Pros:
This course fills a deadspot between the World Class Lehigh Valley, PA to the west and the Warwick, NY and Campgaw,NJ courses to the east. Now 18 dual pad holes,it is one of the best if not the best NJ course. Nice Tee signs and well marked course. It has 13 very interesting and technical holes ..these play tightly amongst some fun undulating terrain with interesting pin placements and some interesting alternate tees, particularly holes #1,2,8,14,15,16,17, and 18 wow! #1 is a fun dogleg drop in to the creeky green below and #8 is a memorable uphill woodsy hyzer, These offer some of the best technical challenges anywhere. With severe undulating terrain playing through eastern forrest....these holes are a whole lot of fun and you will want to play them again and again. The Dream has been fulfilled and there is finally a permanent championship caliber course in Jersey.. There are 5 open holes including the huge 1000+ hole #11 that brings this course to a perfectly balanced and amazing 18. Nice rural park with ample parking. Beautiful Mountanous area of Jersey. Potties available. A lot of work seems to take place here, so I imagine this is one of those courses that will continue to improve and get better with age.
Cons:
It is really in the middle of Nowhere, NJ. Some of the technical holes are too close to one another 3&4. . In summer I am sure this place can beat up your legs with scratches and losing a disc is truly possible. The stream is really cool I wish it was brought into play more. It also seems some of the rolling terrain could have been used more as either tee pads or pin locations, particularly for holes 5-6 which have a filler feel. I love having 2 pads but they are a bit smallish. Holes 9,10,12,and 13 play very close to a walking path and are very open so watch out for joggers/walkers...hope no one gets hurt. Hole #1 plays close to a hockey rink and a tee ball field before doglegging down to the river/woods area.
Other Thoughts:
This is one of those courses I want to show other people....It really has a lot of fun factor and a lot of challenge as well. The theme here is technical and I like the fact that after playing out in the open you are forced back into the woods for 5 more wildly technical holes. I think some more grooming and opening up around the baskets will improve the course as the high vegetation as it stands now stops errant putts. I would rather see those putts sail into serious trouble, particularly on holes 17 and 18. This course is definetely being created by someone who understands the roots of the game...finesse and risk/reward are evident. I am not a fan of the wide open holes but they do balance the course nicely. Anymore open holes and the course would have lost some of it's unique character that I think will cause DGers to start coming here in droves once the word is out how clever and fun this course is. Did I mention I hate soccer fields. The first time I played here the field was open and the park was empty. It's April and there are soccer goals up in the field and many people everywhere. To really enjoy this course I would play it in the winter or during the daytime during the week. I think peak hours the open holes and hole #1 will be compromised. Dream On!