A Golfer’s Paradise, Close to Home

BY DOUG VOGEL

Nestled along the base of Waughaw Mountain, Sunset Valley Golf Course in Pompton Plains offers stunning panoramic views in every direction. It is one of four golf courses run by the Morris County Park Commission and is considered a hidden gem by the many golf enthusiasts who enjoy the 18-hole, par-70, 6,368-yard layout. Annually voted one of the top public golf courses in New Jersey, Sunset Valley is a treasured asset to the golf-loving residents of Pequannock.

Sunset Valley was designed by noted golf architect Hal Purdy, a protégé of Robert Trent Jones, one of the most influential golf architects in the history of the game of golf. Purdy’s design practice impressed the New Jersey golf community: He was commissioned to design nearly 30 courses in the Garden State between 1961 and 1974.

Upscale private clubs such as Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, Roxiticus Golf Club in Mendham and Fairmount Country Club in Chatham were added to Purdy’s growing resume. Sunset Valley was designed and constructed in 1974 and was touted as Purdy’s greatest public-access design. The loyal local golfers who frequent the course today would agree.

Once home to the Hunt Family Farm, the golf course incorporates the natural contours of the land. It seamlessly blends the tranquility of the surrounding environment with the demanding challenges of avoiding water features, landing safely on fairways, and surviving the undulating green surfaces. The steep greens at Sunset Valley have been a well-known topic of conversation in local golfing circles for many years.

The front nine acts as a warm-up for what awaits the golfer on the back. Only one water feature confronts golfers, but it can be negotiated with a well-struck tee shot off the second tee. Tee shots must avoid trees lining the fairways. Well-bunkered green complexes require accurate placement of shots to the greens. The ninth hole brings you back to the clubhouse for a quick respite before heading out to the start of the back nine.

Standing on the 10th tee, the views of the valley are breathtaking. Take it all in as the golf ahead will require more accuracy, more length and more guile. Five water features come into play along with the challenge of finishing your round with what many golf enthusiasts consider the three best finishing holes in the state of New Jersey. The 16th hole starts the test with an uphill par-5 of 542 yards. The 17th and 18th holes are both par-4s that are separated by a lake that, if it doesn’t get your attention on the way out, will on the closing hole.

Sunset Valley provides excellent conditions for golfers. “The course has one of the best maintenance staffs I’ve ever worked with,” says general manager Rob O’Rourke. Adds longtime Pequannock resident and avid golfer Guy Restivo, “Right off the bat, the first hole offers beautiful views and a wonderful layout. But you’ll probably end up three-putting the treacherous green. Stay below the cup!”

Practice putting greens are available for golfers to find their stroke before heading out onto the course. Riding golf carts are available for rent. And a well-stocked pro shop sells golf balls, logoed hats and shirts, clubs and other equipment. For those who need a little help, lessons from a golf professional can be arranged in the pro shop.

Many township programs benefit from the convenience of Sunset Valley, including Pequannock Township High School. The Golden Panthers golf teams call Sunset Valley their home course and many memorable matches throughout the years have been contested over the hometown fairways.

The Pequannock Township Women’s Golf League has been in existence since the year the course opened in 1974. Sponsored by Pequannock Township Parks and Recreation, the league is dedicated to promoting golf as a recreational activity, while enabling members to acquire and develop their knowledge and skills. More information can be found at www.ptwgl.com.

Sunset Valley offers a memorable golfing experience for players of all levels. Restivo, a big fan of the course, says, “The redesign a few years back took some of the sting out of the golf course, but it will definitely deliver plenty of ‘hurt’ to the average golfer. The views alone are worth the price of admission!” And for Pequannock golfers it’s just around the corner and up the hill, at the end of 47 West Sunset Road.

Sunset Valley is managed by Troon Golf, an award-winning professional club management company. Tee times are booked online. For more information, call 973-835-1515 or visit SunsetValleyGC.com.

Doug Vogel is a golf historian and writer who covers major golf tournaments. He recently published his first book, “Babe Ruth and the Scottish Game: Anecdotes of a Golf Fanatic.”