Seaview Resort Features Two Championship Courses

By, JOHN TORSIELLO

Alex McGann was absolutely chomping at the bit in early spring to get the show at the Seaview Resort and Golf Club fully operational.

“2023 is going to be another exciting golf season here at the club,” said the PGA Director of Golf. “We are in the process of finishing spring maintenance practices and reopening all 36 holes for the season. No drastic changes occurred in the offseason. However we are constantly working to improve overall turf conditions and our guest experience. We’ve been very fortunate to have sold out our membership programs for the season and have a great events schedule for members as well as plenty of additional events through the year.”

There were some changes at the club’s historic Bay Course heading into the 2022 season, when an enhancement project on the Hugh Wilson and Donald Ross-designed course was completed. The near $700,000 project, which began in October of 2021, focused on enhancing the overall aesthetics of the golf course and improving playability. Turco Golf, a New Jersey-based golf course construction company, performed the construction work. The Bay Course had an grand opening ceremony in May of last year.

The Bay Course presents a Scottish-links feel, dramatic seaside views, deep pot bunkers and small undulating greens. The recent enhancement project included bunker renovations and cart path upgrades. All greenside bunkers were modified and rebuilt incorporating a technically advanced drainage and liner system featuring Capillary Concrete. This new generation lining method increases the speed at which water flows through the bunker; minimizing washouts, reducing maintenance and producing superior playability. In addition, nearly 15,000 square feet of cart paths were replaced across the Bay Course.

“Turco Golf did an excellent job enhancing the Bay Course greenside bunkers,” said Dr. Kiran Patel, principal of the resort’s ownership group. “We were excited to show off the new bunkers to our members and golfers. We look forward to welcoming back the best LPGA players in the world to Seaview for the ShopRite LPGA Classic in June so they can again experience this Bay Course enhancement.”

McGann said, “The ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by ACER has a positive community impact and will be in the center of a packed May/June of Ladies Professional Golf in the state of New Jersey following the

Founders Cup at Upper Montclair, Inaugural Americas Open at Liberty National, and two weeks before the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Baltusrol. It’s a very exciting time for golf. To have Brooke Henderson here to defend her title as well as an impressive field we look forward to again playing host.”

The ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by ACER is more than just great golf. ShopRite’s charitable contributions since 1992 are over $38 million dollars with more than $1.5 million donated to local charities following each tournament.

The Bay Course on which the tournament is played opened in 1914. The 6,300yard layout is less a test of length, and more a test of imagination, accuracy and short game.

The Bay Course’s sister Pines Course opened in 1929 and was designed by William Flynn and Howard Toomey. Unlike the Bay Course. The Pines Course winds its way through woodlands, presenting elevation changes and bountiful doglegs. The course measures 6,800 yards, and features large bunkers and expansive, sloping greens. The 16th hole was the site of Sam Snead’s miraculous 60-foot chip-in to win the 1942 PGA Championship, his first major.

Beyond the great golf on the resort’s two championships courses, there’s another reason to visit Seaview, a major one being the charming 296 guest room hotel. When combined with two completely distinct golf courses filled with championship history many individuals make it a two or three-day stay to take in all the resort has to offer as well as visit nearby Atlantic City and boardwalk and the sites in historic Smithville. “There is plenty to do on and off the course,” said McGann.

McGann added, “Our play comes from a variety of areas. We have a strong local contingent that includes our membership of about 275 golfers, but also attract resort guests in our hotel or neighboring Marriott Fairway Villas, as well as seasonal shore traffic. We get a very large push from those traveling `down the shore’ from Memorial day to Labor day and highlight golfers from all over the region.”

McGann talked about two of his favorite holes on the two courses.

“The fourth on the Pines Course, a 424yard par-four, commands a tough tee shot to a near 90-degree right turn in a narrow landing area. If you’re lucky to clear the bunker on the right and catch the fairway leads to about 175 yard shot downhill to a small green. Try to hit a cut over and clear the bunker to setup that second shot.

“And on the Bay Course, the 12th hole, a 344-yard par-four, makes a sharp turn about 220 from the middle box or 260 from the back. It calls for a pretty precise tee shot but an even more strategic shot to one of the smallest green complexes on property as both sides fall off to catch areas. My trick is to hit (attempt to) the fairway right as it turns right typically with something less than driver and leave about 100 yards into the green to give yourself the best chance to hit it.”

The Bay Course measures 6,252 yards from the tips but there’s plenty of challenge in that distance. The par-71 course features shortish par-fours, several reachable-in-two par-fives, including the 480-yard 18th, and four par-threes that range in distance from the 113-yard 17th to the 228-yard 11th hole.

The Pines has a par of 71 and plays about

6,600 yards. There are five par-threes and three par-fives. The 15th and 16th are long, tough par-threes measuring 232 and 220 respectively. Par on both is a solid score. The course ends as the Bay Course does, with a par-five that plays 499 yards. Birdie on the last hole is a pleasing way to end a round.

The resort offers impeccable accommodations that vary in size and scope, as well as three dining choices, including a cozy lounge/ bar where you can kick back and talk over the day’s play on the golf course. There’s an outdoor and an indoor pool for relaxing after a hectic day.

I n t r o d u c i n g T h e N e w N a t i o n a l P r e m i e r M e m b e r s h i p w i t h O v e r n i g h t A c c o m m o d a t i o n s

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