New Jersey Golf Course Named Greatest In America
Golf Digest dropped their annual list of America’s greatest golf courses and two courses in New Jersey made the list. One was named the best golf course in the country. Since 1966,…
Golf Digest dropped their annual list of America's greatest golf courses and two courses in New Jersey made the list. One was named the best golf course in the country. Since 1966, Golf Digest has published their ranking of America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses. 1,800 panelists submitted more than 85,000 evaluations over their 10-year scoring criteria. Their experts evaluate candidate courses on six criteria on a scale of 1 to 10. These include shot options, challenge, layout variety, aesthetics, conditioning, and character.
New Jersey Golf Course Ranked Number 1
The golf course that ranked the highest in the state and the nation is Pine Valley Golf Club in Pine Valley. In Southwest Jersey, the private golf course founder George Crump had help with revisions. In fact, now-legendary architects H.S. Colt, A.W. Tillinghast, George C. Thomas Jr., and Walter Travis. Hugh Wilson and his brother Alan finished the job, and William Flynn and Perry Maxwell made revisions. "Pine Valley blends all three schools of golf design—penal, heroic, and strategic—oftentimes on a single hole." wrote Golf Digest.
Next On The List
At number 45 is Baltusrol Golf Club: Lower in Springfield. Jack Nicklaus won two U.S. Opens on Baltusrol's Lower Course, setting a tournament record each time. Phil Mickelson and Jimmy Walker won PGAs on it. But the Lower's most historic event was the ace by architect Robert Trent Jones in 1954 on the par-3 fourth. NY Times reported that "Some members thought the par 3 over a pond was unfair. He offered to play the hole along with Johnny Farrell, the club pro, and two members while other members watched."
In 2021, Golf.com released its list of the top 100 public courses in America, with six NJ courses making the list. The Pine Valley Golf Club, Somerset Hills in Bernardsville, Baltusrol Golf Club: Lower in Springfield, Plainfield Golf Course, Ridgewood (E/W) in Paramus, and Hollywood Golf Course in Deal.
See the full list of the best golf courses in America according to Golf Digest here.
Gallery: Celebrity Golfers
Scott Halleran/Getty ImagesRyan Moore (R) poses with tournament host Justin Timberlake and the trophy after winning the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin on October 7, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jordan Strauss/Getty ImagesGary LeVox of Rascal Flatts, musician Blake Shelton and musician Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts attend Home Depot at 5th Annual Academy Of Country Music Celebrity Golf Classic at TPC Las Vegas on May 17, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Michael Loccisano/Getty ImagesLuke Combs, Cole Swindell and Brantley Gilbert attend the ACM Lifting Lives TOPGOLF Tee-Off at Topgolf Las Vegas on April 14, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Matt Sullivan/Getty ImagesDanielle Kang walks with singer Cole Swindell during the first round of the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions at Tranquilo Golf Course at Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando on January 17, 2019 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesJake Owen looks over a putt on the first green during the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 08, 2020 in Pebble Beach, California.
Emma McIntyre/Getty ImagesHannah Mulholland of Runaway June attends the ACM Lifting Lives TOPGOLF Tee-Off at Topgolf Las Vegas on April 14, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesJoe Don Rooney (L) of the band Rascal Flatts and Vince Gill take part in the 2007 Academy of Country Music Charity Golf Tournament at Cascata on May 14, 2007 in Boulder City, Nevada.
Jordan Strauss/Getty ImagesGary LeVox of Rascal Flatts, musician Leon Eric "Kix" Brooks III of Brooks & Dunn and musician Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts attend Home Depot at 5th Annual Academy Of Country Music Celebrity Golf Classic at TPC Las Vegas on May 17, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Rick Diamond/Getty ImagesJay DeMarcus (Rascal Flatts) and Vince Gill attend The 23nd Annual Vinny Pro-Celebrity-Junior Golf Invitational hosted by Vince Gill at the Golf Club of Tennessee on June 1, 2015 in Kingston Springs, Tennessee.
Harry How/Getty ImagesActor Ray Romano and musician Charles Kelley wait on the third green during the 3M Celebrity Challenge before the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at the Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 11, 2015 in Pebble Beach, California.
Harry How/Getty ImagesCharles Kelley on the 17th tee during the 3M Celebrity Challenge before the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at the Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 11, 2015 in Pebble Beach, California.
Messerschmidt/Getty ImagesDarius Rucker competes in the PGA Tour's 45th Bob Hope Chrysler Classic Pro Am at Bermuda Dunes Coountry Club January 21, 2004.
Michael Cohen/Getty ImagesDarius Rucker, Derek Jeter Bret Favre and Andy North are seen during the Celebrity Foursome to benefit the American Family Children's Hospital held during the second round of the American Family Insurance Championship held at University Ridge Golf Course on June 24, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin.
Warren Little/Getty ImagesDarius Rucker (L) and Bill Murray walk across the 13th hole during Round Two of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Monterey Peninsula Country Club on February 9, 2018 in Pebble Beach, California.
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Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesVince Neil poses during the 2nd Annual Mark & Brian Celebrity Golf Tournament March 17, 2001 in Fullerton, CA.
Messerschmidt/Getty ImagesAlice Cooper follows a tee shot during the second round at the PGA Tour - 45th Bob Hope Chrysler Classic Pro Am at La Quinta Country Club January 22, 2004.
Sam Greenwood/Getty ImagesAlice Cooper hits a shot during the pro-am round of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions at the Plantation course on January 5, 2011 in Kapalua, Hawaii.
Streeter Lecka/Getty ImagesActor Bill Murray of the United States and TV personality Nigel Lythgoe look on during the 2016 Ryder Cup Celebrity Matches at Hazeltine National Golf Club on September 27, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota.
Jonathan Ferrey/Getty ImagesBill Murray plays in the 3M Celebrity Challenge during a practice round for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 8, 2017 in Pebble Beach, California.
Stuart Franklin/Getty ImagesJustin Timberlake of USA and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland discuss during the pro-am prior to the start of the Omega European Masters at Crans Montana Golf Club on August 28, 2019 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.
Scott Halleran/Getty ImagesJustin Timberlake tees up his ball during the opening round of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic at Indian Wells Country Club January 16, 2002 in La Quinta, CA.
