Little Mill (Blue & White) - New Jersey - USA

There’s leaving well-enough alone and then there’s letting momentum carry you. Little Mill Country Club opted for the latter approach and now advertises itself as “Southern New Jersey’s only twenty-seven-hole private country club.” It’s the original 18, the Blue and White nines, that make the grade here.

The architect was Garrett Renn, who had demonstrated his course acumen while serving as superintendent of Philadelphia’s municipal golf courses. Unfortunately, he lost his life during a car accident before his plans at Little Mill could come to full fruition. Those in the nearby New Jersey Pine Barrens region now have a fine 18 to honor his legacy (the additional Red nine was added later by David Gordon).

Those familiar with the perennial world Top 10 course at Pine Valley, just down the road from Little Mill, understand the inherent appeal: sandy terrain offering optimal bounce for fans of classic golf. Likewise, this course offers a rather private experience, with fairways traversing through a similar woodsy landscape, largely separated from neighboring holes.