HAMILTON FARM GOLF CLUB
Course Architects: Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry
Year Opened: 2001
Location: Gladstone, New Jersey
Slope: 139 Rating: 74.7
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,131
Hole-by-Hole: 1 - Par 4 329 Yds 10 - Par 4 380 Yds
2 - Par 5 568 Yds 11 - Par 5 533 Yds
3 - Par 3 242 Yds 12 - Par 3 212 Yds
4 - Par 4 418 Yds 13 - Par 4 432 Yds
5 - Par 4 406 Yds 14 - Par 5 545 Yds
6 - Par 4 451 Yds 15 - Par 4 382 Yds
7 - Par 3 215 Yds 16 - Par 4 465 Yds
8 - Par 4 367 Yds 17 - Par 3 196 Yds
9 - Par 5 559 Yds 18 - Par 4 431 Yds
Par 36 3,555 Yds Par 36 3,576 Yds
Key Events Held: HSBC Women's World Match Play Championship (2005-06).
Awards Won: Ranked #9 - Best in State (New Jersey) by Golf Digest (2005-06),
Ranked #12 - Best in State (New Jersey) by Golf Digest (2007-08).
Website: Hamiltonfarmgolfclub.com
HISTORY: Back in the early 1900s, New York financier James Cox Brady, along
with his first wife, the former Elizabeth Hamilton, purchased a 180-acre piece
of land for $18,000, adjacent to the Pfizer estate. A small hunting lodge was
built at the entrance to the property, named "Hamilton Farm". In less than 10
years, Brady acquired an additional 5,000 acres of forests and farmland in
three New Jersey counties to create one of the "Garden State's" largest
working farms. Brady had all sorts of livestock, from Herefords to Jersey
cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens and German shepherds, to horses, such as
Clydesdales, Percherons and Shetland ponies. A 54-stall brick stable was
erected, considered the largest and most lavish barn in the country. Hamilton
Farm was in its heyday in the early 1920s, however when Brady died of
pneumonia in 1927, his heirs closed the farming operation and sold off all of
the animals. By 1942, Brady's third wife, Helen Cutting, who remarried and was
living at the farm, converted the stables and carriage house into an emergency
hospital for the U.S. Merchant Marine seamen, the first of its kind in wartime
America. During World War II, more than 45,000 Merchant Marine seamen were
treated at Hamilton Farm. Purchased by the former head of Lucent Technologies,
Hamilton Farm was conceived to be an ultra-exclusive club with everything
included. The Highlands Course at Hamilton Farm, along with the par-three
Hickory Course, were crafted by the design team of Dr. Michael Hurdzan and
Dana Fry. The duo have done some outstanding work around this country and
Canada, including Glenmaura National Golf Club, Fieldstone Golf Club and
Devil's Paintbrush Golf Club. With their minds wide open, Hurdzan and Fry
carved through the rolling, wooded terrain to design a five-star layout. That
is exactly what they did. "For us to leave our imprint on this superb piece of
land is indeed very special." After a reorganization with Lucent, the property
was sold to Dennis Townsend, the founder of Townsend Capital, a real estate
investment firm. Townsend, who has a different membership philosophy, has the
same dream in mind concerning the club.
Hamilton Farm is already making a name
for itself, as it played host to the inaugural HSBC Women's World Match Play
Championship in 2005. In typical match play style, most of the top seeds fell
by the wayside in the early rounds, as Lorena Ochoa, the third seed lost in
the opening round, as did number five Natalie Gulbis and 2005 U.S. Women's
Open champion Birdie Kim, while Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer, seeded second
and fourth respectively, dropped second round matches. World number one Annika
Sorenstam and former top-ranked Karrie Webb reached the quarterfinals. Leading
by two holes with only four remaining against Candie Kung, Sorenstam missed a
birdie try on 15 to halve the hole and then bogeyed the 16th to fall back to
all square. The two came up the par-four 18th tied and both found the fairway
off the tee. Neither hit the green with their second shots, and were almost
equally away from the hole on different sides of the green. Sorenstam got
relief from a sprinkler head right of the short grass, then putted five feet
past the hole, while Kung lagged her putt from the left side to tap-in
territory and was conceded par. Sorenstam, then blew her putt by on the right
side, as Kung advanced. Ranked 60th in the field, Marisa Baena dispatched Webb
2 & 1, as she never trailed in the match. Baena, who led 1-up after nine
holes, took a commanding lead with wins on holes 14 and 15, before closing out
the match on the 17th. In the semis, Baena defeated Kung, 2-up and then
knocked off Meena Lee, 1-up for her first career title and the largest first-
place check in LPGA Tour history, $500,000. Baena never trailed in the match
and held a 2-up lead at the turn. Baena, who shot 67, opened up a 3-up lead
with four to play and despite losing 15 and 16, parred the final two holes for
the win.
Vicky Hurst comments for 2010 "I think this course is good for match play
because I think some of the holes are very risk/reward, either go for it or
lay back. I think with this course, it comes with a lot of strategy especially
with match play."
REVIEW: The course opens with a perfect starter to get your round going, a
simple par-four that plays uphill to the green. Just 329 yards in length, the
first plays slightly longer, but requires just a long-iron or fairway-metal
off the tee. Favor the left side of the landing area to set up the best
approach angle to the green. Missing on the wrong side of the fairway will
leave an approach that must clear a tall oak fronting the right side of the
green. The putting surface is quite wide, but only 24 yards deep with a bunker
deep and a green-wide trap in front. A back-right flag is the most difficult,
especially if you miss left, as a ridge runs through the center. Your
shot-making skills will certainly be tested on the second, a par-five that
plays every bit of its 568-yard length. The hole plays downhill from the tee
and sweeps hard to the left with trees bordering both sides of the fairway.
The right side of the fairway is the best play for your first shot, but be
careful not to run through, as four traps guard the side. Your layup shot will
have to contend with a bunker situated in the center of the fairway, 126 yards
from the green. For your approach shot to the green, make sure to take an
extra club, as the putting surface is elevated and guarded on the right by a
deep bunker. The green slopes from back to front, with a back-right flag the
most difficult. There is reason why this is the number one handicap hole, so
don't be disappointed with par or worse. Not only is the third hole the
longest par-three on the course, but the putting surface is also the longest
at 43 yards in depth. So if your math is correct, the hole can play as long as
260 and it's slightly uphill...ouch! They say long is better, but how many
people can control a driver on a par-three? Short is not a bad play either and
make sure to not miss left, as trees and a large trap will snare any errant
shot. Bogey here is not so bad. After a couple of difficult holes, the fourth
and fifth are a chance to get one back. First up is the dogleg right fourth,
stretching 418 yards from the tips. Take aim at the bunkers on the left side
of the fairway for a perfect target. Ideally, a fade is the best play off the
tee, setting up a short-iron to a fairly large green. Make sure you avoid the
bunkers to the right of the fairway, as they are deep and difficult to get out
of and reach the green. A pair of traps guard the sunken, but very receptive
putting surface. The fifth is just the opposite, sloping downhill to the left,
devoid of fairway bunkers. The key here is club selection, as fairway-metal or
long-iron is the play off the tee. From a downhill lie, the player is left
with a wedge to a small green that sits at the bottom of the hill, with a
large trap to the right. Play below the hole to give yourself the best
opportunity for birdie. With subtle undulations, this could be one of the most
difficult greens to read on the course. The second-longest par-four on the
course, the sixth is a beaute, at 451 yards from the black buttons. Three
gargantuan traps blanket the left corner of this slight dogleg left. Playing
slightly downhill, a fade with the driver will set up the best approach to the
green. A mid-iron is left, but take one club less, as balls landing short
should release towards the flag. Sand occupies the right side of the surface,
while an old Bull Barn is left and deep, just five paces from the putting
surface. The green is fairly flat and only 29 yards in depth. At all costs,
stay away from the right side, as trees and deep rough will be a nightmare.
Par here is a good score. Plenty to consider at the seventh tee, as the par-
three plays downhill with a westerly breeze into your face. Not to mention the
angled green from left to right where a deep bunker resides. Mid- to long-iron
to the left side should set up a two-putt par, however the putting surface
forces all balls from the middle to back and is quite slick. It's hard to
believe it's the 15th handicap hole. The eighth is a generous hole that
stretches only 367 yards. Although uphill from tee to green, the fairway is
very wide and necessitates just a fairway metal for your first shot. Avoiding
the pair of traps from 123 yards and in on the right is of utmost importance
to set up a possible birdie try. The putting surface, which slopes from back
to front, is just 29 yards deep and features two bunkers, one on each side.
Staying below the hole will set up your best shot at birdie. The final hole on
the outward nine is certainly worthy of signature hole status. This
outstanding, downhill par-five offers a beautiful view of the clubhouse, as
you ponder what's in store. Number one, hit the wide-open fairway, which, on a
firm day, will give you plenty of roll as you catch the slopes of the landing
area. Second, decide which is the proper play, going for the green, laying up
short of the hazard or over the wetlands. Trying to get home in two is risky,
as water, sand and thick rough could prove to be costly. Short of the wetlands
leaves a slightly uphill third of 140-150 yards to a very narrow green. Over
the water leaves only a short pitch and the best angle to the tight green,
with difficult bunkering on both sides. The putting surface slopes severely
from back to front, but a deep right pin will have the opposite effect.
Scores on nine can range from birdie to double-bogey, so choose wisely.
The final nine holes start off with a short, but difficult par-four that
doglegs to the left. Although only 380 yards from the tips, driver should be
used off the tee, as the fairway is quite accommodating, especially towards
the right. This will set up a downhill approach to a long, narrow green with
just a wedge. Missing left off the tee will result in thick rough, making it
difficult to reach the putting surface. The green itself slopes from back to
front and right to left, with a deep trap protecting the left side. The 10th
can be had. The next hole is another risk-reward par-five, that plays downhill
off the tee and doglegs to the left. Aim for the right fairway bunker for your
opening shot and turn it in towards the landing area. A shot of 242 yards will
be needed to carry the ridge in the fairway. Your second shot to the green
also requires a right to left turn if you dare go for it in two. The sensible
play however, is to just layup down the right side of the fairway, leaving
just a short pitch to a very receptive green. Two areas to avoid are the right
side of the landing zone, as a steep incline and thick rough resides while the
left side features deep woods and rough. The putting surface is very wide, but
only 29 yards in depth, with just one trap (front-left). A back flag placement
could be tough to get close, but below the hole is key. One word of caution,
do not miss long, as the green falls off severely into the woods. Precision is
the word on the 12th tee, a ticklish downhill par-three. The putting surface
is just 27 yards in depth and features a bunker on either side of the green.
Missing left, right or long will spell trouble, as the deep rough would
indicate. Once on the putting surface, you shouldn't have too much trouble
getting down in two. Choosing the right club off the tee is of utmost
importance. One of the most difficult driving holes, the 13th is a bear,
requiring a tee shot of 255 yards from the back tees, which must carry deep,
thick rough. After accomplishing this task, your approach shot is just as
trying, as it plays uphill to a long green. A back-left flag could mean two
extra clubs. The putting surface features two deep bunkers, one on each side
of the green, which slopes right to left and back to front. Making par here
will be a chore. Another spectacular hole, the 14th is a bunker-laden par-
five, that many believe can be reached in two. "Not I said the fox." Yes, it's
downhill off the tee, however from the fairway, it's uphill to a green that's
set back to the right. The landing area is accessible off the tee, with a
quintet of traps to the right and one large bunker on the left. The layup area
has a 30-yard bunker on the left, 146 yards from the green and another on the
right 80 yards from the surface. Make sure you take enough club to reach the
green, which is just 29 yards deep, but fairly wide. If there ever was a
birdie chance, this is it. Hurdzan and Fry like to think of the 14th as the
course's signature hole. The dogleg left 15th requires more strategy than
brawn. Just 382 yards from the tips, a fairway-metal should be the choice off
the tee, thus avoiding the trio of traps on the right side of the landing area
and setting up just a short-iron to the green. The best approach angle to
the putting surface is the right side, as it takes the left greenside trap out
of play. The green can be treacherous, especially with a back-left flag, as
balls tend to fall away from the green. Pin placement will determine your
course of action. Although just the eighth handicap hole, the 16th is a
monster of a par-four at 465 yards. Despite playing downhill, accuracy and
length are needed, as the fairway is quite tight with 60 yards worth of
traps on the left. From the landing area, the hole bends towards the left and
will play at the full yardage, which means a mid- to long-iron to a very
small green. The putting surface is fairly round and slopes from back to front
with traps on either side. Do not miss long, as this will result in
bogey or worse. Making par here will put you ahead of the game. The final par-
three, the 17th will test your mettle. First of all, the green is almost 40
yards long, so the hole can play from 180 yards to 215 yards in length.
Secondly, the 17th is surrounded by trees, so swirling wind conditions come
into play. Then of course is execution. Picking the right stick will cause you
angst as you try to keep your round together. Of utmost importance is not
missing right, as the hole falls off sharply into a deep bunker. Left is no
bargain either with another trap, but certainly more manageable. This is no
time to go for the flag. Play center cut, two putt and move on. It doesn't get
much better than the last. An outstanding par-four of 431 yards, featuring a
225-yard carry to the fairway with the backdrop of the stately Hamilton House.
The fairway is generous, but you must carry the ridge in the landing area, or
you'll be left with a long-iron. Two traps, one on each side guard the
fairway, but they are more for alignment, as it takes a huge blast of over 300
yards to reach. Your approach shot to the green plays uphill, so take an extra
club to gain access to this crowned putting surface, guarded nicely by a pot
bunker in front. A fitting end to an outstanding course.
FINAL WORD: Wow! Words cannot describe how incredible Hamilton Farm Golf Club
is, but I certainly will give it a try. Let's start out with the estate, which
is second to none, encompassing over 650 acres of prime acreage in Somerset
County. Next, the amenities. Whatever you need, want, desire...you got it. The
staff, well to say they're accommodating, would be an understatement. Finally,
the course. Not necessarily in this order, but, awesome, beautiful,
challenging, difficult, outstanding, phenomenal, remarkable and world class.
Yes, I raided the Thesaurus. Hamilton Farm is a magnificent piece of property,
with first-rate conditioning, a great practice area, knowledgeable caddies and
a top-notch golf course. The contours and angles of the course and the sand
complexes are impeccable. "The bunkering at Hamilton Farm is indeed truly
unique and it looks like it's been there forever," commented Dr. Michael
Hurdzan. Another key ingredient to Hamilton Farm is that it features four sets
of tees, ranging from 5,300 to 7,100 yards, so all levels can play, not to
mention the 3,100-yard, 18-hole par-three course. So here's what you have. An
18-hole championship course; an 18-hole par-three course, the only USGA rated
par-three course in the world; a 20,000-square-foot residence (Hamilton House)
with ten guest suites, 11 fireplaces, private dining and meeting facilities, a
wine cellar and a chapel; a 14,000 square foot clubhouse; a helipad and it's
the home of the United States Equestrian Team, which uses Hamilton Farm as its
training ground for the Olympic Games. This is a retreat of the highest
standards. "It's the sort of course that could be a U.S. Open site," mentioned
Golf Digest. Townsend has spared no expense to make Hamilton Farm one of, if
not, the most exclusive club in the country. Even the course superintendent,
Paul Ramina, was previously employed by prestigious Riviera Country Club in
California, the Director of Golf, Mark Wood, includes PGA Tour winners Stewart
Cink and Dudley Hart as students, and the head golf professional, Jeff Diehl,
well, he was the head professional and director of tournament operations at
famed Oakmont Country Club. Hamilton Farm Golf Club "is" the future of
American golf course design and the standard of what a private club should
embody.