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The Ridge At Back Brook
Architect: Tom Fazio Year: 2002 211 Wertsville Rd, Ringoes, NJ 08551 Phone: (609) 466-7702 Course Access: Private http://theridgegc.com/ |
The Ridge at Back Brook
Origins and Vision
The Ridge at Back Brook was the brainchild of Joel Moore, a golf enthusiast with a singular vision to create a golf-only private club of unparalleled quality in central New Jersey. Moore’s dream took shape one Sunday morning when he awoke with a clear idea: he would build an exclusive golf club designed by the renowned architect Tom Fazio, or he wouldn’t build it at all. His wife, Pam, initially thought he might be hallucinating, but Moore’s determination set the project in motion. He sought to create a space where golf purists could focus solely on the game, free from distractions like tennis courts, swimming pools, or residential developments.
Moore began his journey by searching for the perfect piece of land. He hiked extensively, contacted large landowners in the region, and reviewed their inventories. Initially, he found mostly flat farmland lacking the natural features he desired—trees, rocks, streams, or ponds. His enthusiasm waned until he stumbled upon a 300-acre parcel in Hunterdon County, about 30 minutes from Princeton. This land, untouched by time, featured rolling terrain, thick forests, streams, and dramatic red shale rock outcroppings. It was the ideal canvas for Moore’s vision.
Design and Construction
Moore’s choice of Tom Fazio as the architect was non-negotiable. Fazio, a celebrated designer known for his work on courses like Pine Valley, was initially skeptical of Moore’s single-mindedness, wondering why it had to be him. But Moore’s passion, coupled with his admiration for Fazio’s previous designs, convinced the architect to take on the project. Moore gave Fazio free rein to create the best course the land could support, with no residential component to constrain the design.
Construction began in the early 2000s, and the course opened in 2002. The 18-hole, par-72 layout stretches 7,215 yards from the championship tees, with a course rating of 76.9 and a slope rating of 145 on Bent grass. The design takes full advantage of the property’s natural features, including 150 feet of elevation change, mature hardwood and cedar forests, and the meandering Back Brook, which gives the club part of its name. The front nine sits in a valley shaped by the brook, while the back nine climbs to a plateau, offering sweeping views. Prominent rock outcroppings, such as a massive one on the par-5 seventh, veins of rock behind the ninth and 18th greens, and a vertical cliff backdrop on the par-3 eighth, add dramatic flair.
Fazio’s design emphasizes isolation, with each hole feeling secluded, a trait reminiscent of Pine Valley. The greens, maintained to tournament standards daily, are a highlight—large, fast, and deceptive, often penalizing slight misses with long rolls. Moore himself noted that the greens have been among the best in the metropolitan area since the club opened, a sentiment echoed by players who frequently praise their impeccable condition.
The Clubhouse and Facilities
The Ridge at Back Brook is more than just a golf course; it’s a complete experience. The clubhouse, designed as a mountain chalet with big timber, stone, and rough-hewn beams, evokes a Rocky Mountain aesthetic in the Mid-Atlantic. It features a casual dining room with a stone fireplace, a restaurant with a bar and grille, lounge areas, a billiard room, a pro shop, and fully appointed locker rooms. The clubhouse overlooks the 18th green, which is nestled between a pond and a red shale outcropping, offering panoramic views of six holes and the surrounding countryside.
The club also boasts a 17-acre practice facility, one of the best in the country. It includes a three-tiered, 70,000-square-foot bent grass tee area, a fairway-like driving lane, two putting greens, a short game area with elevated target greens and bunkers, and a separate teaching tee. This facility has been lauded by golfers and critics alike, earning the club the second-best practice facility ranking in the U.S. by Golf World in 2010.
Accolades and Recognition
Since its opening, The Ridge at Back Brook has garnered significant acclaim. In 2003, Golf Digest named it the second-best new private course east of the Mississippi and the sixth-best new private track in the U.S. The New Jersey Golf Course Owners Association (NJGCOA) honored it as the state’s best new private course in 2003 and named it New Jersey’s Course of the Year in 2006 and 2014. In 2010, Golf World Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards ranked The Ridge the eighth-best private course in the U.S., with additional honors for its practice facility (second), clubhouse and locker rooms (third), and conditioning (ninth).
Golfstyles magazine readers have consistently praised the club, voting it New Jersey’s favorite private course in 2014 with a perfect 10-for-10 showing in private course categories, including Best Golf Pro, Best Superintendent, Best Chef, and Friendliest Staff. Golf Digest has ranked The Ridge in New Jersey’s top 10 from 2005 to 2012 and 2019 to 2022, with its highest state ranking at 10th and a national Second 100 Greatest ranking of 182nd in 2019-2020. As of 2023-2024, it was ranked 14th in the state.
The course has also hosted notable events, including a local qualifier for the 2007 U.S. Open, the New Jersey PGA Fall Finale, the New Jersey Section Championship in 2015, and the Philadelphia Golf Association Open Championship in 2016.
Cultural and Community Impact
The Ridge at Back Brook has become a haven for golf purists in a region where such spaces are increasingly rare. Located in Hunterdon County, a picturesque area with equestrian trails, sunflower fields, and farm stands, the club offers a stark contrast to the industrial stereotypes of New Jersey. It caters to those seeking a high-end, golf-focused experience, with membership options for men, women, and families, as well as extended payment plans.
However, the club has not been without controversy. In 2017, a legal dispute between member Christopher Ryan and The Ridge at Back Brook, LLC, reached the New Jersey Superior Court. Ryan challenged the club’s contractual fee-shifting provision and sought financial discovery, which was denied by the court. The case highlighted the club’s commitment to privacy as an LLC, a choice that allows it to shield internal financial details from public scrutiny. The court upheld the club’s position, affirming its right to maintain confidentiality while still providing limited access to membership data and marketing materials.
Legacy and Reflection
The Ridge at Back Brook stands as a testament to Joel Moore’s unwavering vision and Tom Fazio’s design prowess. It has consistently delivered on its promise of a world-class golfing experience, blending natural beauty with challenging play. Fazio himself noted the course’s “wow” factor, describing how the front nine’s excellence is matched by the back nine’s dramatic start at the 10th tee. Players often cite the stretch of holes 7-9 as the most memorable, though some critique the back nine’s lack of synergy in holes like 11, 14, 15, and 16, and find the short par-5 18th underwhelming for a championship course.
Despite these critiques, the club’s conditioning, service, and facilities remain top-tier. Its greens, practice area, and rustic clubhouse continue to draw praise, making it a bucket-list destination for golfers. The Ridge at Back Brook has carved out a unique niche in New Jersey’s golf landscape, proving that a golf-only club can thrive in an era of multifaceted country clubs. As it moves into its third decade, it remains a hidden gem that, once discovered, leaves a lasting impression on all who play its fairways.
The Ridge at Back Brook was the brainchild of Joel Moore, a golf enthusiast with a singular vision to create a golf-only private club of unparalleled quality in central New Jersey. Moore’s dream took shape one Sunday morning when he awoke with a clear idea: he would build an exclusive golf club designed by the renowned architect Tom Fazio, or he wouldn’t build it at all. His wife, Pam, initially thought he might be hallucinating, but Moore’s determination set the project in motion. He sought to create a space where golf purists could focus solely on the game, free from distractions like tennis courts, swimming pools, or residential developments.
Moore began his journey by searching for the perfect piece of land. He hiked extensively, contacted large landowners in the region, and reviewed their inventories. Initially, he found mostly flat farmland lacking the natural features he desired—trees, rocks, streams, or ponds. His enthusiasm waned until he stumbled upon a 300-acre parcel in Hunterdon County, about 30 minutes from Princeton. This land, untouched by time, featured rolling terrain, thick forests, streams, and dramatic red shale rock outcroppings. It was the ideal canvas for Moore’s vision.
Design and Construction
Moore’s choice of Tom Fazio as the architect was non-negotiable. Fazio, a celebrated designer known for his work on courses like Pine Valley, was initially skeptical of Moore’s single-mindedness, wondering why it had to be him. But Moore’s passion, coupled with his admiration for Fazio’s previous designs, convinced the architect to take on the project. Moore gave Fazio free rein to create the best course the land could support, with no residential component to constrain the design.
Construction began in the early 2000s, and the course opened in 2002. The 18-hole, par-72 layout stretches 7,215 yards from the championship tees, with a course rating of 76.9 and a slope rating of 145 on Bent grass. The design takes full advantage of the property’s natural features, including 150 feet of elevation change, mature hardwood and cedar forests, and the meandering Back Brook, which gives the club part of its name. The front nine sits in a valley shaped by the brook, while the back nine climbs to a plateau, offering sweeping views. Prominent rock outcroppings, such as a massive one on the par-5 seventh, veins of rock behind the ninth and 18th greens, and a vertical cliff backdrop on the par-3 eighth, add dramatic flair.
Fazio’s design emphasizes isolation, with each hole feeling secluded, a trait reminiscent of Pine Valley. The greens, maintained to tournament standards daily, are a highlight—large, fast, and deceptive, often penalizing slight misses with long rolls. Moore himself noted that the greens have been among the best in the metropolitan area since the club opened, a sentiment echoed by players who frequently praise their impeccable condition.
The Clubhouse and Facilities
The Ridge at Back Brook is more than just a golf course; it’s a complete experience. The clubhouse, designed as a mountain chalet with big timber, stone, and rough-hewn beams, evokes a Rocky Mountain aesthetic in the Mid-Atlantic. It features a casual dining room with a stone fireplace, a restaurant with a bar and grille, lounge areas, a billiard room, a pro shop, and fully appointed locker rooms. The clubhouse overlooks the 18th green, which is nestled between a pond and a red shale outcropping, offering panoramic views of six holes and the surrounding countryside.
The club also boasts a 17-acre practice facility, one of the best in the country. It includes a three-tiered, 70,000-square-foot bent grass tee area, a fairway-like driving lane, two putting greens, a short game area with elevated target greens and bunkers, and a separate teaching tee. This facility has been lauded by golfers and critics alike, earning the club the second-best practice facility ranking in the U.S. by Golf World in 2010.
Accolades and Recognition
Since its opening, The Ridge at Back Brook has garnered significant acclaim. In 2003, Golf Digest named it the second-best new private course east of the Mississippi and the sixth-best new private track in the U.S. The New Jersey Golf Course Owners Association (NJGCOA) honored it as the state’s best new private course in 2003 and named it New Jersey’s Course of the Year in 2006 and 2014. In 2010, Golf World Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards ranked The Ridge the eighth-best private course in the U.S., with additional honors for its practice facility (second), clubhouse and locker rooms (third), and conditioning (ninth).
Golfstyles magazine readers have consistently praised the club, voting it New Jersey’s favorite private course in 2014 with a perfect 10-for-10 showing in private course categories, including Best Golf Pro, Best Superintendent, Best Chef, and Friendliest Staff. Golf Digest has ranked The Ridge in New Jersey’s top 10 from 2005 to 2012 and 2019 to 2022, with its highest state ranking at 10th and a national Second 100 Greatest ranking of 182nd in 2019-2020. As of 2023-2024, it was ranked 14th in the state.
The course has also hosted notable events, including a local qualifier for the 2007 U.S. Open, the New Jersey PGA Fall Finale, the New Jersey Section Championship in 2015, and the Philadelphia Golf Association Open Championship in 2016.
Cultural and Community Impact
The Ridge at Back Brook has become a haven for golf purists in a region where such spaces are increasingly rare. Located in Hunterdon County, a picturesque area with equestrian trails, sunflower fields, and farm stands, the club offers a stark contrast to the industrial stereotypes of New Jersey. It caters to those seeking a high-end, golf-focused experience, with membership options for men, women, and families, as well as extended payment plans.
However, the club has not been without controversy. In 2017, a legal dispute between member Christopher Ryan and The Ridge at Back Brook, LLC, reached the New Jersey Superior Court. Ryan challenged the club’s contractual fee-shifting provision and sought financial discovery, which was denied by the court. The case highlighted the club’s commitment to privacy as an LLC, a choice that allows it to shield internal financial details from public scrutiny. The court upheld the club’s position, affirming its right to maintain confidentiality while still providing limited access to membership data and marketing materials.
Legacy and Reflection
The Ridge at Back Brook stands as a testament to Joel Moore’s unwavering vision and Tom Fazio’s design prowess. It has consistently delivered on its promise of a world-class golfing experience, blending natural beauty with challenging play. Fazio himself noted the course’s “wow” factor, describing how the front nine’s excellence is matched by the back nine’s dramatic start at the 10th tee. Players often cite the stretch of holes 7-9 as the most memorable, though some critique the back nine’s lack of synergy in holes like 11, 14, 15, and 16, and find the short par-5 18th underwhelming for a championship course.
Despite these critiques, the club’s conditioning, service, and facilities remain top-tier. Its greens, practice area, and rustic clubhouse continue to draw praise, making it a bucket-list destination for golfers. The Ridge at Back Brook has carved out a unique niche in New Jersey’s golf landscape, proving that a golf-only club can thrive in an era of multifaceted country clubs. As it moves into its third decade, it remains a hidden gem that, once discovered, leaves a lasting impression on all who play its fairways.
Course Photos
Preserved Links Member Photo
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