GOLF COURSE REVIEW - SEAVIEW RESORT (BAY COURSE)
Course Architects: Hugh Wilson and Donald Ross (1914-15), Robert Cupp Jr (1998, restoration)
Year Opened: 1914
Location: Galloway Township, New Jersey
Slope: 120. Rating: 69.5
Par: 71
Yardage: 6,366
Hole-by-Hole: 1 - Par 4 359 Yds 10 - Par 4 367 Yds
2 - Par 4 436 Yds 11 - Par 3 230 Yds
3 - Par 5 484 Yds 12 - Par 4 344 Yds
4 - Par 4 377 Yds 13 - Par 4 415 Yds
5 - Par 4 359 Yds 14 - Par 4 420 Yds
6 - Par 4 393 Yds 15 - Par 3 204 Yds
7 - Par 3 190 Yds 16 - Par 4 377 Yds
8 - Par 4 319 Yds 17 - Par 3 115 Yds
9 - Par 5 476 Yds 18 - Par 5 501 Yds
Par 37 3,393 Yds Par 34 2,973 Yds
Awards Won: Best Courses You Can Play (NJ) by Golfweek (2009), Readers’ Choice Award by Golf World Magazine (2009), World Travel Awards Nominee (2023), Top 200 courses by Golfweek (2025)..
Key Events Held: PGA Championship (1942), Atlantic City LPGA Classic (1986-87), ShopRite LPGA Classic (1998-2006, 2010-present).
Website: seaviewgolf.com
HISTORY: Founded by Clarence H. Geist, a rich entrepreneur from Philadelphia in 1914, who also founded Boca Raton Country Club, Seaview was designed by Hugh Wilson of Merion Golf Club fame. Although Donald Ross stepped in a year later to finish the course by adding the sand bunkers, Wilson should get the lions share of the credit, as he molded the golf course into what it is today. Geist reportedly spent $1.4 million to build the course. Presidents Warren G. Harding and Dwight D. Eisenhower and other influential dignitaries came to experience the private course over the years. It is said, that even Grace Kelly celebrated her 16th birthday at Seaview. During their Steel Wheels Tour, none-other than the Rolling Stones spent ten days at the Resort by in 1989.
A second venue was added to Seaview in 1929, as William Flynn and Howard Toomey crafted the Pines Course. Unlike the Bay layout, the Pines runs through the Jersey woodlands, with plenty of elevation changes and doglegs. In addition, the track is also 6,700 yards long with a slope of 126.
It was 1942 that really put Seaview on the map, as the Silver Anniversary of the PGA Championship was held on both the Bay and Pines courses. Sam Snead captured the first of his seven major titles by defeating Jim Turnesa, 2 &1 in the championship match. Turnesa defeated Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson leading up to the final. The Bay Course was used as the back nine and Snead defeated Turnesa with a miraculous 60-foot chip shot on the 35th hole for the win.
The LPGA Tour came calling in 1986, as Juli Inkster captured the first of her two Atlantic City titles. With birdies on the 11th and 12th holes, Inkster won the inaugural event by three shots over Patti Rizzo and totaled four wins that year.
The ShopRite LPGA Classic winners list reads like a who’s who of phenomenal players on Tour. Annika Sorenstam was a three-time winner, along with Betsy King, while Stacy Lewis and Anna Nordqvist were two-time champions.
It was in 2024 that provided, possibly the most dramatic finish in event history. Needing to birdie the final hole of round two just to make the cut, Linnea Strom did just that, sinking a 12-foot putt to make the final round on the number. Strom, then proceeded to card the lowest round in event history, an 11-under-par 60, to win her first LPGA Tour title.
Starting the final round tied for 52nd, seven strokes behind, Strom broke an LPGA record by winning an event from that position, shattering the previous mark of a tie for 23rd by Ayako Okamoto at the 1987 Keystone Open.
“I never thought during the final round that I had a chance to win,” said Strom. Playing in the third group that morning, Strom posted four birdies and an eagle, as she chipped in from 40 feet on nine to move into contention. After a tap-in birdie on 10, she took the lead with a birdie on 14 and then finished her round with birdies on the final three holes. “I felt I was in the zone, especially after I chipped in for eagle on nine.” From holes five through 11, Strom made seven consecutive threes.
The hard part was waiting over three hours to find out if she was a winner, as the leaders teed off 3 1/2 hours after she did. Megan Khang and Ayaka Furue were the closest competitors, but both players failed to birdie the final hole and finished one back.
To put things in perspective, when Inkster won back in 1986, first-place prize was $33,750. Strom’s heroic finish garnered her $262,500! “This place will always have a special place in my heart.”
Regressing slightly, In 1998, the powers that be brought in Robert Cupp Jr for a $1 million restoration project of sorts, as he added four new tees, widened a few fairways and put in a few new bunkers between the fourth and fifth holes. This was all done to help preserve par on the historic layout and restore the course to its original design. Not sure if he accomplished that fact after Strom’s 60!
Ownership of Seaview was purchased by Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in 2010 for $20 million. This lasted almost a decade, until Dolce Hotels and Resorts by Wyndham took over in 2018. Dolce spent $18 million to renovate the entire property, including 296 guest rooms, event spaces and dining outlets.
“Seaview is a beloved icon of the Jersey Shore community with a rich local history shared by many guests who have spent generations vacationing here – and even team members who spend their entire careers, some of them across several generations of families, working with us at the resort,” said then General Manager Bob Nelson. “This transformation is the dawn of a new era for Seaview and will provide our guests a modern east coast destination resort and, true to the Dolce brand, a harbor for inspired meetings and events – all while still embracing the past that shaped our celebrated story.”
COURSE REVIEW: The opening hole on the Bay Course is a straightaway par four stretching 359 yards from the back tees. Sand down the entire right side and thick rough guard the fairly generous fairway. The putting surface is slightly elevated and protected by bunkers on either side. The green runs from front to back and right to left, so play to the correct side for a chance at birdie.
At 436 yards, the second hole is by far the longest par four on the course. Out of bounds right and rough and sand guarding the left, make this brute one of the most difficult. The green is situated in front of Reeds Bay, offering stunning views of the Atlantic City skyline. The putting surface is two-tiered and very slick from back to front. Usually playing back into the wind, stay below the hole and hope to make par.
Number three is certainly a birdie hole, as it’s only 484 yards in length. Although sand protects the left side, the fairway can be negotiated easily to set up a chance to get home in two. A bunker short left and one right are the only obstacles in your way, as you should be able to run your second shot on the green. Sloping from right to left, this hole will yield plenty of birdies and maybe an eagle or two!
The fourth hole is a birdie hole waiting to happen. However, it does requires a tee ball in the fairway that slopes from right to left. Avoid the sand on either side and you’ll have a wedge to one of the smallest greens on the course. Miss left and your approach will run off the green and long, well forget about it! Accuracy is a must.
The short fifth is less than 360 yards, but sand lurks everywhere. Several trees guard the right side, so maybe a three metal will give you the best shot at birdie. From the fairway, another short club will suffice, however, four bunkers protect this front to back sloping green.
Another difficult par four heading to Reeds Bay, the sixth is a shade under 400 yards and plays straightaway to the green. The landing area off the tee slopes from right to left and after a quality first shot, you’ll need pinpoint accuracy to hit another minuscule green. This putting surface slopes back to front, with a back flag the most dangerous, as long will be wet.
The first par three comes way of the seventh at 190 yards over a pond to a well-guarded green. Four deep bunkers protect the putting surface, which features a hump down the center. Trust me, take your three and move on!
Playing alongside Reeds Bay to the right, number eight is a birdie waiting to happen. The fairway is one of the stingiest on the course, so fairway metal or iron is your play. The green is fronted by three deep bunkers, but with a short club in hand, birdie is a distinct possibility. No doubt, the tiniest of greens at Seaview.
The closing hole on the outward nine is once again, a birdie opportunity. A par five of just 476 yards, requires a tee shot in the fairway. Sand does protect the left side of the landing area, however the real trouble are the three crossing bunkers that block your view to the green. Certainly reachable in two, a birdie is very real, unless your chipping for eagle like Linnea Strom did in 2024 to win the LPGA ShopRite Classic! Just remember the putting surface runs hard from right to left, so be careful.
The inward nine begins with a simple par four, bending to the left of just 367 yards. Favor the right side off the tee, as sand guards the corner of the dogleg. Another short iron remains to a tricky green that slopes back to front and from both sides into the middle. Again, stay below the hole for your best shot at birdie.
One might consider the 11th hole as the most difficult on the course. This par three measures 230 yards and plays every bit of it, as the wind is usually in your face. Like Billy Casper did at Winged Foot, you might choose to play short of the green and rely on your short game to make par. Sand guards either side of this fairly large putting surface. A three here goes a long way.
To get the stroke back that you might have lost on 11, the 12th offers a real opportunity. Just 344 yards and doglegging to the right, This par four is a birdie waiting to happen. A trio of traps guards the left and tall trees protect the aggressive player who tries to cut the corner. Although the green is long, it is quite narrow with several levels to negotiate. Fall offs on both side is all that is needed to thwart your efforts.
The 13th, although sporting a very wide landing area, plays quite difficult, as it stretches 415 yards, the first of back-to-back 400-plus par fours. Uphill from tee to green, you’ll need to avoid the two left fairway traps and then take an extra club or two to reach the elevated putting surface. Bunkers on either side of the green need to be avoided and pin position will dictate your approach. The green features a ridge running from front to back, as the putting surface runs hard from left to right.
Next up is the fairly blind tee shot on 14. No hazards to speak of, unless you count the deep rough on either side of the fairway. Now it’s a medium to long iron to a wide green with bunkers on either side. The putting surface is flat with very little undulation. Who knows, maybe a birdie is possible.
With Reeds Bay to the right, the par three 15th is a wonderful, uphill hole that features trouble right and a bunker left. A false front will repel plenty of approaches, so make sure you take enough club to cover the 200-plus yards. This was the lone par that Linnea Strom made on her final five holes en route to victory.
As you head down the stretch, the closing three holes all can be had, starting with the 16th. A modest par four of just 377 yards and bending to the right, this hole requires a tee shot over the corner of the dogleg. This will set up a short iron to a two-tiered green. Yes, with the pin in the back it makes for a difficult approach, however a front flag is a green light special.
Same can be said with the short, par three 17th. Only 115 yards in length, this hole features another small green that is surrounded by five deep bunkers. The green runs hard from back to front, so as long as you stay below the hole, you’ll have a great shot at birdie. It must be said that during one of the media days at ShopRite, yours truly made a hole-in-one!
The final hole on the course is a wonderful par five of 501 yards from the back tees. Sand guards both sides of the landing area, however the fairway is generous and you should be able to negotiate the tee shot. You’re now face with a decision, go for the green or layup short with your approach. The two fairway bunkers in the layup zone are definitely in play, so the smart play is go for the green in two. Even if you come up short, you’ll have a simple chip shot to an accessible flag. The putting surface does have a false front, but not worry, you should be able to get up and down!
OVERALL THOUGHTS: There is a reason why the LPGA Tour ventures to Atlantic City every year. The crowds are great, the donations to charity are amazing and yes, the golf course at Seaview is awesome.
Set on a fairly small piece of property, occupying just 250 acres, the Bay Course at Seaview is a gem and length has nothing to do with it. Just 6,300-plus yards in total, this course requires shot-making at its finest, not to mention plenty of imagination.
The average green size is just 6,000 square feet, so you need to be on your toes to negotiate the undulating slopes at Seaview. Let’s not forget the 93 bunkers dotted around the course and yes, out of the 250 acres, 150 is rough!
The Seaview Dolce Resort is a special place. Just walking the hallways of the main building will give you goosebumps, as you read and view all of the photos around the entire complex. We’re talking over 110 years of history here.
Views of the Atlantic City skyline, top notch golf and amenities galore. For example, three restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, 24-hour fitness center and of course two championship golf courses with a fully stocked golf shop and driving range. Oh, there’s more, but you’ll have to take my word for it. Better yet, schedule a visit. You’ll be glad you did.
