Record 198 Golfers Turn Out For Member Golf Day At Metedeconk
The largest field ever to attend an NJSGA-sponsored Member Golf Day came to Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson on Monday, August 18.
Some 198 golfers took part in the seventh Member Golf Day of the year on an absolutely perfect day at the beautiful venue that was designed by Robert Trent Jones and opened in 1988.
“The staff at Metedeconk National was excited to have us here again. They went out of their way to accommodate our extra golfers and that’s because of the great relationship the NJSGA has with a great golf club,” said Rich Kennedy, NJSGA Director of Handicapping and Member Services.
Kennedy said in 2013 all 114 golfers who applied for the Member Golf Day at Metedeconk National were able to play. This year, 120 golfers applied within 75 minutes of start registration and a waiting list of 78 golfers quickly formed. Within a month, the extra 78 players were notified that they, too, would be able to enjoy the Shore-area club.
The 198 golfers were split into morning and afternoon sessions with 54 playing in the morning and the rest in the afternoon.
“It’s a great opportunity to play a high-end, prestigious golf course,” said Doug McGowan of Blairstown, who will play in all but two of the 11 Member Golf Days this season. “I like playing the courses that have a bit of history.”
McGowan and his partner, Pat Egan, who both play out of Flanders Valley, have played in Member Golf Days since the program was instituted four years ago with four events. The duo played in all four outings that year (2011).
“There are many courses I’ve enjoyed as part of Member Golf Days. I recently played the Ridge at Back Brook and places like that you’d love to play again because you want a second opportunity,” said McGowan, who was a flight champion at the MGD at Rumson.
“I’m thrilled to death to be here,” said Ben DiPalma. “I received the email from the NJSGA that I can play at Trump Philly, Centerton and Medford Lakes. I’ve played 30 courses this year and have played 60 private courses and 132 public courses. My goal is to play all 304 courses in New Jersey, which includes executive courses.”
A new partnership with the South Jersey Golf Association enables NJSGA members to play SJGA tournament events. It offers NJSGA members to play some competitive events at courses that are new to them.
DiPalma, who will play in nine MGD events this year, is a retired salesman of Drakes Bakeries who lives in Glen Rock. He recently was thrilled to play Bayonne Golf Club in an outing.
“I played In the Member Golf Day at Wildwood and will also play Hidden Creek. I like the courses in South Jersey,” said John Ward of Point Pleasant. “My father was an original member here at Metedeconk. This is a homecoming for me. I used to come here four days a week to just work at this excellent practice facility.
Four more Member Golf Days remain on the NJSGA schedule: Copper Hill in Ringoes on Sept. 17, Shackamaxon in Scotch Plains on Sept 24 and Hidden Creek in Egg Harbor on October 14, and recently added Trump National-Philadelphia on October 20. Hidden Creek is sold out.
Member Golf Days, which began with four events in 2011 and added a fifth in 2012, and a sixth in 2013, has jumped to 10 dates due to high demand at both classic and contemporary courses dotted throughout the state. The Member Golf Day season began on Monday, April 28, at Trump National-Philadelphia in Pine Hill and lasts until Tuesday, October 14 at Hidden Creek in Egg Harbor Township.
.To be eligible for Member Golf Days, golfers must keep their handicap through an NJSGA member club or golf course and have a handicap of 30 or below.
