Crystal Springs Resort (Ballyowen)

One of six courses offering a total of 90 holes at the Crystal Springs Golf Resort, the 18-hole course at Ballyowen Golf Club sits on a 250-acre site overlooking the Walkill River, with water coming into play at five of the holes. Considered the flagship layout at the resort, Ballyowen is widely acknowledged as one of the best public facilities in the Garden State.

Three of the Crystal Springs tracks – crafted by Robert Trent Jones Snr, Robert von Hagge and David Glenz/Jack Kurlander – were in place before Roger Rulewich set out Ballyowen in 1998 and he has since fashioned the other two courses at the resort: the Wild Turkey 18-hole layout in 2001 and the 9-hole Cascades course in 2009.

Links-like in character, the fairways at Ballyowen can be visually intimidating from the tee but they’re actually more forgiving than might first appear. Greens are generally large in area to accommodate the numbers that play here as well as allowing for a greater number of pin placements.

Some feel the downhill par five 10th could perhaps become a long par four in order to test better players and there’s also a case for that to happen at the 17th hole. Certainly, golfers of all abilities will have their approach play challenged at holes where the greens are raised, such as at the par four 13th.