Metedeconk National (1st & 3rd)

Robert Trent Jones Snr and Roger Rulewich carved the twenty-seven holes at Metedeconk National Golf Club out of a dense pine forest. The “1st” and “2nd” nines comprise the original 18-hole course, though some regard the newer “3rd” nine (unveiled in 1998) as the best 9-hole circuit on the property.

This exclusive club is situated within a massive 1,200-acre property on the edge of the Pine Barrens, midway between New York and Philadelphia, and its owner, entrepreneur Richard Sambol – who built the facility as George Crump did at Pine Valley, with his own money – celebrated his club’s 25th anniversary in 2012.

One of Metedeconk’s more memorable holes is the 386-yard 7th, which bends around a hill with a bunker benched into it. Left of centre is the ideal line from the tee, allowing the best approach to an offset green that slopes towards a lovely lake. On the back nine, the 190-yard 12th is a very intimidating par three, demanding a long forced carry from the tee over a large pond.

Certainly the 27th hole embodies the spirit of Metedeconk and typically RTJ saved perhaps the toughest hole until last. This 419-yard par four doglegs right past the club’s emblematic pitch pine tree and the treacherous green is guarded by water to the front and right.