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golfing New Jersey / Pennsylvania Edition Fall 2026

NEW JERSEY & PENNSLYVANIA’S GOLF & LIFESTYLE AUTHORITY

M A G A Z I N E

Shore Gate Golf Club A JERSEY SHORE GEM OPEN ALL YEAR LONG

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Linwood Country Club Two Historic Golf Courses Revitalized New PGA Tour Superstore Opens GOLFING MAGAZINE

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CONTENTS

08 YOU DON’T HAVE TO STOP

PLAYING GOLF IN THE WINTER

A bevy of New Jersey courses will stay open during the winter if the weather permits.

32 DESTINATION GOLF Tidewater Golf Club

20 LINWOOD COUNTRY CLUB

One of the oldest country clubs at the Shore

24 STAPLES GOLF DESIGN REVITALIZES TWO HISTORIC GOLF COURSES Arcola Country Club And Garden City Country Club

26 SPIRIT GOLF MANAGEMENT

ANNOUNCES $25 MILLION CLUBHOUSE AT FIVE PONDS GOLF CLUB IN WARMINSTER, PA

30 NEW PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE OPENS

New products designed to improve your game,

DEPARTMENTS 4 FROM THE PUBLISHER 32 TRAVEL 50 PRO SHOP GOLFING MAGAZINE

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

A NEW SEASON, MORE WAYS TO PLAY

Fall has always been one of my favorite times of the year to play golf. The temperatures cool down, the courses become a little less crowded and the changing colors provide a backdrop that reminds us just how special golf in the Northeast can be. But as you’ll see in this issue of Golfing Magazine, the arrival of colder weather doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to put the clubs away. We take a look at courses where golfers can continue playing well into the winter, particularly along the New Jersey shore, where milder temperatures often extend the season. We also visit Linwood Country Club, a South Jersey classic dating to 1920 that remains a wonderful example of the character and strategy found in courses from golf’s early That combination of respecting golf’s past while continuing to improve the game is another theme you’ll find throughout these pages. We look at the work being done at historic Arcola Country Club, where renovations are designed to preserve the course’s Golden Age character while improving playability for today’s golfer Golf continues to evolve, but what keeps bringing us back hasn’t changed: great

courses, good friends, memorable trips and the anticipation of the next round. As another season begins to wind down, we hope this issue gives you a few more reasons not to put the clubs away just yet.

Cheers

Sean Fitzsimmons Publisher

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PUBLISHER Sean Fitzsimmons 908-433-1999

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SENIOR WRITER Sean Fawcett 609-661-9259

CONTRIBUTORS Mark William Paul Kerry Weigner

jsgolfcoachsdf@comcast.com Reproduction of the contents of this publication is prohibited without written permission of the publisher. Publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions. 604 Jersey Ave Spring Lake Heights, NJ 07762 908-433-1999

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YOU DON’T HAVE TO STOP PLAYING GOLF IN THE WINTER While your buddies are watching football and professional golf tournaments from some warm weather retreats, you can still be knocking it around at a number of courses. BY SEAN FITZSIMMONS

McCullough’s Emerald Golf Links (www.McCulloughsGolf.com), is a tribute to famed European layouts, such as St. Andrew’s, Prestwick, Gleneagles and Turnberry. 8

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Harbor Pines Golf Club ( www.HarborPines.com) in Egg Harbor is a rather open layout that has plenty of water and bunkers.

Even if some snow does fall, the courses may close but will re-open if Mother Nature cooperates. While your buddies are watching football and professional golf tournaments from some warm weather retreats, you can still be knocking it around at a number of courses. The Atlantic City area is a very affordable year-round golf destination. It is typically warmer down at the shore as the salt air and

“A bevy of New Jersey courses will stay open during the winter if the weather permits.” milder temperatures allow for more golfing days than in Philadelphia, Northern Jersey and beyond. It’s the same Atlantic City experience at a great rate. While it is true that courses along the coast usually face less severe winters, especially when it comes to long-lasting snowfall, inland

tracks will remain open as long as Old Man Winter doesn’t get too nasty from December through February. Whether or not a club is open is on a courseby-course or even day-to-day basis. Some may prefer to not deal with slow days caused by cold temperatures, others may choose to open on selected days, and some keep their fairways open throughout the winter, again, as long as the snow or ice doesn’t pile up and stick around for too long. Here are some courses that will remain open this winter, again weather permitting. Call ahead before visiting a course just to make sure it’s open for business, even if the weather seems favorable. The Seaview Golf Club (www.StocktonSeaview.com) in Galloway features two championship golf courses–The Bay and Pines courses. The links-style Bay Course hosted the 1942 PGA won by Sam Snead and was designed by Donald Ross. The Bay Course is loaded with superb holes and, like Atlantic City Country Club, offers cool views of the Atlantic City skyline across the GOLFING MAGAZINE

Shore Gate Golf Club (www.ShoreGateGolf.com) in Oceanview is both interesting and intimidating.

bay. Several of the holes either end or start near the bay or run along it. While not overly long at 6,247 yards from the tips, the course is nonetheless is a good test of course management and proper club selection. Tall fescue grasses line many of the fairways during the warm months and there are ample bunkers and occasional wetlands or water to catch the wayward shot. The brainchild of the design team of Toomey and Flynn, the Pines Course was carved from woodlands surrounding the resort and features tight fairways and well-protected landing areas. Longer (6,731 yards from the tips) than the Bay Course, the Pines demands precision off the tee and steady approaches to the ample greens. Three of the four par-fives can be reached in two by big hitters, but there are five par-fours–including the monstrous 468yard 17th–that play over 400 yards from the tips. The back side features three par-threes, including back-to-back holes on 15 and 16, both of which measure well over 200 yards. Twisted Dune Golf Club (www.TwistedDune. com) in Egg Harbor is a links-style course that 10

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was built in a residential area, but it works well. The course was designed by Archie Struthers in a links style, with the track winding through a “twisted” landscape, and offering dramatic elevation changes and contoured fairways. There are over 100 bunkers on this beast but the fairways are wide and the greens accepting of approach shots. Shore Gate Golf Club (www.ShoreGateGolf. com) in Oceanview is both interesting and intimidating. The Ron Fream-David Dale creation has deep greenside bunkers capped off by chocolate drop mounding that often presents a somewhat disconcerting scene when standing on the fairways and preparing to hit approach shots. McCullough’s Emerald Golf Links (www. McCulloughsGolf.com), located in Egg Harbor and designed by noted New Jerseybased golf course architect Stephen Kay, is a tribute to famed European layouts, such as St. Andrew’s, Prestwick, Gleneagles and Turnberry. McCullough’s 16th hole, for instance, is a replica of the “Postage Stamp” par-three hole at Scotland’s Royal Troon.

McCullough’s, quite appropriately, presents a decidedly Irish-Scottish feel, with wide open fairways, tricky winds, grass mounds, bunkers, natural waste areas and undulating greens. The Golf Course at Renault (www.RenaultWinery.com) in Egg Harbor City is a piece of a package that includes the Tuscany Hotel, a winery and the “gourmet” Restaurant at the Renault Winery. The course winds its way through and past grapevines and orchards. The track was designed by Ed Shearon and kept to owner Joseph Milza’s vision of a layout that is challenging for good players but also approachable for visitors of all skill levels. The Links at Brigantine Beach (www.BrigantineGolf.com) is yet another historic course designed by Wayne Stiles

and John Van Kleek, who created some fine courses at the turn of the 20th century. Brigantine has a sense of being a Scottish links layout, with berms, gently rolling fairways that are almost devoid of trees, tall grasses off the fairways, mounds and smallish, tricky greens typical of links courses. Brigantine, opened in 1927, has its own rich golf history. It is said that Walter Hagen and Harry Vardon played at Brigantine to acquire a feel for links courses before setting sail to play in Scotland at the British Open. Cape May National Golf Club (www.CPNGC.com) in Erma is one of the most natural golf courses ever built. Nicknamed “The Natural”, the course surrounds a fifty acre private bird sanctuary. Cape May National started a new trend in environmental sensitivity in course design while providing a classic

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Harbor Pines Golf Club ( www.HarborPines.com) in Egg Harbor is a rather open layout that has plenty of water and bunkers

Even if some snow does fall, the courses may close but will re-open if Mother Nature cooperates. turn of the century golf course that golfers love. In fact, Cape May National goes back to its roots to the late 1800s and its predecessor, Cape May Country Club. The course surrounds one of the largest private bird sanctuaries in the state of New Jersey. When you play you are immersed in natural beauty from the first hoe to the 18th. Harbor Pines Golf Club ( www.HarborPines.com) in Egg Harbor is a rather open layout that has plenty of water and bunkers. The track feels good and looks pleasing to the eye. Number 12 is one of the most photographed holes in New Jersey and 14

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visually a stunner. The tee shot on this 339yard par-four must clear a large pond and land in a small fairway that sits before the green. The putting surface is protected by bunkers all around and water to the rear. You can make birdie or double bogey here, depending upon your accuracy and length off the tee. It’s an example of a great, short par-four. Designed by legendary course architect Hal Purdy, Pebble Creek Golf Club (www.PebbleCreekGolf Club.com) in Colts Neck provides golfers with an enjoyable and memorable experience. The unique characteristics and differing landscapes of each hole presents a challenge for accomplished players while remaining player-friendly for beginners. The par-three 188-yard 18th is the easiest hole on the course, giving the players the opportunity to finish strong. The large, undulating green is surrounded by three bunkers that will catch any errant tee shots to the right or left.

LBI National Golf & Resort (www.LBINational.com) in Little Egg Harbor is situated on over 155-acres of meticulously maintained grounds nestled within the pinelands of South Jersey, the newly named LBI National is being re-imagined and revived. On-site amenities include a 31-room inn, a fully equipped conference center, and an on-site banquet room equipped to handle large-scale events. The first hole I a song 565-yardpar-tfive that lets you loosen up with the driver and fairway woods in your hands. The course plays almost 7,000 yards from the tips.

Ron Jaworski Golf Ron Jaworski G o l f ’s (www.RonJaworskiGolf.com) impressive portfolio of public daily fee courses includes

New Jersey properties Blue Heron Pines Golf Club in Galloway, Valleybrook Country Club in Blackwood, Ramblewood Country Club in Mount Laurel, Running Deer Golf Club in Pittsgrove, RiverWinds Golf and Tennis Club in West Deptford and Downington Country Club in Downington, Pennsylvania. B l u e H e ro n P i n e s G o l f C l u b (www.BlueHeronPines.com) is one of Jersey architect Stephen Kay’s best designs. It takes full advantage of the natural beauty of the area’s pinelands and is a pleasing blend of short and long par-fours, solid par-fives– several of which are reachable in two by big boppers–and great par-threes. There are numerous bunkers that come into play both off the tee and on approach shots to the medium-sized greens. Downingtown CC boasts immaculate course conditions and a welcoming, friendly

Blue Heron Pines Golf Club (www.BlueHeronPines.com) is one of Jersey architect Stephen Kay’s best designs.

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9 www.GolfingMagazine.net GOLFING MAGAZINE 17

staff that provides top level customer service that makes all RJG courses places to be. The course has been very busy this year. Downingtown draws from Chester, Bucks, and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania and has recently been seeing more people coming from Philadelphia, and South Jersey. Number nine on the Red Course is Ramblewood Country Club’s signature hole. The par-three has a beautiful backdrop and there are bunkers short and long left. A solid tee shot leaves a fair chance for birdie to wrap up the Red Course. At RiverWinds Golf and Tennis Club, course conditions have been outstanding the last two years, a testament to the club’s grounds staff and their hard work and dedication to the property. The signature hole here is number 17. A low-flighted shot is necessary when playing from an elevated tee box right next to the Delaware River, as the wind is always a major factor. Trajectory is everything when playing this short but tricky par-three.

Running Deer Golf Club is a course that will test every level of golfer. The course provides a truly unique experience where membership is accessible to all while retaining a private club feel. A classic risk-reward signature hole is the third, a short par-four that can play between 300 to 390 yards, depending on which tee box you play. Your tee shot is safe playing to the right and safely played with a shot that will put you between 100 to 150 yards out. An aggressive line with driver can reward you with a shorter approach. Valleybrook Country Club has expanded the tee boxes on holes one and 10 and there was a redesign of number nine’s green complex. The club also has a new cart fleet. The par-five ninth is one the course’s signature hole. It presents options of the tee to an undulating fairway. If you find the fairway, your second shot is an intimidating one. At the parthree 12th, you must carry your tee shot to the center of the green to avoid a false front.

LBI National Golf & Resort (www.LBINational.com) in Little Egg Harbor is situated on over 155-acres of meticulously maintained grounds nestled within the pinelands of South Jersey

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JACK FROST NATIONAL E M B R A C E T H E P O C O N O M O U N TA I N S ON THE GOLF COURSE

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Spectacular Views On And Off The Golf Course

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Relax, Drink, And Eat After Your Round At The Pavilion

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Take Golf Lessons Or Shape Up Your Game At The Practice Facility

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Ride The Course On A Finn Scooter

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Host Your Outing At Jack Frost National

WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU jackfrostnational.com • 570.443.2414 19 www.GolfingMagazine.net GOLFING MAGAZINE 21

GOLFING A ROUND AT LINWOOD COUNTRY CLUB

ONE OF THE OLDEST COUNTRY CLUBS AT THE SHORE

BY SEAN FAWCETT

Golfing a round at Linwood Country Club is definitely a round to remember. One of the oldest country clubs at the Shore is Linwood Country Club in Linwood, New Jersey. Founded in 1920, with its Herbert Strong designed golf course opening for its first round in March of the following year, Linwood Country Club was, and remains, one of the premiere private golf clubs in all of south Jersey. A kind of a combination of Seaview Country Club’s historic Bay and Pines courses with its marsh lined 7th, 8th and 9th holes and treelined Back Nine’s parkland fairways, Linwood Country Club is, as it was conceived just over a hundred and four years ago, a cozy, and quaint, little masterpiece of the classic golf courses of the great golfing era of the early 1900s. 22

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Opened for play starting in spring 1921, Linwood Country Club is one of the four oldest gold courses at The Shore. Nearby neighbor, Atlantic City Country Club, which began in 1897 just up the road in Northfield, Seaview’s Bay Course(1914) and Cape May Courthouse’s The Shore Club(then the Wildwood Golf and Country Club), which teed off in 1916, are the only three courses which are older. I am a history lover with a B.A. in History, so the history alone is a big, big reason why I love playing Linwood C.C., but the course is also why I love playing there. Measuring a fair, but challenging, 6,349 yards from the back, or blue, tees, and a very playable, and thoroughly satisfying, 6,019 yards from the whites, Linwood features three front nine par 3s(#3, #6 and #8) and just three par 5s(#9, #12 and #17).

Linwood’s signature hole is the 520-yard dogleg right par five 17th. The three-shot par 5 features more than 50 yards of Oakmont’s US Open t-inspired “Church Pew” bunkering down the right rough some 150 yards from the green. A dogleg right off the tee, and teeing off over the Club’s Entrance/Eit drive, the better tee ball calls for a slight draw, or right-to-left drive for a right-handed player down the fairway’s left side. The picturesque 8th hole, meanwhile, a 195-yard par 3 over water and sand, with sand right, and the S shaped par five 9th hole culminate a dramatic and thrilling finish to L.C.C.’s beguiling bayside Front Nine. With a putting surface pitched pretty sharply from Front to Back, Eight is a difficult green to hit, and then to hit and hold. Making a par, which will typically take a good chip and a made putt for an up-and-down a real victory from the back tee box. Nine plays right back to the 10th tee and

the clubhouse with a tiny two-tiered green elevated above the fairway with a small pond short and a sand trap guarding the left side and Approach. Another favorite of mine, and that of LCC’s members, as well, is the exciting Par 5 Twelfth. A drawing tee over the hill and down the speed slot will set up a golfer with a shot, albeit an outside chance, to get on, or near, the green in two. A small pond crosses the fairway at the bottom of the hill and fairway some 150 yards below the raised green. Most golfers are faced with either laying up short of the water and, from there, hitting 150-160-yard third shot to the green or risk carrying the water to be about 100 yards to a pitch, or chip, up the steeply sloped fairway just shy of the crowned green. The Par 5 Seventeenth is another highlight, driving the ball over the main entrance to the property and with the Oakmont-styled “church-pew” bunkers down the right-hand

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side. A two tiered green with plenty of slope makes making birdie a serious challenge and carding a par very, very satisfactorily. Linwood’s prime location with magnificent views of nearby Atlantic City highlight a day at LCC where the Public can come and enjoy it’s many firs-class dining venues like the gorgeous Shay’s Restaurant and Bar and The Fox Den, both overlooking the golf course. “The appeal of playing Linwood Country Club is the fact that as simple of a course that it appears on paper, it’s frustrating in a great way that it can’t be tamed. Wind, accuracy on

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the greens, great conditions makes Linwood a must play is the next time you play and you think you’ve got her beat to only fall to her charm,” said Linwood CC’s P.G.A Director of Golf, Jeffrey Bonicky. Among the many legendary Shore Courses in the greater Atlantic City Region, Linwood Country Club’s place among the Mount Rushmore of Seaview, Atlantic City CC and Greate Bay is a definite gimmee. For more information go to www.linwoodcountryclub.com

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STAPLES GOLF DESIGN REVITALIZES TWO HISTORIC GOLF COURSES A ARCOLA COUNTRY CLUB

AND GARDEN CITY COUNTRY CLUB BY SEAN FAWCETT

Staples Golf Design has recently completed renovations at two historic golf courses in the Northeast, Arcola Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey, and Garden City Country Club in Garden City, New York, taking Staples Golf to a new region of the country while bringing renewed life to these Golden Age classics. Led by Andy Staples, owner and principal architect of Staples Golf Design, the projects focused on restoring the architectural character and strategic intent of each course while making thoughtful improvements to playability, infrastructure, and long-term maintenance. Golf course construction firm LaBar Golf was the general contractor on both projects. “I’m incredibly honored to have worked with these two historic clubs,” said Andy Staples. “I 26

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believe the renovations exceeded their members’ goals and have them well positioned for the next 20 years.”

Arcola Country Club Arcola Country Club dates to 1909 and was designed by H.H. Barker, with involvement by Walter Travis. The Paramus club has a significant competitive history, most notably serving as a co-host of the 2022 U.S. Amateur alongside neighboring Ridgewood Country Club. Over the years, Arcola evolved through several renovations, including significant changes associated with the expansion of Route 4 and the Garden State Parkway. The work done by Staples Golf Design sought to instill a more

unified character back to the property, bringing together a respect for the club’s Golden Age history and original design intent. The renovation included a comprehensive bunker refresh, reconstruction of greens on Holes 1, 4, 9, 11, and 16, tee and fair-

“I’m incredibly honored to have worked with these two historic clubs”

“What Andy did for our Club is just phenomenal,” said Tim Casper, President of Arcola. “The members have been absolutely thrilled with the upgrades, and this project now reinforces our standing as one of the best courses in New Jersey.”

About Staples Golf

way adjustments, and an impactful rerouting of Holes 1 and 9 to improve circulation and playability while maximizing the club’s view of the New York skyline. The par-4 16th hole was also entirely reimagined, creating a green inspired by Barker’s design philosophy and realigning the existing creek for a true risk-reward hole to begin the closing stretch.

Founded in 2002, Staples Golf is a nationally renowned golf course architecture firm based in Scottsdale, AZ. Andy Staples is the architect of record for Belle Meade Country Club in Nashville, the historic 1916 Willie Park, Jr. designed Meadowbrook County Club in Northville, MI, and Phoenix Country Club in his home state of Arizona. Staples Golf implements sustainable, efficient designs and management practices on golf courses throughout the U.S. and is known for its classically-inspired design approach. Visit www.staplesgolfdesign.com for more details.

Arcola Country Club’s restoration honors the club’s Golden Age architecture while enhancing strategy, playability and long-term conditioning.

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SPIRIT GOLF MANAGEMENT POWERED BY SFC ANNOUNCES $25 MILLION CLUBHOUSE AT FIVE PONDS GOLF CLUB IN WARMINSTER, PA

Spirit Golf Management, a division of The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC), and a leading provider of golf management services, today announced a $25 million new clubhouse construction project at Five Ponds Golf Club (Warminster Township, PA), one of the premier municipal golf facilities in the region. The 27,000-square-foot clubhouse is designed to elevate the overall experience for golfers, event guests and visitors to the Bucks County facility. The new clubhouse will feature an event space accommodating up to 250 guests for banquets, weddings, parties and other gatherings, along with a 1,400-squarefoot pro shop offering golf equipment, apparel and accessories. Multiple kitchens will support both the event space and the new bar and grill, improving food-and-beverage service and operational efficiency. The event space and restaurant will each feature a large, covered patio, creating additional options for 30

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outdoor dining, private gatherings and smaller group events. Golf operations are expected to continue throughout construction, with tee times, league play, golf instruction and player-development programs remaining available. A temporary tented hospitality space, supported by a bar and kitchen trailer, will provide food-and-beverage service for golfers, practice-facility patrons and outing participants during the project. Municipal golf continues to play an increasingly important role in making the game accessible to local communities. According to the National Golf Foundation, the number of municipally owned and operated golf courses has increased by 7% since 2006. At the beginning of 2026, nearly 3,000 municipal golf courses were operating at more than 2,600 facilities—the highest totals on record.

“This project reflects our shared commitment with Warminster Township to enhance an already exceptional municipal golf facility,” said Mike Attara, president of Spirit Golf Management. “The new clubhouse will expand the ways Five Ponds serves golfers and the broader community while positioning the facility for long-term success.” One of the project’s highlights will be an indoor teaching studio featuring four golf simulators and private seating. The space will support recreational play, special events, advanced club fitting and year-round instruction led by PGA Professionals. Five Ponds Golf Club is home to an 18-hole championship golf course with a picturesque layout highlighted by five spectacular water features throughout the golf course. The signature hole is the scenic Par-3 17th where golfers hit over water to a beautifully contoured green complex. To complement the Championship layout, Five Ponds Golf Club is equipped with a

full-service practice facility, including a threehole short course and practice area. Home to the Spirit Golf Academy, the facility offers a full line-up of player-development programs for golfers of all ages and levels and is home to a vibrant junior golf program with more than 200 participants annually. Owned by Warminster Township (PA) and managed by Spirit Golf Management Powered by SFC, Five Ponds demonstrates how a public-private partnership can strengthen a municipal golf facility, enhance the guest experience and create lasting value for the community. “This new clubhouse represents a major investment into the future of Five Ponds Golf Club and the community we proudly serve,” said Kenneth Hayes, chairman of the Warminster Township Board of Supervisors. “We are creating a modern, welcoming destination that will elevate the experience for golfers, families, and visitors while strengthening Five Ponds as a premier recreational and community asset.” www.5PondsGC.com

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NEW PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE OPENS BY SEAN FAWCETT

A trip to a PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE is an absolute highlight, and a treat, for me to any golf vacation I go on, and now, at long last, there’s finally a PGA Tour store that I can go to that hits close to home. The PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE’s newest location, it’s brand new Ocean Township store, Located at 2353 NJ-66 in Ocean Township, near Asbury Park and Neptune, opened its doors this July to much fanfare to serve Central and South Jersey golfers in Monmouth, and nearby Ocean and Union and Middlesex counties with all he latest, and greatest in golfing apparel, equipment and technology with experienced, and knowledgeable, fittings and advice. The Ocean Township store has it all. Need new shoes, just walk on in. Need a new shirt, hat, shorts, pants, skort, rain gear, Winter jackets, pullovers, sweaters, hoodies, the 34

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Superstore will dress you up. Need your clubs re-gripped, then bring in your sticks. In the market for a new driver, swing on by and test a few. Need to be fitted for new irons, The PGA Tour Superstore can help you try any set, with any type of shaft, from every brand from Taylor Made, Titleist, Callaway, Mizuno, and more. Looking for Top Quality Pre-owned clubs, the PGA Tour Superstore in Ocean Township, has lots and lots of Used Sets and Loose clubs, like drivers, wedges and putters to choose from. An historic Golfing Mecca for well over a hundred years, Monmouth and Ocean counites, and the Atlantic City Region, has its own store. “There are over 50 public and private courses in the Monmouth County Area which makes the Ocean Township PGA Tour Superstore a perfect location for a community that loves

golf,” said PGA Tour Superstore Monmouth County General Manager Chris Lehman. “. The team at the PGA Tour Superstore is excited to partner with the community to continue to grow the game in the area and be there to support with instruction, fitting, club repair and looking great out on the course.” “With our Grand Opening on July 11th, we have felt the energy and support from our customers and we are looking forward to building future relationships that lead to the continued success and growth of golf in the area. Our team is looking forward to providing a premier golf experience to all who enter our doors and we are excited for what the future holds for golf at the Jersey Shore and how our team can be a part of it.” www.pgatoursuperstore.com

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LEAGUES • OUTINGS • YOUTH GOLF PROGRAMS

Welcome to Fairways Golf Club in beautiful Bucks County, Pennsylvania. We are the area’s premiere 18 hole, par 65 public golf course where you can get a round in under 4 hours. Always in great condition and an ideal location for all your golf needs, from a Saturday morning round to many league options for you and your friends. Outings priced right and our historic clubhouse offers merchandise, equipment and the cozy 1863 Tavern Bar and patio.

750 COUNTRY CLUB LANE, WARRINGTON, PA 18976 FAIRWAYSGOLFCLUB.COM • 215.343.9979

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TIDEWATER GOLF CLUB A

A MYRTLE BEACH GEM BY SEAN FAWCETT

North Myrtle Beach is known for many things. Being the Home of Wheel of Fortune’s Vanna White is one, of course, but being the home of Tidewater Golf Club is another. Played partly right along the scenic, and peaceful, Cherry Grove tidal inlet, set along the low-country’s beautiful and natural landscape, Tidewater Golf Club is a must-see, and must-play, golf course that all golfers traveling to the Myrtle Beach area will absolutely love to play, and want to play again and again, and again. Tidewater’s stunning landscape leaves golfers raving long after they’ve returned home. While beauty is at the heart of the Tidewater experience, it’s only part of what makes the property so very, very special. Tidewater’s commitment to premium customer service and meticulously maintained course condi38

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tions are every bit the equal of the scenery, making this one of the best golf travel experiences in Myrtle Beaches’ historic, and iconic, Grand Strand. For ten years I’ve been wanting to play Tidewater Golf Club, and I’m so, so sorry that I waited so long to finally get to do so. Rated by Golf Digest as one of America’s “Top 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses”(2011-2012), Tidewater has a feel similar to that of Pebble Beach, and sometimes TPC’s Sawgrass, and challenges players of all levels. One of the courses’ prettiest holes is the picturesque Par 3 Twelfth Hole called “Wishing Well”. Set to carry water to an elevated twotiered green guarded by bulkheads and bunkers short and left, the Tidewater’s 12th plays for a fade with some room to miss long and

a chance to save par with a good chip and a putt. Tidewater features nine holes that run right along either the Cherry Grove Inlet, or the Intracoastal Waterway and wows golfers with truly incredible, and eye-popping, views and a layout that challenges every part of a players’ game. The beauty of the par 3 third hole highlights a trip along the waterway, with its putting surface perched along the edge of Cherry Grove. Named “Stranded”, the challenge of putting the ball on the proper tier is a thrilling test that has anchored thousands upon thousands of memorable Myrtle Beach golf trips. Tidewater’s other signature aspect of its terrific, and scenic, layout is in its many risk-reward options. Par Fives like the 13th, “Ocean

Isle” force golfers to make some hard decisions about going for the green in 2, or laying back and going at it in a regulation 3. If you enjoy playing fun golf courses with risk-reward, and challenging, golf holes and incredible, breath-taking scenery, then Tidewater Golf Club is for you, and, well, everyone else as well. Tidewater’s Fourth. “Futch Site”, named for a former overseer of the property, is the course’s No.1 Handicap, and one whale of a Par 4 to get to try. Tidewater’s Teaching Professional Cory Hill explains. “At 430 yards, the par-4 fourth hole at Tidewater Golf Club is considered the toughest on the course. The fairway turns slightly from right to left, with a few sand traps lining the right side and saltwater marsh on the left.

“Rated by Golf Digest as one of America’s “Top 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses”

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The green is well-guarded by sand bunkers all around. Typically, the hole plays into the ocean breeze, adding to its difficulty. To play this hole effectively, I usually hit a driver, aiming just right of the 150-yard marker in the middle of the fairway. From the right center of the fairway, I generally have about 175 yards left to the green, and I use an extra club to account for the ocean breeze and avoid the front bunkers. When aiming for the green, I aim for the middle and try to be below the hole. Being on the green doesn’t mean the challenge is over, as the green slopes severely from back to front.” As amazing as the golf is at Tidewater, so is their award-winning food and drink. A perfect place to finish your round, or to have lunch

before playing, Joey’s Clubhouse Grille, caps off, or tees off, a wonderful day at Tidewater Golf Club with classic pub and clubhouse fare that golfers of all tastes crave, along with local Low-Country treats. I recommend “JD’s Famous Chili” and The “Po Boy”, which comes with either fried flounder, shrimp, or oysters, plus juicy burgers and crab cakes and pulled pork sandwiches, give diners almost as much options as the holes on the golf course do. An all-in-one and all-around golfing experience is waiting for you at Tidewater Golf Club. Don’t dare miss it when coming to play in your first, or next, Myrtle Beach golfing vacation if you can. Play Tidewater Golf Club today. You will regret it if you don’t www.TidewaterGolf.com

“An all-in-one and all-around golfing experience is waiting for you at Tidewater Golf Club.”

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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 35 School House Lane Ocean View, New Jersey 08230 About us...

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.

Book your tee time online or call! 8

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(609) 624-TEES (8337) www.shoregategolf.com GOLFING MAGAZINE

A BEAUTIFUL NEW BOOK REVEALS FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND RATINGS, CRITERIA, AND BACKSTORIES OF 100 SUPERLATIVE SYMBOLS The Best Logos in Golf, a new four-color, 256-page book from Back9 Press, celebrates the game’s most meaningful and visually compelling club emblems through an exclusive ranking of the top 100. Written by award-winning golf journalist George Peper—editor 42

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of LINKS Magazine, former editor of GOLF Magazine, and author of 20 books—the volume combines history, tradition, and design with the first comprehensive ranking of iconic golf logos.

Sometimes it serves as an invitation; at other times, a barrier—or even a passport. A small enamel pin exchanged across a clubhouse bar can open doors continents away. A bag tag swinging from a travel cover in an airport speaks volumes without a word. It tells us who we are. And in golf, perhaps even more pointedly, it tells us where we belong.” Featuring full-color imagery, the book includes high-resolution club logos and expert commentary from leading golf logo designers

“A golf club logo is rarely a mere ornament. It carries memory, identity and meaning” Seth McWhorter, Ian Gilley, and Kate SmithStroh. Each logo is accompanied by its origin story. Some trace their roots to heraldry; others stem from local landscapes and traditions. Together, the stories span the globe and feature an eclectic cast of characters, symbols, and inspirations—from flags and flora to buildings, birds, saints, sinners, and squirrels. While many of the featured logos are instantly recognizable, others may surprise readers. However, some internationally known emblems do not make the list.

tinctiveness, heritage, quality, timelessness, symbolism, versatility, and backstory. “The final group includes familiar championship venues alongside clubs so small that even seasoned travelers might struggle to find them on a map,” Peper says. “There are private enclaves and public munis, sprawling resorts and tiny outposts, with memberships ranging from fewer than 100 to more than 10,000.” Rather than assigning precise numerical rankings, the book presents the top 100 logos in tiers of 10—The First Tier, The Second Tier, and so on. It also includes an “Emergency Nines” section highlighting logos notable for their charm, character, and eccentricity. The book features a foreword by PGA Tour veteran Brad Faxon, whose fascination with golf logos began in his college years at a club that would later be included in the book’s First Tier. The Best Logos in Golf is available for preorder at www.back9press.com and at Amazon. com for $79.99, plus shipping. A limited collector’s edition, signed and presented in a slipcase, is available for $149.99. @logoladsgolf.

Peper and the “Logo Lads”—three avid, well-traveled golfers with a decade-long passion for club iconography—reviewed hundreds of golf club logos worldwide. To qualify, each logo was evaluated against seven criteria: disGOLFING MAGAZINE

We create tailored strategies designed to increase your rounds, community engagement, and profitability PUBLIC AND PRIVATE GOLF MUNICIPAL GOLF RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES • MANAGEMENT

• FOOD AND BEVERAGE

• CONSULTING

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Call for your Free Consultation 609.736.2020 201 SOUTH MAIN, SUITE14 • LAMBERTVILLE, NJ 08530 SPIRITGOLF.NET • 609.736.2020 MICHAEL ATTARA, PGA 44 GOLFING MAGAZINE

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THE SUSTAINABLE SPORT NEW BOOK PROVIDES SOLID EVIDENCE OF GOLF’S ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC VALUE

As golf faces renewed scrutiny over its environmental impact, a new book argues that the game’s footprint is not only defensible but also measurable, beneficial, and often misunderstood. The latest spark came from a recent podcast, when “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary claimed that golf courses use more water than data centers. In his new book, The Sustainable Sport, highly regarded golf course architect Forrest Richardson challenges that claim with evidence of golf’s ecological merits, social value, and economic benefits. Richardson shows how golf’s five million acres worldwide can benefit communities, economies, and the environment, including how courses interact with water and ecosystems. “While I don’t claim to know much about modern data centers,” said Richardson, whose work has focused on golf course design and land planning, “I do know the measurable value of golf courses. Golf rests on a strong three-legged stool of social, economic, and environmental benefits. Data centers may offer a tradeoff, but golf should not be thrown under the bus to defend them.” Richardson’s new book details how golf courses can filter water from treated wastewater, with much of it returning to the ground scrubbed clean after passing through turfgrass and soil. Some water is absorbed by 46

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roots and released through transpiration, while some evaporates before the grass can use it. That is why modern irrigation technology has focused on improving sprinkler efficiency and reducing direct evaporation.

Numerous water use studies are cited to correct common misconceptions, including:

• Although golf courses account for less than 3% of all U.S. turf areas, they represent only 1.3% of irrigation demand, a difference Richardson attributes to golf’s efficiency of water management. • Over the past 20 years, U.S. golf courses have reduced their water reliance by 30%. • Golf courses built near homes or businesses effectively drain and filter water affected by dense urban areas. • The water draining out of golf courses is generally far cleaner than water draining into golf courses. Richardson also noted that golf has spent years responding to sustainability claims with research, measurement, and evolving course-maintenance practices. Now available for pre-sale, The Sustainable Sport presents a rigorous, fact-based case for golf’s environmental, economic, and social value, drawing on Richardson’s decades of experience as a golf course architect and land planner. Having designed and studied courses across diverse landscapes, Richardson brings both technical acumen and practical credibility to questions of water use, turf management, ecosystem stewardship, and the game’s broader role in communities worldwide. Richardson also directly addresses golf’s critics, explaining how the game’s nearly 600year global footprint intersects with world economies, socialization, and the environ-

ment. The book examines the water cycle, chemicals used on golf courses, how modern course design and maintenance have advanced conservation-minded practices, and why golf’s measurable benefits should be weighed against common misconceptions. Pre-sales and order information are available at www.thesustainablesport.com. GOLFING MAGAZINE

top 10 golf cities in america Forbes Traveler

ROLL THE ROCK & ROLL THE DICE

13 golf Courses | Beach & Boardwalk | Casinos & Entertainment

FIND YOUR NEXT GOLF TRIP AT www.atlanticcitygolftrip.com

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PRO SHOP

The Latest Gear

TRUE linkswear OG Cush Premium

Tour Edge Exotics Milled Wedge

TRUE linkswear takes one of its most comfortable golf platforms beyond the course with the new OG Cush Premium, the company’s first lifestyle shoe featuring a zero-drop design. Built on the popular OG Cush foundation, the Premium keeps the heel and forefoot at the same level for a natural, grounded feel. An extra-wide toe box—accommodating feet up to EEE—provides plenty of room, while 6mm of Wanderlux cushioning adds softness without taking away the flexible, almost barefoot sensation that has become a TRUE trademark. The biggest difference is appearance. A premium engineered synthetic leather upper and clean, understated styling make the OG Cush Premium look more like an everyday casual shoe than traditional golf footwear. TRUE’s rubber “T” tread provides traction for walking, traveling and everyday use. For golfers who already appreciate TRUE’s roomy fit and natural feel, the OG Cush Premium offers a comfortable way to take that experience well beyond the golf course.

Tour Edge’s new Exotics Milled Wedge offers an intriguing combination of versatility, spin and value in a category where prices continue to climb. The standout feature is the TriGrind Sole, designed to move cleanly through the turf while still allowing players to manipulate the face around the greens. More importantly, Tour Edge offers three bounce profiles—Low, Mid and High—making it easier to match a wedge to both swing type and typical course conditions. The Mid Bounce should suit the widest range of players, while the Low and High options provide more specialized choices for shallow or steep deliveries. Around the green, the CNC-milled SuperSpin grooves are designed to generate consistent friction and spin, including from damp lies—an increasingly important consideration in modern wedge design. Soft 304 stainless steel provides a pleasing feel at impact. With 17 loft-and-bounce combinations, the Exotics Milled Wedge delivers plenty of fitting options without venturing into premium-wedge pricing.

$179

$119

www.TRUELINKSWEAR.COM 50

From equipment designed to improve performance to products that simply make the game more enjoyable, there’s always something new catching our attention. Here’s a look at some of the latest gear to cross our desk—products we think are worth a closer look for golfers on and off the course.

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WWW.TOUREDGE.COM

PRO SHOP

GPS Meets the Golf Speaker Golf GPS units and Bluetooth speakers have become common cart accessories, but the MILESEEY GeneSonic Pro combines the two with one useful twist: the GPS is detachable. A 3-inch color touchscreen comes loaded with more than 43,000 course maps, providing distances and detailed views of greens, hazards and fairways. Built-in GPS requires no phone connection or subscription, while automatic course and hole recognition keeps operation simple. The detachable design may be its best feature. Keep the unit magnetically mounted to the cart for music and an easy-to-see display, or take the lightweight GPS with you when your ball is away from the cart. Audible yardages add another convenient option. The speaker delivers 40 watts of sound, while a four-magnet mounting system keeps it securely attached. IP67 water and dust protection adds durability. It’s an intriguing two-in-one option for golfers who regularly carry both a GPS and speaker.

$299.99

www.MILESEEY.COM

GearBox Pressure X 8E Elongated+ The Gearbox Pressure X 8E Elongated+ is a paddle that rewards an aggressive game without becoming difficult to control. From the baseline, it produces plenty of pace and spin, while the elongated shape provides extra reach and leverage on drives and serves. Around the kitchen, the paddle feels solid and predictable, with enough touch for drops, resets and controlled dinks. Its biggest strength may be the balance between power and feel—you can attack when the opportunity is there without feeling like every shot wants to jump off the face. For players seeking an all-court paddle, it’s an impressive performer.

$279

WWW.GEARBOXSPORTS.COM GOLFING MAGAZINE

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. Perfect for players of all levels and ideal for tournaments, corporate events, and memorable outings.

BOOK YOUR NEXT ROUND OR EVENT AT NEW JERSEY’S TOPRATED COURSES. m52o rGOLFING r i s c oMAGAZINE untygolfcourses.com