PLAY IT AS IT LIES

CRYSTAL SPRINGS GOLF RESORT 4.5 stars

By Jeff Louis

Well, here I go again … in search of more international flavored golf. I’m sorry, I like a variety of golf courses on a weekly basis. It’s my addiction, but your elixir…as I attempt to cure you of what ails you on boring courses.

I recently accepted an invitation to return to the Crystal Springs Resort in Northern New Jersey to play their premiere course, Ballyowen. And I must say, there must be gold in them thar hills. First, let me drive you into the facility. The entrance, off of Wheatsworth Road, leads you up to a recessed entrance. Some of the greatest courses use this feature, (most of them, however, happen to be private courses). Although some might say the common man would turn up his nose at such atrocities, I guarantee you, the day you play Ballyowen, you WILL feel like a member at a private course. Driving through the entrance leads you to a road that winds directly through the middle of the course. Be careful, you may become so mesmerized you drive right into one of the man-made lakes or ponds...

Waiting for you at the top of the hill is the majestic clubhouse. Let’s just say I had to gather myself because ….well, this is the time to use the term ‘grandiose’. And just to add to the illusion, the cart caddies are wearing knickers and argyles, while the wait staff has donned kilts. Oh we’ve definitely gone Scottish now. I can almost smell the haggis and dark ale. Inside this major structure resides a well appointed pro shop as well as a restaurant with excellent American/UK fare. The price is minimal, yet the portions are generous. The main attraction of the restaurant is the large, seamless windows that almost give you a 240 degree view of the course from a perched location.

Time to play. The very first thing you notice about the course are the sharp angles. The fairways, at times, are raised like a tabletop, daring you to drift down their edges into a grassy abyss. Make no mistake about it, this is links style golf, complete with sheep and a ram (literally). No kidding! Ballyowen will test the very nature of length. Your length off the tee, the length of your putt, and the length of your patience! There are dunes (hills) the size of small schools on the course. If your shot lands behind one of them, you’ll need GPS, a compass and a prayer to see where your next target is located. This is a wide open 250 acre wonderland of golf amusement. You not only play the course, you also play the elements - there are no trees to block the wind. Course architect Roger Rulewich had a field day with this creation.

This course has multiple par 3’s where your tee shot is over a body of water. The par 4’s vary greatly from one hole to the next. You’ll go up and downhill, slope right or left and just to make it interesting, around bodies of water. The last hole winds your tee shot around a dune to a green elevated 40 feet up with flash sand bunkers. The round is over and the course still has teeth. Look at the picture, get something to drink and play it as it lies.

Recommendation: 4. 5 Stars
Current Price: Week $110-125, Weekend $145
Par 72 Slope 131 Rating 73.6 Yardage 7094
Address: State Rte 94, Hamburg, NJ 07462
Website: http://www. CrystalGolfResort.com

Photo courtesy of Crystal Springs Golf Resort