PLAY IT AS IT LIES

HERON GLEN GOLF COURSE: 5 stars
110 State Hwy 202/31
Ringoes, NJ 08551
908.806.6804

by Jeff

Can anyone do it better? This is a question I’ve asked myself since last week. Before I go any further, let me explain. Recently, I was a playing guest at the 2008 Invitational at Heron Glen Golf Course ("HGGC") in Ringoes, NJ. This piece of perfection masquerading as a golf course has only been open for 6 years and is already a perennial favorite! Hunterdon County residents would probably prefer this course remain a secret, just for them. Too late, I’m going to let the cat out of the bag right now.

Prior to 2002, there was nothing on this property except landfill. Course designer Dan Schlegal, along with the Hunterdon County Association transformed this site using “magic.” They created a synergy between golf serenity and the wondrous harmony of nature. One more thing, they’re still not done. They welcome your suggestions on how to make it even better. Not many courses do that these days.

HGGC is a combination parkland and links style course, meaning, it’s wide open, for the most part, but there are some trees to make things interesting. The course layout, from hole to hole, seems to be married to the landscape of the area. It’s subtle mounding, elevation changes, strategic ponds, and environmentally sensitive areas are all an integral part of the decision making process involved in determining how you play the course. Because this course was built using bent grass, you can expect to get fair bounces in the fairways and true rolls for putting on the greens promoting fair play.

I’ve played this course in the past and I’ll drive from NYC, in a heartbeat, to play there every chance I get. The ”conditioning” (upkeep) of the course is always superb, not just for tournaments. Just because you label a course “championship”, doesn’t necessarily make it so. HGGC is of that pedigree.

Here’s the secret. It’s not just the course that brings you back, it’s the staff. Heron Glen is managed by Kemper Sports Management (KSM), out of Chicago, IL. Everyone there CARES. That’s their job and they are very effective at it. HGGC. and KSM. make you feel like family. You can go anywhere you’d like for your tournaments, outings and functions. Chances are, most of the time, it’s just an available piece of property for rent. But, come to the HGGC to play, or to just speak to a staff member and I guarantee this will be your destination of choice. You can take my word for it, ask a local golfer, or ask a past/present tournament host. They keep returning! I asked the question earlier. Can anyone do it better? Hmmm? Well, Tiger Woods literally just won the 2008 US Open championship on one leg. HGGC, the staff, and course are right up there.

Remember, this is our secret now. Play it as it lies.

Price: $71

Par 72, Slope 74.1, Rating 135, Yardage 7065