New Jersey Golf

Spring Golf at South Jersey Shore

May 9, 2020

Normally at this time of the year, I would be writing a story about one of my favorite things: golf the South Jersey shore. Of course I also write one in the fall, on the same subject. Because I think those two so-called shoulder seasons offer the best opportunties to tee it up down there, although obviously any time you can sneak in a round or two before heading for the beach or the boardwalk is a good thing.

But in the spring, sometimes it’s still not quite warm enough where I live to really enjoy it the most. At the shore that’s usually not a problem, unless maybe the winds are blowing in off the ocean. And even when that happens, it still seems more pleasant in those parts anyway. Maybe it’s just the smell of the salt water. Or the salt water taffy. I don’t have to know exactly why. I just have to know what it, has always been and will always be.

This year, though, our lives are anything but normal. Due to the Coronavirus that has turned the entire world upside down. And our situation in this country is no different. And it’s no secret that New Jersey and some surrounding states have been among the hardest hit places. So it’s a challenge, for every single one of us. We have to practice social distancing, and take whatever other steps the medical experts deem necessary to help us make it through this pandemic as quickly and as healthy as possible. It hasn’t been easy. Nobody said it was going to be. But we have to do what we have to do, to try and minimize the risks to the many.

That, obviously, means that golf courses are among the many businesses that have been impacted. Fairly or not. We could argue all day as to whether they should be closed and still not come up with an answer that will satisfy anybody. It is what it is. I don’t know when they’re going to reopen again. It could be weeks, or months. Hopefully sooner than the alternative. I guess it all depends on how well we wage this battle. I have no doubt it will get better. But that’s as far as I’ll go. Anything more is well above my pay grade. And probably yours. I tend to err on the side of caution. That’s me. We all have our thoughts. But we’re in this together, more than anything. That means that every move that anyone makes could infringe on someone else’s rights. We can’t lose sight of that.

Do I miss making bogeys with my friends in the great outdoors? You betcha. But I’m also realistic. I’m a 62 year Diabetic. My wife is 61 and has asthma. That puts us in the high-risk group. So my main goal at this point, and for the foreseeable future, is to not get infected. And to not infect others. It’s really that simple. So I’m willing to do whatever I have to to put the odds in our favor.

But when the time is right, these courses will be there for us to enjoy once more. And they’re going to need our support more than ever, must like the restaurants and other outlets that we used to take for granted in our everyday existence. So I look forward to that day. Like everyone else, I can’t wait to get back to whatever the new normal is or becomes. After what we’ve been through and the challenges we’ve faced and the sacrifices we’ve made, it will feel even better maybe than we remembered it. Hitting that first drive into the woods will bring a smile to my face. And I won’t be the only one. And we will deserve those moments. So will the golf courses, where we go a couple of times a week to spend four hours forgetting about everything else going on around us. You can’t put a value on that. It’s priceless. And only a golfer might understand.

With all that being said, I’m going to run down some of my fave places to play. Hopefully some or most of them are near the top of your list too. Maybe we’ll even bump into each other at one. Or two. Hey, you never know. I’ll be the balding midget hitting a 3 wood from about 175 yards out. And loving it.

So in no particular order, here goes:

blue heron pine golf We’ll start with Blue Heron Pines, the course that started the whole upgraded daily-fee experience back in the early 1990s. Does it really seem like it was that long ago? Ron Jaworski has owned it for about the last five years, and has only made it so much better. He took all the junk out that was not only slowing down play but taking away from the beauty of the grounds, and basically restored it to its former standing. I still wish they also had the sister East course, where Brandt Snedeker won the now-defunct Public Links Amateur championship in 2003. But it hasn’t been there in awhile. Shame. Good thing we still have the original layout to play.

It’s very user friendly. Not too difficult, but there are certain holes that can bite you before you realize it. I’m thinking of the par 4 10th, and the par 4 14th in particular. If you make par on either of them you’re doing well. The 14th might be one of the best anywhere. The second shot is all over water to a relatively small green, with little bailout. What’s not to appreciate? But there’s enough holes where even a middle handicapper can do some damage, like the short par 4 first and seventh, so anyone can have fun. And still feel like they’re being tested. And if you know Jaws and the way his family run things, you know that the hospitality is not to be beaten, from the food and beverage to the pro shop. It’s all worth a stop.

shore gate country club golf Shore Gate might be the toughest course in the Greater Atlantic City region. Especially, as I always say, if you play it from the wrong set of tees. So please try not to. Be honest with yourself and you’ll have a much better time. I’d love to have a buck for every guy who shoots in the low 90s who wants to play for all the way back. I just shake my head and move up to where I’m comfortable. I way past the point of caring what anyone else thinks. Good for me.

There’s a lot of sand to contend with, and a lot of holes that can really make you work hard just to survive. The second springs to mind, where you have to drive it over water and then still have a fairly long shot into a well protected green. It’s one of those where you can bite as much off as you want, and hope you didn’t get greedy. The ninth is a little like Pebble Beach, with water all the way down the left side. Again, you have to make a decision on how daring you want to be. This layout has a great set of par 3s. And even though it doesn’t have a clubhouse, the food at the turn is top notch. Go for a dog and make full use of the condiment cart. Then try to go out and hit a good drive on 10. You’ll need it. I usually still have a mouthful of food to deal with. And the home hole is everything you could ask for and then some, a truly stout par 4 that doglegs slightly right and demands two pretty decent shots. But the green is so large that you could do that and still walk off with a 5. It’s been known to happen.

atlantic city country club golf Atlantic City is one of those places that gives me goosebumps just thinking about. It’s hard to get any better. And it’s always in pristine shape. I loved it in the old days, before they made some cosmetic changes with a new ownership and added some new holes. It remains the course against which most others are measured, in my opinion.

Again, you have some holes that you can get. And some holes that will get you. Water comes into play a fair amount, notably on the back nine, where the views of the bay are just spectacular. The stretch of 14 through 16 is a keeper. A short par 4 that has a tee shot which hugs the marshes, followed by a par 3 that’s all carry and if the wind is howling can alter your club selection by almost an entire bag and a par 4 with a dogleg around water to a small green that’s hard to hold. It’s hard to get much better. If you haven’t been there yet you really must put it on your to-do thing. I know I can’t get enough.

twisted dune golf club Twisted Dune is unique. And that’s putting it mildly. It’s a British links style track that you just don’t find much on this side of the Atlantic. Some folks might not like that. I happen to love it. Then again, I love playing over there. If you can keep the ball in play you can score. That’s easier said than accomplished. Even though the fairways and putting surfaces are generous. But if you veer offline, you are faced with some high grass that will not be conducive. So you might want to pack a few extra balls, just in case.

The neat thing about TD is you will have birdie opportunities. It’s that kind of course. And you will also make some double bogeys. It’s all part of the experience. Nothing wrong with that. It just makes you appreciate the good shots all the more. There are blind shots, and bounces that may work out for you or end up hurting you. That’s how they treat the game over there. And I have to respect that. There’s so many good holes, elevation changes and even enough water to get your attention. I particularly like the 16th and 17th. First you have a par 3 over a ravine of maybe 165 yards or so. And the green has all kinds of bunkering around it. Then it’s a straightaway par 4 with a second shot over another gully. Real good stuff. It’s the kind of place you have to try once, if only to say you did it. But I’m guessing that once you do that you’ll be back. Just because it’s so strikingly different.

mccullough's emerald dunes links McCullough’s Emerald Dunes has grown on me so much over the years. I really didn’t think a whole lot of it when I first played it way back when. But I was proven wrong over time. I’m not going to tell you it’s the best course down there. But it’s a place where you can have a really good time. And be tested all the same. Certainly in some spots.

When the wind is up, it can even be bearish. I played there once in a big breeze, and it was a totally different experience. And not in a bad way. The eighth and ninth holes are as good a close to a side as you’ll find: a dogleg right par 4 where you could have a blind second shot, and a par 3 over water going back to the clubhouse. I had to start a round on that hole once. Don’t ask. It’s a long story that involves a slight encounter with vertigo. Which I wouldn’t wish on anybody. But somehow I managed to pull my club back and actually hit a decent shot. At least by my standards. In other words, it found land.

I have to admit it has my favorite short par 4. I believe it’s No. 14. A really good player can try to hit a drive over the trees and avoid the 90-degree dogleg. I’ve seen it work, and not. Me, I just try to hit it straight down the middle, which for whatever reason I almost always do, and leave myself with a little wedge to an elevated green. I nearly made an eagle there once, and have made a few birdies. Maybe that’s why I like it so much. These days it fits my length-challenged game. And who doesn’t need a little help now and then.

Ballamor is a course that’s harder than it might appear at first glance. For the most part it’s fairly open, although it does play through woods. What always sticks out in my mind about this place is the fact that just about every green has a ridge running through it. And that is always on your mind, since it can cause major problems in some cases if you’re on the wrong side of the undulation. I’ve hit what I thought were really good approaches into a green only to find when I got there that I was faced with a nearly impossible putt. It happens. And once you get used to that you can usually handle it better. So a little local knowledge is never a bad thing. I guess if they want to really play with your mind they can stick the pins in some borderline unfair places. But it does keep you on your toes.

The 18th is a great way to finish. It’s a par 5 that’s like Pebble Beach in reverse. The water here is on the right. And the third shot is always tricky because it’s always over just enough of the wet stuff to make your knees quiver a bit. And again, the green is anything but flat. And of course the people sitting on the back veranda having their lunch or a post-round beverage of choice can sit there and watch you try to navigate the final obstacles. As if I needed any extra distractions.

Harbor Pines has never left me disappointed. And whenever I’ve been there the conditions have always been immaculate. Plenty to be said for that. The par 4 ninth is formidable. It’s straight, but there’s trees to the right and water in the opposite direction. And the second shot is always a long one, to a large green that is anything but receptive. This place has a really nice mix of long and shorter holes, so there’s variety. And the golf gods know I need my shorter holes. The par 5s tend to stand out. But it is cut through woods. So keeping the ball in play off the tee is a priority. But there are several spots where it opens up a bit. If you bring some game you can usually have a decent shot at a good round here. Of course the minute you start thinking that is when you look at the scorecard and realize that you’re like 10-over. So take it lightly at your own peril.

Seaview is the longtime home of the LPGA’s Shop Rite Classic, which this year had to be moved from late May to hopefully early August due to the health crisis. There are two courses, the Bay and the Pines. The Bay is where the ladies play. It’s a Donald Ross gem. So subtle, yet so inviting. The greens are small, and they’re most of the battle here. No surprises. It’s Ross’s trademark. It’s a second-shot type of course. So you need to be on with your irons. The wind can make it play as difficult as it wants. The par 4 second is a prime example. It goes back toward the bay, and depending on the conditions it might be anywhere from a 4 iron to an 8. Seriously. Then you come right back with a par 5 heading back the other way, and you might get on that in two. But that’s what makes it what it is. And it is timeless, a throwback to another era.

vinyards national golf course The Pines is totally different. It’s cut out of the woods, so the doglegs have a whole other feel to them. You can be blocked out if you’re on the wrong side of the fairways. Nothing seems to come easy on this 18. The par 5s have all kinds of hidden danger, and two of them come back to back (9 and 10). The closing stretch features consecutive par 3s that can certainly leave you gasping. Both are long, and each (16 and 17) can produce bogeys or worse faster than you can take your club back. So beware. Yet in its own way, the Pines is every bit as good as the one across the street. I just hope that the Shop Rite actually gets played this summer. The people down there really need this flagship event. It means so much to the community in ways that maybe some didn’t even realize until it went away for a few years about a decade back.

Cape May National is at the southern end, so I don’t get there as much as I probably should, mostly due to logistics. But over the years it’s earned a reputation as “The Natural,” for its setting. And every time I’ve been there it’s lived up to that billing. The ambiance is serene, and the routing superb. There’s a little bit of everything there, in terms of difficulty and shots you’re going to face. But it’s very fair, and in some spots even rather humbling. I think you really have to play it a few times to know what you’re trying to do, and understand the right places that you have to be in order to put together a good round. It’s one of those courses where every time I go back I tend to find something that I hadn’t noticed before. I have some friends who think this might be the best course down there. I wouldn’t argue the point with them too much. The great thing is that everyone can have their opinions, and we can all be right. At least to varying degrees. Because there isn’t really a bad one in the bunch.

Last but certainly not least, there’s Vineyard National, which is part of the Renault Winery. I played there with designer Ed Shearon. I was immediately impressed, and I haven’t changed in the time since. If anything I’ve grown to like it even more. It’s just part of a complex that includes a hotel and an award-winning restaurant and is now operated by a group that intends to make it a premier destination on the East Coast. They certainly have enough to work with. But the golf component is more than sufficient for me.

They have a hole that wraps around some grape vines, another with a split fairway, a par 3 where the tee keeps winding around to give players of different skill levels easier shots as you move up with each teeing area, and a green with a false front that can be ruthlessly diabolical for the unsuspecting. It has a little something for everyone, which is always welcome. Because we’re not all Rory McIlroy, yet neither are we all Rodney Dangerfield either. Most of us fall proudly in the middle, and all we want is a pleasant four hours trying to make our share of whatever we count as a good score. This provides that, early and often.

So there you have it. There’s also some really fine private courses that you should check out if you’re so inclined, like Greate Bay, Linwood and the Shore Club (formerly Wildwood). I’ve had the pleasure of playing all three, and if I was looking to be a member any of them would be somewhere I would feel comfortable playing three times a week.

I only wish I could be writing this under better circumstances. But we can’t control that. And if we needed to be reminded of how fragile that can be, this has no doubt taught us a harsh lesson. But we will stay strong, we will be back and our lives will go on. Somehow, someway. I just wish it was within my power to tell you when. Because just like you, I need to be standing on a first tee again too.

Until then, wherever you are, please stay safe. So that others might stay safe as well.

Fall Golf at the South Jersey Shore

September 24, 2018

By MIKE KERN

New Jersey Golf Blue Heron Pines The South Jersey Shore has been part of my life ever since I can remember. Which is a long time. It wasn’t until I had my own family that I finally got to know what golf down there was like. And from then on that became a big part of my annual week or two by the sea. Over the years I’ve probably made as many friends in that area and played as much golf through them as I have closer to home. It happens. And it’s been a good thing. Because there’s a lot of really exception golf to like, even if some of those places are now only distant memories.

Hey, the landscape changes. If there’s one constant it’s that the options are always evolving in one way or another. It’s why I can’t help but think about how much I miss Blue Heron Pines East every time I drive past it. The site of the 2003 U.S. Amateur Publinks Championship that went to Brandt Snedeker, it hasn’t been around in about a decade. It was a victim of a change in ownership, when Roger Hansen opted to move on and build the private facility Hidden Creek. Which, by the way, is nothing short of outstanding too. It’s just different. The world continues to spin. Hidden Creek, by the way, has a new marketing director, Liz Norton-Scanga, who worked for the Hansen family when Blue Heron first opened a quarter-century ago. She will be a fine addition, having most recently worked for the group that ran Atlantic City C.C., Ballamor and Scotland Run. It’s nice having familiar faces moving on up.

In the past year or so there’s been a bunch of changes, much of it in the private sector, some of which might even impact at least a few of us along the way. That’s how it works. Wildwood Country Club is now The Shore Club, having been taken over by the members. And their initiative just might have saved the course from extinction. You never know. They have big plans, and there’s never anything wrong with that.

New Jersey Golf Galloway National Just up the Garden State Parkway, the Union League has purchased Sand Barrens. A few years ago it got into the golf business by buying Torresdale-Frankford Country Club in Northeast Philly. Because it could. And the Union League has used a ton of money to make what was already a hidden gem into something even better, from the layout to the clubhouse. And it will only continue to keep doing so, since their goal is to be one of the best. I expect them to do the same with Sand Barrens, which apparently they plan to keep as a 27-holer. I can’t wait to see the finished product. Having the Union League in the mix has to be viewed as a can’t miss.

There’s also new people in charge at Linwood C.C. (fourth-generation restauranteurs from nearby Atlantic City) and the early reviews are all thumbs up. Again, new blood, especially when it was needed, has to be part of the equation every once in awhile. Sometimes courses, no matter how good, can for whatever reasons grow stagnant. And that’s even a bigger no-no in this economic climate. Survival often depends on it. Golfers can only hope that the change means more for them. Or else courses will close.

I have my favorites, you have yours. I often play in the summer, when I’m on vacation. But the shoulder seasons are often the prime time to tee it up. The weather’s just right, and so is the price. Don’t be afraid to shop around for bargains. The fall is always a good time to visit. I’ve been told many times by friends that you can play just about all year round. So far I’ve mostly taken their word for it, but I might have to see more for myself one of these winters. What do I have to lose?

New Jersey Golf Shore Gate Here’s a list of the places I would heartily recommend, which pretty much means all of them. What can I say? Yes, some are better than others. But I’m hardly a golf snob. And some have grown on me through my journey. It’s funny how you can come to appreciate a course the more you play it, or even when you play it for the first time in a long time. There’s usually something you see that you never noticed enough before. And it’s enough to bring you back, which is the whole point.

Seaview Resort, which also has undergone a change in ownership from Stockton College to a group from Florida, of course hosts the LPGA Shop-Rite Classic each spring. It’s merely the biggest sporting event in the area. And there’s not really a close second. The neat thing about Seaview is not just the fact that it has two wonderful layouts. But the hotel is worth staying at, if just for a night to get a feel for what it’s like to take a step back in time. What an experience. I’ve been fortunate enough to do it a couple of times while I was covering the tournament. I’ve also been fortunate to play the Bay Course each year at media day. And I’ve played the sister Pines Course enough to know that they’re both worthy. Did I mention the great food they have in the hotel, which includes the return of the Friday Night Seafood Buffet. You haven’t lived until you’ve had your fair share of lobster and champagne. And that’s just for starters. You can always trust me on matters of food.

The Bay Course is open and shorter. But it’s a Donald Ross, so you don’t have to say much more. It’s a shotmaker’s layout, with plenty of doglegs. The wind is almost always a factor, and the greens are tricky. I love it, because it’s playable. And you get to play the same holes the best women golfers in the world challenge once a year. Not bad. The Pines is tree-lined, as you’d expect, although they have taken a lot of them out. I think it’s made the place better, sort of like what they’ve done at Oakmont and Philly Cricket. The Bay and Pines are polar opposites. But they’re both worthy tests, so you can’t go wrong with either. The closing stretch at the Pines is particularly stern. But the Bay has some holes along the water overlooking the AC skyline that is pretty tough to beat. In a perfect world you play all 36 in one day with a lunch of crab cakes in between. It will be a keeper.

Shore Gate might be the hardest public course in that region, especially if you make the mistake of playing it from the wrong set of tees. I should know. But it’s a really good layout, with a lot of character and a nice flow. There’s more than enough sand, so chances are you will find some. It has a memorable set of par 3s. The second hole is a par 4 that bends 90 degrees left with a drive over water. The ninth is a little bit like the 18^th at Pebble Beach, a par 5 with water all down the left side. And the par 4 18^th is about as good a finisher as you’re going to come across. In my world 5 is a decent score there. In my book, Shore Gate is a must-do at some point. It’s that entertaining. But it’s going to bite you. The lone question is just how much. You should know that going in. It in no way should keep you away. So you’re not going to break the course record. And if you play well think how much more satisfied your insides are going to feel.

New Jersey Golf Twisted Dunes I haven’t played the Vineyard at Renault in too long. My bad. I’ll try to do something about it. I’ve heard that Kevin McCarty, a really good guy, is back in charge. Which means the place should be in good shape, after a few years of people wondering about the ownership situation. I was there when this place opened, and even played with designer Ed Shearon. It’s got a really nice mix of holes, and no two seem to go in the same direction. There’s a par 4 with a split fairway. There’s some good par 3s, including one where the tee box keeps moving to the left and toward the green to give players of all abilities a reasonable chance. Wonderful touch. And there’s a dogleg par 4 that bends around, well, the vineyard. So you can pick a grape if you want for sampling. More to the point, you can buy some wine, which I usually do, at the gift shop. They’re worth taking some home. Or you can take the tour, if you want to be enlightened. Again, something different. They have a hotel and an award-winning restaurant, so you can make a day and night of it and not be disappointed. You might actually want to make it two nights. And its location on the White Horse Pike makes it the closest shore course to Philly. In case that kind of stuff is important to you.

Speaking of which, Blue Heron is almost as easy to get to. This was the place that basically jump-started the influx of high-end public golf in that area back in the early 1990s. And after a few years of kind of treading water, Ron Jaworski came in and changed everything. His presence allowed it to regain its rightful stature among the competition. First thing he did was remove much of the excess gunk that was making it not so enjoyable. Not only does it look better, it plays better. The back nine especially has some really tough holes. I don’t think I’ve ever been on the par-4 10^th in two. The 14^th might be the signature hole, with a second shot over the wet stuff. Really good. But there’s enough shorter holes that you can have birdie opportunities if you’re hitting it fairly well. I nearly aced the par-3 fourth (which is followed by another wonderful par 4 with water down the right), after taking a lesson from the pro at the time. Of course I haven’t nearly aced it again, so once will probably have to suffice. And Jaws, as you’d anticipate, did a great job putting in his Seven Tap Tavern. The level of hospitality is never in doubt when he’s involved. And it shows.

Twisted Dune is unlike most anything you’re going to play, particularly at the Jersey Shore. It looks like something you’d fine in Great Britain, right down to the deep rough and blind shots and fun quotient. You probably will lose some balls. I know I do. But you’re probably going to hit some shots that will leave you wanting more. It really is a taste treat, if only for its uniqueness. There’s a few holes you can get, a few that are going to get you and the rest could go either way. So have at it. If the wind is blowing it can get a little hairy. The 16^th and 17^th are an indelible near-ending. First you have a mid-range par 3 over some terrain you don’t want to be in. And there’s bunkers protecting the green in all directions. Then you get a par 4 where the second shot, most likely with something around a 7-iron, is a forced carry over a bunker to a green that’s not necessarily a gimme two putt. I guarantee you will walk off knowing that you just played something you’re not going to see every day, unless maybe you head to Scotland or Ireland. Hard to put a proper value on that.

One of those courses that has grown on me since my initial impression is McCullough’s Emerald Golf Links, which was built on a landfill just down the road from Twisted Dune mainly due the efforts of the former mayor (Sonny) of Egg Harbor Township. I’ve actually had the pleasure of playing it with him. Maybe it just took time to mature. All I know is that it’s come a long way, at least for this mid-handicapper. And again, when the wind blows it’s not a pushover. Quite the contrary. The eighth and ninth are a big-time finish to the front side. Especially the ninth, about a 170-yarder over a pond. It can be hard to take the club back on the tee. There’s a blind uphill tee shot where you might be aiming at a passing cloud. But my favorite hole, in fact one of my favorite holes anywhere, is the par-4 15^th, a sharp dogleg right. But a really good player has the option of trying to take it over the trees and drive the green. Hackers like me just try to put it down the middle and leave themselves a wedge in. Which, surprisingly as it might sound, I’ve been able to do more often than not. So I’ve had birdie ops. And birds. What I can’t figure out is how I almost always manage to somehow screw up the next hole, a 115-yard par 3. Nobody said it has to make sense.

Atlantic City is one of those places that gives me goosebumps every time I go there. Seriously. It’s always been one of my faves, even before it was sold by the Fraser family and some of the holes were changed or added. There’s two real short par 3s that nevertheless can end in bogeys or worse. Don’t ask. And the stretch of holes on the back nine along the bay are as aesthetically pleasing as it gets. If the wind isn’t helping you the par 3 15^th can be an absolute bear. I love the short dogleg right par 4 that precedes it. Of course I can make a 3 or a 6 there. There is a forced carry if you try to bite off too much from the tee. So choose wisely. And when you’re done, the view from the dining room looking out on everything is a postcard waiting to happen. Sometimes it’s those extra perks that stick out.

Ballamor is another place that took me some getting used to. It can be hard, but I try not to judge courses that way. Not fair to them. It’s not their fault if I can’t handle it. But sometimes you play it for the first time in awhile and you come to appreciate it more than you did before. Such was the case with me this year. I don’t know why, but it just felt more playable. Maybe it was the company. Or the fact that we were playing in the late afternoon as the sun was setting. You have to hit some shots here to have a realistic chance. The one thing you have to keep in mind is that most of the greens have some sort of ridge running through them. And if you’re on the wrong side of the cup you can easily 3-putt. Sometimes you don’t even have a fair shot. So be it. Still a fine test. And the 18^th is the only way to close. It’s a par 5 with water covering the right side and sand traps to the left. If you can navigate that you are left with a short approach. But there’s still plenty of trouble around the green to deal with, and the green has some serious movement to it. Other than that …

The setting at Cape May National is as natural as it gets, and several of its holes usually make any list of the top 18 down there. What more do you have to know? Harbour Pines is always in wonderful shape, and it too has more than a few holes that will keep you coming back. The 10^th, a par 4 with water on the left and woods on the opposite flank, comes readily to mind. If you’re looking at private options, Greate Bay is certainly something to consider. It’s come so far since the days when it hosted the Shop Rite. And even back then it’s closing hole ranked as the toughest on the LPGA Tour. Something to be said for that. And they have many membership options to fit all needs and budgets. Pat Croce’s longtime business partner, Mark Benevento, does a great job running the place when he isn’t busy opening more of his mini-golf courses to add to his already prolific empire.

And, if you want to get beat up, try to find a way to get off on Galloway National, one of Tom Fazio’s best. It was tough when it opened and it remains something that should be on anyone’s bucket list. Just to say you gave it a try. The opening two holes, a dogleg par 4 followed by a par 3 over marshland, and the closing two, a long par 3 preceding another dogleg par 4, are nothing short of outstanding. Over the years it has more than lived up to its reputation. Just make sure to pack some extra balls.

That should be enough to keep you busy. Give them all of a shot. You’ll be better off for it. Tell them the midget from Northeast Philly sent you. Or take me with you, and I’ll supply the comic relief. See you again in the spring. Until then, happy holidays. Sea view Golf

Renault Winery Resort and Golf

Spring Golf At The South Jersey Shore

May 6, 2018

In case you hadn’t noticed, the world around us continues to change. So why should golf be any different? Particulary in the way that impacts private facilities. The past few years have seen several clubs in the Philadelphia area change the way they conduct their business. And most experts think that those who don’t adapt will have a very hard time moving forward in such a fluid landscape.

The South Jersey Shore is no exception. Linwood Country Club was recently brought by local restauranteurs Frank and Joe Dougherty, who own Dock’s Oyster House and two other establishments in Atlantic City. And the Union League of Philadelphia, which has done a tremendous job in making the former Torresdale-Frankford in Northeast Philly even better since taking over not long ago, will now try to do the same thing at Sand Barrens, a 27-holer on Route 9 between Sea Isle City and Avalon that was a popular place for public golfers. Now it becomes another spot for Union League members to call home, in keeping with that organization’s unfolding plan.

Then there’s Wildwood Golf & Country Club, which is undergoing a transformation of its own. Having just celebrated its 100th anniversary, it will be transformed to The Shore Club. And overseeing that rebranding is Morningstar Golf and Hospitality, LLC, which manages several other courses both around here and in England. Its president is Matt Galvin, who hired South Jersey native Matthew Pogozelski away from Trump National Philly, where’d he spent the last eight years, to be the new general manager.

So why were these moves even necessary?

“It’s no surprise that a lot of clubs, especially member-owned clubs, are having a tough time,” said Galvin, who is originally from the east coast, still co-owns Forsgate off exit 8A of the Jersey Turnpike and started this company five years ago. “They don’t run it like a business. It’s run by volunteer committees. Everyone is very dedicated and well meaning. But some people who succeed in their daily lives, no matter what business they’re in, still find it hard to run something as a volunteer. So some clubs wind up selling out, when they find out it can’t go on forever (like it had).

“So you now have a trend in the industry where equity clubs are being sold or recapitalized. They’re over-leveraged and have too much debt, and their members are retiring. Sometimes it’s just hard to make a transition. There’s always going to clubs that are stable and sizable, with a long history, but it’s not always the case. So decisions have to be made, to deal with the future. Sometimes the members are left with nothing. We try to be very honest and open. We want to find a way to do it without having that happen.

“The board at The Shore Club wanted to do it the right way. They repaid the bank, and refunded deposits and initiation fees. No board wants to be the last board of a club before it goes out of business. Or may have to open to the public.”

In certain cases, it’s a necessary evil. But you need a facilitator. That’s where Galvin and his people enter the equation.

“They did a careful search to explore their options, with different groups,” he explained. “They put everything on the table. They weren’t going to wait until it became an emergency. They were very forward-thinking. There wasn’t any bank foreclosure, or sheriff at the door, which is what unfortunately does eventually happen at some other places. They wanted to control their destiny. There’s a lot of history there.

“The Union League, from what I’m told, didn’t want to inherit a membership. They wanted to go in with a clean slate. Wildwood saw it as an opportunity, since some of the people who played at Sand Barrens will now be dumped into the market.”

Morningstar has a plan to put money for probably overdue upgrades into both the grounds and the clubhouse. Right now the membership is about 300, about evenly split between year-round and seasonal. “We kind of have two masters to serve,” Galvin said. They would like to get their numbers closer to 400. The first part of the capital improvements is an extensive bunker project.

“Things will get done in phases,” Galvin said. “We’re just beginning. From a physical plant standpoint, we’re gaining a complete makeover. But we’re going to do it in bits and pieces, so as not to disrupt our operations. We’re going to update the outside of the facility, concentrating on the main entrance. And there will be some general upkeep. Plus we’re completely renovating the ballroom.

“We’re no longer a not-for-profit club. From a user standpoint, people are going to notice what’s being done. We want it to be a great experience, on the course and every other way.”

One thing that will remain in place is head pro Fred Reidel, who interestingly gave Galvin – who admittedly doesn’t play nearly enough – his first golf lesson a quarter-century back. “I’m still a 25 (handicap), and I blame that on him,” Galvin joked.

They’re also going to roll out a caddie program, as well as update their staff training to enhance the hospitality end of it.

“We want to be what the members expect it to be,” Galvin pointed out. “We don’t want it to be stuffy. We’re not trying to be anyone else. We want the atmosphere to be shore casual. That’s how we’re promoting it. Relax, enjoy youself, have some fun with your buddies. And do it in a reasonable amount of time. Just have a great day.

“The mission of the board is to keep it private. The goal is to have a premium-club experience. We want to have a vibrant social component. We’re going to have some special events. We want to keep costs down and make it more affordable. We hope it can become like an extension of your living room or house, down at the shore, part of your social routine. At the same time, we know the course is the number one draw to our property. But you want someone to join for all the other benefits, the exclusivity of it, the attention to their needs.

“The feedback has been very positive. I think it’s made the members’ life easier. But we have to deliver top service every day. From a community standpoint, the re-branding has helped spread the word. I think they’d heard our name before, but maybe people from Sea Isle or Stone Harbor or Ocean City had it in their minds that we were all the way out on the island. They never identified it as something that could work for potential customers from Somers Point all the way down to Cape May. I think the club is in a good spot.”

Obviously, there’s also many of us who, for whatever reasons, only want to play on a daily-fee basis. And even with the loss of Sand Barrens, there’s still no shortage of options. For me, the South Jersey Shore is a destination. You can go there for a week and play some really good golf and never play the same place twice. I have my favorites, I’m sure everyone else has theirs. And for those who haven’t have never been, here’s a sampling of some of what it has to offer, in no real order. I’m not a golf snob. Even though not every one is created equal, in my world they’re all worthy. So here goes.

Atlantic City has always been a place that seriously got me excited just thinking about it, going back to the time when the Fraser family owned it. The course has changed since then, but the feeling has stayed the same. It’s a taste treat. And it’s first class all the way. The conditions are always pristine. And the layout, with the addition of a few holes along the bayfront, has only gotten even better. As if that were possible. There are parts along the back nine –and you know where they are – where you actually feel as if you’re in Heaven. It’s that tranquil. But it’s still a challenge. Big time, with carries over water and sharp doglegs and on and on. There are some holes you can maybe attack, and others that are going to attack you. Simple as that. And for my money it remains about as good as you’re going to get in those parts. Or even beyond.

Shore Gate might be the toughest course down there. Well, at least this side of Galloway National, which is private and awesome. But Shore Gate can be a bear, especially if you’re unrealistic enough to tackle it from the wrong set of tees. Which I’ve seen way too many mid-handicappers do. And they usually pay the price. Even from the right set of tees it’s no pushover. The par 3s are particularly stout. But so is the par-5 ninth, which will remind you a little of 18 at Pebble Beach. Ditto the closing hole. And the 10th. Oops. Did I forget the second and third? Or maybe the seventh. In other words, it would probably be easier just to list the so-called easier holes. Good luck with that. And yes, there is sand all over the place. And enough water to get your attention. Virtually from start to finish. You make some pars here that you know you had to work for. Not a bad thing.

Seaview, of course, has not one but two really good tracks. The Bay Course hosts the LPGA’s Shop-Rite Classic each year. It’s the shorter of the two, and it’s a second shot kind of test. You have to work the ball to fit the contours of the Donald Ross design. You can really have a lot of fun here, but it can jump up and bite you too. The wind comes into play almost all the time. The second is a par 4 that can sometimes require a fairway wood into the green. The third, a par-5 going the opposite direction, could then be reached in two with a long iron. For some reason after all these years it just makes sense. There are birdie opportunities, and some holes where you’re battling just to make bogey. Interesting stuff.

The Pines is the exact opposite, as you’d expect from the name. Even though they’ve taken a bunch of trees out, which has only made it better, you still have to hit most of your shots through the woods. There’s a bunch of doglegs to navigate, back-to-back par 5s to close out the front side and begin the home nine, and a closing stretch that includes back-to-back lengthy par 3s. So it’s not easy. Neither is it impossible. If you’re game it can make for a cool 36-hole day. With a stop for lunch in the timeless hotel in between rounds. Trust me it’s a suggestion everyone should take advantage of at least once.

Blue Heron Pines, part of Ron Jaworski’s growing empire (or more accurately, the flagship entity), was one of the original courses that helped turn the region into a destination a quarter-century ago. When Jaws took over the first thing he did was clean the place up, in terms of removing all the unnecessary junk grass in the rough and around the greens, and it made all the difference. It opened everything up, which added to the look and improved the pace of play. Always a good idea. This course has a really nice mix of short and long holes. I of course prefer the short ones. When you’re turning 60 and are my size and have lost a little off your fastball, you start thinking that way. Maybe even downwind too. And you can still make bad scores on them. The tough holes are, well, tough. There seems to be a lot of them on the back nine. The 15th is one of the best holes down there, a par 4 with a slight dogleg left over water. It’s one of those places where you could go over and over and never get tired of. Much to be said for that.

Twisted Dune is unlike anything you’re going to play this side of Scotland. I love it. Because I’ve always enjoyed playing on the other side of the pond. You have to be creative, you can get it done in different ways, it’s not the point A to point B formula that we often encounter over here. And that’s OK. It might not be for everyone. There are blind shots, wide fairways, inviting greens. There’s also forced carries, sinister rough and undulating putting surfaces. No two holes are alike. And they often go in all kinds of directions. If nothing else, it sure ain’t boring. I guarantee you will leave with some indelible impressions. And that’s what will lure you into a return engagement. It’s definitely the kind of place that you’re going to be appreciate more each time you play it.

Greate Bay is another private club just outside of Ocean City that used to host the LPGA Tour. It’s also a place where you can run into Bobby Clarke or Steve Coates. Or maybe even owner Pat Croce, who has done many things to improve the product since he took over awhile ago. That included cutting down a tree to the right of the fifth fairway that Clarke apparently hit too many tee shots into. Or was that Coatesie? Anway, it’s gone, following a vote that raised money for charity. This place has a very comfortable feel to it. And I’ve played it enough to know that there are some holes you’re absolutely going to remember. The closing stretch consistently ranked as the hardest finish in women’s golf. So make sure you take advantage of whatever holes might be a little vulnerable before that. And there are some, but not many. Especially if the wind is blowing, which can make it awful tricky.

McCullough’s Emerald Links didn’t make a great first impression on me. My bad. I’ve come to really embrace it. It might have had something to do with the fact that I got to play with the owner, former mayor Sonny McCullough, once or twice. Or that a good friend is a regular there. Whatever. I’ve gotten past the fact that it’s not Pine Valley. What is? I do know I can have a good time there, maybe make a birdie or two while getting fairly beat up in some other parts of the course. I love the eighth and ninth holes, a dogleg right with a blind second shot followed by a well-protected medium-length par 3 over the wet stuff. And one of my fondest short holes anywhere is No. 15, where some people can go for the green if they’re willing to take it over the treeline. I on the other hand am content to smack it down the middle and leave myself a little wedge into a two-tiered green. I’ve made 3 there, and I’ve made 5. But I always know on the tee that I’m going to have a chance. Any more I don’t get to say that often enough. I could play that hole 18 times and I’d go home with a smile on my face.

The Vineyards at Renault is yet another place where I never have a bad time. I played there when it first opened with designer Ed Shearon (who also did Raven’s Claw), who told me that the front and back nines were actually reversed from his original plan for logistical reasons. It happens. The owners wanted the 18th to go back to the clubhouse, which makes sense. But the ninth might be a better golf hole. No matter, this is aesthetically pleasing. And challenging. Even though it doesn’t always look the part. The difficulties here can sometimes be on the subtle side, although every once in awhile it does slap you in the face. Hard. One hole winds around a vineyard, another has a fairway split by a huge sand area. Shearon is big on the geometry of a course, which makes for a very interesting routing. I love the false front on the 17th green, which can turn an easy short iron into a head-shaker. I’ve been there, so I know.

There you have it. Spring is one of the best times to head down there. So what are you waiting for? Tell them the balding midget who now plays from the forward tees sent you. Yo, somebody has to do it. If I break the course record I won’t take credit. Unless it counts in the Senior Division.

By Mike Kern

Fall Golf at the South Jersey Shore

September 9, 2015

By MIKE KERN
I was there when Shore Gate, which is located just off Route 9 right outside Sea Isle City, opened in 2002. Then McCulloughs

again, I’ve been fortunate enough to be at most golf courses at the South Jersey shore from the start. It comes with the job description.
So I’ve seen them evolve over time. And Shore Gate is no different. You could tell it was something special from the moment you set eyes on it. And it’s only gotten better, which isn’t easy to say when you were already so good to begin with.
Every time I go back, I’m left with pretty much the same impression: it’s probably the hardest public golf course down there. Especially if you play it from the wrong set of tees. And trust me, there’s more than enough to choose from, which in this case is a very good thing. I used to be able to play it from the Regulars, which measure about
6,400 yards. And I could handle that reasonably well. But that was when I hit the ball considerably longer than I do now. So you adapt. I had a chance to play it recently during my annual summer vacation in Ocean City, for the first time in awhile. So I looked at the scorecard and figured the Seniors, which is more like 5,900, was much
more condusive to my skill level. Truth be told, what I’ve found is really the best way for me to proceed is to go to each hole and see what might work best. On some there’s not enough difference between the White or Yellows to warrant moving up, since there’s five par 4s of 350 or less. I can still handle that. And there’s a par 3 on the back
nine, No. 14, which is really short so I can actually go back to the Championships and not feel the least bit intimidated. Same with No. 5, where they had the tees pretty far up on the day I was there. So my advice is use your best discretion, see how you’re striking it and don’t necessarily try to bite off too much. As I’ve discovered, it’s a lot
more fun using a 7-iron into greens rather than a steady diet of fairway woods. And that goes for any course. And it is, after all, supposed to be fun, right? If it’s not, then why are you out there in the first place? Just saying. I’ve seen way too many guys playing from the Blues who had no business being back there. And they’ll shoot in
the 100s and complain about how unfair it was, when the real problem was with their
vanity. Or whatever. I can’t figure it out. I’d rather at least try to enjoy myself to some
degree. You still have to make shots, whatever the distance. But it doesn’t have to be
pure torture.
Anyway …If you don’t like sand, then Shore Gate might not be the place for you.
Because there is a decent amount of it, and much of that is in spots where players tend
to put their balls. Funny how a well-thought-out design works like that. So just be
careful, although it can be nearly unavoidable at times. Just try to go with the flow.
After a rather innocuous opening hole, No. 2 gets you right into the swing of
things. It’s a medium-length par 4, but you have to place your tee shot over water to a
narrow fairway that has the wet stuff on the left and trees on the opposite side. So fire
away. It’s a matter of what you feel comfortable trying to carry. And even if you’re in a
good position, the approach is hardly a gimme. And there is a bunker to carry. At least
the green is generous. You make a 4 there and you’re doing well. Trust me.
The third is another solid 2-shooter, a dogleg left over water with bunkers on the
right. And the closing three holes on that side are a wonderful stretch. The seventh
is a dogleg right over a quarry, with woods on the left. And the green can be tricky,
even if you get there relatively unscatched. The eighth is a fairly long par 3 with sand
in the front and sand on the left. And No. 9, the signature hole, is their version of the
18th at Pebble Beach. It’s a par 5 that keeps bending left, around a lake, to a green
that’s well-guarded and is a good two clubs in length. So pay attention to where the
pin is. A big hitter might be able to get close in two. Most people figure to be left with
a short to mid-iron approach. And once you get on the putting surface your work is
just beginning.
The home nine, which offers a nice mix of short and long, starts with a really
stout par 4 where you might have a semi-blind uphill second shot. Then there’s a few
holes that are a little more user-friendly before you end with a finishing kick that’s
just as challenging as that on the first nine. The 15th is a par 4 that demands two
well-placed balls. Off the tee is fairly open, although water can come into play on the
right and there’s bunkers to contend with if you go too far left. The second is about a
150-yarder to another 2-club kind of green, with water still on the right and sand to
the left. If you can block out all the danger it’s probably not that tough at all. Yeah,
right. The 16th is a par 5 that’s managable, though it does bend at the end to the left,
which can cause issues if you’re too far left on your second. Like who would ever do
that? The 17th is another mid-range par 3 where players of my ability will be using
hybrids or woods. So be it. A good shot will be rewarded, a not-so-good one might
lead to a double bogey. And the line between the two is thin. And 18 is a bona fide
keeper, particularly for an 18th. Just a longer par 4 that moves slightly left-to-right.
But you can’t go too far right because of the treeline. There’s nothing guarding the
front of the green, which helps. But there’s sand left and right, so there is that. You
make a 4 here, it gives you a reason to feel good about the rest of your day. If you don’t,
well, it’s really more of a par 41/2 anyway. Just keep telling yourself that. Works for
this balding midget.
While Shore Gate is certainly one of my favorites, I have no shortage. And many
of them are within a short drive of my rental house in OC. Always a good thing. You can tee off early and be back in time to do the family stuff on the beach. Win-win.
Twisted Dune, on Ocean Heights Avenue in Egg Harbor Township, could be stockton_seaview

the second-hardest course in those parts. Like Shore Gate, a lot depends on where you choose to play from. Twisted Dune is unlike mostly anything you’re going to play this side of Scotland. And I love Scottish golf. So I can’t get enough of this place. It’s simply that unique.
If you can manage to keep your ball out of the nasty stuff, you can navigate it. And they’ve cut some of the nasty stuff out through the years, which has given it better definition. But it can still bite you if you’re not careful, just because. Sort of like Scotland.
The fairways and greens for the most part of accessible. It’s one of those deals where what you see all around you can play tricks with your mind. That’s what architects do. It’s a between-the-ears battle. But if you really look at it, Twisted Dune doesn’t have too many forced carries. The trouble tends to be to the sides. And it can
be penal. So by all means try not to go there. If only it were that simple.
From the Whites it plays like 6,300. It’s about 500 less from the Yellows. So
guess where I went. The fun really starts on No. 2, a mid-length par 4 that seems to
play longer. The third is a long par 3 that’ll test your nerves more than a little. But for
all its many teeth, it gives you chances to get back at it, too. Like No. 5, a short par 4
that bends left into an inviting putting surface. Even I was somehow going for birdie
there. Maybe they need to do something about that, like stick a moat in front. Only
kidding. I have to take them where I can get them, because these days there’s not as
many. Yet the next three holes are each doable in their own right, although for some
reason everything appears to play longer than it says. Go figure. The eighth is a short
par 4 with a bailout area right. But even there they can put the pin in certain spots
that can cause headaches. And 9 is a par 5 with water all down the left and no bailout
right. The green slopes severely from right to left, so a right pin is downright nasty.
Still, I saw a guy I was playing with make an up and down from some serious cabbage
that was as good as it gets. It happens, I guess.
The 10th is another three-shotter that bends right around a hill, which means
the second shot is blind. Enjoy. The 13th is a par 3 that’s not too long but contains
trouble every which direction. I hit a 7-wood pin high left, which of course meant I
short-sideded myself and was left with a downhill bunker shot to a green that rolled
away from me toward the water. I made 4 and ran to the next tee. The 15th is a par
4 where the second shot is all downhill to the green, very interesting and different.
What follows is a really good par 3 over a ravine to a green that runs away from you
and uphill. There’s sand all over. But the green is at least large. Then you get a par 4
that’s every bit as memorable. The second shot is uphill to a smaller green, and you
have to carry a bunker. Nice. The last is just real long. I hit what I thought were two
decent shots, but my 3-wood still came up just short. It’s a good thing I can chip, and
I ran one up to about 3 feet for a rare par there. Felt good. Might even make me want
to go back. As if I needed to have my arm pulled.
McCullough’s Emerald Links, which is just down the road from Twisted, is a
course that’s grown on me. It was built on a landfill, and to be candid the first couple of times I played it I wasn’t what you’d call overwhelmed. But my perspective has changed. I’m not going to tell you it’s the top course in the greater Atlantic City region, but it can sure be a lot of fun. Lot to be said for that.
Each of the holes is inspired by something famous that exists elsewhere,
predominantly in the British Isles. The first, for instance, is supposed to resemble No. 1 at Royal Portrush. Not an exact replica, but in the vicinity. The biggest difference is a grass bunker in front of the green instead of sand, to cut down on the difficulty starting out. And you’re off. It’s not an easy assignment to pull off, and I’ve seen examples where it’s failed miserably, but Stephen Kay pulled it off rather well. He even
dedicated No. 7 to Alister MacKenzie (Augusta National, Cypress Point), who won an
award for the design but never saw it get built. Not shockingly, it’s the signature hole.
And so it proceeds along. There’s a rendition of the Biarritz hole that’s been redone
many times by C.B. Macdonald and Charles Banks. There are elevation changes here
that you rarely find in South Jersey, and some of the holes are downright hard. Usually
there’s a ton of wind going on, which only adds to the difficulty factor.
Some of the streteches that stand out are 8 and 9. The first is a par 4, where you’re
driving off an elevated tee to a wide fairway that has water on the left and garbage
on the right. It’s a dogleg right, to an open green with some decent undulation. Well
done, and based on the 10th at Turnberry. Next is a medium-length par 3 that’s all
carry, with wet stuff on the left. So there’s not much margin for error. And there’s four
bunkers in front. Like the 10th at Royal Dornoch.
The 10th is another Royal Dornoch (No. 14), it plays like a 41/2. The green is
treacherous, especially if they put the pin in the wrong spot. The 11th is a neat short
par 4, with a blind uphill tee shot. The 12th is a long par 4 with all kinds of sand
issues. Then comes a cool par 3, downhill kind of over water, to a two-tiered green.
You can’t go long, nor can you be short. And there’s a trap on the left.
I could play the 15th 18 times and call it a round. It’s a dogleg right par 4 of
about 285. A good player can try to drive the green. But there’s risk. The short or even
smart player hits it down the middle and wedges it up and might still have a great shot
at birdie. The green can give you fits, but hey, it’s only 285. Deal with it. And 18 is a
nice way to finish, a managable par 4 as long as you don’t push your tee ball right into
the water. It all depends how much of the dogleg you want to chew off. Shades of the
fourth at Prestwick, which I’ve played. I’m a lucky guy.
Greate Bay Country Club, in Somers Point just across the Ninth Street Bridge
from OC, is private. But they have a bunch of associate membership plans available for people who folks who might want to play there but aren’t full-time residents, etc.
If that sounds like you, it’s worth it. Greate Bay hosted the LPGA’s Shop-Rite Classic
for many years, and it’s way improved since those days. So by all means check it
out. When I played there the greens were in absolute pristine condition, as had been
promised. I mean, they rolled as well as anything I’ve played in some time. I wouldn’t
make that up. But the layout itself can stand on its own as well.
The 18th, a par 4 that bends slightly right and then downhill through treelines,
was also rated as the hardest finishing hole on the LPGA Tour. That’s a fact. I’ve only
made a few 4s there. And I’ve had plenty of opportunities. Some of my other faves are
No. 2, which I have trouble getting on in two anymore but where I once saw the club’s
head pro, who was playing in our scramble, drive the green (we made eagle). The fifth
is another tough two-shotter, which was made famous when Bob Clarke won a bet
with Steve Coates to have a tree guarding the right side of the fairway cut down a few
years back. Good thing, since Annika Sorenstam later told Mark Benavento, who runs
the place for Pat Croce, that it was the proper move. See, I can name drop with the
best of them. The 7th, which runs in the same direction, is equally imposing. And
9, one of the holes that have been added over time, is a picturesque par 3 over water.
The 12th, another addition to what was there when the women played, is a
wonderful par 4 that bends left around water. The second shot is uphill to a large,
well-protected green. And 14, which plays longer, offers a tricky approach into a green
that slopes from front to back. Even two good shots can leave you with a potential
3-putt. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
Those, of course, are merely a sampling of what’s available. They were just the
ones I happened to play on my latest week away from home. If I had more time, I
would’ve have played till my arms fell off. Atlantic City, which is under new ownership,
has always been one of the places that literally get my heart pounding when I know I
have a tee time. It’s that indelible. And it’s always been in impeccable shape. I’m sure
that’s still the case, which is why I can’t wait for my next photo op. The holes along
the bay are particularly memorable. But there might not be a bad one on the premises.
If you’ve never been, it really should be on the old wish list.
I get to play the Bay Course at Seaview each spring as part of the annual media
day they hold for the new home of the Shop-Rite. It remains a taste treat, and not
because our group has won the scramble two years running. The setting across the
bay from AC is sublime, and so is the layout. The greens are small, the wind usually
blows, and you have to make shots. You can’t ask for much more. There are birdie
chances, but then there’s holes like the second, where you can be hitting 4-iron into
the green one day and maybe an 8 the next, thanks to Mother Nature. And the third,
a par 5, can become an eagle waiting to happen. Nothing wrong with that. And the
best lady golfers on the planet seem to enjoy it. The sister Pines course, which is inland
just across Route 9 in back of the resort’s timeless hotel, is quite a contrast. I think it’s
harder, even though they’ve taken out a bunch of trees to make it more playable. You
still have to hit a lot of shots through woods, and there’s an endless supply of doglegs.
There’s quite a few holes that’ll definitely test your skill level, particularly toward the
finish line. It’s the perfect place to do a 36-holer, sandwiched around lunch. I suggest
the crab cakes. But you could go almost any way and not be disappointed. Heck,
staying the night might be an unbeatable topper.
There’s two others I would heartily suggest, both of which are situated a little
further away from the beaches: Blue Heron Pines and the Vineyards at Renault Blue Heron Pines Golf

Winery. But please don’t let the proximity factor deter you. I’m merely pointing it out. I’ve gladly made the drive to both, without thinking twice. Blue Heron was the course that was responsible for starting the higher-end public boom a little over two decades ago, and since Ron Jaworski took over in 2013 it’s dramatically benefitted.
He came in and removed most of the excess/unnecessary growth that had begun to make it a little too unplayable. Not only does it have a much cleaner look these days, but the pace of play has noticeably improved. The routing has never been a problem.
The back nine especially has some dramatic holes, such as 10 and 14. Me being me, I’ve always thought the short 7th was one of those holes you don’t see enough of but need more of. And No. 4 is a stellar par 3, followed by what might be the best par 4
there except for 14.
I’ve always had a fondness for Renault, which is subtle rather than overpowering.
Ed Shearon has done some real good stuff, such as Raven’s Claw. This is right up
there. He doesn’t knock you over the head nearly as much at the Vineyards, but the
experience is just as unique. There’s a lot of spots where the difference between a great
shot and semi-disaster is a few feet. And you have choices. There’s a lot of risk-reward.
There’s a hole with a dual fairway. There’s a par 3 where the teeing area keeps bending
around to the left to make it easier the more you move up. Why can’t more holes be
like that? I mean, there’s no reason for the 18-handicapper to be hitting over water
like the big hitter, even if it’s from 50 yards closer. Right? One of the best holes might
be 17th, which looks like a gimme. But looks can be deceiving. There’s a big falloff
on the green, and if you’re on the wrong side you’ll mostly be trying to avoid bogey
instead of going for bird. The 18th is a par 5 with a double dogleg and water to the
right of the green. There’s another hole on the front side that actually winds around
the vineyards. The fifth is another goodie, a short par 3 surrounded by bunkers with
perhaps the most difficult green on the course. But if you find the right slope off the
tee you’ll probably have a real good look at 2.
There you have it, some of my thoughts on heading down to the South Jersey
Shore. The fall is one of the best times to be there, since the weather tends to cooperate
and the tourists

Spring Golf Comes to Jersey Shore – Atlantic City Country Club

May 19, 2015

By MIKE KERN

Atlantic City Country Club.

There are few places I get more juiced up to play. It’s always been one of my ultimate taste treats, going back to the days when it was private adn owned by the Fraser family. I mean, what’s not to deep like about it? From the setting to the layout to the clubhouse to the views to whatever it is that makes a destination special, AC has it all. That’s why it’s such an experience. And now that round to savor is only getting better.

When Hilton Hotels assumed ownership in 1998, they made a bunch of changes that took AC to another level. Last April, the Ottinger family took control from Caesars Entertainment Corporation. The same family that owns Scotland Run and Ballamor. And one of the first things they did was announce several major construction and renovation projects that are taking place this spring.

These days, of course, AC is open to the public (call or book online), although annual memberships are available. And, not shockingly, it was rated the No. 1 Public Course in New Jersey by Golfweek. Easy to understand. And I didn’t even get a vote.

In case you didn’t know, Atlantic City is now 117 years young. It was the birthplace of the term “birdie,” for all you trivial pursuiters, which was supposedly coined in 1903. Sitting just across the bay from the casinos, it’s a par-70 that measures close to 6,600 yards. It’s hosted six USGA championships, most recently the 1997 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur. It was the site of the 1901 U.S. Amateur and three Women’s Opens, including one, its first, that was won by the legendary Babe Zaharias in 1948. So it’s certainly got more than enough history going for it. And that doesn’t even include the bell that serves as its logo, which was originally used in the early 1900s to remind golfers that the last trolley for Atlantic City was set to leave. They still ring it at the end of each day as a reminder of where you’re at and what it continues to mean.

Did we forget to mention that the inaugural PGA Senior Tour event was played there in 1980? Or even that Don January was the winner? Well, how about this: Bob Hope was an AC regular back in the day. So was Arnold Palmer, in the early 1950s, when he was enlisted in the Coast Guard and stationed in Cape May.

As for the facility, improvements include a complete re-do of the entryway and lobby, the John J. McDermott (U.S. Open champion in 1911 and ‘12) Room, the James “Sonny” Fraser Room, the Leo Fraser Library, the Grand Ballroom, two private dining rooms, an all-new bridal suite overlooking the course and a new exterior facade.

On the course, all greenside bunkers at holes 4, 6, 8, 12, 15 and 17 will be completely made-over and restored. Work is expected to be completed by early May. In addition, a halfway house is being built and should be open for the summer season. There was a time when an older woman operated such a rest stop on I believe the 11th hole, if memory serves. I’m pretty sure it was near one of the short par 3s. Anyway, she served some of the best hot dogs anywhere. Funny the things you remember and miss.

By the way, Scotland Run — which is located in Williamstown — is also undergoing bunker renovations. That project is even larger in scope, since it includes every greenside and fairway bunker on the course.

Both will remain open while the work is being done.

“It is important to the Ottinger family that all of our golf courses are maintained to the highest standard for our members and guests,” said Director of Marketing Liz Norton-Scanga.

That would also include the care that goes into Ballamor, in Egg Harbor Township.

In case you’ve never played Atlantic City, the thing that’s always impressed me the most are the immaculate tee-to-green conditions. You might not play well, but you won’t be able to blame anything except your swing. So who can’t look forward to that?

Hey, I’ve played there in the media day for Ron Jaworski’s annual celebrity tournament, with both him and Mike Quick. So it’s never been dull. The best stretch is probably the closing five holes, although there’s certainly a lot of real good stuff going on before you reachg that point. The 14th is a short par-4 that doglegs right around water. A big-time player can even try to drive the green, but any kind of straight shot or even a slight fade leaves a fairly managable approach. The 15th is a par-3, again over wetlands, that’s pretty stout. Especially if the wind is blowing, which it often is. It’s about 180, but you can hit almost anything from a medium iron to a wood depending on Mother Nature. That’s followed by a 400-yard dogleg right with water all down the right side. The wind can come very much into play here as well. The 17th is an uphill par-3 of about 155 to a hidden green. It can yield a birdie op or a double bogey just as easily. And 18, which once upon a time was a par-5, is a 2-shooter that bends sharply right around the practice range back to the veranda. Which means there’s a good chance somebody might be watching you finish while they’re sipping a cold one. Or two. Enjoy.

If Atlantic City were the only course down that way, it would be worth the trip. But that’s hardly the case. Good for us. Fortunatley I’ve been able to tee it up on most of them.

In you’ve got the right connections in the private sector, Galloway National is about as good as it gets. I think it’s one of Tom Fazio’s best. Surely one of his hardest. I haven’t been there in awhile. My bad. Have to rectify that, hopefully soon. Personally, I’d put the opening 2-hole stretch and the closing 2-hole stretch right up there with any. And I’m not the only one who feels that way. In 2012 it hosted the USGA Men’s State Team Championship. Which was only fitting, since head professional Mike Killian was a member of the victorious 1973 U.S. Walker Cup team.

Hidden Creek is different, maybe a little less severe, but just as entertaining. At either one, you’d better be hitting your ball or you’re going to pay the price. The landing areas and greens are generous here. And this fall it’s going to host its first USGA Championship, the Senior Amateur from Sept. 26-Oct. 1. If people didn’t know as much about it before, they will now. That’s a good thing. And probably overdue. Remember it was owner Roger Hansen who got the USGA to bring the 2003 U.S. Amateur Public Links (which was won by Brandt Snedeker) to Blue Heron Pines East, which is no longer there. Shame. I still miss it.

OK, now in no particular order let’s go through some of my other favorites. Hope you find as much to like about them as I do every time I go back.

Scotland Run, which you can actually play on your way to the shore, is built in and around an old sand quarry. It features expansive waste areas, links-style holes and even cliffs. So in a sense it’s rather unique. And I’m OK with that. There’s a few holes that might bring you to your knees, and others that you can attack. I always like to see if I can drive it over the ravine on the par-4 16th. Makes me feel like a real golfer, even if I mess up my approach. Which I often do. Reality stinks. But somebody in the world has to be a bogey kind of guy.

Ballamor, another former private club, is carved out of woods over some gently rolling terrain. Very pleasant, even though there’s plenty of fescue, waste areas, water and bunkering to test your skill level. What sticks out most about this course are the greens, which are large. In some cases almost too large. And they all have multiple tiers and a good amount of undulation. If you’re on the wrong side of the putting surface you can have serious issues. Trust me, I know. Obviously, there’s a premium on placement of your approaches. Which usually means you have to play it a couple of times to really know your way around. Good luck.

One of the reasons I like Greate Bay so much is the people. OK, to be honest, that’s why I like so many of these places. But at Greate Bay, you might run into Pat Croce or his right-hand man, Mark Benevento, whose son Michael can really play. Or you might be in the group behind Bob Clarke or Steve Coates. It’s that kind of a club. Very welcoming. And they’ve done a lot to keep making it better since they took it over. When the LPGA Shop-Rite Classic was held there, the 18th hole always ranked as the toughest finishing hole on the women’s tour. It’s almost hard to believe I’ve actually parred it the last two times I’ve been there. I must have been playing from the midget tees. But I’ve never had a bad day there, even when it was chewing me up. They offer just about every kind of membership package you could want, from Summer to Weekday to Associate to Social. And the food and ambiance there are so good you don’t even have to be a golfer to make the most of it. It’s first-class all the way.

Shore Gate, to me, is one of the toughest courses at the shore. Especially if you play it from the wrong set of tees. And there’s five to choose from. So pick wisely. This is a terrific test, from start to finish, with more than a few holes that you won’t soon forget. The set of par-3s is strong. And the closing hole on each side will keep you coming back. Unless maybe they punish you a little too much. The ninth is a par-5 that’s got a little Pebble Beach 18 in it. Make a birdie there and it feels almost like an eagle. And 18 is a really good par-4 that demands two keeper shots. And then you still might have a tough time 2-putting if you’re not careful. Wonderful stuff, all the way around. And in Harry Bittner they have one of the top pros down there.

There’s nothing really like Twisted Dune. Unless you go across the pond. There’s nothing subtle about it. Just a whole bunch of dramatic and risk-reward. If you’ve ever played in Scotland or Ireland you’ll know what I’m talking about. It’s so much fun. And extremely treacherous in spots. I could play the 16th and 17th over and over again and never get tired of it. First you’ve got a neat par-3 that’s all carry over some nasty terrain and bunkers all around the green. It plays some 190 from the back. For reasons I can’t fathom, it’s the 18th handicap hole. Go figure. Trust me there aren’t 17 easier holes to make par on. And 17 is a fairly lengthy par-4 where the second shot has to carry similar gunk. You play those two in par-par and you feel like you’ve conquered the world. And if you remember, stop by Chester’s Bakery in Somers Point and bring head pro Scott Dunn some of their sinful donuts. He’s a good man.

I don’t know what I like best about The Vineyards at Renault Winery: the food or the golf. Or maybe even the wine. Tough choices. The golf is sublimely challenging. The work of Ed Shearon, who also did Raven’s Club in the western Philly suburbs. While that one has a little more wow factor, he did a great job here of just letting the layout sort of flow. Nice mix of short and long holes. Some of the shorter ones are really good. And I’ve always felt that’s the toughest thing to create. I got to play there with Ed once, and gaine a lot of insight into what he was trying to do. It’s the kind of course you could play several times a week and not get tired of, which is about the best compliment I can give. Then you can go eat in the award-winning restaurant, or tour the wine shop, or even stay in the hotel. Not a bad trifecta. If the blueberry cheesecake is on the menu, by all means go for it. Doesn’t get any better.

I hadn’t been to Cape May National in way too long. Then last summer I had a chance to revisit the southernmost option along the coast. And I left wondering why I’d stayed away. It’s known as “The Natural” for obvious reasons, since it surrounds a 50-acre bird sanctuary. But that’s not what makes it so good. Many of the holes have made it onto best-of lists. Half the holes have some kind of water hazard on them. Many have doglegs. So there’s a little bit of everything. It’s a shotmaker’s course. You can rest assured it won’t take me anywhere near as long to play my next round there. Well worth the little extra drive, if only for the last green alone. The pin was cut in the front, I hit my approach to the left fringe and then putted into the front fringe. And there was nothing I could do about it. I want another chance. That kind of thing tends to stay with you.

Harbor Pines was another course I hadn’t seen in awhile. Then I played it three times in a little over a month. So sue me. Maybe it had something to do with the burger, wings and beer special in the grill room, which was unanimously given a must-do status with every group I went there with. But trust me, the golf is every bit as good. This parkland course winds every which way, with few parallel holes. There’s water everywhere, and the conditions were just as pristine as I remembered them. Much to be said for that. The greens are inviting, and the bunkering well done. The ninth is about as stout of a par-4 as you’re going to find, long and straightaway with water on the left and woods protecting the opposite side. I think I’ve parred it once. And I might have been forced to use a mulligan. But I’ll keep trying, even if it’s an excuse to eat more wings.

The Seaview Resort, which is now operated by Stockton College, is the site of the LPGA’s Shop-Rite Classic every late May into early June. It’s held on the Bay Course, which might be the more user-friendly of the two tracks there. Unless the wind isn’t cooperating. Then you could be hitting a 3-wood into the second green instead of maybe a 6-iron. It happens. The greens are small, so you have to be accurate with your short clubs. Or else. The Pines Course has lost a good number of trees recently, which really opened things up. It’s still a lot tighter, since it’s cut through woods. And longer. The back-to-back par-3s at 15 and 16 are ferocious. The wind isn’t as much of a factor on that side of Route 9, but you can’t spray the ball around as much either. If you do you’ll be chipping back onto the fairway with regularity. And who really wants to be doing. They also have fine dining in the hotel, which is a throwback to another era. Overall, it’s hard to beat.

And then there’s McCullough Emerald Links, which I’ve grown rather fond of in the last few years. Maybe it had something to do with getting to play there with the guy whose idea it was to turn a landfill into 18 holes, James “Sonny” McCullough. Who knew? But it obviously worked. Plus I also get to play there with a friend of mine and his buddies, who spend the entire round busting on each other. Hard to beat that. I don’t even mind that some of them are New York fans. All I know is the 8th and 9th provide a great finish to the front side, a dogleg-right par-4 followed by a 175-yard par-3 that’s all carry. Nice. The 18th is neat, too, a par-4 off an elevated tee with water all down the right. But my favorite hole, in fact one of my favorite holes at the shore, is the 14th. Based on the fifth at Scotland’s Royal Dornoch, it’s only 285 yards. My kind of length. It’s a dogleg right, around trees. But if you feel up to it you can go for the green. Folks of my ability try to poke it down the middle, which I usually can pull off, and then hit some kind of wedge onto a 2-tiered putting surface and hope you’re on the right tier. I could play it 18 times. That’s what happens when you get old and can’t hit it as far as you used to. A good man has to know his limitations.

Blue Heron was the course that mostly started the public-golf renaissance in the Greater AC area. And since Ron Jaworski took it over in 2013, most folks seem to feel it’s as good or better than it’s ever been. That’s because Jaws came in and cleaned the place out, a much-needed overhaul. A lot of the growth along the periphery of the layout had simply gotten out of hand. And at a public facility, that’s only going to slow down the pace of play. Not to mention take away from the overall look. So now it’s a lot more playable, never a bad thing. Hospitality was never a problem here to begin with, and the presence of the one-time Eagles quarterback has merely enhanced that. There’s plenty of holes where you can score, and just as many that are lurking to seriously mess with your card. The fifth, a really strong par-4, fits into the latter category. As does 10, 12 and 15, three more 2-shotters. The 15th might be the signature hole, with a medium-length approach over water to a difficult green. That’s assuming you’ve hit a good drive. On the other hand, the seventh is a neat little par-4 that doesn’t even demand a wood off the tee. I like short. The 11th measures 120 or so yards, yet I’m always amazed at how many times people make bogey or worse there. Don’t say you weren’t warned. And if you see Jaws please tell him that he still owes me for that bet from last year’s International Network of Golf conference where he said I couldn’t even get my night-golf 9-iron in the air and I hit it to within gimme birdie range. It happens.

Anyway, that’s it for now. Hope to see you down there. We can always do burgers and wings. Or donuts. Knowing me, probably both.

Atlantic City-Area Courses Dominate GOLF Magazine’s 2014 Rankings of New Jersey’s Best

November 21, 2014

ATLANTIC CITY. N.J. (August 2014) — No surprise to golfers who tee it up regularly around famed Atlantic City, N.J., but the area received some well-deserved recognition in the September issue of GOLF Magazine featuring the “Top 100 Courses You Can Play.”

Atlantic City-area courses dominated the 2014 GOLF Magazine rankings in New Jersey. “Baby, you were born to run … to the Jersey Shore for golf,” writes GOLF Magazine Architectural Editor Joe Passov.

In addition, as part of GOLF’s biennial rankings of the best public golf courses in the United States, the magazine also ranked the best courses in every state.

Atlantic City Country Club ranked No. 75 overall in America and No. 1 in New Jersey.

“If you’re serious about the game and great courses, spend the cash and play Atlantic City Country Club,” writes Passov. “The ACCC delivers on service, pace of play and a scenic, historic course restored by Tom Doak.”

Most importantly, further illustrating the quality of so many Atlantic City golf courses, six of GOLF Magazine’s Top 10 in New Jersey for 2014, as well as 10 of the Top 15 and 11 of the Top 20 in “The Best Courses Near You” are members of the Greater Atlantic City Golf Association (GACGA).

Ballamor in Egg Harbor Township comes in at No. 5 among New Jersey’s finest public access golf courses. “Ballamor was private until 2010, but its large lakes, vast sand splashes and multi-tiered greens are now open to all,” wrote Passov.

One spot back at No. 6 in the state is Ballamor’s friendly, Egg Harbor Township neighbor, Twisted Dune. “For faux-links fans,” wrote Passov, “Twisted Dune is a Garden State must.”

Rounding out GOLF’s 2014 Top 10 in New Jersey are Shore Gate in Ocean View (No. 8), Seaview (Bay) in Galloway (No. 9) and Scotland Run in Williamstown (No. 10).

GOLF’s next 10 in New Jersey included Sea Oaks in Little Egg Harbor Township (No. 11), Blue

Heron Pines in Cologne (No. 13), Seaview (Pines) in Galloway (No. 14), Vineyard at Renault in Egg Harbor (No. 15) and Sand Barrens in Swainton (No. 17).

Golf Magazine’s 2014 Top Courses You Can Play in New Jersey:

No. 1 Atlantic City Country Club
No. 5 Ballamor
No. 6 Twisted Dune
No. 8 Shore Gate
No. 9 Seaview (Bay)
No. 10 Scotland Run
No. 11 Sea Oaks
No. 13 Blue Heron Pines
No. 14 Seaview (Pines)
No. 15 Vineyard at Renault
No. 17 Sand Barrens

Do AC in 2014

For all the glitz and glimmer of the high-rise gambling casinos that light up the night across this unique Atlantic Ocean-side city, there’s another side to the destination — a daylight version beyond the reimagined world-famous boardwalk and beaches. An easy drive from the major metropolitan areas along the East Coast, Atlantic City caters to golfers with a wide variety of accommodations from economy rooms to full-scale suites, casinos, more than 150 restaurants and bars, world-class spas, top name concerts and comedy shows, innovative nightlife, designer shopping, the beach, the boardwalk and pulsating casino games. These layouts range from links style to parkland style to classic gems to out-of control modern marvels. Whatever your passion, every golf course within the Atlantic City arsenal has been ordered to deliver an experience that you will not soon forget.

Learn more about all 18 Atlantic City courses and book your golf getaway at www.PlayACGolf.com.

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Atlantic City-Area Courses Dominate GOLF Magazine’s 2014 Rankings of New Jersey’s Best

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