Manasquan River Golf Club

Founded in 1922, Manasquan River Golf Club is located on the northern shore of the Manasquan River, only a few hundred yards from where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean.

The club boasts 600 yards of river frontage and also lays claim to ownership of the highest land point on the Atlantic Seaboard for more than 1,000 miles between Atlantic Highlands in the north and Florida to the south.

A Scotsman named Robert White, who emigrated from St Andrews to study agronomy, laid out the first nine holes for the founding members along the river in 1923. Three years later White routed the second nine through the woodlands on the higher ground to the west of the original course, from where there are compelling, panoramic river views to enjoy.

The original nine, which now comprises holes 1, 2 and 12-18, play across the flat land by the river, while holes 3-11 are set on the high ground further to the west. These contrasting nines give Manasquan River a rather unusual split personality.

In spring 2020, the New Jersey State Golf Association Magazine profiled Manasquan River's 16th hole:

“The 16th hole at Manasquan River Golf Club is a 471-yard par-4 which combines beauty and difficulty to the highest degree. The hole doglegs to the right at approximately 300 yards from the back tee, and a waste area runs along the entire right side. The second shot is played over a small inlet of water which flows from the Manasquan River to a green with an “infinity” backdrop. This adds to the challenge of the approach, as does the presence of the wind. The open coastal setting of the 16th makes the breeze a major factor on this hole, which always plays differently depending on wind direction.”

The club hosted the US Girl’s Junior Championship in 1990 before Ron Prichard renovated the layout. In 2019 Andrew Green completed a course restoration. Andrew commented as follows:

“We rebuilt all the bunkers respecting the Robert White original vision for the golf course. Fairway bunkers were tweaked to best meet the modern game. Greenside bunkers were meant to fit the green shapes and strategies. Some Robert White mounds were installed through the layout to add strategy and interest.”

Additionally, four greens were rebuilt to provide a wider array of hole locations and all other greens were modestly adjusted to reclaim the putting surfaces.