I celebrates Wedgwood Country Club
half a century
n 1965, Jack Nicklaus won The Masters, a gallon of gas was 31 cents and Wedgwood Country Club broke ground. Fifty years later, with its sprawling, tree-lined golf course — featuring bent grass tees, greens and fairways — Wedgwood Country Club is still the choice for those seeking upscale yet affordable play. The family-owned and -operated public golf course in Turnersville, a home away from home for tristate-area golfers of all levels, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season. Plans are in the works for a celebration in late summer. “Our turf and layout rivals any of the private golf courses in South Jersey,” said owner/manager Mark Santerian. “We are very proud of this property.” In fact, Santerian says golfers flock to the club from a 20-mile radius, taking full advantage of a wide variety of affordable membership packages.
“Our course is challenging yet fair,” he said. “There are no blind shots.” The traditional layout, reminiscent of some of Philadelphia’s most prestigious courses, was redesigned in 1996. The course has four sets of tees, ranging from 7,100 to 5,550 yards from the hole. “We have golfers of all ages and abilities, including those with single-digit handicaps,” Santerian said. The family-friendly club is a popular spot for senior citizens and is the host course to Washington Township High School’s championship Minutemen golf team. Convenience is an integral theme at Wedgwood. Open seven days a week year-round, the club only closes on Christmas and New Year’s Day. Members also have the perk of booking
by Jan
L. Apple, For the Courier-Post
tee times online. As a section member of the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP), Santerian said there are a number of events — such as team matches — where members seeking a competetive challenge have the opportunity to partake. Besides testing a golfer’s skill while navigating rolling terrain, the country club has a full-service catering and banquet facility. With four distinct rooms to choose from, Wedgwood accommodates parties, fundraisers, business outings and events for up to 225 people. “We host different groups,” said Santerian, “meetings, luncheons, christenings, chambers of commerce, funerals, weddings.” The club is also home to Divots Bar and Grill, known for its casual fare and friendly ambiance. Santerian is happy to announce that construction is nearly complete for its latest addition — a full-service restaurant, which will include a new dining room, kitchen and a chef who will introduce an enhanced menu. The restaurant is scheduled to open this summer. “Wedgwood holds a special place in our hearts,” said Santerian, who along with younger brother Michael Santerian, owns and operates four other golf properties in the tri-state region. Wedgwood was the first of these properties for the Santerian family. Mark Santerian was just 12 when his dad, Ned Santerian (who passed away in 1994), began managing Wedgwood Country Club in 1973 through a lease/purchase arrangement. In 1984, he purchased the 155-plus acre property, handing the reins to Mark in 1988. Suffice it to say Santerian knows golf. Even before his dad managed Wedgwood, Mark would often tag along on golf outings to area clubs. Along the way, he not only acquired the skills and knowledge to manage golf courses, he also grew to love the game. Looking back over the decades, Santerian shared an indelible memory from what he calls Wedgwood’s heyday. “It was 1974 or 1975; the Philadelphia Flyers had just won the Stanley Cup. At about the same time, Wedgwood hosted a Flyers ProAm tournament. The Flyers players were here and throngs of crowds came out. As a young kid, it was really exciting to be a part of that celebration.” Looking ahead, Santerian aspires to increase interest in the game of golf while continuing to provide the highest-quality product at an affordable price. “Our goal is to be around for another 50 years.”
Wedgwood Country Club 200 Hurffville Road Turnersville, NJ www.wedgwoodcc.com (856) 227-5522