Somerset County Park Commission Golf Courses Update
Somerset County Golf has a few updates on changes that are taking place going forward:
• All courses will have regular flags and holes (please DO NOT touch the flags and leave the flags in the holes until further notice!)
• Restrooms are now OPEN at all pro shops
• Putting greens are now open, but with NO cups
We will continue to advise as other restrictions are lifted in the future!
General Golfing Policies and Procedures:
Sanitization Measure to be Employed at All Golf Courses:
- All high-touch areas will be routinely, and after each use, cleaned and disinfected in accordance with CDC guidelines. Such areas include, but are not limited to, golf carts, counter tops, door knobs, other common surfaces, range buckets and other frequently touched surfaces including employee used equipment. It shall be the Park Commission policy to ensure cleaning procedures following a known or potential exposure at the golf course in compliance with CDC recommendations.
- The safety and well-being of the Park Commission’s staff and all golfers is of paramount importance. For this reason, the Commission is committed to ensuring that all of its golf courses have a sufficient number of workers to perform the above protocols effectively.
Social Distancing Requirements at All Golf Courses:
- Park Commission staff, golfers, and all other individuals are required to wear cloth face coverings in all settings on the golf course where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, except where doing so would inhibit that individual’s health, or where the individual is under two years of age.
- Golfers shall at all times and, in particular, when on golf tee boxes and golf greens maintain appropriate social distancing by remaining six feet apart from others.
– Somerset County Park Commission Golf Operations
Neshanic Valley Golf Course opened to the public on Labor Day weekend in 2004 with play on the Meadow and Lake nines. The Ridge nine opened in 2005. The facility drew immediate accolades from golfers as well as the media. Golfweek ranks Neshanic Valley as one of the Top 50 Municipal Courses in the United States.
Hurdzan/Fry Golf Course Design, headed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, was responsible for the design of Neshanic Valley. Hurdzan and Fry have many notable design credits to their names, including Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone and 2017 U.S. Open site Erin Hills Golf Course in Wisconsin.
Carved out of 420 acres of rolling farmland, Neshanic Valley covers 350 acres with 70 acres designated for future park usage. Existing land features were preserved as the architects took full advantage of the existing topography. The fairways, tees, and greens feature creeping bentgrass. The course has an open feel to it, and the fairways are of generous width. But an ample amount of fescue is found off the fairways and greens. Environmentally sensitive wetland areas come into play throughout with some holes featuring hazards running down the entire left or right side. The putting surfaces feature subtle undulations, and are well guarded by large bunkers.
All three of Neshanic Valley’s championship nine-hole courses – Meadow, Lake, and Ridge (all par 36) – feature five sets of tees with the 18-hole combinations ranging from 5,050 to 7,108 yards. Golfers are given the option off the tee to play away from trouble, but the bold play skirting trouble is rewarded with a shorter next shot and a better angle to play it from.
Neshanic Valley has hosted the New Jersey State Golf Association’s Men’s Public Links Championship in July of 2014, the 2007 Metropolitan Golf Association Men’s Public Links Championship, the 2009 New Jersey State Golf Association Women’s Amateur Championship, and the 2012 United States Golf Association Women’s Public Links Championship.
In addition to its 27 holes of championship golf, Neshanic Valley features the 9-hole Academy Course, the Callaway Golf Performance Center, and the Learning Center with a double-ended driving range, short-game practice area, large putting green, and two practice holes. The par-32 Academy Course features three sets of tees and plays from 1,420 to 2,019 yards with five par-four holes and four par threes.
The 12,000 square-foot Clubhouse has a fully stocked Pro Shop featuring brand name equipment and golf apparel. The Grille Room provides golfers with sandwiches and snacks to go, and an opportunity to enjoy a cocktail and meal while socializing after a round of golf. The second floor Banquet Room is available for outings, banquets, and community events. It is complemented by an outdoor deck with a 270-degree view of the golf course, the historic Neshanic Valley, and the nearby Sourland Mountains.
Neshanic Valley is located at 2301 South Branch Road in Neshanic Station, about five minutes from Route 202.
