A Special Year for Historic Greate Bay Country Club

By, JOHN TORSIELLO

This is a special year for Greate Bay Country Club in Somers Point, New Jersey. It is the historic club’s 100th anniversary and things will be hopping in 2023.

“We are all proud to be part of the lineage of Greate Bay and the incredible history of team members, members, guests, owners and events,” said Frank Ruocco, one of a limited number of new owners. “We will be celebrating all season with our special edition centennial logo that pays homage to our original course architect, Willie Park Jr.”

A little back-story. In 1921, Harvey Lakes hired Donald Ross to design Ocean City Country Club. Ross’ touch was limited, however, as Lake hired Park, Jr. to complete the golf course a year later. Ocean City Country Club opened in 1923. In 1972, the club hired George and Fazio to redesign the 18-hole golf course and to add a driving range to the property. Sands Casino purchased Ocean City Country Club in 1981 and renamed it Sands Country Club, which drew celebs such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. In 1988, former golf professional Archie Struthers and a group of limited partners purchased the club. From 1988-97, it hosted the ShopRite LPGA Classic.

In 2004, Mark Benevento, former Philadelphia 76ers owner Pat Croce and a group of limited partners purchased the club and rename it “Greate Bay.” The new owners took over two years ago.

Park designed a course that stands the test of time. Director of Golf Matt Crowley called Greate Bay a parkland course. Trees border tight fairways that feed to small green complexes surrounded by bunkers.

Said Crowley, “The course is always in great shape, greens are the best in the area, you can always find a game, pace of play is the fastest I have seen in all of my years in the golf industry, the clubhouse and amenities offer everything a member would need in a club.”

Ruocco explained, “The club’s Best in Class Member Guest tournament this year will have a theme based on our first 100 years, and the history of the club. On July 16, the club will be hosting a 100th anniversary party with a 1920’s theme to commemorate the year Greate Bay

The course continues to go through improvements and enhancements, said Ruocco. “We have instituted a comprehensive bunker renovation project at our members’ request. We are also improving several of the cart paths, as well as preparing for our tunnel replacement project in the winter season. In advance of the tunnels, we have rebuilt the entrance and exit retaining walls and related drainage.”

In addition, several tee boxes have been modified or improved as part of the beginning of a more comprehensive course program. “We have also constructed a new green complex for the 11th hole as well as an entire new hole, inclusive of multi level tees, bunkering and a water feature, for future use as a new 12th hole,” said Ruocco. “Lastly, we are re-locating our halfway house to a more convenient and accessible location on the golf course.”

Ruocco said the club will “continue to enhance our new outdoor patio areas with fire pits, bar and restaurant service.” He added, “We have largely renovated the clubhouse, from the entrance to the exit. Members will enjoy a new, centrally located pro-shop stocked with all the essentials, including the latest branded golf apparel. The entrance, banquets areas, bars and support areas have all undergone a complete update and renovation, including flooring, additional windows, bars and an outdoor elevated deck. We are most excited about the new underground cart storage area that presented an exceptional outdoor patio area that will be able to accommodate events of up to 250 people, while overlooking the bay and brand new wedding garden.”

Crowley said ,”The patio terrace is fully equipped with a service bar and an area to watch fellow members finishing their rounds on number 18. We have fully renovated the teeing area and green surround on hole on number 13 along with bunker restoration on seven other holes on the course. The new halfway house will be much more convenient for our membership.”

“We are all proud of team members, members, guests, owners and events,” said Ruocco. “There are a number of secondary reasons to play Greate Bay. The course is conveniently located, always in great shape, the greens are consistently fast and true, pace of play is exceptional and the clubhouse offers all the amenities a true golf club should. But the number one reason anyone should play Greate Bay is the people. I am referring to the team and the entire membership. The overall experience whether you are playing or working is welcoming, inclusive, and fun. Greate Bay is known to be the best game around, that’s what makes it so special.”

Greate Bay draws many members from South Jersey. However, due to a convenient South Jersey location and proximity to several seasonal high population areas, the club has members from all over New Jersey, Philadelphia and New York. “Our membership is an eclectic, diversified group that creates the fabric of the club,” said Ruocco.

Greate Bay is indeed a parkland course. Trees border tight fairways that feed small greens complexes surrounded by bunkers. It’s a challenging, fun golf course. Greate Bay plays to a par of 70 with only two par-fives and three par-threes. The yardage is around 6,350 from the back tees and you can score here if you keep your ball straight off the tee and on approach shots. Many of the fairways and green complexes have multiple sand traps, which serve to toughen the course.

The sixth hole is the only par-five on the front and it plays 548 yards from the tips. There are several bunkers in the fairway landing area and three large traps protecting the green. The ninth is a tough par-three, playing 216 yards from the back markers. There is a small pond to the left of the green and sand traps in the front of the putting surface. Par here is a great score.

The 11th hole is a 423-yard par-four that has a bunker on the right side of the fairway landing area and two bunkers front and to the right of the green. The 12th is a great riskreward hole. The 412-yard par four has a stream bisecting the fairway and water in front of the green that must be avoided.

The 13th is a 175-yard par-three that seems simple enough but there’s water at the back of the green that will penalize too long a shot. The 17th is a challenging 423-yard par four that has a pond to the right side of the fairway landing area and a putting surface that is surrounded by sand traps.

Ruocco said as to what hole is the toughest on the course is the cause of much internal debate among members. “The second hole eats me alive, but as Matt will very quickly point out, that’s because I’m not that good. I think there are several holes in the discussion, but holes 10 and 13 keep coming up. The 13th is very sneaky and unassuming. It’s a par-three that plays anywhere from 160 to 200 yards and has a small elevated green surrounded by penalizing bunkers.”

Offers Crowley, “I would say hole number 13 is the toughest. For an unassuming parthree, it probably yields the highest score to par on the course. A small green, surrounded by bunkers calls for a precise tee shot.”

Ruocco said with change there comes analysis but in this instance all talk has been favorable. “The feedback from the membership over the past year and a half has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive. We all are working to make Greate Bay a place we are proud to be part of, proud to present and proud to bring guests.”

Greate Bay Country Club

Somers Point, N.J. 609-927-5071 www.greatebay.com