This country club in the heart of central jersey embraces family as much as it does devoted duffers
The golf shirt New Jersey Governor Chris Christie wore during his daring “Evolution of Dad Dancing” performance with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show came from Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club in bucolic Farmingdale. The governor, of course, is not the only boldface name to experience the verdant grounds and elegant clubhouse of this world-class facility. Oscar winner Joe Pesci, Adam Levine, Mark Wahlberg, along with Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcels, Joe Klecko, and Rick Cerone have also taken in its links, and allure. Even His Eminence Cardinal Dolan visited recently, commenting on the warm elegance of the clubhouse.
“Eagle Oaks is one of the best kept secrets on the Jersey Shore,” said John Beurskens, assistant GM and director of membership for the club. “The golf course is a collaboration between 18-time Major winner Jack Nicklaus (Nicklaus Design) and U.S. Open winner Johnny Miller. We are the only Nicklaus Design course in New Jersey, and our location is conveniently located in Monmouth County, just five minutes south of Colts Neck. We provide a lot of value based on the quality and quantity of amenities members have access to.”
Those amenities begin with the stunning 65,000-square-foot Southern Colonial-inspired clubhouse. Its ample, yet warm and intimate lounge offers a curved dark wood bar, fireplace, lush furnishings, and views to an outdoor patio and landscaped 350 acres beyond. The clubhouse underwent a major renovation in 2006 led by Domenic F. Gatto, Chairman and President, and his three partners. This multi-milion-dollar renovation resulted in a more luxurious and spacious clubhouse and improved locker rooms (complete with sauna, jacuzzi and steam areas), expanded facilities, and more.
The facility also offers a complete catering business for private or business affairs, with a ballroom capacity of more than 600. The club’s culinary team received the Achievement of Excellence Award from the American Culinary Federation. The Jack Nicklaus championship golf course includes 73 bunkers, eight holes with water in play, rolling hill fescue, and a considerable 7,170 yard length, with up to seven tees to accommodate every level of golfer—at a lean seventy-one par. Unique design elements flow between links-style, open meadow and forested landscapes to provide a new look on every hole. Members boast “you never get tired of playing this tract.”
The course has played host to many prestigious golf tournaments, including multiple U.S. Open Local Qualifiers; the New Jersey PGA Championship; the New Jersey State Amateur Championship; the New Jersey Tournament of Champions; the New Jersey State Mid Amateur Championship; and, most recently, the NJ Four Ball Championship. Its highly-ranked practice facility features a full driving range with multiple target greens, a 75-yard short game practice area (including bunkers, fairway, and rough), multiple putting greens, and a private teaching area. Youngsters have their own “Little Eagle” golf course, with a scorecard to match.
Eagle Oaks Members enjoy access to 139 Jack Nicklaus Golf Courses around the world. They include Reflection Bay, Loxahatchee, and Harbour Town.
Separate facilities for men and women offer certified instructors leading personal or group training sessions. At the spa, experienced on-site massage therapists practice Therapeutic Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Golfers Massage, Sports Massage, and Reflexology.
A freeform pool with cabanas, Har-Tru tennis courts, kids club room, summer camp for youngsters and Junior Golf and Tennis Clinics for all levels is available. The new $4.5 million Savannah House pool complex— opened last year—has four unique guest suites with wet bars overlooking the grounds. The club’s tennis pro shop, locker rooms, and fitness studio are also located there. A Ping Teaching Center for the practice facility is in the planning stage, as well as a new short course for kids.
The club is open year round, and hosts a full calendar of special events and activities for everyone. In addition to holiday and family-oriented celebrations, members and guests can enjoy a Valentine’s Dinner, awards dinner, food and wine pairing events, barbecues, a poolside luau, teen events, a pig roast, Motown Night, and a Feast of San Gennaro Italian Festival, for starters. The Halloween hayride and Brunch with Santa are family favorites.
A high point of the calendar is “Honor Day,” organized to coincide with Fleet Week in New York City. The event began several years ago when a member involved in the Memorial Day weekend activities brought two Marines to the club for a round of golf. Afterward, they met with Domenic Gatto, and four hours later, Honor Day was born. Each year, members of the military are invited for a day at the club, during which members enjoy their company and proceeds benefit military charities Each service person is “given the keys to the club for the day,” including the Grand Ball Celebration, attended by as many as 600 service personnel and members. (“They get treated like rock stars, but they say thank you to us,” Beurskens said.) Jon Scott of Fox News’s Happening Now has emceed the event, and featured clips of it on the network. The Eagle Oaks memberships patriotism did not go unnoticed. After several visits to Honor Day from a few key Port Authority staff, they were so impressed with membership patriotism and generosity that they saw that the Club received a 5,600 lb. piece of steel from the 82nd– 85th floor of Tower 1 of the World Trade Center. Anchored in 45,000 pounds of concrete, it leans toward lower Manhattan within the center of a member-funded 9-11 Memorial.
Beurskens reflected on how much has changed since then in the country club industry, particularly upon how families now want more shared recreational activities. The owners, being long-term members with a passion for the industry, had the vision to move quickly and create a club of the future. “It used to be a dad’s club, but that has changed 180 degrees,” the director of membership added. “Statistics show that in the decision to join clubs, wives have 65% of the say. The country club industry is expanding, and we were smart to be ahead of the curve. We have been evolving since 2004 by adding a pool, kids club, family events, and tennis courts. In today’s society, we offer domestic tranquility by offering something for everyone in the family.”
A family-friendly club, Eagle Oaks is an ideal place to gather and enjoy dining, family activities, a round of golf with the children, or an elegant wedding or other celebratory event. Movie nights take on a drive-in aspect as golf carts are lined up facing the clubhouse. Members can also just enjoy lounging and socializing at the most talked about 19th hole bar and grill in the state.
Membership is by invitation or member referrals only. With a cap of 285 Charter members, families are assured of access and availability to enjoy the facilities. They offer a tiered dues program based on age for this category. Other memberships include Sport (pool and tennis) and the exclusive Dining Club membership for the non golfer.
Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club
20 Shore Oaks Drive, Farmingdale / 732.938.9696 / eagleoaks.com