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Frank Sekulic

  • Karma: +0/-0
Ballyowen
« on: June 03, 2021, 09:38:37 PM »
Any thoughts on the course?


I am going to be in NJ next week and am playing Mountain Ridge on Wednesday and Plainfield on Thursday and was thinking of heading to Ballyowen on Tuesday.


I have never played it but, I have heard mixed reviews and was wondering if is worth the hour drive from where I will be staying.


Thanks

Dan_Callahan

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ballyowen
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2021, 10:44:59 PM »
I played it maybe 15 years ago when I was writing for a golf magazine and they had a media day to promote the course. It was cold and windy, which seemed appropriate for what wants to be a faux Irish links. I actually enjoyed the course. Obviously, it doesn’t play like a links, but there are some interesting holes and some hills that feel almost like dunes. I would definitely play it again if I was in the area.


However, my most vivid memory of that day was playing a long par 4 that had a very long forced carry over fescue. In my group was an old guy … had to have been in his 70s. I teed off and then turned to talk to one of the other writers. I heard a “click” and turned to see the old fella with a wedge in his hand. I asked him why he hit wedge and he said, “I have no chance of reaching the fairway with my driver, and I don’t want to lose another ball in the hay, so I hit my wedge to the ladies tee box.”


Sure enough, his ball was sitting right in the middle of the ladies tee, about 100 yards ahead of us. To be honest, it was a hell of an impressive shot, given the conditions. And a reminder of how important it is to know your game.

Steve Lapper

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ballyowen
« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2021, 07:04:18 AM »
Frank,


   While Ballyowen is indeed a good public option, both The Knoll (Banks) and Rock Springs (Raynor) are far more proximate to Mountain Ridge. Neshanic Valley (27 holes + par 3) is closer to Plainfield. All of them are close to being equally worthy.


 PS. Mountain Ridge and Plainfield (and presumably the above mentioned publics) are all in wonderful condition. Enjoy!
The conventional view serves to protect us from the painful job of thinking."--John Kenneth Galbraith

Mike Worth

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ballyowen
« Reply #3 on: June 04, 2021, 09:25:58 AM »
I wouldn’t go out of my way to play Bally Owen, and I certainly wouldn’t drive one hour. It’s an entirely serviceable public course with a routing that makes no sense except if you don’t mind driving a golf cart a half a mile between each hole


Some of the holes are certainly good and it’s perched on top of a hill which makes for good views and some hilly holes

MCirba

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ballyowen
« Reply #4 on: June 04, 2021, 10:32:07 AM »
Ballyowen has some good holes and a nice property but lord, there are a few par three all-carry over water numbers to shallow greens that are borderline unplayable for the average golfer. 

Much prefer Knoll West (make arrangements prior as they have some odd public-access rules) and Rock Springs as Steve L. suggests.
"Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent" - Calvin Coolidge

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Jaeger Kovich

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ballyowen
« Reply #5 on: June 04, 2021, 10:58:14 AM »
Suneagles and Francis Byrne are also superior options to Ballyowen

Frank Sekulic

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Ballyowen
« Reply #6 on: June 04, 2021, 02:18:34 PM »
Thanks for all the info, I truly appreciate it.


I had no idea that Rock Spring was now public, so it looks like that will be where I am teeing it up on Tuesday.