River Vale, N.J. – The Bergen Hills Country Club, formerly The River Vale Country Club, will launch its 75th anniversary season with the official opening of the 2006 season this spring. The club will mark this significant milestone by enhancing its membership programs with an expanded event schedule and by beginning Phase II of the club’s extensive restoration program. Opened in 1931 during the golden age of golf, the course was designed by Orrin Smith and the legendary Donald Ross, and it features blind tee shots to tight landing areas, rolling fairways and tricky greens.
From the early beginnings of the club’s history, business was thriving and River Vale Country Club was considered one of the metropolitan area’s premier public access facilities. Through the years, a veritable Who’s Who of the sports and entertainment industries graced the greens at River Vale, including: Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, The Mills Brothers, Rocky Graziano, The Dorsey Brothers, Benny Goodman, and Joe Louis.
Sadly, the golden years at River Vale did not last forever and in the late 1980s, the club began to suffer from numerous ownership changes and neglect. Golfers claimed that play became excruciatingly slow and course conditions deteriorated.
Finally in late 2003, new ownership and management was introduced, the club was renamed Bergen Hills Country Club, and immediately efforts were made to restore the facility to its original splendor.
While greens fees and caddie fees (which in the 1930s were 75 cents) have steadily increased since the club’s opening in 1931, today the course still retains its old-world charm. Bergen Hills’ ownership has gone to painstaking lengths to restore the course’s greens and bunkers to their original size, replacing bunkers that had been allowed to erode over time, and grassing over others that were not a part of the original design. The course once again reflects the original intent of Smith and Ross’s design.
In addition to the golf course, the club has renovated and upgraded its grill and bar, combining the look and feel of a historic club with a modern sports bar theme. Exposed stone walls, discovered to be the exterior of the original Dutch Colonial building, lend a classic touch while six television screens throughout the grill, offer members and daily golfers modern conveniences. The grill now offers a classic, pub-style menu and the bar features an array of cocktails and daily happy hour specials.
Today, Bergen Hills proudly boasts 250 memberships in all categories and less than 75 memberships across all categories remain available for purchase.
“Over the past 18 months, we have invested tremendous resources in upgrading the club’s facilities and that will continue during our Anniversary Celebration,” said General Manager John Napier. “There is a genuine feeling of excitement and enthusiasm from our members and guests because Bergen Hills has a bright future ahead.”
Phase II of the club’s restoration program is set to begin during this anniversary year with renovations scheduled for both the men’s and women’s locker rooms and the club’s second floor hospitality area.
In addition to upgrading its facilities, the club will introduce a member event schedule that rivals any private club in the area and includes programs such as: a member skills competition, a nine-hole putting tournament and a three-club tournament.
Bergen Hills offers four categories of membership as well as daily fee rates. The club ranked a 3 ½ Star “Places To Play” facility by Golf Digest, and was just ranked one of the top venues for golf outings in the entire state by Garden State Golf Magazine. To reserve a tee time or inquire about membership at Bergen Hills Country Club, please call (201) 391-2300. Bergen Hills is managed by RDC Golf Group, Inc.