A Retrospective: Important Dates in New Jersey Golf

Each month, the NJSGA will feature the work of local author Kevin Casey who has compiled a monthly look back at historical moments in golf on a montly basis.

Here are some notable Februrary dates in New Jersey’s rich golf history:

By Kevin Casey

• A Saturday in February, 1903 – The term “birdie” was first used in a golf context at Atlantic City Country Club. A foursome that included George Crump, A.W. Tillinghast, and two brothers, Abner and Bill Smith, were playing the long, tough par-four 12th hole at ACCC, on a gusty, chilly day. Abner got off two exceptional shots that cozied up just six inches from the flagstick, which prompted “That’s a bird of a shot!” from either Crump or Bill Smith. By the end of the round, the gambling foursome had decided to start paying out for “birdies,” or one under par on a given hole. Other players picked up on the idea and -- as ACCC was one of America’s top golf resorts – the term spread rapidly on the East Coast and eventually around the golfing world.

• February 4, 1912 – Byron Nelson, one of the greatest golfers of all time, was born in Texas. By the time he was 23, his budding golf talent caught the attention of George Jacobus, head professional at The Ridgewood Country Club, in Paramus. Jacobus hired Nelson as an assistant pro, mentoring Nelson to the next level. Nelson won his first PGA Tour event, the New Jersey State Open in 1935 and then the Met Open in 1936. The floodgates opened as Nelson captured the 1937 Masters, his first of five major championships, by two shots over Ralph Guldahl, soon-to-be head professional at Braidburn Country Club (now Brooklake Country Club) in Florham Park. Lord Byron went on to win 52 Tour events, including 11 in a row in 1945.