During the 2010 summer I will conduct my internship at a course tucked behind an old set of train tracks and meshed in with the fauna and flora found in the pine forests of Clementon, NJ. Famous all around the world for being one of the elite, Pine Valley Country Club should prove to be an experience like no other.
A remarkable opportunity, being mentored by Richard Christian, superintendent of Pine Valley, and his five assistants is something I truly look forward to. A huge pool of turfgrass related knowledge is present there and I am excited to tap into this extensive library. I expect much of my summer will be spent walking behind a spray hawk or dragging a hose across summer stressed fairways. My goal is to come out of Pine Valley with a greater knowledge and understanding of diseases and the spray programs used to control them. Poa annua is also a large component of Pine Valley's greens, and extensive spray programs are devoted to its survival. On the flip side, since I foresee myself attempting to continue my career in the North East I hope to come to a greater understanding of how to maintain this turf under extreme stress periods such as the one that will likely be presented this summer in NJ. Incomparable to the courses I have previously worked at this should be an experience unlike any other I have had before.
Rich in history, Pine Valley remarkably was once known as “Crump’s Folly” by some. Little did these individuals know that this club would turn into a legacy. Interestingly enough, this virgin territory was originally pick by George Arthur Crump due to his extensive hunting knowledge of the area. Truly “one with the land” the course was founded in 1913 and George Arthur Crump began work on his one and only golf course design. By 1913 eleven of the course's holes were opened, covered with house-sized bunkers, immense carries, and exaggerated green undulations. The course was daunting to look at, never mind play. Dipping up and down, fairways meet water, and greens are perched on the banks of crystal clear ponds fed by gentle brooks. Tragically, Crump never saw his masterpiece to completion. Passing away in 1918, construction and further design was taken on by a number of other well known architects. Pine Valley is now spread over 623 acres, remarkably 416 of these are untouched pine forests and hard wood swamps. Complete with more than 20 acres of practice facilities and an additional 10 hole short course designed by Tom Fazio and Ernest Ransome III, Pine Valley also boasts 50 greens!
In Golf Digest's rankings over the past twenty years Pine Valley has failed only once to finish as the number one golf course in the world. Acclaimed as something remarkable by all that have played it, Pine Valley is touted as the greatest course in the world by most all golf enthusiasts. While striding down the eighth hole, Gary Player looked back over his shoulder and told his caddie to give him a second so he could “soak it all in”. Picturesque at every turn, the course practically blends into the landscape. Barrens and pines combine with pure designer's genius to present a course which will forever be seared into your memory. It is said the legendary Babe Ruth played a coveted round here once. After finishing with a score card-destroying 12 on the fifteenth hole, Babe entertained those nearby with a hollered remark to his caddie, “Hell I don’t need to know where the green is. Where’s the golf course?”
A male only course, Jack Nicklaus had to leave his newlywed wife, Barbara, during their honeymoon in the parking lot outside of Pine Valley's gates while he indulged in his first round on the pristine grounds. Clearly taking the word exclusive to the next level guests are only able to set foot on the grounds if they are invited and accompanied by members. An electric fence and guardhouse ensures that no unwelcome guest can set foot on the holy ground found just on the other side. The draw to play Pine Valley is so great that Pine Valley has had to suspend two individuals for charging guests $10,000 a round; money they were willing to pay for such an opportunity. Members are a well kept secret, the thousand plus memberships' identities are hardly known outside of themselves.
There has only been one time, to my knowledge, that Pine Valley changed its policies, and that was only for two days. One month after the 9/11 incident the course was opened for a two day fundraiser where the first 100 people per day willing to pay 1,000 dollars per round, were allowed to tee it up. Imagine receiving four thousands dollars per foursome. All the earnings were devoted to the Twin Towers Fund. As a result in a short two days $500,000 was raised and donated. A testament to our golfing enthusiasts and their willingness to help our country in time of need.
When I had the opportunity to visit the course and get a tour during my interview Pine Valley didn’t fail to provide that shock and awe I had been warned of. As I left that day I could only reflect on the words once spoken by Ben Crenshaw when referring to Pine Valley, “The place just endures. Its a true piece of art.” Pine Valley is truly that very thing, a work of living art.
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