Crystal Springs Resort, the Northeast’s largest golf resort destination, is thrilled to announce that three of its premier courses have been named to the highly anticipated Golfweek Best of 2026 rankings for public-access courses in New Jersey.
Cementing its status as a world-class golf hub, Crystal Springs Resort claimed three of the Garden State’s top 12 spots, including the coveted No. 1 overall ranking:
- Ballyowen (No. 1 in NJ): Designed by renowned architect Roger Rulewich, this spectacular Celtic-style links course once again took the state’s top honor, offering golfers a pristine Irish-heathlands experience in the rolling hills of Sussex County. Over the past year, the course has earned high praise from Forbes.com and media entrepreneur Garrett Clark of Good Good Golf.
- Crystal Springs Course (Tied for No. 8): Known for its dramatic elevation changes and stunning natural water features, this rugged, scenic layout continues to be a favorite among regional golfers.
- Wild Turkey (No. 12): This Roger Rulewich basin and ridge design provides an exhilarating challenge with wide fairways and distinct risk-reward opportunities.
BallyOwen at Crystal Springs Resort
“Having three of our courses recognized by Golfweek is a tremendous testament to our superintendents who maintain championship-level conditions year-round,” said Art Walton, VP of Golf Operations at Crystal Springs Resort. “But we aren’t standing still—we are actively investing millions to ensure our facilities match these world-class accolades.”
Nearly $2 Million Invested in Championship Conditions
To maintain the high standards celebrated by Golfweek panelists, Crystal Springs Resort has implemented an extensive capital improvement plan. By the end of 2026, the resort will have invested nearly $1 million in comprehensive bunker renovations specifically at Ballyowen, Black Bear and Wild Turkey.
An additional $1 million-plus has been funneled into vital turf and player-experience improvements across the properties, including upgraded irrigation systems, cart path replacements, tee-box leveling and targeted tree removal.
Bridging Heritage and Tech: The Black Bear Trackman Range
As modern players seek a blend of gamified practice and social engagement, Crystal Springs Resort is answering the call at Black Bear Golf Club. The state-of-the-art Black Bear Trackman Range, which successfully launched late last year, is expanding its hours of operation to accommodate surging demand.
The advanced practice facility features:
- Next-Gen Tracking Technology: 14 fully equipped Trackman Launch Pads featuring German-designed radar tracking technology, supported by the industry’s most advanced virtual golf, practice, and entertainment software.
- Championship Practice Spaces: A fully lighted driving range for night practice, natural grass tees, and a dedicated short-game practice complex.
- Premier Player Services: Complimentary instructional events, 24-hour club re-gripping services, and cutting-edge virtual golf gaming.
This high-tech range represents a major leap forward in game improvement, stripping away the intimidation factor of the sport and making elite, data-driven golf accessible to players of all skill levels.
at Crystal Springs Resort
Nurturing Golf’s Next Generation
These massive infrastructure and technology investments align perfectly with shifts in golf demographics. Nationally, the 18-to-34 age bracket now represents about a quarter of all on-course golfers, officially surpassing the over-65 demographic to become the sport’s largest age group.
“This surge has been driven by access to public golf courses, the positive influence of social media, and a dramatic increase in female participation,” notes Walton. “Crucially, 45% of all female golfers are now under 35 years old. Our investments at Black Bear are tailor-made to welcome this highly social, tech-minded crowd.”
Ensuring these newer players have a clear path to mastery, the world-renowned Leadbetter Golf Academy at Crystal Springs continues to experience unprecedented demand. Led by a staff of elite certified instructors, the Academy has established itself as a hub for excellent competitive talent.
Current student success stories include Aphrodite Deng, currently ranked No. 12 in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking, and 11-year-old phenom Ava Chen. Chen, recently highlighted in Golf Digest, began training two years ago with Golf Magazine Top 100 and Golf Digest Best in State instructor Sean Hogan, highlighting the incredible development pipeline built right into the resort’s DNA.
For more information, visit www.crystalgolfresort.com
