Hello Sunshine
by Bill Kamenjar
In this otherwise world of social networking, instant analysis and constant informational retrieval, I somehow found this unidentified quote scribbled down on a scrap of paper attached to one of Atlantic City’s many golf course scorecards. So here goes:
“For some gamblers, it (golf) is the only way to get them out in the sunshine,” quipped Mr. Anonymous. “While casino gaming used to be the attraction to get everybody here, now it’s not the only option. These days there are hundreds of things to do in Atlantic City, and golf is one of those … perhaps the biggest one. A stay here now is a much broader experience.”
Indeed.
As a tourist destination once mainly identified for its world-famous boardwalk, glitzy casinos and nightlife, the southern region of New Jersey has earned a reputation as a top-tier golf region with 14 world-class public-play courses within a short drive of downtown hotspots. And as the industry continues to redefine itself and attract more players, it is finding new ways to enhance the golfers’ total vacation experience.
These days golf has taken center stage with big-name “modern” designers such as Stephen Kay leading the parade, adding to older, more traditional layouts that include the preservation of an original design by the great Donald Ross. From the visually stunning Twisted Dune Golf Club (with its towering grass-covered hills) to the old fashioned links-like Bay Course at the Seaview Hotel and Golf Club (providing stunning views of the Atlantic City skyline), golf course variety and proximity in one destination has never been so outstanding.
When friends ask about potential places to head on their next golf vacation, AC is always at the top of my list for good reasons. I tell them, there’s so much to do, so many places to play and you’ll never get bored playing the same “type” of golf course over and over again – no matter where you decide tee it up.
Below is a full list of courses golfers can readily access during their stay in Atlantic City. Golf any or all over a course of time, and you’ll discover what it means to enjoy the game in the shadows of legends and the sunshine of the Atlantic Coast.
Ballamor
Blue Heron Pines
Brigantine Golf Links
Cape May National
Eagle Ridge
Harbor Pines
LBI National (formerly known as Sea Oaks Golf Club)
McCullough’s Emerald Links
Seaview Golf Bay
Seaview Golf Pines
Scotland Run
Shore Gate
Twisted Dune
Vineyard National Golf at Renault Winery
