Divot, Garden State Golf, Spring 2003

I was born in Atlantic City and grew up in the area. For me, this part of New Jersey truly represents the “garden” in Garden State. Many of the vegetable farms that occupied the wooded roads of South Jersey are still there. Though the “grand old days” of the beach-front hotels, where big bands played until the sun rose over the ocean, were before my time, I vividly recall an Atlantic City of yesterday: incredible live performances by the Supremes on the Steel Pier at Virginia Avenue; the Democratic National Convention; the wooden lifeguard boats; the Beatles performing; breakfast at Starns; nickel beers at Nicholson’s; around-the-island swims; tuna tournaments; salt water taffy; the thrill of the boardwalk; and no casinos.

The area east of my home was salt marsh, bays and barrier beach islands. The area west was the Pine Barrens, with its ancient forests of scrub pine. We surfed the beaches from Long Beach to Wildwood; explored the sand roads from Lakewood to Waretown to Estel Manor to Vineland; canoed the cedar rivers; clammed the bays; fished the estuaries and ocean; and water skied them all-from Cape May to Tuckahoe to Hammonton.

Has the Atlantic City area changed? Yes. No. My nostalgic memory is one of elation. Though the area during my youth may have been considered economically depressed, for me it was a wonderland. It was a vibrant array of places to explore and people to meet. It was not at all uncommon for a million people to be counted on the beaches on a Sunday. There were few golf courses available to non-members. I caddied at Seaview, visited the Atlantic City Country Club with friends and played some local courses. 

I moved north in the 1970’s, but in recent years I have returned frequently to South Jersey. What I’ve found is as foreign as it is friendly. Numerous public golf courses have been constructed in recent years-from Swainton to Lakewood to Deptford to Pine Hill. The region is, in fact, now a public golfer’s dream, and if you combine all that is new in Atlantic City-great dining, entertainment and casino action-with what remains from my youth-surfing beaches, striper fishing and the Pine Barrens-I think this is a golf destination that’s hard to beat.

Returning home, I’ve discovered something else about these new golf courses: Not only do they provide challenging play, but they preserve the nature of the “garden.” By protecting wetlands, maintaining the habitats of endangered plants and animals, and reclaiming landfills and sand pits, these courses preserve and showcase land that could otherwise have become housing developments. Happily, this open land offers today’s kids space with views and fields of play-just as I remember having in my youth. Who said you can’t go home again?

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