Neshanic Valley Part of MGA/Golf Channel "Dream 18"

Somerset County Park Commission Neshanic Valley Golf Course, located at 2301 South Branch Road in Neshanic Station, New Jersey was included in the Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA) “Modern Dream 18” on Tuesday, June 20, 2017.

The Dream 18 is a selection of 18 holes at different courses constructed since since1982, the initial year of compiling the Dream 18 by the MGA. The 18 holes chosen for the Dream 18 form a par 72, 7,624-yard challenge selected from courses in the metropolitan area. Hole #14 is Neshanic Valley Golf Course Meadow #9, a par 5, 577-yard layout played from the championship tees.

Players included Matt Ginella, Golf Channel’s travel host; Brian Mahoney, Executive Director of the MGA; Michael Sullivan, President of the MGA; and Joe Saladino, two-time MGA Player of the Year.

Additional New Jersey courses to be played include Metedeconk #3 in Jackson; Liberty National Golf Club #18 in Jersey City; Bayonne Golf Club #16 in Bayonne; Hamilton Farm Golf Club #18 in Gladstone; and Trump National Golf Club #16 in Bedminster. Neshanic Valley is the only public facility on the New Jersey list.

Recorded by Golf Channel for future broadcast and sponsored by Rolex, the Dream 18, began at 5:45 A.M. at Friar’s Head in Riverhead, New York and concluded at Liberty National. Travel for the day included helicopter, automobile, and ferry.

Upon completing play, Ginella commented that Neshanic Valley was the most picturesque hole played thus far and the crowd surrounding the 9^th green was “the largest gallery of the day.

Neshanic Valley provides a complete golfing facility with a 27-hole Championship Course, a 9-hole Academy Course, the Learning Center, and the Callaway Golf Performance Center and High Definition Golf™ simulator.

The state-of-the-art Learning Center includes a double-ended driving range with grass and mat hitting areas, a 12,000 square foot putting green, a practice facility including bunkers and three chipping greens, and two practice holes.

The Performance Center at Neshanic Valley offers a state-of-the-art computerized golf club fitting and swing analysis system, operated by Callaway-trained professionals.

Information on Neshanic Valley, the four other championship county golf courses, and additional Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org.

Park Commission Welcomes 100,000th Visitor in 2017

The Somerset County Park Commission entertained its 100,000^th visitor in 2017 on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at Lord Stirling Stable. Receiving gifts commemorating the event were Ms. Colleen Joyce and her nephew, Colin Joyce, age 4, who visited the Stable to enjoy a Lead Line pony ride.

With the summer season approaching, the Park Commission again expects to exceed 1,000,000 annual visitors enjoying active and passive recreation opportunities.

TR Manager Named NJRPA President

Dina Trunzo, CTRS, Manager, Somerset County Park Commission Therapeutic Recreation, has been installed as 2017-2018 President of the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association (NJRPA).

The 700-member NJRPA is the state organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of New Jersey residents by supporting outstanding park, recreation, and natural resources management programs. 

Ms. Trunzo is Manager of the Park Commission Therapeutic Recreation Department (TR). TR uses recreation to help people with disabilities to develop and experience leisure in ways that support health, functional abilities, educational needs, independence and quality of life. Through social, cultural, artistic, and culinary programs, sports, fitness, community outings, horticulture, and special events, participants can improve social skills, enhance self-esteem, improve overall health and well-being and physical ability, enhance communication skills, constructively use leisure time, eliminate boredom, reduce of stress and anxiety, and enhance skill development.

In 2016, Trunzo received the Evelyn N. Aronow Award from the New Jersey Commission on Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities. The award is given to an individual who, through legislation, education, public relations, and technical support, has promoted growth and development and made a lasting contribution to community recreation services for individuals with disabilities in New Jersey.

She has also been a featured speaker at the World Leisure Organization World Conference, held in Rimini, Italy. The annual conference welcomes both leisure and therapeutic recreation professionals from around the world.

Information on Somerset County Park Commission programs and activities may be found at www.somersetcountyparks.org.