Golf Styles, March 2007
Hurdzan-Designed Track Among State’s Best
When the Somerset County Parks and Recreation Commission decided to add another golf facility, there were differing opinions expressed from both sides of the aisle. The county has, for some time, supported a very active recreation program including therapeutic activities, an environmental education center, extensive parks and recreation offerings and four credible, flourishing public golf courses – Green Knoll, Quail Brook, Spooky Brook, and Warrenbrook.
The findings of their commissioned marketing study found that the area, including Somerset County and nearby townships, would support upscale golf courses and as many as 700,000 more rounds, especially in the southwest sector. The response and reviews of the public and community to Neshanic Valley’s 38-hole golf complex since its opening in 2004 have been extremely favorable, and the county’s decision has been validated.
“The process leading to the opening was a lengthy one. The county purchased three farms scheduled for development with a combined 488 acres, using money from their Open Spaces Program. The OSP designates 1.5 cents of every $100 tax dollars to purchase county land to maintain open space. There are currently 10,000 acres in the program administered by the Somerset County Park Commission. Neshanic and the other county golf courses are part of this acreage,” said John Kitchen, Somerset County deputy director for golf management.
After the County Board of Freeholders got on board to support the construction of a facility and after packages were sent to a number of golf course architects, the project gained momentum. Discussion with prospective candidates and visits to some of their work in New Jersey and neighboring states led to the selection of Ohio-based design firm, Hurdzan/Fry. Dr Michael Hurdzan’s firm employs designers of some notable courses in the region including: Sand Barrens in Swainton, NJ; Hamilton Farm in Gladstone, NJ; and Harbor Links a 27-hole complex in Port Washington, NY.
“Hurdzan’s approach, emphasizing the existing lay of the land and not moving a lot of dirt, combined with an established environmental reputation, won him the contract,” said Kitchen.
Bill Kerman, principal designer of the job for Hurdzan/Fry, utilized the existing topography to create a course that fit harmoniously with the natural, rolling land and distant vistas. The holes were developed to incorporate and complement the existing natural grasses, native vegetation, and wetlands, while maintaining the look of open farmland. Construction of two irrigation ponds on the Meadow nine represents 60 percent of the excavation work done on the entire project.
Weather conditions – monsoon rains and drought – over the two-and-a-half year construction period caused delays and pushed up the cost from $3 million to $19 million. The Lake, Meadow and Academy courses opened in the fall of 2004.
“The wait was frustrating but well worth it,” said Bob Ransone, Somerset County’s Director of Golf operations. “In the end Somerset County got a new upscale golf facility with 38 holes, including three nines – Lake, Meadow and Ridge – the Learning Center, the Academy building, a par-32 Academy course with five par 4s and four par 3s, maintenance building, 12,000-square-foot clubhouse, and two additional short holes used for a very successful junior program enjoyed by 1,000 golfers.”
With only two nines open in 2005, Neshanic Valley generated 40 percent of the entire county’s golf revenue. The Callaway Golf Performance Center, located in a building at the entrance to the golf complex, provides around 1,000 fittings each year. It is Callaway’s number one turf facility in the country. Head PGA golf professional Fred Glass directs the Learning Center Academy, and Callaway Center.
The Lake nine measure 3,520 yards, including three holes where the irrigation ponds come into play. The Meadow nine stretches to 3,520 yards. It includes many environmentally sensitive areas that necessitate thinking about shot selection and how to play the holes. The par 5 ninth requires carrying one off the tee and another near the green. The fairways may be flatter and the layout more straight ahead golf than the other two nines, but movement on the greens balance the lesser demanding approaches.
The 3,516-yard Ridge nine opened in September 2005. It offers tighter winding fairways than the Lake, the holes winding up and over the ridge.
Whichever pair of nines golfers play, they’ll get a good test of golf with hzarads, carries and putting surfaces to overcome or maneuver. Lake and Meadow play to a rating of 73.8 with a 130 slope. The Ridge and Lake come in with a 73.8 rating and a 128 slope. The combination of rolling fairways, length, well bunkered greens, richness of fescue, and well-placed hazards provide challenging test for all levels to enjoy the course.
In 2006, Neshanic Valley had almost 40,000 rounds played on the Lake, Meadow, and Ridge nines and another 16,500 on the Academy course. Neshanic will host the Metropolitan Golf Association MGA/Met Life Pub Links Championship in July. It hasn’t been held in New Jersey since 2003, when it was played at Charleston Springs. The 18 holes planned for the 2007 event will be all nine on the Lake, the 4th and 9th on Meadow, and the first seven holes on the Ridge.
A lot of credit has been given to superintendent Darrell Marcinek, who was hired for the grow-in of Neshanic Valley. He now oversees all five county courses with assistants managing the maintenance at the individual properties. Ed Highland is the superintendent in charge Neshanic.
A contracted vendor operates a snack bar and highly-rated food service for banquets, outings and events.
Green fees with cart are $49 Monday through Thursday and $55 on weekends for county residents. FOr non-county residents, fees are $65 and $75. The only memberships available are for the Learning Center at $500-$800. Packages can be purchased by out-of-county golfers.
So what is the next after the overwhelming success at Neshanic Valley?
“We are considering a number of new projects. Our immediate focus will be improving other county courses to bring them up to this new level of excellence,” Shared Kitchen.
“We’ve appropriated $1.35 million for a double irrigation system and $400,000 to improve cart paths, most tees, some greens and bunkers,” he added. “At Spooky Brook we’re considering adding holes, increasing it to 27. The clubhouse there will be moved and be redone. New pro shops are being discussed for all the other courses. We’re considering changing the pitch and putting a driving range at Green Knoll. We’ll be building a new clubhouse at Quail Brook and perhaps other courses as well.”
