Harbor Pines Golf Club Keeps Setting the Bar Higher

By, JOHN TORSIELLO

Harbor Pines Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey is getting back to normal operations after the government ended closures of many businesses, including golf courses in early May.

“We re-opened the day they said we could, which was May 2, with limited tee times, cart restrictions and all social distancing and safe touch guidelines in place,” said Debbie Stevenson, Director of Sales and Marketing. Since then, restrictions have been lifting including the most recent ability to accommodate outdoor dining. “The club is following all local and state guidelines for operating a business during this time. Our main concern is the safety and health of our guests and staff and we will continue to follow and enforce all policies to ensure their comfort.” She continued, “Golfers were anxious to get back out on the course and our members and weekly leagues have also returned for the season. It’s great to welcome golfers back to the club and see everyone enjoying the fresh air.”

The first public play was welcomed at the course in August of 1996 and Harbor Pines has remained a favorite place to play among visitors and locals. Next year the club will be celebrating 25 years of operation. When you look at the reviews online you will notice two things that are mentioned most often; customer service, and course conditions. From the moment you arrive at Harbor Pines, you know you’ve made the right choice; staff is friendly and accommodating making all guests feel like they’ve arrived at a private club. The course

is aesthetically pleasing, playable, and pace of play is around 4:15 minutes, making a round even more enjoyable. Ending the day at the club’s pub room for a great meal adds to the overall superb experience of playing at Harbor Pines. “We’ve always been known for our outstanding conditions, especially our fast and true-rolling greens,” said Stevenson. Harbor Pines is one of the best kept courses in South Jersey and a “must-play” for golfers from all over the tri-state region. The late opening aided course conditions, which, Stevenson said, this year are “supreme.”

The layout at Harbor Pines offers a wonderful blend of holes, ranging from parkland style to those with more of a links feel to them. Water is a huge element that you’ll have to deal with at Harbor Pines,

which stretches to over 6,800 yards from the tips. And there are plenty of bunkers to make accuracy on your tee shots and irons to the rather large and somewhat undulating greens simply a must.

The track starts with a nice, 505-yard par-five that big hitters can think about going for in two. But they must be very careful as the fairway is rather narrow, with golf-ball-eating trees to the right and water on the left that runs almost all the way to a deep green. Number five is considered the course’s toughest par-four. It plays 452 yards from the tips and bends slightly to the right. Water runs along the right side of the hole all the way to the putting surface and is situated so as to catch errant tee shots and short approaches to the green.

Number eight is called “Have Mercy” and the 215-yard par-three is Harbor Pine’s signature hole and one of the toughest par-threes in South Jersey. It requires some short-game skill if your tee shot fails to find the well protected and devilishly difficult green. There is plenty of room to take an

extra club off the tee to help avert disaster. A three here is a very good score indeed.

Number nine is another beast of a parfour, playing 460 yards with water left and woods right. You may need to approach the green with a long-iron or fairway wood in your hands, which will make the second shot even more dicey.

Number 12 is perhaps the course’s signature hole. It is certainly the most photographed and visually stunning hole on the layout. The tee shot on this 339-yarder must clear a large pond and land in a small fairway that sits in front of the green. The putting surface is protected by bunkers and water to the rear. You can make birdie or double bogey here, depending upon your accuracy and length off the tee.

Number 18 is a great finishing hole, playing 481 yards from the tips. A lusty drive that steers clear of a pond on the left and sand and trees to the right of the fairway will leave you with a perfect chance to go for the green in two and finish your round with a birdie or maybe even an eagle.

For those who want to mix everyday living with golf there are stunning homes to be found at Harbor Pines Estates.

Harbor Pines Golf Club, which is also a great place to hold any type of outing or event, both big and small, offers memberships and daily fee play on one of South Jersey’s most beloved golf courses. Check out Harbor Pines for an exciting round of golf on one of the most playable and enjoyable courses in the Mid-Atlantic region.

The club’s website, www.harborpines. com, offers “e-specials”, including offerings such as $10 off a round, free Titleist golf balls, complimentary lunch, and more. The club’s mobile app has its own set of offers that also change regularly. Golfers are encouraged to check often and before each booking to get the best deal available.

Harbor Pines Golf Club Egg Harbor Township, N.J. 609-927-0006 www.HarborPines.com