Member Golf Day Registration Opens April 1

Upper Montclair, Trump National-Bedminster, Ridge at Back Brook, and Hidden Creek are among the 11 scheduled Member Golf Days for 2015 conducted by the New Jersey State Golf Association

Once again, New Jersey golfers will have the opportunity to play some of the state’s most prized private courses this upcoming golf season at a very reasonable cost of $125 per golfer and under less formal conditions.

Member Golf Days began with four events in 2011 and added a fifth in 2012, a sixth in 2013, and then jumped to 11 in 2014. Due to tremendous popularity by participants, the schedule will this year again include 11 dates at courses throughout the state.

The NJSGA is allowing members to register on three dates. Registration is available beginning Wednesday, April 1 at 9 a.m. for its first three dates: Glen Ridge on Thursday, May 21, Rumson on Tuesday, June 16, and Upper Montclair on Monday, June 29.

OFFICIAL MEMBER GOLF DAY SCHEDULE

The second registration date is Friday, May 15 at 9 a.m. for the July and August Member Golf Days. They are: Echo Lake in Westfield on Monday, July 13, Ridge at Back Brook in Ringoes on Monday, July 20, Trump National-Bedminster on Thursday, July 23, Laurel Creek in Mount Laurel on Tuesday, July 28, Metuchen on Tuesday, August 11 and Hawk Pointe in Washington Township on Tuesday, August 18.

Golfers, wishing to play Ridge at Back Brook who did not play the course in 2014 will have priority over golfers who experienced the Ringoes course last summer although anyone may register for the Member Golf Day there.

The third registration is Wednesday, August 5 at 9 a.m. and includes Hidden Creek in Egg Harbor Township on Monday, October 5, and Alpine in Demarest on Thursday, October 15.

“Going into the 2015 season, we thought it would be difficult to match the variety of courses we offered in 2014, but we feel we have very attractive offerings this year as well,” said Rich Kennedy, NJSGA Director of Membership and Handicapping Services. “We have a good mix of traditional courses such as Glen Ridge, Rumson, Upper Montclair, Echo Lake, Metuchen and Alpine, and some very exciting newer courses such as Ridge at Back Brook, Trump National, Laurel Creek, Hawk Pointe and Hidden Creek, which hosted a USGA Championship last summer.”

Metuchen is celebrating its centennial year in 2015.

“July is always the greatest month of golf for the NJSGA and besides the State Open will include four Member Golf Days. This is a great schedule with outstanding opportunities for our membership,” Kennedy said.

Golfers, who pay $125 to take part in any of the 11 events and receive greens fee, cart, lunch, prizes and post-golf hors d’oeuvres, will play in less competitive tournament conditions. The only eligibility requirements is that a male or female golfer over the age of 18 be registered at a NJSGA member club/course and hold an active Handicap Index of less than 30.0.

Over the years, these 11 clubs have hosted many NJSGA championships as well as other regional and national events. On these 11 dates, New Jersey golfers can sample NJSGA golf under more relaxing conditions. The program is geared for the NJSGA’s broader membership audience.

“These are less formal competitions which will give golfers a chance to compete in a net format. The net tournaments will include one team event, two individual stroke-play events and one individual Stableford event. We are always looking for ways to add more benefits to our membership services at the NJSGA,” Kennedy said.

“We are very excited about how Member Golf Days have grown in popularity. These are can’t-miss events for our membership,” said Kennedy. “It is a great opportunity to play great courses that golfers may never again have the opportunity to play.

“These courses rank with among the best New Jersey has to offer. We are extremely pleased with how the Member Golf Day schedule turned out for this season. It shows that the better courses are amenable to hosting such events. There is a lot of enthusiasm for the outings from both the golfers’ side and the clubs’ side,” Kennedy stated.

“Truly, these courses sell themselves. This is what Member Golf Days are all about – creating great opportunities for our membership,” he concluded.