VUE

VUE | Summer 2016

The Digest | New Jersey Magazine

Issue link: https://magazines.vuenj.com/i/701166

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 77 of 127

The course's 27 holes are divided into three 9-hole courses: East, West, and South. This allows the golfers to choose which combination of the three they would like to play, making it much more versatile than your average 18-hole course. Each Nine poses different challenges, but the greatest test lies within the West Course. Even though the West is the shortest by length, its various water hazards and tough par 5's might make you rethink your strategy. UMCC caddie Chris Kiefer explained, "Due to the West's length, a lot of golfers think they can overpower the course. It's a true high-risk, high- reward scenario. Just be prepared to take penalties." But perhaps the most challenging of all is the final hole on the West Nine, a 455 yard par 4 with a landing area of just 19 yards (wide) and bunkers on either side. "All short shots will roll back to an uncomfortable 40 yard blind pitch shot," said Brunelle. The green itself is guarded by some of the deepest bunkers on the course. Elsewhere, the South Course's signature is its closing par 5, which has four bunkers and a water hazard all within 100 yards of the hole. As for the East, the fairways are a bit more open and pastoral than its counterparts. As a whole, the course's putting surfaces have very different looks. Brunelle explained, "Some of the biggest challenges to the golfer are found in the subtleties of our putting surfaces." For a large course like UMCC, the key to maintaining all 27 holes is to stay ahead of play. "With having three nines opening at the same time it requires a lot of bodies to stay ahead in order to remain productively efficient," said Brunelle. Altogether, the longest combination of the Nines measures 6,950 yards. Overall, each combination of the three Nines provides a different experience. And while the UMCC's rich history and immaculate fairways are a main attraction, the thing that holds everything together is the club's personnel, who not only know the course well, but embody the heart and spirit of the game itself. *UMCC will be hosting the NJSGA 91st Women's Amateur Championship from July 25 to July 28, 2016. VUE ON TRAVEL V U E N J . C O M 78

Articles in this issue

view archives of VUE - VUE | Summer 2016