“Golfers may be leaving their home clubs in these trying economic times but they are not leaving the game of golf. They will still be playing 30 or more rounds somewhere. The municipal and daily fee clubs that can keep themselves viable and in a condition that is acceptable to this group of players should see an increase in business,” says Robert McNeil, principal architect at the Northeast Golf Co.
McNeil began working with the Morris County Park Commission in 2006 to develop a Comprehensive Golf Course Enhancement Plan for Sunset Valley. His renovation work at the course is scheduled to continue in 2009.
Sunset Valley, originally opened in 1974, is well known for the triad of wonderful finishing holes - 16th, 17th, and 18th - regarded among the very best in New Jersey. The condition of this challenging layout had declined over the years. Trees had squeezed the corridors giving rise to turf quality and growth issues and the design had been compromised.
“Overtime features wear, strategies change, technology advances, competition gains, history is lost and all these have an effect on the overall golf facility,” said McNeil.
The seventh hole, a par five had played along the base of a rock slope. It offered little strategic value and registered a lot of complaints. Once beyond the initial landing area off the tee it narrowed to a point slightly wider than a bowling alley. Players were eager to see it go but terrain dictated there would be no quick fix.
The resolution at the seventh was two new holes - the second was a par 4 that has been extended into a par 5 and the downhill 217 yard third hole now plays into a large meandering green flowing away from the player into deep grass pockets along the ride side of the putting surface.
The County undertook the project in stages and will commence phase 3 his spring. Work has been completed on second, third, fourth, fifth, 10th, 13th 14th, 16th, 17th and 18th holes.
The new seventh hole will be built along with improvements on the sixth and eighth. A new pond is also being constructed. All work is scheduled for completion in 2009.
The prior completion of the first and second phases with the program’s ability to accommodate a full contingent of players on the course has resulted in an increase in rounds for the first time in several years.
