Member Club Spotlight: Colonia Country Club
As one of only a handful of New Jersey clubs founded before 1900, Colonia Country Club continues to thrive as a fixture in northern Middlesex County.
Known for its always-pristine course conditions, a full-service clubhouse, pool complex, plus an active golf and social calendar, Colonia has been a mainstay in one of the most densely populated parts of the state. Founded in 1898, the club is located in Colonia (a section of Woodbridge Township), two miles from Exit 132 on the Garden State Parkway and three miles from the Metropark Train Station and office complex. Colonia Country Club’s location is ideal for its membership, outside outings, weddings, and a variety of other events.
The Beginning and Decades of Resilience
Colonia was designed by two renowned golf course architects – Thomas Bendelow, who laid out the original nine holes in 1899, and Robert White who created an additional nine holes in 1923. The first clubhouse was an Inn constructed just prior to the Civil War. Similar to many other clubs of its ilk, Colonia survived financial challenges in the post-World War I depression; after its expansion to a full eighteen holes and brief success, club membership dwindled from 204 to 67 members from 1934 to 1935.
Through the combination of financial support from a group of dedicated members, a $15,000 damage reimbursement from the Pennsylvania Railroad (to remediate the impact of work done next to the property), and a novel idea to welcome former members of other clubs who had lost their privileges to Colonia for only a greens fee, the club was saved. The “Green Fees only” approach sharply increased revenues which kept the club afloat, and meanwhile positioned the club to withstand more financial struggles during the World War II years. A succession of strong club leaders guided the club through the ensuing decades which featured a new clubhouse in 1967. By the early 1980s, after fits and starts, club membership had ballooned to nearly 250, after surviving more fiscal issues brought upon by inflation during the 1970s.
The Golf Course
As it has been since its inception, the main attraction at Colonia is the golf course. Overseen by longtime Golf Course Superintendent Lance Rogers who has been at the club for 30 years, course conditions at Colonia are widely known to be magnificent on a daily basis. In keeping with the original designs by Bendelow and White, the course plays across a rolling landscape with subtle elevation changes – making for a pleasant walking experience. One of the most memorable features entails golfers crossing under New Dover Road to reach holes 4-7, come back for 8-12, and go back across for No. 13.
Measuring just under 6,300 yards from the back tees, the defense of the golf course lies in its narrow fairways and well-protected putting greens which are described as “perfect” by PGA Head Golf Professional Kevin Maciorowski. According to Maciorowski, who has been at Colonia since 2021, the course is always in tournament condition. “The conditions here, day-in and day-out, are equal to anywhere. Putting greens are quick and consistent, fairways are outstanding and the rough is healthy and fair. Since it’s such a shot-maker’s course, those things are important – Lance (Rogers) and his crew do an outstanding job.”
The course offers a great variety of par 3’s and par 5’s, with the par-3, No. 6 hole being Maciorowski’s favorite. A long, yet narrow green guarded by bunkers on both sides demands precision on a tee shot which could be as long as 170 yards. The par-5, fifteenth hole is the longest on the course and is a dogleg right. It demands a precise tee shot of either a cut or fade to reach the corner of the dogleg, where par is a good score.
Elsewhere, Hole 4, is the most difficult ranked hole and is a textbook example of risk/reward. A par-5 of 528 yards, the hole plays to the largest green on the course but is guarded by a pond in front. The par-3, No. 13 green is fronted by a wraparound pond with a stone wall which might be the prettiest hole on the course. The par-4, eighteenth is a strong finishing hole, boasting a small green with bunkers in front of and along both sides. A well-placed tee shot on the 360-yard finale is critical to a good finish.
A Unique Array of Amenities
Beyond the superb golf course, Colonia’s full-service clubhouse boasts numerous amenities combining the usual staples of top private clubs, in addition to a few unique comforts.
First, a large banquet room can accommodate functions for over 200 attendees. Members enjoy this space throughout the year for special holiday-themed events, special events such as a Peter Luger-style menu night, Pastosa Night (featuring world-famous cuisine from the noted Italian grocery store), and a Clambake. Downstairs, the lower level of the Colonia clubhouse features a brand-new locker room with state-of-the-art showers and a steam room, as well as a barber shop which is open periodically each week. Adjacent to the clubhouse is the expansive pool house, which is the “place to be” for summer events, highlighted by popular Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day parties.
Outside, Colonia features a full driving range, short game area, and practice putting green for players to hone their skills under the watchful eye of Maciorowski and his golf staff. Numerous competitive events include men’s, women’s, and senior club championships, a year-long partners’ match play event called the “Buddy-Buddy”, a year-long individual match play event (the Thomas Bendelow), opening and closing day tournaments and a Stableford Championship are always well-attended. The most popular events include the annual invitational (each June), Member-Member (mid-September), as well as the Clambake and Peter Luger night which sell out almost immediately. Also, there is a year-long points race which spans the entire golf season.
For both the remainder of 2024 and 2025, memberships are available with special discounts for a limited time. Options include family, weekday, senior, house, and junior. Depending on the level of membership, various degrees of golf privileges and pool access are available. Also, reduced guest fees and extra guest allowances are available. Information is available by visiting the Colonia web site: www.coloniacountryclub.com or call (732) 381-9500.
