The Great Gorge Golf Course in Vernon is experiencing a stunning remaking as one of the top daily fee layouts in Sussex County, N.J.
The course was originally built in the early 1970s when Hugh Hefner opened the Great Gorge Playboy Club on the property. The Club enjoyed some glory years as a playground for the rich and famous and, well, not so famous, and the property changed hands many times over the years. But the course, all 27 holes of it, has been a local favorite since its opening.
As of 2016, Great Gorge came under new ownership. The Koffman family, who took over nearby Mountain Creek, purchased the course and set about to bring it back to its former glory. New ownership has spent a great deal of time and energy getting the course in top condition. In addition, ownership renovated the interior of the new clubhouse.
At Great Gorge, you will fine three superb George Fazio-designed nine-hole courses, each distinct with their own character and challenges and all three offering some of the finest views in the area. Playing conditions are being restored to a level that will surpass guests’ experience, according to the course’s website. The course’s maintenance team has been hard at work since the new owners acquired the golf courses and have made truly “remarkable” progress. To support their efforts and to help achieve the goal of superior playing conditions, management has been closing one nine-hole course for play each week on a rotating basis. “This will allow uninterrupted and more aggressive agronomic practices to ensure players are provided the best possible on-course experience.”
To open the season, the Rail and Quarry courses comprised an 18-hole loop. The following week, the Lake Course opened and the club closed the Quarry course. The rotation will continue through the season. This rotation is subject to change without notice.
Let’s take a look at the three courses that make up Great Gorge Golf Course.
The Lake course plays 3,402 yards from the tips and 2,685 yards from the forward tees with two other teeing options in between. Six of the holes on the nine have water and there are 21 bunkers scattered about the routing.
With much of the Lake course spread over some of the lowest points on the property, it offers remarkable elevation change between the first tee and ninth green. Providing a picturesque opening tee shot overlooking Vernon Valley, the Lake course winds along Black Creek, demanding a mix of course management and strategic shot-making.
The second hole is a 432-yard par-four that has water on three sides of the green, so your approach, usually with a mid- or long-iron, must be accurate. The sixth is a shortish par-five playing under 500 yards. But water lurks on both sides of the fairway and to the right side of the putting surface, making going for the green in two shots risky.
The Quarry course plays around 3,300 yards from the back markers and 2,694 yards from the forward tees, with two other options in between. Water comes into play on five holes and there are 22 bunkers on the course.
Requiring some of the most skillful shot-making of the three nines, the Quarry course brings players through some of the great mining history that gave Great Gorge its name. It is home to the club’s very cool signature third hole, a challenging, 234-yarder that plays over water. The hole takes advantage of one of the many exposed quarry walls in the area as the backdrop to a long, forced-carry tee shot. The sixth hole is another great par-three, playing 180 from the tips, that demands another tee shot across a pond.
The Rail Course plays 3,475 yards from the tips and 2,604 yards from the forward markers, again with two other tee options to make for an enjoyable round. Four holes have water features and there are 30 bunkers on the Rail nine.
This nine offers some of the best views anywhere in the county. Starting with an extremely elevated tee shot that stares right at the Appalachian Hotel in the distance, this course continues to make excellent use of the rolling terrain on which it sits. The classic par-three third will surprise you as you stroll to the tee, as the hole has railroad trestles of the early 20th century near it, while the entire course offers beautiful panoramic views of Mountain Creek Resort.
The Rail’s sixth hole is a 586-yard par-five that has a stream dissecting the fairway. Big hitters can try and launch a driver to get near the water to set up a shorter second shot, but the safe play is a fairway wood or long iron off the tee. The eighth hole is a 412-yard par-four that ends in stern fashion, with water and bunkers guarding both sides of the green.
The Appalachian Hotel is a perfect overnight destination for visitors to Mountain Creek, offering slopeside accommodations right at the base of Vernon Peak. The hotel offers spacious studio, one- and two-bedroom units complete with kitchens, working fireplaces and mountainside views. Guests can enjoy a heated outdoor pool and hot tub, underground parking, a family game room, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
Black Creek Sanctuary offers guests a cozy gated townhome community, nestled among lush foliage and pristine wetlands just a two-minute drive from the mountain base area. Black Creek offers spacious, fully-furnished one-, two- and three-bedroom townhome rentals. Guests can enjoy outdoor barbecues, year-round hot tub facilities, and a swimming pool in the summer months.
And, as mentioned about, there’s a new clubhouse at the course. Swing by “Mulligan’s” for a bite to eat before or after your round of golf. The restaurant offers a variety of options for all taste buds so you can refuel and get back out on the links.
Also, fresh off of a thorough renovation, the recently-refaced golf shop at Great Gorge offers a large collection of men’s and women’s logoed apparel and accessories. With lines from Ahead, FootJoy, Greyson, Kate Lord, Titleist and more, you are sure to find that “gotta have it” item to bring home. The shop also carries all the necessities, so if you forgot your golf glove or need to stock up on balls you’re covered.
For a great stay and play, visit Great Gorge Golf Course this season and spend a few days or more in this special part of New Jersey.
Visit www.GreatGorgeMC.com.
