Central NJ: Non-private options, leagues, etc

[philsRHman]

Thinking I'll be quite limited in playing this year so I want to explore my options beyond Glenwood CC, which I've been a member for a long time (but now that I'm 40+ it's not such a no-brainer). The upside is there are weekend tournaments, I can stop by on my way home and play 6 holes. It's 10 minutes from home, so I can zip out for a quick weekend afternoon round, or early weekend, and know I can get out and play in under 4 hours (sometimes under 3 hours). But for $5k, knowing Saturdays are shot until June (Little League, etc), I'm starting to think about other options. One idea is looking for a public course with a weekend association, similar to what a friend has on Staten Island, where you can count on a game, getting tee times, etc. I understand there's something like this at Galloping Hill. I've also heard of different clubs that travel around the state and you join whichever you want, but I've heard those can be very long days, less than ideal tee times, etc.

Anyone have any thoughts? I'm in Middlesex County, but Tamarack is out of the question, but I could easily get to Monmouth or Union (which has the secondary advantage of being on my way how from work in North Jersey for mid-week play).

I'd certainly love to consider another private option, especially if it was something/someplace my wife and son could spend a bunch of time in the summer. I looked briefly at Colonia but looks like I'm too old for their "pay your age" special, and unsure about that golf course or what the full rates are. Another was Bella Vista, but the golf course appears to be a glorified executive course. Battleground and Forsgate are too far. Beacon Hill is closer, but same issue with the golf course being a question mark, and I think it's significantly more expensive.

So, any ideas for a non-private but still feasible plan for getting in some competitive golf this summer, I'd be all ears.

[NJgolfer11]

If you’re close to Monmouth County, you can get a non county card for $269 I believe and still get the county rates and book online. The public courses are great. Under $50 to walk, if you bring your own pull cart.

 

If you’re not far from glen wood, you can jump on 18 south to Hominy Hill, Shark River, Howell and take 9 South to Charleston Springs.

 

as for private, you can see if a club will grant a limited play membership where you get like 10 rounds or so a year.

[philsRHman]

Thanks for this. Monmouth's system is renowned across the state, and very close to me, but I do worry about tee times and pace of play. I guess what I'm really looking for is a public access place with some kind of men's association (not specifically men-only, just that's what they're typically called) or a regular game, tournaments, etc. I know Monmouth puts on a county Am, but how anything throughout the summer, akin to a club championship, or even something less formal, like a men's club with a decent cash game, etc?

[NJgolfer11]

Theres a group called Golf Club of NJ. Here is the link:

http://www.golfclubnj.com/schedule.html

[philsRHman]

Thanks for posting. Looks a little skewed too far south Jersey so it might not work but I’m going to look into it.

[Jersey golfer]

Rutgers Golf Course has a weekend league. Contact me for more information if you are interested.

[eagles1]

Maybe I'm not reading this right. I see the membership fee, but am unclear as to what the cost is to enter events. Am I missing something?

[philsRHman]

I tried to find out by emailing them but got a response to “call me.” I’m not a phone guy so I honestly couldn’t be bothered especially once I realized almost all the tournaments I could make are in Deep South Jersey.

[NJGolfer0624]

Monmouth County did away with the County Am a few years ago.

[philsRHman]

Interesting. I actually got a Monmouth Co. card and with that are club championships at each of the courses. I guess that will have to scratch the itch this year. Of course, at this point, who knows what the season will look like.