with a good drive the temptation is to take on the water:



A conservative layup can leave this approach shot, but better is farther up right, I think:



From short and right of the green:



From near the large collection area over the green:



Three more holes tomorrow.
@jwbausch (for new photo albums)
The site for the Cobb's Creek project:  https://cobbscreek.org/
Nearly all Delaware Valley golf courses in photo albums: Bausch Collection

Mark Saltzman

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Re: Metedeconk Nat'l GC: a photo tour (tournament course: back nine started)
« Reply #9 on: September 20, 2011, 05:32:53 PM »
Joe,

It seems like there are many holes where a hazard of some sort (ravine / bunker) just out into the DZ.  It's hard to tell from the pictures, but how varied are the yardages to reach / carry these hazards?  Is a guy that hits it 225 in the air, 250 total going to be laying up all day?  If you carry it 260 are you always bombing it over the trouble?

Joe Bausch

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Metedeconk Nat'l GC: a photo tour (tournament course: back nine started)
« Reply #10 on: September 20, 2011, 06:58:39 PM »
Joe,

It seems like there are many holes where a hazard of some sort (ravine / bunker) just out into the DZ.  It's hard to tell from the pictures, but how varied are the yardages to reach / carry these hazards?  Is a guy that hits it 225 in the air, 250 total going to be laying up all day?  If you carry it 260 are you always bombing it over the trouble?

Mark, I don't think the pea-shooter (thanks Matt Ward!) will be laying up all day.  But they frequently must play next to a bunker, etc, and taking it on will lead to a better distance and/or angle in.

#19.  Big hitters can carry that bunker left, but it probably isn't worth the risk.  The pea-shooter just stays down the middle, or leftish taking on the bunker to leave a short to mid-iron in.

#20.  Here the short hitter doesn't need to take on the bunker right, but rather play it down the middle or leftish in the fw to leave 150 yards in.

#21.  If the short hitter is playing the proper tees, that bunker right off the tee is really just an alignment bunker and is just a 180 yard carry to end up in the wider part of the fw for the layup.

#22.  This is a hard driving hole for the short hitter with a lateral hazard very close right in the dz.

#23.  Par 3 but there is an area of fw short of the green, so not an entire carry over water.

#24.  An area of junk left off the tee starts at about 200 yards out, which the long hitter doesn't worry about.

#25.  Some carry off the tee on this par 3, but nothing unmanageable.

#26.  Bunker left really in play for all players.

#27.  No real trouble off the tee for the short hitter, but the overall length of this hole will make the 2nd shot over water w/ little room for error very daunting.  And as their web page for the hole says, some will be wise to just layup on the 2nd shot to avoid feeding the aqua monster.
@jwbausch (for new photo albums)
The site for the Cobb's Creek project:  https://cobbscreek.org/
Nearly all Delaware Valley golf courses in photo albums: Bausch Collection

Mark McKeever

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Metedeconk Nat'l GC: a photo tour (tournament course: back nine started)
« Reply #11 on: September 20, 2011, 07:04:28 PM »
Metedeconk was a lot of fun.  I would definitely like to go check out the third nine at some point soon.

Mark
Best MGA showers - Bayonne

"Dude, he's a total d***"

Joe Bausch

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Metedeconk Nat'l GC: a photo tour (tournament course: back nine started)
« Reply #12 on: September 21, 2011, 09:33:32 AM »
#4.  Par 4.



Tee shot view, and one of the more demanding driving holes.



Approach shot view:



From short of the green:



From the back of the green (really need an elevated pic here to display this green):



#5.  Par 5.



Tee shot view:



Second shot view:



Approach shot view:



View on the way to the next tee:



#6.  Par 3.



Tee shot view:



Two views from over the green:





Last three holes tomorrow.
@jwbausch (for new photo albums)
The site for the Cobb's Creek project:  https://cobbscreek.org/
Nearly all Delaware Valley golf courses in photo albums: Bausch Collection

John Shimony

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Re: Metedeconk Nat'l GC: a photo tour (tournament course: back nine started)
« Reply #13 on: September 21, 2011, 03:57:33 PM »
How walkable is the course?  It looks tame in terms of elevation but does the water and marsh shunt you off and around, lengthening the walk in any noticeable way?  It looks wide open as well.  The width and the heather remind me of Hidden Creek.  I have heard great things about HC's green complexes.  How do the two courses compare overall?  I'm sure you're going to say they are nothing at all alike.
John Shimony
Philadelphia, PA

Mark McKeever

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Metedeconk Nat'l GC: a photo tour (tournament course: back nine started)
« Reply #14 on: September 21, 2011, 04:35:11 PM »
You would leave us hanging waiting for hole 16.....

John, the course is pretty walkable, but there are definitely some hazards that need to be negotiated when walking, especially off of the tee shots.  It's got a few wider fairways and corridors, but if you stray from them you are typicall in some pretty deep fescue/scrub pines.  There were a number of tees where i said to myself, "hit this shot, or else"..

Mark
« Last Edit: September 21, 2011, 04:39:55 PM by Mark McKeever »
Best MGA showers - Bayonne

"Dude, he's a total d***"

Joe Bausch

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Metedeconk Nat'l GC: a photo tour (tournament course: back nine started) New
« Reply #15 on: September 22, 2011, 01:18:41 PM »
Time to finish the tournament course at Metedeconk today, beginning with my favorite par 4 on this nine holes.

#7.  Dogleg right par 4



Tee shot view, where the longer hitter can and should take it over the trap if hitting driver.



Approach shot view to a fun pin this day:



From short and right of the green:



From the hill on the way to the next tee:



#8.  Slight dogleg right par 4 with a cross bunker in play on the tee shot.



Tee view:



Play it safe and stay behind the bunker in a wide part of the fw for a shot of 180ish in:



From short and left of the green:



From over the green:



#9.  Dogleg left par 4 with a very uphill approach shot.



Tee view:



Approach shot view:



From the back of the green:



Thanks for following along.
« Last Edit: September 23, 2011, 08:01:12 AM by Joe Bausch »
@jwbausch (for new photo albums)
The site for the Cobb's Creek project:  https://cobbscreek.org/
Nearly all Delaware Valley golf courses in photo albums: Bausch Collection

Jimmy Muratt

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Re: Metedeconk: a photo tour (tournament course: all holes up now)
« Reply #16 on: September 22, 2011, 01:30:57 PM »
Joe,

Thanks for the excellent tour of the course.  The pictures remind me a lot of Robert Trent Jones GC in Manassas, VA, another Rulewich/RTJ collaboration.  Your pictures make me want to get to Metedeconk in the near future.