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Steve Kupfer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Essex County CC (NJ)
« on: August 27, 2014, 05:10:33 PM »
I've heard some conflicting accounts about challenges with the greens and general turf management at Essex County (NJ) over the last year. Some were pretty devastating. Any truth to this? Did a quick engine search, but apologies if a thread is already open on this.

Joe Bausch

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Essex County CC (NJ)
« Reply #1 on: August 27, 2014, 05:16:18 PM »
I saw nothing really like that on a recent visit, Steve.  One green was recuperating from the tough winter after I think getting 'trapped' under a layer of ice.  Otherwise all was very good.

I loved the place.

Some pics:

http://xchem.villanova.edu/~bausch/images/albums/EssexCounty/
@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

Sean Remington (SBR)

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Essex County CC (NJ)
« Reply #2 on: August 28, 2014, 06:45:30 AM »
Great pictures Joe.  ECCC is looking really great.  Many changes since I played there last in the mid-90's.   I wonder who the GCA was for the renovtions?   I remember the greens being very interesting and the course fun to play, even more so now.  Wow!

Alex Lagowitz

Re: Essex County CC (NJ)
« Reply #3 on: August 28, 2014, 08:18:56 AM »
Great pictures Joe.  ECCC is looking really great.  Many changes since I played there last in the mid-90's.   I wonder who the GCA was for the renovtions?   I remember the greens being very interesting and the course fun to play, even more so now.  Wow!

Gil Hanse was hired for most of the design work, although I believe the construction was done by outside contractors.

Phil Lipper

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Essex County CC (NJ)
« Reply #4 on: August 28, 2014, 10:15:14 AM »
I have played there twice this year, once in the beging of the season and once last week. Early in the season there were 4 temporary greens due to a green expansion program. Last week I found the course to be in very good shape, the greens seemed to healed very well and there was no sign of work.

Bill Crane

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Essex County CC (NJ)
« Reply #5 on: August 28, 2014, 01:22:38 PM »
Very good golf course - a bit hilly in places.

I played there last summer in late July and the greens were tan/light yellow, almost as if they were dormant after a month of good frost. A large percentage of most greens looked this way.  They actually putted O K.   I had a discussion with a knowledgeable friend who noted that, if stressed, grass will essentially force itself into dormancy to protect it's root structure even during hot weather - not just cold.   Anecdotally, I was told that they tried to keep them at a high speed for their member guest during a hot & humid NJ spell.

Another friend of mine was to play there a week later and his match was cancelled due to temporary course closure.

Had heard that the greens came back nicely, and were rolling fine in the fall. 

This really is a super layout and under-rated golf course.


Wm Flynnfan

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( s k a Wm Flynnfan }

Patrick_Mucci

Re: Essex County CC (NJ)
« Reply #6 on: August 28, 2014, 04:38:26 PM »
Steve,

The club shaved the greens too low for their multi-day member guest and paid the ultimate price subsequently.

I think they've learned their lesson

ECCC is a wonderful golf course, challenging and fun.
« Last Edit: August 28, 2014, 09:56:33 PM by Patrick_Mucci »

Paul Gray

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Essex County CC (NJ)
« Reply #7 on: August 28, 2014, 05:09:37 PM »
I have no idea how county cricket made its way to this website.  ;D
In the places where golf cuts through pretension and elitism, it thrives and will continue to thrive because the simple virtues of the game and its attendant culture are allowed to be most apparent. - Tim Gavrich

Steve Kupfer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Essex County CC (NJ)
« Reply #8 on: August 29, 2014, 10:21:39 AM »
Thanks everyone. Looking forward to getting back to ECCC before the season ends and pleased to hear it has recovered nicely.