Pomona in South Jersey

[Matt Frey, PGA]

Fellow GCA members Joe Bausch and Mike Cirba (along with his lovely wife) drove to South Jersey to take advantage of the weather and the fact that the area received little to no snow cover from last week’s nor'easter (STELLA!).

We chose to play little-known Pomona, an old 9-holer that was built by Sara Spencer Washington, an African American millionaire. Mike has more information on Ms. Washington, the background of Pomona (originally Apex) that I am sure he would love to share on this thread.

Of course, as our “local photog,” Joe took photographs as we played. His album can be viewed here: http://www.myphillygolf.com/uploads/bausch/Pomona/index.html

Incidentally, I stumbled upon this July 2015 post from Golf Digest, which declared Pomona the sixth most cheerful course in America: http://www.golfdigest.com/story/nine-most-cheerful-courses-in-america

“6. POMONA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, EGG HARBOR CITY, N.J.

Golf has many epic epicurean delights, from Pine Valley's snapper soup to the milkshakes at Castle Pines. The cuisine at this nine-holer has a chance to be just as legendary. Last summer, television's Robert Irvine and his "Restaurant: Impossible" team swooped in to revamp the kitchen and snack bar. The episode, "Golf: Impossible," showcased a menu worthy of a private club, though no dish costs over $7. Still, local tastes take time to marinate. We report that Pomona has retained Chef Irvine's black-bean burger, Caprese chicken sandwich and jumbo chili cheese dog but, alas, not his salmon taco. Back by demand are the Taylor pork roll and the liverwurst sandwich, specialties of South Jersey.”

We didn't have time to get a bite, but we may try to swing by again in the near future to check out their menu!

This history behind the property is what stood out to me the most, but as you will see in Joe’s photo album, there are some fun holes out there as well. The highlight of which, in my opinion, is No. 8.

[Joe Bausch]

More on Sara Spencer Washington:

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/The-woman-in-fur-who-integrated-Capt-Starns-created-a-black-womans-hair-care-company-became-one-of-Atlantic-Citys-original-millionaires.html

[MCirba]

For fans of "Boardwalk Empire" and Atlantic City golf, the tale of Pomona (fka Apex Golf & Country Club) offers intrigue.

There is definitely more to be learned about the course origins but some time back Archie Struthers told me he suspected that James "Sonny" Fraser of the famous Fraser golf family may have been involved.   Fraser, who was a child golf prodigy growing up at Seaview where his dad James "Jolly Jim" Fraser was the second pro (after Wilfred Reid was "traded" by Clarence Geist).   Jolly Jim died in a car accident in the early 20s, and young "Sonny" grew up with his brother Leo under Geist's wing.   Geist actually won a sizeable bet with President Harding at one point betting Harding that the kid could break 100 at Seaview, which Sonny evidently did with ease.   

In any case, fast forward to the 1940s where Sonny ends up in politics and forms a syndicate with politician "Hap" Farley and Olympic swim champion John B. Kelly.   Farley, the political boss of Atlantic City after Enoch "Nucky" Johnson went to jail (Farley was Nucky's protégé) had encouraged Sonny to enter politics and he became a NJ State assemblyman and head of the state legislature.

In 1944 the syndicate purchased Atlantic City Country Club also got legislation passed that created the Atlantic City Race Track and first legal gambling in south Jersey.

In 1947, Apex opened, and guess who was pictured at opening day with Ms. Washington?   Why Hap Farley and Sonny Fraser.   Sonny's good friend Bob Hope was on hand that day, as well.   

[MCirba]

Here's five-year-old "Golf Expert" James "Sonny" Fraser shaking hands with President Warren Gamaliel Harding at Seaview.