Jersey's Top 25 Public Courses / 2002

[Matt_Ward]

The issue will come out early next week, but I wanted to share the results of The Jersey Golfer's Top 25 Public Courses. The biennial assessment was assisted by the contributions of quite a few contributors to GCA who are quite familiar with the respective layouts in the state.

For all the help given I want to publicly say thanks. Jersey Golfer was also the first golf publication to do such comprehensive public ratings -- starting in 1996. We will also be compiling a Top 50 Overall Course listing which will be out in late September. In that review we will continue to also break down the best courses from each region -- north, central and south.

Anyone interested in receiving the complete issue or wishing to participate in our overall course ratings can e-mail me at: mattwardgolf@hotmail.com.

It would be most appreciated if those receiving the publication remit postage costs. A couple of other quick notes: Kudos to Archie Struthers and his assembled team at Twisted Dune. I just returned from playing the course the other day and the magic it possesses endures. In fact, Twisted Dune is undergoing some additional tweaking, which I believe, should only serve to enhance its standing.

Also would like to salute all the courses that were selected for their consistent desire to provide a time quality golfing experience. It's amazing how much Jersey public golf has changed since 1990. Only five taxpayer owned courses are among the best 25 -- for the first time no taxpayer owned course is among the top ten courses.

If anyone has comments regarding the list please also forward to me or post on this thread. Thanks!

The State’s Top 25 Public Courses / 2002 The Jersey Golfer

* Indicates new addition

The First Five
1.       *Twisted Dune
            Egg Harbor Township
2.       Ballyowen
            Hardyston Township
3.       Blue Heron Pines / East
            Cologne
4.       Royce Brook / West
            Somerville
5.       Pine Hill
            Pine Hill

The Second Five
6.       New Jersey National
            Basking Ridge
7.       Pine Barrens
            Jackson Township
8.       Scotland Run
            Williamstown
9.       Sand Barrens / North & West
            Swainten
10.       *The Architect's
            Lopatcong Township

The Third Five
11.       Hawk Pointe
            Washington Twsp.
12.      The Knoll / West
            Parsippany
13.       *Wild Turkey
            Hamburg
14.       Hominy Hill
            Colts Neck
15.      *Royce Brook / East
            Somerville

The Fourth Five
16.      Marriott’s Seaview / Pines
            Absecon
17.       Great Gorge / Lake & Quarry
            McAfee
18.      High Bridge Hills
            High Bridge      
19.      Sea Oaks
            Little Egg Harbor
20.      Crystal Springs
            Hamburg

The Fifth Five
21.      Blue Heron Pines / West
            Cologne
22.       *Knob Hill
            Manalapan
23.      *Bowling Green
            Milton
24.      *Ash Brook
            Scotch Plains
25.      Sunset Valley
            Pompton Plains

[Mike_Cirba]

Matt;

Thanks for sharing.

Congratulations, as well to Archie Struthers, for well-deserved recognition at Twisted Dune!

I have a few quibbles, and I'd probably switch the positions of New Jersey National and Hawk Pointe, but all in all it's a solid list.  

[SPDB]

impressive list, Matt. I'd switch Pine Barrens with Ballyowen, knocking it down a spot, and put Royce Brook where Pine Barrens was- you had to know that i would feel that way, though. Also, i'd knock NJ Nat'l. down 5 or so.


good work!

[Matt_Ward]

Appreciate the input gents!

Both of you need to see how NJ National is now. Course conditions have improved dramatically since a new sup't was brought in from Bethpage last year. I was completely skeptical about the course even after my publisher visited it earlier this year -- last time I played it the course had several temp greens and fairway grass was coming out like hair out of an old man's head. No more. The greens are also quite demanding and among the very best in the public arena in the Garden State.

The courses listed from #6 through #10 are very, very close and each has certain weaknesses.

The key to keep in mind is that there is an emerging elite level of public courses in the state -- roughly about five at the very top, then the level moves down a notch to a grouping of several more before diminishing even more so.

FYI -- new public courses that opened this year -- Heron Glen, Shore Gate, McCullough's Emerald Links were not included because all courses must have been open for one complete season to be considered for evaluation.

[SPDB]

Matt - Does your love of BPB know any end? I mean for chrissake, just cause the new super has BPB on his CV the course moves that far up in the ranking?

 

[Mike Nuzzo]

Matt,
I see you point, it wasn't too long ago that Hominy and Howell park were always near #1 & #2 public tracks in NJ.  You have come a long way baby.

When I last played NJ National, the conditions were pretty good, but I'd still knock it down a bit.  Especially below Kay's work.

Last month I played Twisted, High Bridge & Sunset Valley.

Sunset's green sites are very good.  Not just because they are well conditioned, and fast (my grandpa tells the story every time about one of his playing partners 9 putting #15) but they seem to be quite interesting.  It's too bad tee to green it's rather weak.  Is it the greens that even got it in the top 25?  I'd have a tough time placing it above Knob Hill.

Twisted - nuff said.

Highbridge Hills was fun, great terrain, decent greens, maybe a bit too much knee high rough, and maybe 1 too many blind shots?


Cheers.

[Matt_Ward]

SPDB:

Yeah -- you're right -- got to plug Bethpage some way. . As an FYI -- the new guy is just 25 and was in charge of the Red Course -- a layout that is vastly underrated because of the long shadow of the Black.

Mike Nuzzo:

The key thing about Sunset Valley is the back nine -- tremendous nine holes cramped in a very small space. Also, the finishing stretch of holes is first rate and I view the 16th as one of the four best par-5's you can play in public golf in NJ.

Tell your grandpa I understand full well how people could five-putt the old 15th -- I've been with people who;ve done it. Heck, I've four-putted the hole once in competition! Since then then green has been altered to be a bit less severe. The issue for Sunset is resolving the front side which has a number of bland holes spiced around a few ones of note.

I also would not diminish the work that Roy Case did with NJ National. The property is unique and that's an advantage when compared to the flat as pancake land you get with several others. I would say that the 17th at NJ is probably the best mid-length par-4 in public golf in NJ. From the championship tee it's a dynamic hole. The nest step for NJ National will be in getting quality sand for many of the greenside bunkers.

[Mike Nuzzo]

Matt-

That was 9 (NINE) putts!
They also grow the grass a little longer on that green now too.

On the front of sunset - 3,6,7,8 are pretty decent holes.

I'm so fond of playing there it is hard to be objective.  It's because I play with my GPA who is 78.  Last year he beat me.  He shoots his age more now than he used to.  

[DriverKing]

Great job Matt.  You're right about how NJ Golf has changed in 10 years.  Not seeing Flanders or Howell in the list at all, and with Hominy Hill out of the top 10, highlights how good golf has gotten in NJ.

Does Hendricks Field still lead in $$ wagered?

[Matt_Ward]

Bob:

Great point about Branch Brook / Hendricks Field!

We (Jersey Golfer) want to do a major story on the course and are in the process in rounding up people to intereview who REALLY know the true stories that have happened there over the years.

There probably has been more $$ action at Branch Brook than in some casinos! All types of hustlers, con men and people who thought they could play have played the course.

If you know of any sources that would be good to talk to drop me an offline note at mattwardgolf@hotmail.com

As far as public golf in the state is concerned the main issue for Jersey golfers will be one of access -- the state is already the 8th most expensive place to play according to the National Golf Foundation. I still personally believe that "muni" golf has a legitimate place and in our next issue I have a column on that topic. If you want a copy please let me know.

CCFAD golf has literally driven the gap between the "haves" and the "have less." Fortunately, a number of courses try to provide fees based on time of day in order to keep the tee sheet full. However, there are other courses, an example being NJ National, that doesn't have a twilight fee!!! You either pay $110 or $60 for nine holes. I think it behooves course owners / management to realize that today's golf economy can easily go sour if unrealistic fees are pushed without some sort of wiggle room.

TO NJ National's credit they understood that they needed to upgrade turf conditions in a big way to have any sort of justification for such high fees. Still, NJ has more courses coming down the pipe -- most notably, the effort to build multiple courses in the Meadowlands and a new course in of all places Bayonne!

The Garden State is indeed flourishing.

[Big B]

I haven't played them all but Scotland Run is great.

1. Pine Hill
2. Scotland Run
3. Twisted Dune

I think twisted dune is a bit overrated, par 5's are short and par 3's are long.  A weird combination.  Plus, I don't like the high electric wires running through the course.  Service nneds to improve, i was done my round at 5:30pm and the club house was close.  Answer that?

[Mike_Cirba]

Big B;

Do you like the high-tension lines running through Pine Hill any better?

Are the par fives at TD the type that offer risk/reward, where a gambling player pulling off a fine shot has a great chance at birdie, while those attempting the same and failing face a pretty severe penalty?  Did you reach the 4th hole in two, and if not, what did you do about that nasty cross bunker in the middle of the fairway on the second shot?

Do the par threes at PD range from a short pitch (8th) to a long iron (3rd), to a danger fraught midiron (13th), to a full bore intimidating long iron or fairway wood (16th)?  

I like Scotland Run quite a bit too, particuarly the back nine, but much of the front is a bit contrived, wouldn't you agree?

What exactly do you find appealing about Pine Hill?  If you would, I'd like to hear hole descriptions of those you were impressed with.  

THanks!

[Ben Hogan NJ]

High-tension lines or no high-tension lines, Pine Hill is the best daily-fee track in the Philadelphia area.  Fazio did amazing work with that piece of land.  Not a bad hole on it.  

I hear Ballyowen is as good if not better.  Scotland Run would be my #3.  

[Big B]

Thanks for the update on the high-tension lines (front 9), I forgot.  As for PH, the elevation was more dramatic and the bunkers were more strategic and at the same time gave you the opportunity to get up and down.  At TD, I put my ball in the front bunker on #8 and there was no sand to get the ball up over the high lip.  On #3, I had to hit a driver 240 in to the wind to get the ball on the back of the green.  That's not shot making.  As for #4, I hit driver, 3 iron to 60 yards, chipped up and missed the birdie putt.  All other par 5's I was on or over the green in two.  

[Mike_Cirba]

Mr. Hogan NJ;

Could you kindly explain the strategies of any of the holes at Pine Hill to me?  

I wouldn't argue that it's a bad course, as it benefits from some spectacular scenery, long range vistas, great terrain, and nice-looking features (the bunkers in particular are appropriately rugged), but can you also tell me what greensite is the least bit interesting beyond the first hole?

Given the site, and the hyped comparisons to it's vaunted next door neighbor, I had hoped for something at a level of World Woods Pine Barrens.  Instead, it's something closer to World Woods Rolling Oaks.  

[JBergan]

The par fives at TD:

#4, Bishop's Purse (uphill dogleg right): 585-championship tee/556 daily tee;

#9, Punter's Alley (slight downhill tee shot, reachable with a helping wind):  529-championship tee/496-daily tee;

#10, Twisted (I love this hole!):  565-champ tee/542-daily tee;

#12, Pot Luck (I like the green but the rest of the hole is just ok):  565-champ tee/515-daily tee.

I don't see a problem with the length of the par fives.  

As for the par threes, #3 can be a brute (especially when it is playing into a 20-30 mph wind as it was the last time I played it), I hit 3 wood and came up short.  #8 is on the short side, 128 middle/162 back.  The hole gives you options depending on the wind and pin placement. The first time I played it, I hit a wedge (downwind), the next time a five iron (trying to keep the ball low and out of a strong  crosswind).  #13 (178/198) can  be tricky when the wind is up, as can #16, but 16 gives you a lot of room to land the ball short of the green.

With no wind, I'd probably hit four different clubs on the par threes, a short iron, a mid iron and two long irons.  That's plenty of variety for me.

[Ben Hogan NJ]

Mike-
Clearly you haven't played PH.  Ray Chales could see what a great track this is.  Probably half the holes on the front nine are great holes and well thought out and the course doesn't really take it's true for till the back nine.  Miss one fairway and you are in complete jail (I know the fairways are fairly forgiving like most resort-type courses)!

It really is a great track and you should get out and play it.  Don't play it from the back tees though.  More than you can handle.  The HP and PV said it is harder than PV from the tips.  Enjoy and get out there and try it!

[JBergan]

Another thought on PH vs. TD:  I might remember three or four of the holes at PH, and I can still see all 18 at TD.  Why?  A few reasons, I guess.  First, I walked TD and rode PH.  The distance between some of the holes at PH was a distraction from my round. I got bored.  I can't put my finger on it, but nothing really jumped out at me and made me think, "Wow, this is a great course."  All of the great things I hear from friends about PH make me wonder if it's not a case of the Emporer's New Clothes.  

TD makes you think on just about every shot.  Do I want to hit it on the left or right side of the fairway?  Should I try to cut the corner or should I play it safe?  Do I want to hit my 125 yard approach by hitting a 9 iron high in the air or do I want to hit a five iron and land the ball 20 yards short of the green, letting it run to the hole?  

As for the lack of a clubhouse at TD, I've never chosen to play a golfcourse because of its amenities.  I'm fine with a portapotty and a hot dog cart.

[Mike_Cirba]

Mr. Hogan NJ;

The Head Pro and "PV" said it's tougher than Pine Valley from the tips??

Having played both, I'd think that's more than a little hyperbole.  Frankly, I was disappointed to a considerable degree, but perhaps that is simply the pitfall of "great expectations".  

Pine Hill is a good course that tried very hard to be a great course.  I don't fault Mr. Fazio for trying to avoid emulating Pine Valley, and many of the holes play long and challenging, but with the land at his disposal, I still had hoped that he'd be able to create something truly special there.  

Must be that Ray Charles syndrome..

[Ben Hogan NJ]

Hey J-
I agree that a clubhouse doesn't make the course, but if you're going to spend the money and build one, why not do it right?  

[Ben Hogan NJ]

Mike-
If you read anything Fazio said about PH, he never attempted to replicate or even compete with PV.  PV is hands down one of the top 3 (if not the best track in the world).  PH is a daily fee track.  Could you imagine a bunch of hackers out on that if it was as penal as PV?  Seven hour rounds would be the norm.

You must be playing on one heck of a home course if you critique PH like you are!

[Big_B]

J-

The fairways are so wide at TD, it reminder me of my local driving range.  I like when you're standing on a tee and you see a narrow fairway with a slight dogleg and you have to decide how much to cut off 9not including any bunkers or trees that could come in to play).  How do you run up a ball 120 yds. away with a false front (#1, #5, #10, etc...)?  I guess we should just agree to disagree???

Later.

[Matt_Ward]

Appreciate all the comments -- so glad to know that ben Hogan still lives.

Couple of points to make -- people need to read the entire article to understand the rationale behind how certain courses finished in the position they did. Also, all of the courses selected have been reviewed from championship tees and how they will test the low handicap player plus their ability to test other levels of play.

Pine Hill did finish #1 in 2000 and the reasons why it dropped are explained in the article. At the same time Twisted Dune possesses a full array of challenging holes. When I read someone says the fairways are 50 yards across I believe that person misses the genesis of why Twisted was designed in that manner. You are tempted to hit driver but proper placement is central.

To give just one example -- I hit the ball a good ways off the tee and always enjoy the challenge of the 4th at TD. The right fairway bunker tempts you to try to cut off as much as possible. Just make sure you can do the carry -- 290+ plsu yards from the tips. I did it the last time I played the hole and was exactly at the 230 yard sprinkler cap. From there I had to bust a solid 3-iron to get to the front third of the green. The second shot is hemmed in by sand and if you push or pull you'll be struggling to make what looks like an easy birdie. There are plenty of these types of holes at TD.

If anyone wants a copy just drop me a line at mattwardgolf@hotmail.com -- all of the courses mentioned and those that were not were visited and played within this year. Jersey golf is clearly competitive and the first five courses are in my mind a good notch above the next grouping of five.

I also agree with Mike Cirba -- Scotland Run is a wonderful addition to golf and specifically to Gloucester County. The front nine is a bit understated and less of the quality that you get with the back. For that reson the course doesn't have the totality that you see with the first five.

Appreciate again all the comments.

P.S. We at Jersey Golfer will be putting forward in our next issue our updated best overall listing. If anyone wishes to submit their top 50 overall Jersey courses please forward to my address previously mentioned. Thanks!

[Big_B]

Matt...

Please help me understand why having fairways that 747's can land on is better than having fairways that require accuracy off the tee?  For example @ TD, the 1st hole had a fairway with no trouble and was 50+ yards wide at a length of only 400 yds.  This was the same for holes 5, 6, & 7. If you compare a similar length hole @ S. Run (3, 6, 7, 11, 14 & 16), bunkers and wasteland, doglegs and trees come in to play.  At TD, they should have more tee shots like # 14.  I agree there should be wide fairways for long holes (#18 @ TD and #12 @ S. Run for example).  I just got the impression everyfairway was extremely wide @ TD.  Also @ TD, you did not address the sand traps next to the greens(with rocks and small stones with shallow sand).  I could not get my club through the sand under the ball to get the ball over the high lips.  This cost me several strokes.  As for S. Run, the fairway bunkers have similar sand as TD but around the greens the sand is more fine and you're able to get the club and put the ball over the lips on the green.  I think Stephen Kaye did a great job with this and TD failed in this category.  If you're going to a course where sand is a major factor, as it is with both courses, it must be playable.  TD is not playable around the greens.  Please keep in mind both courses I plan on playing many times again in the near future.    

Thanks.

Appreciate all the comments -- so glad to know that ben Hogan still lives. ;D

Couple of points to make -- people need to read the entire article to understand the rationale behind how certain courses finished in the position they did. Also, all of the courses selected have been reviewed from championship tees and how they will test the low handicap player plus their ability to test other levels of play.

Pine Hill did finish #1 in 2000 and the reasons why it dropped are explained in the article. At the same time Twisted Dune possesses a full array of challenging holes. When I read someone says the fairways are 50 yards across I believe that person misses the genesis of why Twisted was designed in that manner. You are tempted to hit driver but proper placement is central.

To give just one example -- I hit the ball a good ways off the tee and always enjoy the challenge of the 4th at TD. The right fairway bunker tempts you to try to cut off as much as possible. Just make sure you can do the carry -- 290+ plsu yards from the tips. I did it the last time I played the hole and was exactly at the 230 yard sprinkler cap. From there I had to bust a solid 3-iron to get to the front third of the green. The second shot is hemmed in by sand and if you push or pull you'll be struggling to make what looks like an easy birdie. There are plenty of these types of holes at TD.

If anyone wants a copy just drop me a line at mattwardgolf@hotmail.com -- all of the courses mentioned and those that were not were visited and played within this year. Jersey golf is clearly competitive and the first five courses are in my mind a good notch above the next grouping of five.

I also agree with Mike Cirba -- Scotland Run is a wonderful addition to golf and specifically to Gloucester County. The front nine is a bit understated and less of the quality that you get with the back. For that reson the course doesn't have the totality that you see with the first five.

Appreciate again all the comments.

P.S. We at Jersey Golfer will be putting forward in our next issue our updated best overall listing. If anyone wishes to submit their top 50 overall Jersey courses please forward to my address previously mentioned. Thanks!

[Mike_Cirba]

Big B;

With all of the width at Twisted Dune, do you mind if I ask what you shot?  

I'm not trying to be a smartass, but simply pointing out that holes you complain about, such as the first, really require that you find the preferred side of the fairway for the best angle in, particularly to certain hole locations.  For example, anything right of center on the first hole (and the fairway tilts towards the right) leaves you with a blind shot over a deep fronting bunker, hardly a warm greeting.

Beyond that, the open site near the ocean gets a lot of high winds, and virtually requires a certain width (especially with the high native grasses on the dunes) to be playable in difficult weather.  

As far as the bunkers, I haven't seen a problem.  Besides, under the rules of golf, they are defined as "hazards".  Expectations of some type of perfectly maintained lie and suitable stance are one of the reasons that golf has lost much of its strategy over the years.  If they are a tough recovery, they should be avoided by players of all levels, don't you think?