Running Deer

Running Deer Golf Club was founded at the turn of the century, and designed by opening owner Ed Carman. That said, many golfers who come to this south-New Jersey public course are more interested in the current owner: Running Deer is one of several courses operated by former (American) football quarterback and current television commentator Ron Jaworski.

Those more familiar with the region for its golf background than its local celebrities will certainly recognize the name Pine Valley, and indeed it seems that Carman intended to produce a similar effect by planting a barrier of trees between most of the holes on the course. He could not resist the design trends of the era, however, and those playing holes Nos. 11 and 12 will need to deal with significant water hazards that line these two par fours.

Carman uses a variety of bunkering styles as well, which can be seen in the two holes that immediately precede the aforementioned watery ones. No. 9 features what may be a nod to the “Great Hazard,” as one enormous sand bunker breaks up the fairway. No. 10 reverses course, punctuating the fairway with 11 much smaller sand hazards.