The weather has begun to feel more like spring. Or rather, more like the start of golf season. While it has been said that golf is a good walk spoiled, it will take more than an old saying to keep golfers, of all skill levels, from playing the beautiful courses throughout the Garden State. With so many courses for golfers to choose from in New Jersey, we at the Parkday Organization wanted to review County-run courses to give an honest appraisal of courses financed by the residents of New Jersey. Part of the fun of playing golf is that each course you play can and will be dramatically different from any other course. Most golfers have a course that they call home, but there is always excitement in playing a new and challenging course. For this particular review, Parkday Head Craftsman, James H. Sing and myself played the Ocean County Golf Course at Forge Pond.

Located in Brick Township, Ocean County, Forge Pond opened in 1987 and has thrown many a golfer into a fit since. This par 60 executive golf course poses a challenge to all players, regardless of their previous experience. The majority of the fairways are tree-lined, forcing players to hit straight. Golfers can get themselves into trouble with a stray tee shot, as I can attest to. There are just six par-4's on this track. Players will mostly hit irons off of the tee. Some players may be inclined to pull their drivers out of their bags on the par-4's, especially the par-4's measuring more than 300 yards. Tight fairways are not the only obstacle in the way of the par. Once on or around the greens, which are protected by sand traps definitely serving their purpose, players must navigate the undulations and breaks that make par truly a great score. The design of Forge Pond is one that offers a challenge without being so difficult as to force the players, who are at the beginner level, to be discouraged to the point of giving up the game.

We played our round on a breezy, Monday afternoon and walked right on with no delay. Surely, this will not be the case in the coming months. Get to Forge Pond early and be prepared to wait to start. Pace of play can be slow at times but all golfers can understand, as we all had to start somewhere. The amount of play can also greatly affect the conditions. While the grounds keepers prepare to renovate for spring, the course was in overall, good condition. Greens are the most important part of a course and, not coincidentally, the most difficult to maintain. The greens at Forge Pond were in good condition, especially for this time of year. It will be a daunting task for the crew to keep the greens in top shape during the busy summer months. Judging from how the greens made it through the winter, the crew can handle it. The other area of the course that will need special attention are the tee boxes. With so many tee shots taken with irons divots, this can become a problem. On each hole, there are tee boxes that can be used as alternates. This gives players a good place to hit from and a different angle at the pin. This course looks like it is ready to handle as many rounds as we golfers can play.

If courses were judged on their value, Forge Pond would get an A, especially from residents of Ocean County. Residents with an I.D. card {$25.00 fee} pay $14.00 for a weekday and $16.00 on the weekend. The cost is $24.00, weekday AM, and $28.00, weekend AM, for non-residents. The course offers good overall play and very affordable rates, leading to a high value.

If you are a golfer who enjoys a challenge and playing a new course, Ocean County Golf Course at Forge Pond is well worth playing. Whether you are a beginner or a skilled veteran of the game, Forge Pond will test your game and, in turn, help you improve. We hope that this review will aid you in choosing a different course to play besides your home course. After playing a round at Forge Pond, your game may be humbled slightly but you will most likely recommend Forge Pond to your golfing buddies.