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Down the Middle …

Old Orchard Country Club

“Golf is a game that is played on a five-inch course: the distance between your ears.”—Bobby Jones

By Greg Kelly

Regrettably, the coronavirus pandemic has put my “Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County this Weekend” column into a literary coma. If only for a while, hopefully. Monmouth County is too fun not to bounce back.

For nearly 8 years I never missed posting a weekend list. To keep the idea active, I’ve decided to focus on single events or activities for locals to consider. These being some of my personal favorites.

In these final summer weeks take some time and play two area golf courses designed by a legend. The Old Orchard Country Club and the Suneagles Golf Club. Both are open to the public, located in Eatontown, play at par 72, and offer “reasonable” green’s fees. Local players call both courses enjoyable and competitive. With lots of social distancing opportunities.

Both 18-hole courses are the work of renowned golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast. His vaunted portfolio includes several U.S. Open courses including the Black Course at the Bethpage State Park (Long Island), Baltusrol Golf Club (in Springfield, NJ) and Winged Foot Golf Course (in Mamaroneck, NY). He also designed the course at the Ridgewood Country Club,

Born in Philadelphia in the nation’s centennial year, Tillinghast’s fingerprints touched as many as 260 golf courses in the United States,” according to his World Golf Hall of Fame profile. He died in Ohio in 1942.

I’ve played more golf at Old Orchard than anywhere else. I know the course like the back of my hand. If I could play one last time in my life, it probably would be there.

Built in 1927, amid 127 acres of apple orchards and farm lands, the course plays at 6,300 yards. The original pro was George Sullivan. Born in the UK, he served for over 30 years and holds course record of 65. The signature hole, the par-five 7th, sports an island green.

Opened in 1926, Suneagles is located on the old Fort Monmouth post and plays at 6,357 yards. The US Army had acquired the course in 1941. It was there that golf legend Byron Nelson got his first pro win in 1935.Tillinghast named Suneagles “among the best of my creations.”

The clubhouse, Gibbs Hall, the former army officer’s club, is on the National Register of Historic Places. I admire the course for its many competitive par 4 holes, requiring superior long-iron play.

To seal the deal, consider golf’s overall benefits: good exercise, fresh air, improved focus, strategy development, confidence builder, learned humility, and competitive spirit. Besides, few things in life can top a beautiful day on the course with good friends or family.

I learned the game from my physician-father and probably played some 100 rounds of golf with him. Dad was an enthusiastic golfer who used the game as a major stress reducer. I remember him telling me that a person’s true nature could be found on the golf course. During my life of playing golf, I found that he was onto something there. Go find yourself.

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Posted: August 21st, 2020 | Author: | Filed under: Greg Kelly, Greg's List, Monmouth County News | Tags: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

One Comment on “Down the Middle …”

  1. Refreshing. said at 9:07 am on August 21st, 2020:

    Not a golfer, but love the history of those courses,attended many great events at Old Orchard, miss that, and hope both courses thrive. Fresh air, rest, good nutrition and recreation will help us come back..