Rockaway River C.C. Site Of Final Member Golf Day
A field of 82 players enjoyed the sixth and final NJSGA Member Golf Day on Monday, October 21, at venerable Rockaway River Country Club in Denville.
This year, four of the six Member Golf Days were sellouts at Trump National-Philadelphia, Metedeconk, Upper Montclair and Hidden Creek.
“Each year, the Member Golf Day concept becomes more successful. There is a demand for this and the word of mouth about how much fun they are is spreading,” said Rich Kennedy, NJSGA Director of Handicapping and Member Services.
“Our members have to realize the opportunity that Member Golf Days provide, not just the opportunity to play a wonderful private golf course, but the whole country club experience,” he said.
Member Golf Days began in 2011 with four events and added one event for each of the following two years. Next year, Kennedy promises a minimum of seven, and possibly, eight Member Golf Days throughout the state.
“They are played at great courses and it is something I always wanted to do,” said Bettie Jarvis of West Orange. “I play golf whenever I can at courses like Galloping Hill, Weequahic and Neshanic Valley, but this is a chance to play at a private club.”
The Member Golf Day competition at Rockaway River was Individual Net Stableford. Rockaway River, a par-72, played at 6,400 yards. The field included former heavyweight contender Gerry Cooney, a Union County resident.
“This is my third Member Golf Day of the Year, and I think the eighth I’ve played in over the past three years,” said Charles Minervini of Wood-Ridge, who usually plays at Darlington and Overpeck in Bergen County.
“I’m a blue-collar worker and it’s an opportunity to play at a beautiful country club. They take good care of you. It’s a great day of golf.”
Minervini is an electrician with NJ Transit.
“I heard a lot about Member Golf Days, and I always wanted to play this golf course,” said Jim Prusinowski. “I like playing at new places. I like getting a sense of different golf courses.”
