[Matt_Ward]

Next week (June 6) is the National Awards Dinner for the Met Golf Writer's Association and I am thrilled to see that a jersey club -- Alpine CC in Demarest, NJ -- was selected by the Association as Club of the Year.

It's a prestigious award since the Met section encompasses so many clubs throughout the area.

Alpine was restored / updated under the talented hand of Ron Forse and through the leadership of its existing president Rob Hershan.

This season has seen the unveiling of the next 6th green and compared to the one that was there the results have been extremely positive. In addition, the tree removal program has continued and will only add to the playing angles you face when playing. Ditto the desire to eliminate the rough that previously cutted across the 18th fairway.

Alpine flies under the radar for many people who come into the NY / NJ metro area but it's a layout that has started to show the potential that was always there but simply needed leadership to take it to the next level.

Congrats to the club and its membership because the architecture from A.W. Tillinghast is truly unique and fun to play.

[Forrest Richardson]

I played Alpine several years ago and had a lovely time. This was certainly before any significant work there...but it was a nice layout with many fun holes.

[Geoffrey Childs]

Next week (June 6) is the National Awards Dinner for the Met Golf Writer's Association and I am thrilled to see that a jersey club -- Alpine CC in Demarest, NJ -- was selected by the Association as Club of the Year.

It's a prestigious award since the Met section encompasses so many clubs throughout the area.

Alpine was restored / updated under the talented hand of Ron Forse and through the leadership of its existing president Rob Hershan.

This season has seen the unveiling of the next 6th green and compared to the one that was there the results have been extremely positive. In addition, the tree removal program has continued and will only add to the playing angles you face when playing. Ditto the desire to eliminate the rough that previously cutted across the 18th fairway.

Alpine flies under the radar for many people who come into the NY / NJ metro area but it's a layout that has started to show the potential that was always there but simply needed leadership to take it to the next level.

Congrats to the club and its membership because the architecture from A.W. Tillinghast is truly unique and fun to play.

Matt

Ron Forse really did a marvelous job with the course and you are correct that the 6th green turned out really well- much better then I expected. It has those irregular ridges and slopes that don't look computer drawn as many/most "modern" greens do.

Rob Hirshorn is a good leader for the club but I MUST point out that most of the membership would rather have seen more flowerbeds and would not know Tillinghast from Jack Nicklaus. It was Noel Freeman who spent countless hours and sat throug numerous committee meeting to bang the Tillinghast connection over the head of the membership.  I think he deserves a world of credit for the positive outcome of the project. THey have a ways to go with tree removal, flowerbed removal   and firming up the turf.  

Alpine is one hell of a difficult course to post a score. It's not as charming as some other Tillinghast courses but it is a heck of a good golf course made much better by the current project.

[Noel Freeman]

uh Dr. Childs.. it is F R E E M A N...

and Alpine still needs about 1000 more trees down before I'll consider it as arriving.

[Geoffrey Childs]

uh Dr. Childs.. it is F R E E M A N...

and Alpine still needs about 1000 more trees down before I'll consider it as arriving.

I know who you are.  What makes you think I was referring to you?    




SORRY

[Matt_Ward]

Geoff:

You are correct and I concur -- having said so numerous times in regards to the application of water to the turf and to the continued plan on getting the tree issue accelerated.

Noel clearly played a leading role and he's to be saluted for keeping the focus on the golf side. It's wonderful to see the potential of the course starting to make serious headway. For too many years Alpine was noted simply for the quality food and superior service provided to its membership.

Now the golf side is starting to blossom (e.g. 6th green, to name just one area) and the work Forse did under the leadership of Rob Hershan is making many more people notice what is there. No doubt more trees need to come down but the work on several fronts is still an ongoing matter.

One other thing -- there are many clubs in the USA where a good number of the membership is more interested in the flower beds than the strategic elements of the design. I'm less interested in the rank and file and more concerned with those running the show and Alpine now has that direction.

[JNagle]

Credit certainly is due Rob and the committee members.  However, there are two additional individuals that are being overlooked.  One  specific person is Steve Finnemore, the course superintendent.  We work at many great courses with incredible conditions and Alpine is near the top of that list.  When talking to other superintendents in the region they often mention Steve as being in the top echelon.  Blend Steve's talents with the Committee and Geoff Porteus' crew from Hawk Shaw Golf and you are guaranteed a succesful project.  I look forward to seeing everyone from Alpine at the Met Dinner next week to hear about the 6th green.

[Noel Freeman]

Jim-

The new 6th green is a hit all around.  You guys did a tremendous job.  For the first time ever last week I wound up in the immense front right bunker and when I was able to use the lowered backstop to cosy my explosion shot close to the pin instead of rolling off the green, it was a nice feeling.  I'm surprised how natural you got the swale to look dividing the tiers as well.

Steve Finamore is a terrific super, he does an unbelievable job growing grass on rock with soil on top--no clay, no sand at all obviously.  Alpine last year had the best conditions during burnt out conditions I've seen of any met area course and steve should be commended for that.  That said, during those conditions Alpine played the perfect mold of borrow and roll in my estimation.   It took the drought to do it though.  I think Steve prudently tries to protect the course with a little too much H20--besides the members seem so like it green.

I cannot say enough about the job Jeff Porteus and crew did.  Gil Hanse told me they would do a terrific job a few years ago at Baltusrol and recommended we hire them and it was the best decision the club made.  I'm glad you and Ron worked so well in concert with them.

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