Crystal Springs
Golf Course: Only
the Strong Survive
By Tom Robinson,
Contributor
HAMBURG, N.J. - Golfers ready to take on Crystal Springs Golf Course
can expect to have to hit many different shots. Among the tests
are: controlling the distance of an iron shot sent soaring off a
cliff 80 feet above the green, carrying a ball 135 yards over water
and landing it softly, and consistently hitting some of the tightest
fairways in resort golf.
Just miles away from the highest elevation point in New Jersey,
the Sussex County course is part of the 63-hole combination that
is affiliated with Crystal Springs Golf & Spa Resort. Only the
most punishing public golf courses in New Jersey - or any other
state for that matter - can claim to offer a challenge like that
found at this mountain resort course. And, we have not even gotten
into discussing the greens. We could fill half the review just describing
the extreme twists, turns, and elevation changes on the putting
surfaces.
Crystal Springs opened in 1991 and, in 1992, was recognized by
Golf Digest Magazine as one of the Top 25 New Golf Courses in America.
The course was named as the state's "Best Public Course"
by Jersey Golfer Magazine in 1996.
From the tee at 10, which plays 160 or 186 yards depending on
whether the pin is in the right front or left back of a split green,
golfers look down from a cliff on the site of the former Windsor
Quarry. When the limestone quarrying activity ceased in 1929, the
site filled with water forming the many natural springs that are
now seen on the property. The clear waters at the 10th were the
inspiration for the name of the course, the surrounding residential
community, and the Resort.
Looking down at the 10th green and the deep spring that guards the
left and front of it, golfers are warned by signs to stay away from
the cliff's edge. Posted elsewhere on the course are signs warning
of snakes and protected wetland areas. The bottom line: there are
a lot of places on this golf course that you do not want to be. And,
the place you want to be on each hole is sometimes tough to find.
An August trip to Crystal Springs found the course playing at
its toughest. New versions of the yardage book and scorecard were
on order from the printer and no older books were available. Gnarly,
ankle-high rough, complicated by the wet summer, framed the runway-like
fairways, only making things tougher. But, trim the rough, add a
yardage book, map, compass or whatever else might help, and this
is still a tough golf course.
Even at 5,888 yards from the white tees, Robert von Hagge's design
earns every bit of its intimidating slope rating of 126. The course
plays as long as 6,816 yards from the gold tees, which have a course
rating of 74.1 and a slope of 137. The blue tees yardage is 6,395
and the red is 5,091 yards.
Beginning with 7 and ending with 14, the layout features an eight-hole
stretch that includes just one par-4. The seventh is a dogleg right
par-5 with the possibility of a blind second shot over a tough hill
on the corner.
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| Something for Everyone |
| HAMBURG, N.J. - One
of Crystal Springs Golf Course's strong suits is variety.
And the variety extends beyond the layout to the greens.
The practice green near the first tee gives a warning
of what is ahead. It appropriately has two tiers and
provides the opportunity to practice the touchy putt
from the top tier to a hole location on the bottom.
A first-time player at Crystal Springs would be advised
to try a couple of those putts before heading out for
a round.
The many severe slopes and different levels on the
greens allow for very difficult pin positions which
can further toughen an already difficult layout.
The par-4 sixth (366 yards from the white and 419
from the gold) has a separate tier on the back of a
narrow green. The 10th seems more like two connected
greens rather than one large putting surface. The difference
on the par-3 hole is noted on the scorecard by a 26-yard
distance change depending on where the pin is placed.
At 13, the majority of the green is on a plateau with
dips down to a lower level, allowing some tough spots,
especially near the back left of the course's longest
hole. The dogleg right 16th features a narrow green
that is more than 50 yards deep.
At 17, the huge three-tiered green will make golfers
wonder if they would be better off missing the putting
surface entirely rather than hitting the green and landing
on the wrong tier. The slopes between tiers are so extreme
that it is even more difficult to get a putt to stop
than on a typical two-tiered green.
There can be many different shots hit from or over
any number of obstacles at Crystal Springs. The goal
will remain the same, keeping the ball at minimum on
the same level as the cup, and ideally below the hole.
Assisting in the challenge are six sets of regular
pin placements that are noted on the scorecards. (TR)
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Water extends from the right to the front edge of the green on 8,
requiring all carry to the green from 130 yards (153 from the back).
The water even extends around the rounded green, making it a longer
carry to either side of the green than there is to the middle.
The back nine starts by alternating par-3s with long par-5s for
the first five holes. At 11, the par-5 starts with a tee shot over
wetlands and ends with a shot up at an elevated green. After 13,
the longest hole (524 white, 564 blue), the stretch concludes with
14, called "The Oasis." Sand stretches from tee to green
on the 105-yard hole.
Throughout the round, tight fairways turn many tee shots into
tough decisions. At 5 and 9, most players will want to contain their
tee shots at about 200 yards to avoid trouble.
The shorter tee shot does not cause much trouble with reaching
5, but at 9, known as "The Elbow," the second half of
the dogleg left is steeply uphill. The ninth plays as the third
handicap hole. The tee shot of more than 200 yards runs through
the fairway unless it is a draw around the corner of the dogleg.
That leaves quite a bit uphill on the 347-yard hole (413 from the
blue, but with a chance to hit a longer tee shot).
Two other par-4s also rank among the top four handicap holes on
the course. At 2, the number-one handicap hole, there is out-of-bounds
all the way down the left side on the 383-yard hole. Mounds and
a bank sloping back toward the fairway on the right can keep a wayward
shot in play, but likely with an awkward lie.
The 356-yard, 15th is the fourth handicap hole. The slight dogleg
left has a green that is well-protected by water at the front right.
Large trees left of the fairway near the landing area of the tee
shot influence players toward the right side, making the water more
of a factor. von Hagge left his mark around the course, sculpting
mounds around the fairways and greens. The challenge is trying to
hit the targets framed by those mounds.
Crystal Springs Golf & Spa Resort
105-137 Wheatsworth Road
Hamburg, NJ 07419
Lodging Phone: 973-827-2222
Golf Information & Tee Times: 973-827-5996
Crystal Springs Golf Club
123 Crystal Springs Road
Hamburg, NJ 07416
Pro Shop: 973-827-1444
www.crystalgolfresort.com
Fees, Including Carts
Peak Season (5/12-10/9)
Monday-Thursday, Regular $65, Twilight $45
Friday-Sunday, Regular $90, Twilight $55
Off-Peak (3/1-5/11, 10/10-12/31)
Monday-Thursday, Regular $50, Twilight $35
Friday-Sunday, Regular $80, Twilight $55 |
