By: centraljersey.com
Neshanic Valley Golf Course in the township has been selected by the U.S. Golf Association (USGA) to host the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship from June 18-23, 2012.
"This national championship will bring well-earned recognition to Neshanic Valley, one of the finest municipal golf complexes in the country," said Bob Ransone, deputy director, golf division for the Somerset County Park Commission, which owns and operates the course. "This event will be a source of great pride for every citizen of Somerset County."
The championship was inaugurated in 1977 as an opportunity for public-course players to compete for a national title. It is open to female amateur golfers who are bona fide public-course players and who hold a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 18.4.
In 2011, the championship will be played at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore., from June 27-July 2.
Neshanic Valley is a 27-hole facility designed by Michael Hurdzan. The Meadow and Lake nines opened in 2004 and the Ridge nine opened in 2005. The Meadow and Lake nines will be used for the championship.
Neshanic Valley, located at 2301 South Branch Road, has previously hosted sectional qualifying events for the U.S. Women’s Open (2009), the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship (2008, 2009, 2010) and the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship (2010). It will also host qualifying for the U.S. Amateur Public Links and U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championships in 2011.
The course has also hosted the 2007 Metropolitan Golf Association Men’s Public Links Championship, the 2009 N.J. State Golf Association Women’s Amateur Championship, numerous Division I college tournaments, and Somerset County high school championships for both boys and girls.
Neshanic Valley has been recognized for its environmental initiatives, and was named the 36th Best Municipal Golf Course in the United States by Golfweek magazine. The course features a 27-hole championship course, a 9-hole Academy Course, the Learning Center and the Callaway Golf Performance Center.
The state-of-the-art Learning Center includes a double-ended driving range with grass and mat hitting areas, a 12,000-square-foot putting green, a practice facility that includes bunkers and three chipping greens, and two practice holes.
The Golf Performance Center, the only facility of its kind on the East Coast, offers a state-of-the-art computerized golf club fitting and swing analysis system, operated by Callaway-trained professionals.
Information on this event and other county Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org.
