Harbor Pines Is Challenging and Scenic

By, JOHN TORSIELLO

Recently voted the number one country club in the Egg Harbor Township area by local golfers, Harbor Pines Golf Club is known for its outstanding conditions and sweet, fast rolling greens.

“The goal of our club and its employees is to give the best customer service possible for an all around outstanding experience from the moment guests arrive,” said Deb Stevenson, Director of Sales and Marketing. “We are a full-service club with practice facilities, on and off course food and beverage services, men’s and ladies’ locker rooms and of course some of the best golf in South Jersey. It’s not uncommon for golfers to stick around a little longer than usual to enjoy the atmosphere.”

The club is finishing up phase two of a three-part renovation. Phase one was the construction of a new pro shop, which offers the latest in golf equipment and apparel and fully updated locker rooms. Phase two includes

“The Roost” and an all new pub and grill due to open this spring. Along with the indoor bar and comfortable seating, The Roost offers a large wrap-around deck and patio overlooking the first tee and ninth and 18th greens. It’s a perfect place for golfers to convene before or after their round and enjoy watching the on course action. Phase three will begin later this year and includes a full update and renovation of the existing clubhouse and banquet facilities.

The club celebrated its 25 anniversary last year with a variety of special events and giveaways.

“We have been serving the entire Tri-State area for over 25 years,” said Stevenson. “We have a wonderful community of golfers here in Atlantic County, many of whom have taken advantage of one of our membership offerings. Of course, our location, being so close to popular shore points, brings in many summer home owners and vacationers as well. Harbor

Pines is also the area’s golf tournament specialist. We are host to many events that benefit people and organizations from all over the region including Philadelphia, North Jersey, New York and Delaware.”

Stevenson began at Harbor Pines as a seasonal employee 26 years ago. She started working full-time 16 years ago and oversees the club’s marketing and advertising initiatives as well as special events and golf tournaments. She is a Certified Golf Tournament Planner and her “passion” is helping events reach their goals.

Harbor Pines is a parkland style golf course and is a unique design by Stephen Kay. The course is laid out so that (with only a few exceptions) each hole is private, meaning you won’t see other fairways or golfers during play. The course is set on 650 acres, offers five sets of tees and two sets of combination tees, wide manicured fairways and short rough.

Said Stevenson, “There aren’t a lot of gim- micks, just a pure design that is challenging but fair. We are also proud to be part of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. We protect the natural areas and wildlife habitats. Golfers may enjoy seeing deer, turkeys and other wildlife during their rounds, including Bald Eagles, which nest on our grounds.”

Stevenson said the ninth hole is considered the toughest on the course. The number one handicap hole looks pretty straight forward, but the fairway slopes to either water on the left or woods on the right, so each shot requires premium accuracy. “For me and my high handicap, I try not kill it off the tee, I’d rather be straight and accurate than long. Even a long hitter will need very good, very accurate shots to make par here.”

Let’s take a look at the holes on the special course that plays 6,827 yards with a par of 72.

The first is a rather challenging way to start a round. It’s a par-five playing 505 yards from the tips. The difficult part is the water to the left running all the way to the green, making the drive and layup tricky.

Number two is a 380-yard, par-four that is narrow off the tee. On the approach to the green you must steer clear of several bunkers that guard the putting surface.

The third hole is a 170-yard par-three that has bunkers protecting the green.

Number four is a 400-yard, par-four and there’s a bunker guarding a bend in the fairway to complicate the drive and one near the putting surface.

The fifth is the first of several long parfours. The 452-yarder has water protecting the right side of the green that will catch a wayward approach shot.

Number six changes things up from the previous hole and is a driveable 304-yard par-four. Having a big stick in your hands can prove a bad choice though if you stray with your tee shot and find water to the right of the hole.

The seventh hole is a 526-yard par-five that offers another birdie chance if the drive and second shot are true. There’s a cross bunker protecting the green, so perhaps a layup and a wedge into the putting surface is the wise choice.

The eighth hole is a stern, 215-yard, par-three that demands a tee shot over water. Make sure to chose the right club to safely fly the ball over a pond.

The ninth is another long par-four that plays 460 yards from the back markers. Once again there is water to steer clear of on the left side of the fairway running all the way to the green.

The 10th is a 540-yard, par-five that is a dogleg right and again there is water to stay away from all the way to the green.

The 11th hole is a 182-yard par-three that features two large bunkers near the green and water to the left to catch missed approach shots.

Number 12 is another short par-four measuring 339 yards. There is water near the green and several bunkers scattered about to make a drive and wedge into the green dicey.

The 13th is a 400-yard, par-four that bends slightly to the left. There’s a fairway bunker that makes the hole narrower off the tee and several sand traps protecting the green.

The 14th is yet another short par-four and birdie hole that plays 335 yards. There are two bunkers near the green.

The 15th is a par-three playing 179 yards with a large bunker guarding the left side of the green.

The 16th hole is a 402-yard, par-four that has three bunkers in the fairway landing area and three near the green.

The 17th plays 401 yards and is another solid par-four that bends slightly to the right. There are bunkers to carry short of the green.

The finisher is a real good 487-yard, parfive that is reachable in two for the big hitters. There are bunkers in the fairway landing area and near the green.

Harbor Pines Golf Club

Egg Harbor Township, N.J. 609-927-0006 www.HarborPines.com

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