Member Club Spotlight: Deer Run Golf & Tennis Club

“One of a kind” is often the answer to the question: “What makes your golf club special?” In the case of Deer Run Golf and Tennis Club in Lincoln Park, it’s not only a sentiment – it’s undoubtedly true.

Located within a townhome development in the borough of Lincoln Park on the eastern edge of Morris County, Deer Run Golf and Tennis Club is a unique place. The nine-hole golf course is private, and its membership consists exclusively of the residents of the townhome community. Essentially, the course is their “backyard”, and while there are other similar communities in New Jersey – and countless others across the country – a course for the use of only its residents, in a densely populated area nonetheless, is certainly distinctive.

“It’s hard to compare the club to anyplace else. The camaraderie you develop with neighbors and other families here leads to long lasting memories,” said Kevin Fitzpatrick, Deer Run’s Golf Committee Liaison to the Townhouse Association Board. Fitzpatrick has lived at Deer Run since 1986, and he has seen the course evolve and improve each year. He credits longtime Green Superintendent Jason Morgan for his extraordinary commitment.

“Jason has been at Deer Run for 17 years. He treats the course like his baby; the amount of work and personal interest that he’s invested here is remarkable. The day-to-day conditions are outstanding, and the course is always improving – all on a limited budget. I use the analogy that Jason has made Deer Run into what it is today is like building a mountain pebble-by-pebble. The small changes he’s made over time, such as growing fescue and planting trees to re-shape the course, have added up. In one word, his work is amazing”, stated Fitzpatrick.

With the course as its centerpiece, the community also features a practice range, putting green, and short game area with a bunker and chipping green – making for a versatile golf facility and providing ‘something for everyone’.

The history of the course itself is also notable. When it opened in the 1970s, Deer Run was known as the Meadows Golf Course and was 18 holes at the time. (Ironically, a different Meadows Golf Club - as it is known today - is just minutes away from Deer Run, also in Lincoln Park.) In 1982, a portion of the property was bought by the Hovnanian development company which built 344 townhomes on part of the former golf course. Today, some of the original holes remain, while others were modified due to construction of homes. For the redesign, the club hired another local nine-hole course operator, Steve Lee, whose family created and built Peace Pipe Country Club in Denville. 

Today, the club boasts an impeccably maintained, challenging nine-hole layout. Different teeing areas on each hole provide varied shot angles and playing lengths from the front nine to the back nine. While the course is relatively flat from tee to green, water comes into play on most of the holes – in addition to out of bounds, tall fescue, and natural areas throughout the course. When played as the “regulation” white-blue course, the total yardage totals 6,330 yards. When played from “the tips” on the black tees, the course can be stretched to a stern, 18-hole total of 6,638 yards.

A perfect example of the variety between the first nine and the second nine is presented on the very first hole. The opener plays as a short par-five which can be reached in two, but when played as hole ten, is a strong, 442-yard par-four. With out of bounds looming to the left, and an uphill landing area (when played as the par-four, No. 10), the hole requires a distinctly different strategy on the back nine.

The signature hole at Deer Run is the par-four, 4th / 13th. Played at 355 yards as hole No. 4, and 390 yards as hole No. 13, out of bounds to the left and a shallow green fronted by water present multiple challenges. The backdrop of this hole also presents a magnificent vista of the nearby mountains, which is an even more impressive view during the autumn. 

For those fortunate to call Deer Run their home, there is a clear and constant commitment to improve. To that end, longtime local PGA professional Kevin Syring was hired as the club’s head professional this past winter. Syring, who brings 40 years of industry experience to Deer Run, is excited to be at the helm of the club’s golf operation. He plans to provide club fitting and instruction as two key services to the membership of Deer Run – a community that is equally thrilled to have Syring aboard.

“We’re beyond excited to have Kevin (Syring) with us. He’s already updated the golf shop and brought us new ideas right away that we’ve already implemented,” stated Fitzpatrick. He’s built on the success of his predecessor, Dan Ashley, of whom we are also grateful. We’re proud that we’ve come a long way, and it’s an exciting future for us,” Fitzpatrick concluded.

For more about Deer Run Golf and Tennis Club, click here.