Nestled in the upper region of the New Jersey Pinelands, atop one of the highest spots in central New Jersey is Metedeconk National Golf Club.
The private, 27-hole facility was designed by world-renowned golf course architects Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Roger Rulewich. The Club was created as a golfing oasis, a departure from the hustle and bustle of New York City and Philadelphia, each of which is within one hour's drive from the Club. Natural use of the terrain coupled with the natural beauty of the 613-acre facility, has created a special golfing environment, with focus solely resting on golf. Conditioning and course layout are second to none in the Metropolitan area, making Metedeconk synonymous with visual intimidation and pristine conditions.
The Course Inspired by the varied topography of the preserve, Jones and his chief designer and top aide, Roger Rulewich, created a 27-hole masterpiece of tree-lined fairways, well-placed bunkers to maximize accuracy and the subtly contoured greens for which Jones is internationally known. And, typical of all Jones' creations, the development of water as a playing hazard is a strategic consideration on seven holes at Metedeconk National. Extensive and multiple tee boxes - another Jones trademark - allow for unlimited flexibility and permit the course to be played at yardages ranging from approximately 5,200 to 7,400+. Our Tournament Course has a rating of 76.4 and a slope index of 152 with a par of 72 from the Championship Tees.
Masterfully routed, the three nines embrace the site's natural wilderness. Almost every hole is an entity unto itself. The proximity of marsh and lowland pine forest throughout provides a delightful dividend to golfers who may be fortunate enough to be joined on their round by the occasional deer, fox, muskrat or circling hawk who continue to make Metedeconk their home.
Accompanying the first-class golf course is a practice facility unrivaled in the northeast. The practice facility boasts both a main practice tee, member-only practice tee, and four-bay state-of-the-art performance center to accommodate both warm-ups and practice sessions. This area boasts multiple target greens along with several fairway routings to give even more definition to this 55 acre "game-improvement" area. Also found within the confines of the practice facility is a short-game area, which allows golfers to re-create all shots that could be found on the golf course. Three target greens serve well for shots up to 150 yards. A secluded putting green can also be found adjacent to our stretching studio. It is the perfect spot for Members and their guests to fine-tune their swing under the watchful eye the Club's professional staff.
Our History
Initially, Dick Sambol wanted to build a trailer park. That was the plan for the 1,200 acres he and his son Herb had acquired in and around Jackson Township, New Jersey in the 1970's around the same time I-195 was being built there. They began thinking of other uses for that land. Residential, commercial, maybe a combination of both. In time, they also hit on the idea of building a golf course there. Not as the feature attraction, but rather as an amenity that would draw potential buyers and leasers to the development they wanted to construct. It didn't take long for the golf course to overtake the greater plan in terms of importance. Much of that came as a result of the praise Hall of Fame architect Robert Trent Jones heaped upon the property after the Sambols had retained him to design a course there.
Robert Trent Jones' design career had led him to spend as much time around golf and country clubs as anyone in the game – and he knew superior golf architecture and design. And the other prominent golf figure was Ernie Ransome. Mr. Ransome was President and Chairman of the Board of the hallowed Pine Valley for 24 years and was the man in charge of running what is universally regarded as one of the best-run clubs in the game. Both Sambols talked to them extensively, asked questions, listened to their answers and took note of their sage suggestions. And not surprisingly, they ended up implementing many of their ideas as they organized and opened the club.
A small and simple club when it opened in 1987, Metedeconk was blessed with a superior championship level golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. Mr. Richard Sambol, the visionary and owner, was guided by a carefully considered set of principles on building a national membership of the leading captains of industry who all shared in the love of the game of golf. Mr. Sambol had a clear vision for the club. However, he knew enough to know that he needed help from some of the most successful and prominent golf figures in the business.
Metedeconk Experience
Five star service. Attention to every detail. Creating lasting memories every day. The Metedeconk experience focuses on establishing the highest standards of excellence for our Club. These standards are grounded in our core values, mission statement, and vision statement. We have defined the culture of our Club to be based on the highest levels of service and to deliver the best possible experience for our members and their guests. The professional staff at Metedeconk makes every effort to create an emotional impact on our members and guests every day. We challenge ourselves both personally and professionally and innovate by challenging each other. We want to create that “WOW” moment for you where you have experienced something special either on the golf course, in the clubhouse, in the locker room or as you interact with our valet when your arrive and leave. Membership at Metedeconk National Golf Club is by invitation only, after a candidate has been sponsored by an existing member, recommended by the Membership Committee, and approved by the Board of Trustees.