Member Golf Day Returns To Forest Hill, Its Original Site
Back in 2011, Forest Hill Field Club in Bloomfield hosted the first NJSGA Member Golf Day. On Thursday, Aug. 17, Member Golf Day returned to Forest Hill with a full field of 96 golfers.
"It's great to be back at Forest Hill. The club is very amenable to hosting NJSGA events. When we started, Forest Hill was one of four clubs to host a Member Golf Day. Now, we're up to 12 and we couldn't be hapier to be back at Forest Hill," said Rich Kennedy, NJSGA Director of Handicapping and Member Benefit Services.
The Member Golf Day at Forest Hill was sponsored by MoleSafe, the world leader in early detection of skin cancer, St. Kitts and Nevis Tourism, and Punzone' Organic Italian Vodka.
Five more Member Golf Days remain: Sept. 18 at Spring Brook; Sept. 26 at Laurel Creek; Oct. 3 at Morris County; Oct. 10 at Hidden Creek and Oct. 16 at Deal.
"I played in the first Member Golf Day, so when I looked at this year's schedule, I couldn't wait to sign up and return to Forest Hill because we had such a wonderful time here back then," said Rev. David Rittinger of the Whiting, the senior minister of Whiting Bible Church. "I play in four to six Member Golf Days each year."
Among the courses Rev. Rittinger has seen are Galloway National, Cherry Valley, Rumson, Hidden Creek, Ridge at Back Brook, Upper Montclair and Navesink.
"I'm very grateful that these exclusive country clubs open up to the weekend, daily-fee golfers. It's a generous gesture on their part," Rev. Rittenger said.
"It's a phenomenal value. The food and drink is great and you're playing a fabulous venue," said Rittinger's playing partner, Les Wulach of East Brunswick.
Forest Hill is host to three NJSGA events this summer. On Tuesday, it hosted a U.S. Senior Amateur qualfiier, conducted by the NJSGA, the Member Golf Day, and the NJSGA Pre-Senior Championship Oct. 3-4.
"We think it's great that the NJSGA puts together this format so golfers can see and play the course. It gives great exposure to the club," said Forest Hill head professional Jason Fiore. "We're more than happy to do it."
Andree Olivier of West Orange and her husband, Dr. Robert Ziccardi, were playing in their fourth of seven Member Golf Days this summer. The duo won their flight in the MGD at Rumson in May. They have also played Brooklake and Bedens Brook.
"We love them. It's a very good value and it's well organized. It gives us an opportunity to play all the spectacular courses in New Jersey."
Ms. Olivier is a former research scientist for Hoffman-LRoche and a native of South Africa. Dr. Ziccardi is a dentist from Bergen County. They met on a tennis court in West Orange.
"I first heard about it three years ago, playing in an NJSGA Women's Four-Ball Championship. We look forward to playing in them," she said.
