Two More Golf Courses Certified "River Friendly"

BRIDGEWATER, NJ – Two more Somerset County Golf Courses, Green Knoll on Garretson Road in Bridgewater and Spooky Brook on Elizabeth Avenue in Somerset, have received certification from the New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA) as “River Friendly” golf courses. The two courses join Neshanic Valley in Neshanic Station and Quail Brook in Somerset as officially certified. The Spooky Brook certification is dependent upon completion of 3 remaining actions.
 

 The “River-Friendly” designation is based on operational and maintenance practices recommended by the NJWSA “River Friendly” program. Actions at the two facilities have resulted in the reduction of the contribution to non-point source pollution and improvement of the wildlife habitat on and near the course.

NJWSA worked with Park Commission staff at each course to develop specific goals and requirements for certification in the areas of Water Quality Management, Water Conservation Techniques, Wildlife and Habitat Enhancement, and Education and Outreach.

“Earning certification is a tribute to the stewardship of the Park Commission and the direct efforts of our staff,” commented Darrell Marcinek, Director of Golf Maintenance. “We are always mindful that it is our responsibility to provide the highest quality golfing experience while still protecting the environment around us.”

Information on all Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org. Like us on Facebook and Twitter.

PRESS CONTACT: Rich Reitman 908-526-1390 or 908-400-6061

Colonial Park Playground Earns State Design Award

The Morgan Pellowski playground at the Somerset County Park Commission Colonial Park in Somerset, New Jersey was awarded the Excellence in Design Award    at the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association 38^th Annual Conference awards dinner.

The Playground, designed with two groups of equipment to accommodate the 2-5 year old age group and the 5-12 year old age group. It was built with Evos play equipment from Landscape Structures Playground Equipment.

Designed to encourage children to explore their imaginations and creativity while building strong bodies through play, the facility is surrounded by a rubber inlay safety surface material to enhance safety.  The playground also has a pavilion and a landscaped rock wall sitting area surrounded by trees, plantings, and flower beds. The playground is 100% handicapped accessible, serving children with physical disabilities and sensory issues.

“Earning an award from the New Jersey Recreation and Parks is always an honor, but the real reward is the huge number of children and parents who are enjoying the playground,” commented Park Commission Director Raymond Brown. “The Pellowski playground is packed with families who are having a great time.”

Information on all Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org. Like us on Facebook and Twitter.

Neshanic Valley 30th Best Municipal Course in USA

NESHANIC VALLEY GOLF COURSE RECOGNIZED BY GOLFWEEK

AS THE 30^th BEST MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE IN THE COUNTRY

NESHANIC STATION, NJ – The Somerset County Park Commission Neshanic Valley Golf Course, located at 2301 South Branch Road in Neshanic Station, has been named in the May 11, 2012 issue of Golfweek as the 30^th best municipal golf course in the nation..

The list of nationally ranked public access and daily fee courses positions Neshanic Valley as the only golf course in New Jersey to be recognized in in the top fifty, continuing as the number one municipal golf course in New Jersey.

The facility has also been honored as among the Best Public Golf Courses in New Jersey by Sports Illustrated and CNN.com.

“Neshanic Valley has maintained its reputation as the best municipally-owned golf facility in New Jersey because of its design, its versatility, and the dedicated staff that understands that Neshanic Valley must be maintained to the highest standards,” commented Darrell Marcinek, Director of Golf Maintenance. “We are proud to be able to provide a world-class golfing experience to the people of Somerset County, the state, and the region.”

The Golfweek recognition comes as Neshanic Valley prepares to host to the 2012 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship® from June 18 to June 23, 2012.

The complete golfing facility provides an all-inclusive golfing experience with a 27-hole Championship Course, a 9-hole Academy Course, the Learning Center, and the Callaway Golf Performance Center. 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 Callaway Golf Performance Center at Neshanic Valley, the only facility of its kind on the east coast, offers a state-of-the-art computerized golf club fitting and swing analysis system, operated by Callaway-trained professionals.

Information on this event and other Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org

Neshanic Valley Earns Another Environmental Award

NESHANIC VALLEY GOLF COURSE RECEIVES

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS RECOGNITION

NESHANIC STATION, NJ – The Somerset County Park Commission Neshanic Valley Golf Course, located at 2301 South Branch Road in Neshanic Station, has again been honored for environmental stewardship, earning the 2011 Sustainable Business Award from the South Branch Watershed Association (SBWA). Andrew Hojnowski, Manager of Golf Maintenance at Neshanic Valley accepted the award on behalf of the Neshanic Valley staff at the Sustainable Raritan River Conference at Rutgers University on Thursday, June 16, 2011.

“The Park Commission golf staff has two primary goals, to provide our guests with the best golfing experience possible while protecting and preserving the environment,” commented Darrell Marcinek, Director of Golf Maintenance. “Because of their dedication and professionalism we are successful on both fronts.”

In addition to the current award, Neshanic Valley has been recognized by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for preservation and enhancement of the wildlife habitat and protection of natural resources; by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority as a “River-Friendly” facility based on operational and maintenance practices; and recognized for Environmental Stewardship by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The facility has also been recognized as a Groundwater Guardian Green Site by the Groundwater Foundation.

Neshanic Valley has recently been named by Golfweek magazine at the number one municipal golf course in New Jersey in the ranking of top municipal facilities nationwide and listed as among to Best Public Golf Courses in New Jersey for 2010 by Sports Illustrated and CNN.com.

Neshanic Valley provides an all-inclusive golfing experience with a 27-hole Championship Course, a 9-hole Academy Course, the Learning Center, and the Callaway Golf Performance Center.

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 Callaway Golf Performance Center at Neshanic Valley, the only facility of its kind on the east coast, offers a state-of-the-art computerized golf club fitting and swing analysis system, operated by Callaway-trained professionals.

Information on this event and other Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org

Golfweek Declares Neshanic Valley As Top Municipal Course in NJ

NESHANIC VALLEY GOLF COURSE RECOGNIZED BY

GOLFWEEK

AS THE BEST PUBLIC COURSE IN NEW JERSEY

Ranked Among the Top 50 in the Country

NESHANIC STATION, NJ – The Somerset County Park Commission Neshanic Valley Golf Course, located at 2301 South Branch Road in Neshanic Station, has been named by Golfweek magazine at the number one municipal golf course in New Jersey in the ranking of top municipal facilities nationwide. The six-year old facility is also included in the top 50 municipally owned courses in the country according to Golfweek.

The listing may be found at http://www.golfweek.com/news/2011/may/11/golfweeks-best-municipal-courses-2010-11.

“This is another well-earned acknowledgment of the efforts of the staff at Neshanic Valley, proving that we can create and maintain the highest quality golfing experience,” commented Darrell Marcinek, Director of Golf Maintenance. “We are proud to be able to provide a world-class golfing experience to the people of Somerset County, the state, and the region.”

Neshanic Valley recently received recognition by a second national publication, being listed as among to Best Public Golf Courses in New Jersey for 2010 by Sports Illustrated and CNN.com.

Neshanic Valley will be host to the 2012 United States Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship® from June 18 to June 23, 2012. The 2011 Championship is scheduled for Bandon, Oregon.

The complete golfing facility provides an all-inclusive golfing experience with a 27-hole Championship Course, a 9-hole Academy Course, the Learning Center, and the Callaway Golf Performance Center. 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 Callaway Golf Performance Center at Neshanic Valley, the only facility of its kind on the east coast, offers a state-of-the-art computerized golf club fitting and swing analysis system, operated by Callaway-trained professionals.

Information on this event and other Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org