Hamilton Farm Golf Club
Gladstone, New Jersey, USA
Hamilton Farm Golf Club has a history dating to 1911, when James Cox Brady created an English country-style estate in the green fields and woodlands of the Somerset Hills. The beauty and significance of the property were maintained throughout the decades. The stables eventually were returned to their original purpose and now serve as headquarters for the United States Equestrian Team, which uses Hamilton Farm as its training ground for the Olympic Games. In 1998 two golf courses were built: the Highlands, an 18-hole tournament-style course, and the Hickory, a challenging 18-hole par-3 layout.
Hickory
The Hickory course, with a full 18 holes, was the first rated par-3 course in the U.S. and is designed to challenge every golfer's favorite shot. "I believe what makes the Hickory course so much fun to play is the infinite variety of golf shots it demands," says architect Fry. It is not just the tee ball, which can range from a wedge to a driver for average golfers. More often it is the second shot, be it a long breaking putt, or a chip from the fringe, or trying to escape a deep undulating bunker.
Highlands
The Highlands course, at more than 7,000 yards, provides appropriate challenges to the skilled golfer and has hosted prominent tournaments such as the LPGA's World Match Play Championship. Among its more distinctive features are sculpted bunkers with high sand flashing, recreating an older, dramatic Alister Mackenzie style of bunkering. Another distinctive characteristic of the course is the myriad of historic and recreated horse jumps which dot the layout and add to the equestrian aura of the club.
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Golf Digest:
Best in State - #5
Best Renovation (Other Courses) - 2023Golfweek:
Top 200 Best Modern Courses - #145
Top 25 Private Short, Par-3 and Non-Traditional Courses (Hickory) - #7Boardroom Magazine:
Emerald Award WinnerDistinctions:
New Jersey PGA Club of the Year - 2012
Platinum Club of America - 2006, 2009, & 2012 -
HSBC World Match Play Championship (LPGA Tour) 2005-2006
Sybase World Match Play Championship (LPGA Tour) 2010-2012
Awards & Rankings reflect highest ranking throughout course history
Fry/Straka member designed under Hurdzan/Fry
Photos by Evan Schiller