NJSGA Introduces Member Golf Days
The NJSGA is pleased to introduce a series of Member Golf Days this year that will allow NJSGA member golfers to play some of New Jersey’s finest courses. If you have not played in an NJSGA championship before or feel you don’t have the game to compete at that level, this is a great opportunity to tee it up at a premier New Jersey course under less competitive tournament conditions. The only eligibility requirements that you need to meet are belonging to an NJSGA member club/course as a male or female golfer over the age of 18 with an active Handicap Index of less than 30.0.
This year’s line-up of host courses includes some of the best in the state:
Forest Hill Field Club – May 26th
Galloway National Golf Club – June 13th
Essex County Country Club – August 9th
Suburban Golf Club – September 26th
These clubs host many NJSGA championships as well as other regional and national events, but on these four dates you can sample NJSGA golf under more relaxing conditions. Rich Kennedy, NJSGA’s director of membership and handicapping services, said 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.
Please check the NJSGA web site soon for additional details; online registration will open on approximately April 15th and the fields will be limited.
The 2011 Member Golf Days Line-Up:
Forest Hill Field Club, Bloomfield – May 26th
Forest Hill’s A.W. Tillinghast course opened in 1927 to replace the original course that dated back to 1897. Its greens have been enlarged to reflect the architect’s design. They are well bunkered and significantly contoured. The club is a few miles from Manhattan with views of the New York City skyline.
Galloway National Golf Club, Galloway – June 13th
This Tom Fazio design ranks 27th in Golfweek´s 100 Best Modern Courses. Players view the Atlantic City skyline from parts of the course. Sand, water, tall pines and ever-present wind defend the course from low scores. The NJSGA Mid-Amateur Championship was played here last year and in 2012 Galloway will host the USGA Men’s State Team Championship.
Essex County Country Club, West Orange – August 9th
Founded in 1887, Essex County is New Jersey’s oldest golf club. The meeting to form the NJSGA took place at this club in 1900, as did the first State Amateur Championship. A.W. Tillinghast, Seth Raynor and Charles Banks participated in the design of the golf course, which has been lengthened and upgraded in recent years. The club facilities also have benefitted from an extensive improvement program.
Suburban Golf Club, Union – September 26th
Another classic Tillinghast course from the 1920s, Suburban recently underwent a thorough renovation. The narrow, tree-lined course is not long in yardage but challenging nonetheless with greens protected by deep bunkers and thick rough. It is home to the annual Suburban Cup for leading amateurs.
