In case you hadn’t noticed, the world around us continues to change. So why should golf be any different? Particulary in the way that impacts private facilities. The past few years have seen several clubs in the Philadelphia area change the way they conduct their business. And most experts think that those who don’t adapt will have a very hard time moving forward in such a fluid landscape.
The South Jersey Shore is no exception. Linwood Country Club was recently brought by local restauranteurs Frank and Joe Dougherty, who own Dock’s Oyster House and two other establishments in Atlantic City. And the Union League of Philadelphia, which has done a tremendous job in making the former Torresdale-Frankford in Northeast Philly even better since taking over not long ago, will now try to do the same thing at Sand Barrens, a 27-holer on Route 9 between Sea Isle City and Avalon that was a popular place for public golfers. Now it becomes another spot for Union League members to call home, in keeping with that organization’s unfolding plan.
Then there’s Wildwood Golf & Country Club, which is undergoing a transformation of its own. Having just celebrated its 100th anniversary, it will be transformed to The Shore Club. And overseeing that rebranding is Morningstar Golf and Hospitality, LLC, which manages several other courses both around here and in England. Its president is Matt Galvin, who hired South Jersey native Matthew Pogozelski away from Trump National Philly, where’d he spent the last eight years, to be the new general manager.
So why were these moves even necessary?
“It’s no surprise that a lot of clubs, especially member-owned clubs, are having a tough time,” said Galvin, who is originally from the east coast, still co-owns Forsgate off exit 8A of the Jersey Turnpike and started this company five years ago. “They don’t run it like a business. It’s run by volunteer committees. Everyone is very dedicated and well meaning. But some people who succeed in their daily lives, no matter what business they’re in, still find it hard to run something as a volunteer. So some clubs wind up selling out, when they find out it can’t go on forever (like it had).
“So you now have a trend in the industry where equity clubs are being sold or recapitalized. They’re over-leveraged and have too much debt, and their members are retiring. Sometimes it’s just hard to make a transition. There’s always going to clubs that are stable and sizable, with a long history, but it’s not always the case. So decisions have to be made, to deal with the future. Sometimes the members are left with nothing. We try to be very honest and open. We want to find a way to do it without having that happen.
“The board at The Shore Club wanted to do it the right way. They repaid the bank, and refunded deposits and initiation fees. No board wants to be the last board of a club before it goes out of business. Or may have to open to the public.”
In certain cases, it’s a necessary evil. But you need a facilitator. That’s where Galvin and his people enter the equation.
“They did a careful search to explore their options, with different groups,” he explained. “They put everything on the table. They weren’t going to wait until it became an emergency. They were very forward-thinking. There wasn’t any bank foreclosure, or sheriff at the door, which is what unfortunately does eventually happen at some other places. They wanted to control their destiny. There’s a lot of history there.
“The Union League, from what I’m told, didn’t want to inherit a membership. They wanted to go in with a clean slate. Wildwood saw it as an opportunity, since some of the people who played at Sand Barrens will now be dumped into the market.”
Morningstar has a plan to put money for probably overdue upgrades into both the grounds and the clubhouse. Right now the membership is about 300, about evenly split between year-round and seasonal. “We kind of have two masters to serve,” Galvin said. They would like to get their numbers closer to 400. The first part of the capital improvements is an extensive bunker project.
“Things will get done in phases,” Galvin said. “We’re just beginning. From a physical plant standpoint, we’re gaining a complete makeover. But we’re going to do it in bits and pieces, so as not to disrupt our operations. We’re going to update the outside of the facility, concentrating on the main entrance. And there will be some general upkeep. Plus we’re completely renovating the ballroom.
“We’re no longer a not-for-profit club. From a user standpoint, people are going to notice what’s being done. We want it to be a great experience, on the course and every other way.”
One thing that will remain in place is head pro Fred Reidel, who interestingly gave Galvin – who admittedly doesn’t play nearly enough – his first golf lesson a quarter-century back. “I’m still a 25 (handicap), and I blame that on him,” Galvin joked.
They’re also going to roll out a caddie program, as well as update their staff training to enhance the hospitality end of it.
“We want to be what the members expect it to be,” Galvin pointed out. “We don’t want it to be stuffy. We’re not trying to be anyone else. We want the atmosphere to be shore casual. That’s how we’re promoting it. Relax, enjoy youself, have some fun with your buddies. And do it in a reasonable amount of time. Just have a great day.
“The mission of the board is to keep it private. The goal is to have a premium-club experience. We want to have a vibrant social component. We’re going to have some special events. We want to keep costs down and make it more affordable. We hope it can become like an extension of your living room or house, down at the shore, part of your social routine. At the same time, we know the course is the number one draw to our property. But you want someone to join for all the other benefits, the exclusivity of it, the attention to their needs.
“The feedback has been very positive. I think it’s made the members’ life easier. But we have to deliver top service every day. From a community standpoint, the re-branding has helped spread the word. I think they’d heard our name before, but maybe people from Sea Isle or Stone Harbor or Ocean City had it in their minds that we were all the way out on the island. They never identified it as something that could work for potential customers from Somers Point all the way down to Cape May. I think the club is in a good spot.”
Obviously, there’s also many of us who, for whatever reasons, only want to play on a daily-fee basis. And even with the loss of Sand Barrens, there’s still no shortage of options. For me, the South Jersey Shore is a destination. You can go there for a week and play some really good golf and never play the same place twice. I have my favorites, I’m sure everyone else has theirs. And for those who haven’t have never been, here’s a sampling of some of what it has to offer, in no real order. I’m not a golf snob. Even though not every one is created equal, in my world they’re all worthy. So here goes.
Atlantic City has always been a place that seriously got me excited just thinking about it, going back to the time when the Fraser family owned it. The course has changed since then, but the feeling has stayed the same. It’s a taste treat. And it’s first class all the way. The conditions are always pristine. And the layout, with the addition of a few holes along the bayfront, has only gotten even better. As if that were possible. There are parts along the back nine –and you know where they are – where you actually feel as if you’re in Heaven. It’s that tranquil. But it’s still a challenge. Big time, with carries over water and sharp doglegs and on and on. There are some holes you can maybe attack, and others that are going to attack you. Simple as that. And for my money it remains about as good as you’re going to get in those parts. Or even beyond.
Shore Gate might be the toughest course down there. Well, at least this side of Galloway National, which is private and awesome. But Shore Gate can be a bear, especially if you’re unrealistic enough to tackle it from the wrong set of tees. Which I’ve seen way too many mid-handicappers do. And they usually pay the price. Even from the right set of tees it’s no pushover. The par 3s are particularly stout. But so is the par-5 ninth, which will remind you a little of 18 at Pebble Beach. Ditto the closing hole. And the 10th. Oops. Did I forget the second and third? Or maybe the seventh. In other words, it would probably be easier just to list the so-called easier holes. Good luck with that. And yes, there is sand all over the place. And enough water to get your attention. Virtually from start to finish. You make some pars here that you know you had to work for. Not a bad thing.
Seaview, of course, has not one but two really good tracks. The Bay Course hosts the LPGA’s Shop-Rite Classic each year. It’s the shorter of the two, and it’s a second shot kind of test. You have to work the ball to fit the contours of the Donald Ross design. You can really have a lot of fun here, but it can jump up and bite you too. The wind comes into play almost all the time. The second is a par 4 that can sometimes require a fairway wood into the green. The third, a par-5 going the opposite direction, could then be reached in two with a long iron. For some reason after all these years it just makes sense. There are birdie opportunities, and some holes where you’re battling just to make bogey. Interesting stuff.
The Pines is the exact opposite, as you’d expect from the name. Even though they’ve taken a bunch of trees out, which has only made it better, you still have to hit most of your shots through the woods. There’s a bunch of doglegs to navigate, back-to-back par 5s to close out the front side and begin the home nine, and a closing stretch that includes back-to-back lengthy par 3s. So it’s not easy. Neither is it impossible. If you’re game it can make for a cool 36-hole day. With a stop for lunch in the timeless hotel in between rounds. Trust me it’s a suggestion everyone should take advantage of at least once.
Blue Heron Pines, part of Ron Jaworski’s growing empire (or more accurately, the flagship entity), was one of the original courses that helped turn the region into a destination a quarter-century ago. When Jaws took over the first thing he did was clean the place up, in terms of removing all the unnecessary junk grass in the rough and around the greens, and it made all the difference. It opened everything up, which added to the look and improved the pace of play. Always a good idea. This course has a really nice mix of short and long holes. I of course prefer the short ones. When you’re turning 60 and are my size and have lost a little off your fastball, you start thinking that way. Maybe even downwind too. And you can still make bad scores on them. The tough holes are, well, tough. There seems to be a lot of them on the back nine. The 15th is one of the best holes down there, a par 4 with a slight dogleg left over water. It’s one of those places where you could go over and over and never get tired of. Much to be said for that.
Twisted Dune is unlike anything you’re going to play this side of Scotland. I love it. Because I’ve always enjoyed playing on the other side of the pond. You have to be creative, you can get it done in different ways, it’s not the point A to point B formula that we often encounter over here. And that’s OK. It might not be for everyone. There are blind shots, wide fairways, inviting greens. There’s also forced carries, sinister rough and undulating putting surfaces. No two holes are alike. And they often go in all kinds of directions. If nothing else, it sure ain’t boring. I guarantee you will leave with some indelible impressions. And that’s what will lure you into a return engagement. It’s definitely the kind of place that you’re going to be appreciate more each time you play it.
Greate Bay is another private club just outside of Ocean City that used to host the LPGA Tour. It’s also a place where you can run into Bobby Clarke or Steve Coates. Or maybe even owner Pat Croce, who has done many things to improve the product since he took over awhile ago. That included cutting down a tree to the right of the fifth fairway that Clarke apparently hit too many tee shots into. Or was that Coatesie? Anway, it’s gone, following a vote that raised money for charity. This place has a very comfortable feel to it. And I’ve played it enough to know that there are some holes you’re absolutely going to remember. The closing stretch consistently ranked as the hardest finish in women’s golf. So make sure you take advantage of whatever holes might be a little vulnerable before that. And there are some, but not many. Especially if the wind is blowing, which can make it awful tricky.
McCullough’s Emerald Links didn’t make a great first impression on me. My bad. I’ve come to really embrace it. It might have had something to do with the fact that I got to play with the owner, former mayor Sonny McCullough, once or twice. Or that a good friend is a regular there. Whatever. I’ve gotten past the fact that it’s not Pine Valley. What is? I do know I can have a good time there, maybe make a birdie or two while getting fairly beat up in some other parts of the course. I love the eighth and ninth holes, a dogleg right with a blind second shot followed by a well-protected medium-length par 3 over the wet stuff. And one of my fondest short holes anywhere is No. 15, where some people can go for the green if they’re willing to take it over the treeline. I on the other hand am content to smack it down the middle and leave myself a little wedge into a two-tiered green. I’ve made 3 there, and I’ve made 5. But I always know on the tee that I’m going to have a chance. Any more I don’t get to say that often enough. I could play that hole 18 times and I’d go home with a smile on my face.
The Vineyards at Renault is yet another place where I never have a bad time. I played there when it first opened with designer Ed Shearon (who also did Raven’s Claw), who told me that the front and back nines were actually reversed from his original plan for logistical reasons. It happens. The owners wanted the 18th to go back to the clubhouse, which makes sense. But the ninth might be a better golf hole. No matter, this is aesthetically pleasing. And challenging. Even though it doesn’t always look the part. The difficulties here can sometimes be on the subtle side, although every once in awhile it does slap you in the face. Hard. One hole winds around a vineyard, another has a fairway split by a huge sand area. Shearon is big on the geometry of a course, which makes for a very interesting routing. I love the false front on the 17th green, which can turn an easy short iron into a head-shaker. I’ve been there, so I know.
There you have it. Spring is one of the best times to head down there. So what are you waiting for? Tell them the balding midget who now plays from the forward tees sent you. Yo, somebody has to do it. If I break the course record I won’t take credit. Unless it counts in the Senior Division.
By Mike Kern
