Pine Valley Golf Club
By Chris Mavros, www.Golfadelphia.com
6,540 yards, 153 slope from the Regular Tees
Course: In a remote location in South Jersey, about 30 minutes away from downtown Philadelphia, resides the best golf course in the world. While I’ve read and researched and basically played every course in the area to get some semblance of what the course could play like, nothing really prepares you for when you get through the gate and make your way to the clubhouse. Pine Valley was created by George Crump, who purchased the property in 1912. Crump had never designed a golf course before, but collaborated with several of the Golden Age architects (Colt, MacKenzie, Wilson, Thomas, Travis, MacDonald, Flynn to name a few), who most likely recognized the sandy soil, rolling terrain, windswept native grass and pines as ideal for a golf course that could play year long. Tragically, Crump’s health and finances declined during the years the course was built, ultimately dying before it was completed.
I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation to play Pine Valley. While definitely excited, I was more anxious than anything else. For the weeks leading up to the round, the questions and concerns piled up, all of which convinced the round wasn’t going to happen. Would the weather hold up, would the round get cancelled for some reason, would I suffer some freak injury that would prevent me from playing? If I did play, would I forget how to hit the ball? Beyond all that, however, was what would I think of the course. While I have played highly rated and regarded courses in the past, Pine Valley was by far the highest ranked and most exclusive I have had the opportunity to play. I wondered whether the ranking, prestige, praise and exclusivity would in any way impact what I really thought of it? Would the realization that I was fortunate enough to get invited factor in at all? I mean, many regard Pine Valley as the best course in the world. Better than anything in Scotland, better than anything in Ireland, better than every course I’ve played or seen on t.v. It is certainly hard to ignore when a course has such accolades heaped upon it, but while I was certain I was going to enjoy myself, I was determined to remain undeterred in evaluating my thoughts of the course independently of such accolades.
In any event, the day came and I made my way down there. In pouring rain. This wasn’t as disastrous as it seems, however, because the plan was to arrive in the late afternoon, try to play the short course, then have dinner in the clubhouse, stay over and play in the morning. The entrance was as unassuming as I had heard. You are literally in a residential neighborhood when you go over a set of railroad tracks to a small guardhouse, with no signs or anything else altering you where you are. After giving my name to the guard, I made my way inside.
The first thing that made an impression on me was the immense size of the property. It really shouldn’t have surprised me that much because Pine Valley is its own municipality within New Jersey, meaning it has its own post office, police department, etc. Yet as a classic course where the holes and everything else are typically very close together, it was apparent that Pine Valley was immense, with large impressive houses throughout the property, all with names instead of addresses. When the houses have names, you know you’re some where good. In fact, the property was so immense, I got lost. Panic set in as I started worrying that I’d end up some where I wasn’t supposed to be and I couldn’t tell you whether or not that happened, but eventually I found the cottages where we were staying. Again, I was taken aback by how simple yet impressive they were. A fireplace, several leather chairs in front of a t.v., another table for eating or even to play cards (a poker set was there for such purpose) and a kitchen area stocked with drinks and food, all with vaulted high ceilings with a porch and patio, it had everything you could want on a golf trip.
It ended up raining a little more than we expected that first day, but we were able to play a few holes of the short course before dinner. The short course is comprised of 10 holes that resemble approach shots you encounter on the championship course. It’s such a novel idea that provides a great way to practice the course, all in a casual setting. The holes we played were in great shape (despite all the rain that just hit), diverse and set on the same rolling terrain we would encounter on the course. It was a slight preview of what was come tomorrow, but just enough to fuel the flames of excitement and suspense. Dinner at the clubhouse was special, including the famous Snapper Soup, and you get a sense of the history of the place by looking around at the names listed for the club championship and other pictures and paintings. We learned we were the only group on the property, which meant as far as we were concerned, we had the best course on the planet to ourselves, which we of course reminded ourselves of a number of times back at the cottages while sitting around a roaring fire. As far as golf trips go, I couldn’t have drawn it up any better.
There’s a sense of surrealism that seizes upon you as you enter those gates. Realizing where you are, and how fortunate you are to be there, was very poignant to me, which added to the wonder and splendor of the place. The clubhouse and staff are all friendly and down to earth, making you feel as welcome as if you were at your own home course. It’s about the golf here, not about pomp, prestige or anything else. Caddies refer to the members by first name and the members know the names of their kids, cracking jokes about this and that throughout the round. I instantly felt comfortable, all while staying in awe the whole time.
After breakfast in the clubhouse, we warmed up at the driving range. Each hitting station is independently calibrated so you know the exact distance to each flag. It’s in an expansive part of the property and yes, I could have spent the entire day there.
On to the course. While I was determined to stay objective in my thoughts, I quickly realized there was no need; it’s as good as they say. The collaboration, and what Crump incorporated from it, resulted in the finest test in golf that calls upon the depths of all your golfing acumen and fortitude to manage it. The course blends the penal, strategic and heroic design philosophies very well, and all can be seen throughout. There simply is not a weak hole and in fact, every hole is all-world. The terrain, variety, visuals, are ideal. While difficult, it’s fair and great shots are rewarded. Great shots are also demanded and I can say I hit some of the best shots of my life during that round. I also hit some of the worst, either from fatigue, intimidation, difficulty of the shot, or a combination thereof. The course’s capacity to draw these shots out of you is one of several ways in which the rounds, holes and shots here become immortalized in your memory. The visuals, and how they’re revealed as you advance towards the green, are outstanding, which evoke inspiration, intimidation and temptation, yet provide strategic options and reward course knowledge. One of the more surprising aspects is how difficult it was to lose a ball. Most wayward shots were found and there was a realistic chance for recovery. It’s also great for match play because of the distinct challenges and the different ways each hole can be played depending on how your tee shot ends up and how hazards are handled. Finally, the routing is impeccable, accommodating the diverse terrain, which in turn produces a diversity of holes and play.
When all was said and done, it’s difficult for me to adequately describe how much I enjoyed Pine Valley. It is the most well designed course I have played and beyond that, now my favorite course. There wasn’t a dull shot on the course. It was all thrilling, keeping you on your toes and demanding your complete attention throughout.
Indeed, we have the holy grail of golf in our backyard.... Continue Reading Here
6,540 yards, 153 slope from the Regular Tees
Course: In a remote location in South Jersey, about 30 minutes away from downtown Philadelphia, resides the best golf course in the world. While I’ve read and researched and basically played every course in the area to get some semblance of what the course could play like, nothing really prepares you for when you get through the gate and make your way to the clubhouse. Pine Valley was created by George Crump, who purchased the property in 1912. Crump had never designed a golf course before, but collaborated with several of the Golden Age architects (Colt, MacKenzie, Wilson, Thomas, Travis, MacDonald, Flynn to name a few), who most likely recognized the sandy soil, rolling terrain, windswept native grass and pines as ideal for a golf course that could play year long. Tragically, Crump’s health and finances declined during the years the course was built, ultimately dying before it was completed.
I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation to play Pine Valley. While definitely excited, I was more anxious than anything else. For the weeks leading up to the round, the questions and concerns piled up, all of which convinced the round wasn’t going to happen. Would the weather hold up, would the round get cancelled for some reason, would I suffer some freak injury that would prevent me from playing? If I did play, would I forget how to hit the ball? Beyond all that, however, was what would I think of the course. While I have played highly rated and regarded courses in the past, Pine Valley was by far the highest ranked and most exclusive I have had the opportunity to play. I wondered whether the ranking, prestige, praise and exclusivity would in any way impact what I really thought of it? Would the realization that I was fortunate enough to get invited factor in at all? I mean, many regard Pine Valley as the best course in the world. Better than anything in Scotland, better than anything in Ireland, better than every course I’ve played or seen on t.v. It is certainly hard to ignore when a course has such accolades heaped upon it, but while I was certain I was going to enjoy myself, I was determined to remain undeterred in evaluating my thoughts of the course independently of such accolades.
In any event, the day came and I made my way down there. In pouring rain. This wasn’t as disastrous as it seems, however, because the plan was to arrive in the late afternoon, try to play the short course, then have dinner in the clubhouse, stay over and play in the morning. The entrance was as unassuming as I had heard. You are literally in a residential neighborhood when you go over a set of railroad tracks to a small guardhouse, with no signs or anything else altering you where you are. After giving my name to the guard, I made my way inside.
The first thing that made an impression on me was the immense size of the property. It really shouldn’t have surprised me that much because Pine Valley is its own municipality within New Jersey, meaning it has its own post office, police department, etc. Yet as a classic course where the holes and everything else are typically very close together, it was apparent that Pine Valley was immense, with large impressive houses throughout the property, all with names instead of addresses. When the houses have names, you know you’re some where good. In fact, the property was so immense, I got lost. Panic set in as I started worrying that I’d end up some where I wasn’t supposed to be and I couldn’t tell you whether or not that happened, but eventually I found the cottages where we were staying. Again, I was taken aback by how simple yet impressive they were. A fireplace, several leather chairs in front of a t.v., another table for eating or even to play cards (a poker set was there for such purpose) and a kitchen area stocked with drinks and food, all with vaulted high ceilings with a porch and patio, it had everything you could want on a golf trip.
It ended up raining a little more than we expected that first day, but we were able to play a few holes of the short course before dinner. The short course is comprised of 10 holes that resemble approach shots you encounter on the championship course. It’s such a novel idea that provides a great way to practice the course, all in a casual setting. The holes we played were in great shape (despite all the rain that just hit), diverse and set on the same rolling terrain we would encounter on the course. It was a slight preview of what was come tomorrow, but just enough to fuel the flames of excitement and suspense. Dinner at the clubhouse was special, including the famous Snapper Soup, and you get a sense of the history of the place by looking around at the names listed for the club championship and other pictures and paintings. We learned we were the only group on the property, which meant as far as we were concerned, we had the best course on the planet to ourselves, which we of course reminded ourselves of a number of times back at the cottages while sitting around a roaring fire. As far as golf trips go, I couldn’t have drawn it up any better.
There’s a sense of surrealism that seizes upon you as you enter those gates. Realizing where you are, and how fortunate you are to be there, was very poignant to me, which added to the wonder and splendor of the place. The clubhouse and staff are all friendly and down to earth, making you feel as welcome as if you were at your own home course. It’s about the golf here, not about pomp, prestige or anything else. Caddies refer to the members by first name and the members know the names of their kids, cracking jokes about this and that throughout the round. I instantly felt comfortable, all while staying in awe the whole time.
After breakfast in the clubhouse, we warmed up at the driving range. Each hitting station is independently calibrated so you know the exact distance to each flag. It’s in an expansive part of the property and yes, I could have spent the entire day there.
On to the course. While I was determined to stay objective in my thoughts, I quickly realized there was no need; it’s as good as they say. The collaboration, and what Crump incorporated from it, resulted in the finest test in golf that calls upon the depths of all your golfing acumen and fortitude to manage it. The course blends the penal, strategic and heroic design philosophies very well, and all can be seen throughout. There simply is not a weak hole and in fact, every hole is all-world. The terrain, variety, visuals, are ideal. While difficult, it’s fair and great shots are rewarded. Great shots are also demanded and I can say I hit some of the best shots of my life during that round. I also hit some of the worst, either from fatigue, intimidation, difficulty of the shot, or a combination thereof. The course’s capacity to draw these shots out of you is one of several ways in which the rounds, holes and shots here become immortalized in your memory. The visuals, and how they’re revealed as you advance towards the green, are outstanding, which evoke inspiration, intimidation and temptation, yet provide strategic options and reward course knowledge. One of the more surprising aspects is how difficult it was to lose a ball. Most wayward shots were found and there was a realistic chance for recovery. It’s also great for match play because of the distinct challenges and the different ways each hole can be played depending on how your tee shot ends up and how hazards are handled. Finally, the routing is impeccable, accommodating the diverse terrain, which in turn produces a diversity of holes and play.
When all was said and done, it’s difficult for me to adequately describe how much I enjoyed Pine Valley. It is the most well designed course I have played and beyond that, now my favorite course. There wasn’t a dull shot on the course. It was all thrilling, keeping you on your toes and demanding your complete attention throughout.
Indeed, we have the holy grail of golf in our backyard.... Continue Reading Here
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