You’ll feel it the moment you enter the community. The tree lined streets, lush landscaping and brick walkways. With its magnificent Clubhouse as it’s centerpiece, the feeling is traditional and memorable. Then there’s the worldclass Baywood Greens golf course that winds it way through the community, creating backyard vistas like nothing else around. And if that weren’t enough, there are marinas with boat slips with access to Rehoboth Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, beaches, restaurants and shopping all just minutes away.
Known as the “Augusta of the North,” Baywood Greens is by far the most visually spectacular golf course in Delaware and is consistently ranked #1 by Golf Digest’s Best in State.
A Foundation worth knowing about and supporting: The New Jersey Golf Foundation
Founded in 2004, the New Jersey Golf Foundation is a 501(c) (3) and the charitable arm of the New Jersey Section, PGA of America. Through a wide range of programming, the NJGF champions a commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) with the goal of evolving the composition of the game of golf to better reflect the broad array of differences in our society at large. With a focus on 3 core pillars (youth, military, special needs), the NJGF’s mission is to positively impact lives and communities through the game of golf. Led by PGA Professionals, the NJGF hosts a dynamic line-up of programming that provides access for individuals from all backgrounds to experience the game of golf in a welcoming environment. Signature programs include, Golf In Schools, which is run annually at more than 200 schools, impacting more than 120,000 boys and girls (K-8); PGA Junior League featuring more than 90 teams and 1,300 kids under the age of 13 throughout New Jersey; Special Olympics New Jersey Golf and programming for individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and PGA HOPE, the flagship military program that introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities. For more information, visit www. njgolffoundation.org.
Cheers,
Sean Fitzsimmons
New Jersey Pennsylvania
Elevated above the rest...naturally
Golf on 45 acres of pristine forest
Lessons for all skill levels 7 days a week
Practice on driving range, putting greens, and bunkers
Shop at the stocked Pro Shop
Memberships to a premier
course located adjacent to OVR
Shore Gate Golf Club has been perpetually ranked as one of the top public golf courses in New Jersey. Carved out of the trees, Shore Gate allows each group to feel unbothered as they navigate the course from start to finish. Whether you are looking for a round of golf, a membership to a premier golf course, lessons, or just a driving range, we have it all. Located just two miles from the
beach, Shore Gate is the perfect place to relax. About us...
Tillinghast at The Jersey Shore
By, Sean Fawcett
A.W. Tillinghast is one the best known, and most respected, and occasionally feared, golf course architects of Golf’s Golden Age. Builder of US Open, and PGA, Championship venues like Winged Foot and Bethpage Black in New York and Jersey’s own Baltusrol C.C., Tillinghast made many of America’s top golf courses competed on by almost every one of the biggest names in the Game from Jones to Arnie to Jack and Tiger for more than a hundred years.
As it turns out, The Jersey Shore boasts a couple of Tillie’s personal favorite designs that members, and the, have enjoyed on a daily basis for around a hundred years each.
Old Orchard, Country Club Suneagles Golf Club and Jumping Brook Country Club are just three of those signature, and much beloved, Tillinghast creations located in southern Monmouth County.
Old Orchard Country Club, in Eatontown, now the only open-to-thepublic of the three featured courses, was drawn up by Tillie and opened for play in 1929. Although set to close sometime soon, Old Orchard is still open for
golf and has been an area favorite for generations. Built upon some 6,679 yards of beautiful land still sporting apple trees from the orchard upon which it was originally constructed, Old Orchard, which Borders Routes 36 and 71 is a true step right into the past. Often played by New York Yankees’ Baseball Hall of Famer and Legend, Babe Ruth, OOCC features the “charms of antiquity” and is a ”natural oasis” amid the hustle
and bustle of the Jersey Shore and is worth the trip and even a poor round played by any lover of the Game.
Also located in Eatontown, and probably less than about two miles to the east and north, Suneagles Golf Club, is a terrific, and challenging, Tillinghast masterpiece. About to celebrate its hundred-year anniversary, Suneagles, which began as The Suneagles Golf Course at Fort Monmouth,
had its very first tee shot driven upon it way back in 1926 on land owned by Max Phillips of the Phillips Van Heusen Clothing Company.
But it’s biggest claims to fame is probably, well undoubtedly actually, the fact that World Golf Hall of Famer Byron Nelson, “Lord Byron”, then a Texas transfer and an assistant golf professional at Ridgewood Country Club up in Bergen County, won his very first professional tournament, the 1935 NJSGA New Jersey Open, on its winding, manicured fairways and Tillinghast’s traditionally tricky, sloping greens. The home of Nelson’s initial professional victory gives the Monmouth County course quite a unique, and revered, standing in the hallowed pantheon of the historic Jersey Shore Golfing Community in Southern Monmouth County right along Hollywood Golf Club and Deal Golf and Country Club, and Manasquan River Country Club, among others.
once open to public play, but that only recently went 100% private, was also the site of a famous runnerup finish at the 1967 All-Army Tournament by 1969 US Open champion, and 11-time PGA Tour winner, Orville “Sarge” Moody.
Oh, and another neat thing for Suneagles is that Nelson’s fellow World Golf Hall of Famer Sam Snead, “Slammin’ Sammy”, who enjoyed some Jersey Shore success of his very own as well by winning the 1942 PGA, his first major championship, at Seaview’s Bay and Pines Courses down by Atlantic City, shot Suneagles’ course record (-7).
How’s that for a little bit of golf course history? Not too shabby, right?
So is a hundred years, and that’s exactly what members of nearby Jumping Brook Country Club located in Neptune, are celebrating right now. Opened in 1925, Jumping Brook is an absolutely terrific example of Tillie Architecture at its very best.
Suneagles,
“ Jumping Brook is just a fantastic layout that is the very definition of “old school”,” said Jumping Brooks’ P.G.A. Director of Golf Mark Bryson.
“ The members, the owners, all of us are so exciting to be turning 100,” Bryson added. “ There’s a lot of very cool history here. Mr. Tillinghast built a real gem here in Neptune when he designed Jumping Brook Country Club.”
With some surprising elevations which makes golfers think they’re nowhere near the Atlantic Coast only miles away, strategic bunkering and twisting and turning fairways leading Tillinghast’s signature sloping, slanting, and sometimes diabolical greens, Jumping Brook is a dandy of a course that challenges golfers from tee to pin.
“ The green complexes here demand a really good short game,” said Bryson. “ If you’re going to score at Jumping Brook, as with any Tillinghast course, your chipping and putting game had better be on point. And that’s the way we like it.”
Jumping Brooks’ emphasis on good
elevated Tee to a fairway in a valley and then back up to a green that slants severely from Back to Front. It is very, very easy to putt your ball off the front of the green, even with the flag in the middle of the putting surface.
“ One is a hole that some people remember the most because of its down and up design and the green,” Bryson said. “ But all 18 holes are, truly, memorable and very different from one another. That’s one of the things about Tillie. Part of his greatness as an architect, and why I think so many people love playing Jumping Brook, and all his courses, is that no two holes are too much alike. Each and every hole is like its own little masterpiece.”
Recent, and significant, investments by the owners, the Epstein Family, have revitalized the course and clubhouse in recent years, making Jumping Brook into the original golfing destination that Tillinghast dreamed of while creating one of the area’s premier social sites in
mentioned, but so is A.W.(Tillinghast), and rightly so. The man was an absolute genius.”
And it’s Tillinghast’s genius which helped build the game of Golf into what it has become in America, and Tillie’s influence right here at The Jersey Shore with grand old courses like Jumping Brook, Suneagles and Old Orchard is tremendous source of pride for Garden State golfers of every level.
Old Orchard Country Club54 Monmouth Rd, Eatontown, NJ 07724
Jumping Brook Country Club210 Jumping Brook Road, Neptune, NJ 07753
Twisted Dune Golf Club A South Jersey Gem
By, Sean Fawcett
Every year, and just like clockwork, The Open Championship, whether it is at St. Andrews, Birkdale, Troon, Carnoustie, Royal Liverpool, or like this year at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, inspires me to want to golf down by the sea. If you’re like me and you love Links Golf, too, you probably feel the very same way. One place you can get that feeling is playing Twisted Dune Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township.
Located right along EHT’s “golf main street” of Ocean Heights Avenue, with holes named “Twisted”, “Punter’s Alley”, and “St. Brigid’s Hollow”, Twisted Dune has the wide and gently rolling fairways symbolic of traditional links by the sea with fair, and
smooth, and very puttable greens featuring British Isles-style fescue and sandy hills.
Often acclaimed by Golfweek and other
publications as a Top public golf course “you can play” in New Jersey, you can almost hear the bagpipes playing when you drive up to the First Tee.
A must play golf course in South Jersey, Twisted Dune Golf offers a visually stunning golf experience that rewards accuracy and course management only just minutes off the Garden State Parkway and close in proximity to many of the popular attractions in Atlantic City, Ocean City and Wildwood.
“ When people think of links courses, they usually think of only a course being sparse of trees, but it also includes a variety of other conditions associated with being near the water,” said Empire Golf Management’s Twisted Dune Director of Golf Jim Endres. “ Twisted Dune exhibits all of those features.”
Designer Archie Struthers moved two
million cubic yards of earth to bring this remarkable course to fruition; creating a true taste of the Scottish Coast to the Jersey Shore. The virtually tree-less terrain exposes the course to he wind, which can, at times, become a real factor, like the traditionally seaside links of the UK, making playing a low game, different than that of parklandstyle courses, and utilizing creativity, and touch, on approaches to the green and putting the ball into the holes.
“Consistent wind couples with few trees creates firm soil which requires a golfer to think more about their shots and how the golf ball will react once it hits the ground,” said Endres.
Deep ravines, towering grass-covered hills, and well over 100 deep traps and bunkers, make Twisted Dune’s 7,200 yards a memorable golfing experience for all. Featuring four par fives at over 500 yards, ten par fours, and and four par threes, Twisted Dune GC is the type of course that serious golfers love to play again and again!
And with its many tee box options, Twisted Dune is also one of the most friendly to play golf courses for players of every skill level, as well.
Getting to play bumps and runs and
long pitch shots is a rare treat, and challenge, for local golfers, or any golfers anywhere else for that matter, but the opportunities, and the fun of playing those unique, and some would say “old school”, kind of strokes, abound at Twisted Dune.
The terrific Par 3s are another reason, and make for a most memorable round at the South Jersey Shore’s truest Scottishinspired golf course.
“ The variety of our par threes are the best at The Shore,” said Endres. “ People love playing them.”
Of Twisted’s short holes, the most recognizable, and most unforgettable, has got to be the one at the end, the magnificent and daunting Par 3 Sixteenth. Playing all the way back to more than 200 yards, and all carry over a deep, sandy, rocky gulch, to a severely sloped, and double-tiered, green, Twisted Dune’s Signature Hole is a stern, exciting, and most unique test for any kind of player.
As for the rest of the course, there isn’t a bad hole anywhere. Seriously. Some golf writers often say that about a golf course, but Twisted Dune is absolutely a fun course to play from Start to Finish.
Among the “Best of the Rest” at TD are
the back-to-back, and side-by-side 9th and 10th hole Par fives. Straddling either side of the course’s main body of water, the 9th coming in towards the clubhouse and then on to 10 going back out, Nine and Ten provide players two consecutive chances at birdie with very good shots at securing pars.
The long Par Five 12th Hole gives golfers yet another decent chance to make birdie or par just two holes later. Twelve is highlighted by three Irish/Scottish-styled pot bunkers from 70 to 100 yards from the green which must, at all cost, be avoided. If this hole doesn’t make you sort of think you’re playing Royal Portrush at The Open Championship, I don’t know what will.
So, if you get the inspiration to play The British Open like I do every July, or any time of year, and want to play a great links golf course like the course you see on TV, head on down to Egg Harbor Township, stick a peg into the ground and swing away at Twisted Dune Golf Club today.
2101 Ocean Heights Ave
Egg Harbor Township, NJ
609-653-8010
www.twisteddune.com
Our most comprehensive assessment of golf skills is now available on both our Monitor and Mobile products!
For golfers looking to improve their game or simply get a glimpse of their current performance, this 30-shot game offers robust data and personalized insights.
Historic charm, breathtaking views, and attention to detail await you at Makefield Highlands. Our team of wedding experts will be by your side throughout the entire journey, ensuring a memorable experience filled with moments that will stay with you forever. Call Elisa at 215.321.7000 x107 events@makefieldhighlandsgolf.com
The Ridgewood Country Club to Host Three USGA Championships
The Ridgewood Country Club, in Paramus, N.J., has been chosen by the USGA to host three upcoming championships: the 2030 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball, 2035 U.S. Junior Amateur and 2042 U.S. Amateur Championships. With these three events, Ridgewood will be among a select group of historic clubs to have hosted eight or more USGA championships.
“We’re excited to bring three USGA championships back to The Ridgewood Country Club,” said Mark Hill, USGA managing director, Championships. “This storied venue has played host to some incredible moments and champions in USGA history, and we look forward to building on that legacy together.”
Located 20 miles from New York City, Ridgewood’s three nine-hole courses – East, Center and West – were designed by A.W. Tillinghast and opened for play in 1929.
Since 2000, Gil Hanse has worked to restore the course to its Tillinghast roots, including significant tree removal, recreating bunkers and restoring green complexes. All 27 holes have been used in previous championships and the championship layout includes seven holes from the East Course, five from the Center and six from the West.
In 2030, Ridgewood will host the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball for the first time, marking its debut as a site for one of the USGA’s newest championships. The U.S. Amateur Four-Ball was first played in 2015, and is open to any amateur golfer. Partners comprising teams (or sides) are not required to be from the same club, state or country. Entry is limited to individuals with a Handicap Index® not exceeding 5.4 and the field consists of 128 sides (256 players).
The U.S. Junior Amateur will be conducted at Ridgewood for the first time in 2035. The champion will earn an exemp-
tion into the following year’s U.S. Open Championship. Among the notable U.S. Junior Amateur champions are three-time winner Tiger Woods, two-time winner Jordan Spieth, Johnny Miller, David Duval, Scottie Scheffler and Will Zalatoris.
The Ridgewood Country Club will host its third U.S. Amateur Championship in 2042. One of the USGA’s three original championships, the field of 312 players will compete in two rounds of stroke play, after which the field is reduced to the low 64 scorers for six rounds of match play. The championship is decided by a 36-hole final, and the champion and runner-up are invited to the following year’s U.S. Open Championship. Future stars of the game shine on the U.S. Amateur stage, as a total of 19 champions have gone on to win major championships at the professional level, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Woods.
By, Sean Fawcett
EGambler Ridge Golf Club A Sure Thing
verybody wants to play golf courses which are just a ton of fun to get to play. Golfing a round at Gambler Ridge Golf Club is a sure bet for a fun day of golf.
Billed as “New Jersey’s Friendliest Golf Course,” and now under the new ownership of Tom and Megan Collard, Gambler Ridge Golf Club in Cream Ridge is a terrific, exciting, affordable and extremely laid-back course that you will love to play over and over again just like I do. With several RiskReward holes dotted throughout the routing, Gambler, a regulation-sized golf course playing some 6,200 yards from Back, or Blue, tees, lives up to its name and presents players of all abilities with multiple birdie opportunities as well.
Gambler Ridge boasts a uniquely playable layout with wide and rolling fairways, manicured greens and several reachable par 5s with a couple additional drive-able par fours highlighting the loop. begins with back-toback par 4s that the longest hitters will enjoy giving it a go on.
Course improvements include the removal of several trees to increase air flow and open up fairways, like on the Par Five 8th
Hole. Fescue-style rough add to the aesthetics of the new look Gambler Ridge, creating a somewhat Links look. The country club quality of the new putting surfaces is yet another, and much improved, highlight.
The short par 3, third hole, tees up the fun, playing straight uphill over a small pond to a two-tiered green sloping severely from Back-to-Front of just around a hundred
yards. Don’t let the short distance fool you, though, because accuracy is all-important, and you will need to complete a tricky putt to make a bird or two-putt or chip and a putt to preserve a par.
Following a reasonably reachable Par 5 Fourth Hole, Gambler’s Risk-Reward theme and potential sub-par birdie stretch continues with back-to-back par 4s both measuring
less than 300 yards. The first of the two, the 5th, plays for a left to right fade/slice of a about 250 yards downhill with water bordering the par 3 Seventh down the left side and with two imposing bunkers guarding the front and right of the green. The second, No.6, calls for a long draw, instead of a fade, over water about 20 yards just short of the of the green or a strategic tee shot of about 150 to 200 yards to the right down the short grass in order to set up a wedge or a pitch approach to the pin.
Another pair of “drive-able” par fours highlight Gambler’s Back Nine almost right
off the bat, with Hole 12(319-348 yards) and the 13th, going only about 280 yards to 304 and 318. This is maybe my favorite stretch of the Course. The Drive on 12 is a lovely and wonderful chance to “tee it high and let it fly”. I always look forward to that tee shot. Thirteen plays right back parallel to No.12 with a slight dogleg up a hill with a pond guarding he left side. A solidly hit tee shot up the middle or down the right will generally leave a fill wedge or short iron up to the elevated green. A long drive and a chip or pitch, or two well-struck swings should lead to a decent birdie opportunity on No.13.
The par 5 Sixteenth presents yet another birdie opportunity for golfers. Played straight, and slightly downhill from tee to green, 16 is within reach of long hitters and easily gettable in regulation for even mdi to higher handicappers.
Following a fun day of golf, be sure to visit the Gamblers Bar and Grill and reflect on your round with a cold beverage and a burger or a cheesesteak or a humongous Bavarian pretzel with cheese sauce, or any number of the other scrumptious selections from their popular Pub-style menu.
“Our facility is the perfect blend of picturesque scenery, hospitable service and friendly atmosphere,” said Gambler Ridge Golf Course Assistant General Manager John Cereste. “ At Gambler Ridge, many visitors say they feel like family and form many lasting friendships and memories through their experiences with us. We take special pride in that.”
Trust me, playing a round at Gambler Ridge Golf Club is always a sure thing. Go tee it up sometime when you can someday.
121 Burlington Path Rd
Cream Ridge, NJ
609-758-3588
www.gamblerridge.com
Explore the Premier Golf Destinations of
MORRIS COUNTY
Discover the diverse and picturesque golf experiences that Morris County offers. From the stunning highland views at Berkshire Valley, the lush dual courses at Flanders Valley, the challenging terrains of Sunset Valley, to the accessible executive rounds at Pinch Brook - each course brings its own unique challenges and pristine conditions.
BOOK YOUR NEXT ROUND OR EVENT AT NEW JERSEY’S TOPRATED COURSES.
Perfect for players of all levels and ideal for tournaments, corporate events, and memorable outings. morriscountygolfcourses.com
LaBar Golf Breaks Ground in the West with New California Operations
LaBar Golf, a nationally recognized leader in high-end golf course construction, renovation and irrigation, proudly announces a major expansion with the opening of a new West Coast Office in the Coachella Valley. The regional office marks a strategic expansion to the Western U.S., positioning LaBar Golf to better service its growing portfolio of projects across California, Hawaii, Arizona, Washington, and Nevada.
LaBar Golf, headquartered in Bernardsville, New Jersey, has secured land for its new facility in Indio, Riverside County, with construction set to begin late this year and the official opening anticipated for early 2026. The new campus will house operational staff, support project coordination, and serve as a hub for a full fleet of construction, renovation and irrigation equipment.
“This move represents the next chapter for LaBar Golf,” said Rich LaBar, Founder and CEO. “With our expanding roster of highprofile projects across the western region, our West Coast Office gives us the ability to scale efficiently while maintaining the quality, time-
liness, and precision we’re known for.”
LaBar’s West Coast expansion kicked off with a bunker renovation of The Plantation Club in Indio, California, last month with additional secured projects in California including:
Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena this fall with Todd Eckenrode, Origins Golf Designs and Irrigation Designer, Brent Harvey (Harvey Irrigation Pros), 2025
Sequoyah Country Club in Oakland with Jay Blasi Design and Irrigation Designer, Russell D. Mitchell and Associates (RMA), 2026
La Rinconada Country Club in Los Gatos with Todd Eckenrode, Origins Golf Design and Irrigation Designer, Russell D. Mitchell and Associates (RMA), 2026
Burlingame Country Club in Hillsborough with Todd Eckenrode, Origins Golf Design and Irrigation Designer, Russell D. Mitchell and Associates (RMA) 2027
• These efforts complement a series of
recent and upcoming projects across the state, including:
PGA WEST - Dye Stadium Course in La Quinta with Tim Liddy + Associates and Irrigation Designer, Brent Harvey, Harvey Irrigation Pros
Ladera Golf Club in Thermal with Hanse Golf Course Design
The Quarry at La Quinta in La Quinta with Fazio Design Associates and Irrigation Designer, Brent Harvey, Harvey Irrigation Pros
Eldorado Country Club in Indian Wells with Irrigation Designer, Brent Harvey, Harvey Irrigation Pros
• Beyond California, LaBar Golf is also actively managing new projects in Arizona, Washington, and Nevada, further extending its reputation for excellence throughout the Western United States.
• For more information about LaBar Golf and updates on its national and regional projects, please visit www.labargolf.com.
White Clay Creek Country Club A Delaware Must Play
By, Sean Fawcett
Around at White Clay Creek Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware is worth the drive from anywhere. Seriously. If you can get a chance to play White Clay Creek Country Club, do it.
A Kemper Sports® property opened in 2005 positioned around the Delaware Park Racetrack and formerly partnered with the neighboring Delaware Park Casino, White Clay Creek is a beautiful, meticulously maintained, and super challenging natural gem designed by famed architects Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest that every golfer from anywhere and every ability will simply enjoy playing, and playing, and playing again and again.
Minutes from Philadelphia and and a short drive from Atlantic City, and Shore Points in Delaware, White Clay Creek Country Club is centrally, and conveniently, located to golfers throughout the Tri-State Region.
A GolfPass Golfer’s Choice: Best Golf Courses in Delaware:#4(2020, 2021 and 2022, White Clay Creek Country Club was constructed with a focus on environmental sensitivity. The land’s natural beauty has been enhanced by the retention of its native horticulture, a supervised stream restoration and wildlife habitat preservation. The 7,007-yard, par-72 layout features five sets of tees to
appeal to both new and experienced players. The facility also includes a 40,000-square foot clubhouse, 12-acre outdoor practice facility and indoor golf academy, fully equipped pro shop, banquet facilities and local dining favorite, At The Rail Wine Bar & Grille.
“The course is all Bent Grass, which is unique to the Region,” said White Clay Creek’s PGA Head Golf Professional Luke Neubauer.
“We feature pedestal greens and have 32 crossings to and from on bridges over water.”
WCCCC opens with a cool little Par 4 with
a bunker square in the middle of the fairway with the approach playing over the White Clay Creek. Aim your drive to the left side of the bunker to set up an ideal angle for your second shot. By avoiding the bunker, you’ll have a clear approach to the green, minimizing risk and setting yourself up for an opportunity at a green in regulation.
“My favorite hole on the Front Nine is Number 8,” said Neubauer. “ It’s right dogleg to a long, kidney bean-shaped green. On this Par 5, the right fairway bunkers are your friend.
Aim your tee shot toward them to avoid the water hazard on the left. This will set you up for a strong second shot and leave you in a position to go for the green in regulation, and for some, a chance at Eagle.
“Hole 14 is a fun hole I really enjoy. Take an aggressive approach off the tee to give yourself the best angle for a mid or short iron into the green. This strategy rewards confident drivers and opens up more scoring opportunities. There is a valley on the green, also. The undulating putting surface makes for some interesting and exciting putts to get to try.”
The course’s signature hole is its Sixth. This long Par 4 demands a well-executed tee shot.
Focus on hitting a controlled drive that finds the fairway, as the length of this hole means you’ll likely be playing a long iron or hybrid into the green. Staying in position off the tee is vital for success here.
Natural beauty and tons of wildlife, from fox, deer, beaver and a bald eagle are also signatures of White Clay Creek. First Class service is another signature of WCCC, headed by Founding Member and General Manager Ryan Kidwell, PGA, formerly of the world famous Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, Florida. Ryan’s expertise extends to event coordination at the highest level. During his time at Grand Cypress, he successfully
organized notable PGA and LPGA events, including the Chrysler Plymouth Tournament of Champions, The Healthsouth Classic, and the 1990 World Cup of Golf.
Superintendent Josh Weaver, GCSAA, formerly of Trump National D.C., and his crew add to the high level of quality you’ll experience when golfing a round at White Clay Creek.
“I’m very fortunate to be a part of a huge, caring and dedicated team here at White Clay Creek,” said Neubauer. “ Josh is the reason we’re a pedigree above. He seriously is. His and his team’s hard work really shows up and makes the course so pretty and an absolute joy to play. Ryan’s experience working with the Tours and legends like Davis Love, coming from Grand Cypress, is just incredible.
“Our Starters and our Player Assistants and everyone else treat all our guests like family. It doesn’t hurt having the Casino(Delaware Park), who we were a part of until 2020, but still work closely together with, right here, also. It’s a great partnership.”
The Rail Wine Bar and Grille is a perfect place to have a great meal and reflect on your round afterwards.
“ You just have to come and experience White Clay Creek for yourself,” said Neubauer. “ If you do, you won’t be disappointed.”
www.whiteclaycreek.com
Blue Heron
From Golfers to Picklers Of Course! We still play GOLF!!!
How Pickleball and Golf Changed my Life and I’m not the only one!
By CLAUDIO DEMARCHI
Golf, and in particular golf tourism provides me the opportunity to say, everyday, “if you love what you do you never work another day in your life.” From owning a golf destination marketing agency for over 25 years, to now only working for Golfing Magazine and the greatest golf tourism organization in the world, IAGTO, The International Association of Golf Tour Operators. It has been truly unreal to play at the finest golf resorts and destinations in the world, and do it with an amazing collection of people from all over the world. Additionally, I get to help those in the business, to build their business, through the IAGTO. None of my friends believe what I do is work. It is the most wonderful life.
Then came Pickleball, a newbie to say the least. With age comes the myth of “Aging Gracefully.” Long story short, a medical condition had caused me to gain over 30 lbs, a little more care on the eating and drinking, plus my new addiction to Pickleball, 4 times per week, 6 months later, the 38lbs are gone! Pickleball has change my life!
Golf and fly fishing will always have their place, but Pickleball, churns on the brain. It turns out that I am not the only one in the golf tourism industry that have fallen into the Pickleball frenzy. My good friend and now former owner of Golf Packages of South Carolina, Ricky Saucier, sold the business just before COVID, now, blends family life with Pickleball.
Ed Holofcener brings the passion to a whole ne level. The founder/owner of Golf Zoo, North America’s premier golf packaging company has managed to find himself playing in a number of US Open Pickleball Championships. More about these 2 gentlemen later, and we will look at a few options for golf and pickleball trips.
With Pickleball being the fastest growing sport in the world, and not only for older people, that would go into the fast-growing misinformation category. Golfing Magazine
is committing to bringing you Pickleball information on a regular basis. From equipment, shoes, paddles and safety wear to Golf & Pickleball places to Stay & Play, and maybe even some trips to join us on.
The week leading up to Christmas last year, some friend’s aske me to come and try this Pickleball thing. Having been a racquet sports guys most of my life, I thought, let’s see what all the craze is about. One session was all it took, although at a Mickey Mouse facility, (no offence to Mickey), I was hooked. Between Christmas and New Year, I bought
a good mid range Selkirk EVO Control XL 2.0 paddle and immediately went to check out the class act of Pickleball facilities in the area Swing Courts, in Collingwood, Ontario. The next week I joined. You can now find me there at least 4 times per week. Of note, the next few things that I added to my Pickleball collection were a great pair of Skechers Viper Court Rally Shoes with their Goodyear traction soles, most important and a protective glass from Dunlop. Truth be known, because I wear wide shoes pretty much everything, I wear is Skechers espe-
cially for golf and now Pickleball. Swing Courts Collingwood First class from the moment you walk through the door, with well maintained, professional and regulation-sized courts, wonderful staff and many options for memberships. Having come along in the game fairly quickly, and I only say that because I know that opponents are preferring to hit the ball to my partners. That is a good sign. However, after only 5 months, in order to get better I, along with my buddies Sean and Mark we have embarked on a lesson program with one of our toplevel coaches, Rob Williams. The Swing Academy programs are designed for all levels of players. Swing also provides non competitive and competitive opportunities to meet some great people everyday! www.swingcourts.com
Equipment Note: Skechers Viper Court Rally
Whether you’re a tournament competitor or weekend warrior, the Viper Court Rally is designed for players who want agility, control, and all-day comfort on the court. Engineered specifically for pickleball, this lightweight performance shoe features Goodyear® rubber outsoles for superior traction and stability on any court surface—indoor or out. The breathable mesh upper offers secure support without sacrificing flexibility, while Skechers Arch Fit® technology delivers podiatrist-certified arch support for long matches and quick pivots. Offering a responsive feel and confident grip in every step, the Viper Court Rally is a go-to for players who demand speed and versatility, without compromise. www.skechers.com
As your skills evolve, so should your paddle. I took the liberty with my years spent playing, ping pong, tennis and racquetball to move into a little bit more of an mid-range paddle to start with.
Equipment Note: Selkirk SLK EVO Control -XL
The EVO Control upgrades the classic experience for advancing players. Boasting a thicker, 16mm Rev-Control Core and a T700 CarbonFusion Carbon Fiber surface, this thermoformed paddle absorbs impact, improves playability, and delivers excellent control. You will experience pinpoint precision on every shot with a touch of added power, making the EVO Control your perfect partner for dominating the court at the next level. www.selkirk.com
Injury Report: Make sure your paddle handle is the right size for you. A handle to small will cause finger and possibly elbow pain because you will be holding the paddle tighter than you should. A simple handle wrap will take care of that. This is first hand personal experience.
For most of his life, my good friend Ricky Saucier a life long South Carolinian played golf, tennis and ping pong and at fairly highly competitive levels. After selling his Golf Packages of South Carolina business, he needed a new challenge at this time. After 2 years of neighbor hounding him to join him in chasing that silly whiffleball, Ricky at 62 years of age, gave in. That neighbor just happened to be an ambassador for Pickleball in the Charleston area and now Ricky self admittedly says, “I’ve never been addicted to anything like the bug that bit me that first night.” I can understand.
Fast forward, two years later, Ricky is playing play 4 to 5 times a week, a few tournaments from South Carolina down to Florida, even his wife Jan has got-
ten into the act. Together they established a hat and t-shirt company dedicated to Pickleball Players…Blind Squirrel Pickleball, LLC. www.BlindSquirrelPickleball.net Ricky added, “this is great fun for both of us, and just the other week, I read an article that spoke about how racquet and paddle sports lead to a longer life.”
For anyone thinking of taking up Pickleball, Ricky, now playing at a 4.0 level, has some thoughts and advise to make this just as enjoyable for you as it is for us.
• Stretch before and after you play, no matter what your age.
• Hydrate: electrolytes and protein bars; keep them in your bag.
• Footwear; court shoes only—no running shoes. Too easy to fall, the Orthopedist loves Pickleball Players.
• Protective Eyewear is a must. 47% of Pickleball players will get hit in the eye! You don’t want to be one of them. A Pickleball traveling at 40+ MPH can cause some severe damage.
• If you are playing outdoors: Sunscreen; just like the golf course. Sweat Bands, hats, visors and towels. Make sure you have them.
• Have fun; there are loads of great people
out there.
• Lastly, keep the Epson Salt handy. After you’ve been playing for 3 hours; it’s 85 degrees and 90% humidity and you want to crawl to your car; there are those three folks that look at you and say OMG! Come on just ONE MORE GAME!
Ricky also added, “you may also want to consider for your vehicle, especially after getting a severe sweat on, portable seat covers will protect your seats from getting stinky.”
What does a 4.0 rated Pickleballer play with……and understand that Ricky is a believer in “you get what you pay for.” Be it for golf equipment or Pickleball. He says “don’t go cheap to try and get by.” After I played for my first time, I spoke to Ricky on what I should look for in a good introductory paddle for someone who also had played tennis, racquetball and ping pong in the past. That is how I ended up with my Selkirk EVO Control XL 2.0 paddle.
At his level, Ricky is currently playing with 2 paddles, the Selkirk Luxx Control Air S2 which provided him with his biggest game improvement and has added the Engage Pursuit Pro
1, 6.0 Hybrid Raw T700 Carbon Fiber. It just so happens that I have moved on from my first paddle to a Selkirk Luxx Control Air S2, and love it! Wonder how that happened?
Equipment Note: LUXX Control Air –Epic: Where Control reigns Supreme
The Selkirk LUXX Control Air pickleball paddle is the ultimate control paddle for balanced pickleball players, finesse over brute force. The LUXX Control Air is for the tacticians, the players who seek to orchestrate wins with precision, and those who look to celebrate their relentless dedication to the game of pickleball with every shot. www.selkirk.com
Engage Pursuit Pro 1, 6.0
Hybrid Raw T700 Carbon Fiber
One of Engages latest creations for players looking for the perfect blend of Power, Control and Playability. This paddle continues to use technologies from the Pro1 while bringing a new shape to the market.
www.EngagePickleball.com
Paddles, just like your golf clubs, as your handicap goes down, you want to tweak your equipment. It is the same in Pickleball. You will find a paddle to get you started and as
you advance, you will find your niche and the type of paddle to use. Power, Control or somewhere in between. Many local clubs have demo paddles to loan as well as companies online that offer loaners. Try a few before you make that purchase. The game has evolved to a faster pace; its not just dinking anymore.
Playing as much as he does, Ricky has 3 pairs of court shoes on the go, Asics FlyteFoam, Wilson Rush Pro Ace, and his absolute favorite is the new Skechers Viper Court Pro 2.0. Having played about 15 tournaments over the last year and half, Ricky and his partner are looking to defend their title at The Palmetto Indoor Doubles Invitational in Aiken, SC, last year at the 3.5 rating this year moving up to the 4.0 level!
Equipment Note: Skechers Viper Court Pro 2.0 – Where the Rubber Meets the Court
The Viper Court Pro 2.0 features Skechers’ signature advanced comfort technologies found in the first iteration in an updated design constructed with the elitelevel pickleball player in mind. Key technical features include an innovative mesh
upper for breathability with a rubber toe guard for durability, a Skechers Relaxed Fit® proprietary shoe design for a roomy fit, plus lightweight, responsive Ultra Flight® cushioning for added comfort. The Skechers Arch Fit® removable insole system also provides podiatrist-certified arch support and a mid-foot TPU shank for additional stability. Elite players will appreciate the inclusion of a Goodyear® rubber outsole for added stability and durability. This uniquely designed compound allows high-impact athletes to perform more advanced, controlled slides into shots on the court surface. The outsole of the Viper Court Pro 2.0 is indoor/outdoor and non-marking. This court-ready shoe comes in various colorways and is available on skechers.com and select retailers worldwide. www.skechers.com
To reach the level that he did as quickly as he did, just like anything else, lessons and practice in golf, it’s lessons and drills in Pickleball. Ricky has taken his share of lessons, and has even spent 3 days at an Advanced Camp for 4.0 to 4.5 DUPR rated players. Learning drills and how to practice drills, He says, “It is worth it weight in gold” and added, “if you want to get better, you’ve gotta Drill!”
You’ve no doubt heard that old term of saving the best for last. Both Ricky and I want to be the player that my good friend Ed Holofcener owner of Golf Zoo is. Golf Zoo is one of North America’s premier golf tour operators is when it comes to Golf and coming soon, Pickleball.
Note: Upcoming Golf & Pickleball articles will include Stay & Play resorts and destinations featuring just that, and Golf Zoo will likely be able to get you there, should you choose of course.
www.golfzoo.com
Ed grew up playing tennis and skiing. His family owned a ski and tennis shop, so he played a lot of tennis as a kid playing high school and college tennis. After that, he played interclub team tennis. After some tennis burnout golf was added to his repertoire. A good athlete and quick learner, he now plays a few times a week, carrying a 10 handicap and “likes” golf but he, like many others, LOVES pickleball! With Golf Zoo he travels the world playing golf, and he uses that platform to spread the word about pickleball worldwide.
Ed moves back and forth, winter in Florida and summer in Maryland. It was in Florida, in 2017 that he was first introduced to Pickleball and as he likes to say, “It was
love at first slam.” His competitive nature got him into tournaments quickly and in his first year, won a gold medal at the Maryland Senior Olympics at the 4.0+ level in singles and men’s doubles. He was hooked and
has continued to play in tournaments all around the US, won a Bronze Medal at the 2024 US Open at the 4.0 and now will compete at a 4.5 level in the 2025 US Open. Ed has played in well over 50 tournaments, singles and doubles and has over 50 medals to show for his efforts. It was after a number of visits to the US Open that he finally nabbed a medal men’s singles in 2024.
Power 14mm is engineered to elevate your game, delivering explosive power, pinpoint accuracy, and ultimate control—all while meeting the new 2025 PBCoR and USAP Quiet Category standards. Whether you’re crushing winners or executing delicate resets, this paddle gives you the winning edge without compromising on performance. www.GearboxSports.com
The all-important footwear and eyewear. Another guy with a wide foot Ed finds the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam X 1007 (hard court shoe) as his preferred. He has worn New Balance for tennis and now pickleball for many years and finds it has good wear and a comfortable fit. He uses the RIA eyewear, Model One [Court HD+] for sunglasses as he mostly plays outdoors year-round (MD / FL). They produce a very high-quality lens and frame that are light weight and durable and good protection for his eyes.
Equipment Note: Fresh Foam X 1007 Fresh Foam X midsole delivers our most cushioned Fresh Foam experience for incredible comfort while the NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes. Breathable upper for comfort through marathon matches with durable synthetic toe guard and stabilizers. www.NewBalance.com
Ed Holofcener, Founder of Golf Zoo
GOLF & PICKLEBALL RESORTS
Golfing Magazine is pleased to have joined the Pickleball craze. Jump on board with us and enjoy a smash or 2, you might even get involved with some dinking and drinking! It has happened before. In the meantime here are a few popular Golf & Pickleball resorts and destinations that can satisfy both addictions.
Arizona
The Phoenician, a luxury Collection Resort: An AAA Five-Diamond award-winning luxury resort showcasing the unique beauty of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. The Phoenician and Troon Golf partnership provides access to several golf courses including Troon North, Boulders Golf Club, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, SunRidge Canyon Golf Club, The Westin Kierland Golf Club and many more. Guess what? The Phoenician Athletic Club offers Pickleball, plus Tennis, badminton and even Table Tennis.
www.ThePhoenician.com
California
Pebble Beach Resorts: It’s dramatic coastline, magical forest, and rich history make it a legendary place. It’s 5 courses include the
Silverado Resort: Elegance, nestled in the heart of California’s Wine Country, Silverado Resort offers a refined escape where comfort and sophistication come naturally. Home to two championship golf courses, the North and South Courses feature dramatic elevation changes, water crossings, and ancient oaks. The North Course proudly hosts an annual PGA Tour event Procore Championship.
Precision, Play, and Pinot Just Steps Away. Access to Silverado Resort’s pickleball courts is reserved exclusively for resort guests and members, offering a premier playing experience in the heart of Napa Valley.
www.SliveradoResort.com
Florida: A great place to escape cold winters if you are the north, with options galore.
Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa: located 25 minutes south of historic St. Augustine, is a premier Florida family vacation beach destination overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. With two signature golf courses designed by golf’s greatest legends,
PGA Champions Tour.
The Racquet Center at Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa offers premier racquet sports experiences for all skill levels. Recognized as one of “The World’s Top 50 Tennis Resorts” and a 2025 Gold Medal Tennis and 2025 Silver Medal Pickleball Resort by Tennis Resorts Online. Four new pickleball courts overlooking the Intercoastal Waterway with open play hours, beginner clinics, and advanced sessions, for both tennis and pickleball enthusiasts.
www.HammockBeach.com
Innisbrook Resort : One of Florida’s most celebrated Golf Resorts. Accolades include Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 You Can Play,” and Golf Digest’s “Top 75 Golf Resorts in America.” Innisbrook is home to four outstanding layouts – all designed by the imaginative and innovative architect Lawrence Packard – including the top-rated Copperhead course which hosts the world’s finest players when the PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship visits Innisbrook each March.
Pickleball and Tennis facilities include, 10 Har-Tru tennis courts and both indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, programs for all ages and skill-sets, and tournaments through-
Saddlebrook Resort: The iconic 480-acre Resort just north of Tampa, Florida is well into it’s $92 million revitalization project. The expansive redevelopment is reestablishing the legacy property as a premier haven for leisure travelers, golfers, tennis aficionados, and now includes the fastest growing sport in the world PICKLEBALL!
World-renowned golf course architect Rees Jones is spearheading a dramatic redesign of Saddlebrook’s historic golf grounds. The vision: transform the two existing 18-hole layouts—originally designed by Arnold Palmer—into a versatile 27-hole championship experience. The three newly conceived nine-hole courses can be rotated in various combinations to create three distinct 18-hole challenges. Upon completion, the three ninehole layouts will converge near the resort’s redesigned 500,000-gallon Super Pool.
Beyond golf, Saddlebrook continues its legacy as a world-class sports training facility. The resort features 43 tennis courts, eight pickleball courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center, serene spa, and a forthcoming multi-court padel complex.
www.Saddlebrook.com
Indiana
French Lick Resort: A place like no other in Southern Indiana. Nowhere else in the world can you play courses designed by Pete Dye and Donald Ross together at one resort. The Pete Dye Course, sketched on a napkin and carved into history. This course hosted the Senior PGA Championship in 2015. Senior PGA
champion Colin Montgomerie called it “one of the iconic courses” in America.
The Donald Ross Course, built in 1917, this award-winning course maintains nearly all the classic elements of its original design. This par-70 course has been rated the No. 2 public course in Indiana by Golfweek every year since 2011.
The West Baden Springs Hotel (my favorite hotel lobby in the world) is an architectural marvel and one of many crown jewels of the resort. The National Historic Landmark was originally built in 1902 and restored in 2007. The hotel features six circular stories with rooms and suites that offer views of the spectacular atrium. The hotels atrium was the largest free-span dome until the Houston Astrodome was built in the 1960’s. Thus dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
YES, pickleball too! Courts are located at booth French Lick Casino Hotel and in East Park at West Baden Springs Hotel. www.FrenchLick.com
Michigan
Boyne Golf: Eleven golf courses and 3 Resorts, set between the stunning shores of Lake Michigan and the lush and rugged hills of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Eleven courses, each distinctly different, from legendary golf architects like Arthur Hills, Robert Trent Jones Senior, and Donald Ross. The sport taking the country by storm has arrive at Boyne Mountain. Brand new courts nestled in the backdrop of Northern Michigan. www.BoyneGolf.com
South Carolina
Palmetto Dunes Ocean Front Resort–Hilton Head. Three of Hilton Head Island’s Premier Championship Golf Courses and More! The Robert Trent Jones Oceanfront Course, has been rated by readers of Golfweek Magazine among the best courses in the Southeast. Many golfers regard the George Fazio Course as Hilton Head Island’s most challenging championship course. The Arthur Hills Course, blends the beauty of the Lowcountry with the inherent challenges of the game to produce a unique golfing experience. Named the “#1 Family Resort in the World” by Travel+Leisure, Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort is a full-service resort that offers more to do that any other resort in the Southeast.
Put tennis, badminton and ping pong in a cocktail shaker, and you’ve got Pickleball. And no one serves up this unique and fun sport like Palmetto Dunes. Their Tennis & Pickleball Center features 24 dedicated Pickleball courts, 8 lighted for night play, plus one of the most comprehensive instructional programs on the east coast.
www.PalmettoDunes.com
Texas
Horseshoe Bay Resort: Located in the picturesque Texas Hill Country Wine and Lake Region, a short 45-minute trip from Austin, 90-minute trip from San Antonio and a few hours drive from Dallas and Houston, the 7,000-acre, AAA Four Diamond-rated resort
sits along the shores of constant-level lake LBJ. Top-notch golf to add to your bucket list with three golf courses designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and a signature Jack Nicklaus members-only course.
Slick Rock: Along the shores of Lake LBJ and home of the “Million Dollar Hole” and a 35-foot waterfall, one of the most photographed signature holes in Texas.
Apple Rock: Overlooks Horseshoe Bay and Lake LBJ, making it one of the most scenic championship courses in the state.
Ram Rock: Known as “The Challenger” and recognized by publications as being one of the world’s most outstanding golf courses.
Summit Rock
Their exclusive, members-only Jack Nicklaus Signature Course is a 72-par masterpiece with dramatic elevation changes and panoramic Texas Hill Country views.
World-Class Pickleball in Texas, Resort guests are welcome to enjoy a world-class pickleball on 14 dedicated pickleball courts. www.HSBResort.com
Virginia
Colonial Williamsburg Resorts : Nestled in the heart of historic Colonial Williamsburg, amidst the picturesque landscape of Virginia’s Tidewater region, Colonial Williamsburg Resorts stands as a beacon for both avid golfers and history enthusiasts alike. Boasting an unparalleled golfing experience at the prestigious Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, this resort destination
offers a perfect blend of luxury, recreation, and cultural immersion.
The Gold Course a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design established in 1963, a Top 75 Public Golf Course in America. Robert Trent Jones Sr. called it “My Finest Design.” It has more accolades than you can shake a stick at!
The Green Course, a beautifully carved Rees Jones design that perfectly blends the challenge of championship golf with a spectacular mix of natural terrain.
A Pickleball Paradise, recently installed pickleball nets allow you and your fellow travelers to enjoy a recreation sensation at The Williamsburg Inn Tennis Club! www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/stay-play/
…..and for some offshore Caribbean considerations…..
Dominican Republic
Casa de Campo Resort & Villas: A private gated community with eight outstanding restaurants, three world-renowned golf courses, an exclusive beach, marina and yacht club,
VIP Airport perfect for private jets, an equestrian center, 245 acre shooting facility, shopping, and numerous on-site activities and family programs, all of which surround Altos de Chavon, a replica 16th century Mediterranean artist village with breath-taking views.
Three of the most challenging courses in the Caribbean, each designed by Pete Dye. Teeth of the Dog, #1 Golf Course In the Caribbean. A bucket list layout for those seeking to play one of the premier golf courses in the world. With seven dramatic holes hugging the craggy coral formations rising out of the azure Caribbean Sea. As Dye famously quipped, “I created 11 holes and God created seven.”
Not to be overlooked Dye Fore, 3 nines Chavon, Marina and Lagos– are distinct. Chavon features 5 cliff side holes dropping 300 feet, Marina plays down the Chavon rivers and offers panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and the Marina at Casa de Campo.
THE LARGEST RACQUET CENTER
IN THE CARIBBEAN. Slice, serve, and find your sweet spot under the warm Caribbean sun on the largest racquet center in the Caribbean! Boasting 11 immaculate fast-dry Har-Tru tennis courts, 1 hard surface tennis court, 4 padel tennis courts, and 4 pickleball courts with the Caribbean in the background. The Racquet Center is the perfect place for players of all levels to enjoy a tennis vacation in the Caribbean. www.CasdeCampo.com.do
Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club: Set on 380-acres overlooking the picturesque Rendezvous Bay and Merrywing Bay, The Resort offers a soulful sense of place that honors the rich culture of Anguilla in the British West Indies. The Greg Norman newly reimagined 18-Hole International Course, named #3 Best Caribbean Course by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice, offers breathtaking views and challenging, dramatic holes. Players are greeted by spectacular view of St. Maarten and the Caribbean Sea.
Pickleball Paradise Awaits, opportunities include: Exclusive Ladies Packages, Pickle Training Camp, Pickle and Yoga, Spring Fling Pickleball Extravaganza and Dem Days to name a few.
www.AuroraAnguilla.com
Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club
Check out our awesome lineup of golf hotspots across the U.S., Caribbean, and beyond. Play & Walk where the Pros Play on legendary courses, relax at top of the line resorts or if your group isn't looking for the best of the best, we have quality packages for every budget. Let's Go!
