Robert Trent Jones short course measures up at northern N.J.'s Minerals Golf Club
By 
VERNON, N.J. - Executive courses get as bad a rap as O.J. Simpson. And often it's as well deserved. A number of these short courses are nothing more than glorified, overpriced pitch and putts.
But every once in a while you run into an executive course like Minerals Golf Club, a 4,610-yarder tucked away in what qualifies as wilderness in Northern New Jersey. Minerals is aware enough of the executive course stigma to simply refer to itself as a golf course in first-glance advertising, with the fact it only has par 3s and par 4s showing up later in the copy.
Then again when your executive course is designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., there's no need to dwell on its literal shortcomings.
For when you're on No. 6, 231-yard par 3 where Trent Jones gives you a green up on a hill, fairways smaller than the narrow cobblestone side streets in a small French countryside town and plenty of chance to be scrambling on a recovery shot, you're not going to be thinking about the fact it's only a short course. Unless it's to remark that for a short course, some of the holes carry some unexpected serious bite.
It actually looks like Trent Jones spent at least a few minutes of thought on Minerals. No one's suggesting that a celebrity architect obsessed over an executive course that's almost treated like a tack-on in the six course Crystal Springs Resort golf complex headlined by Ballyowen.
But Trent Jones did do enough to keep it interesting for more seasoned golfers playing with novices or kids, or those just looking for a quickie round.
"It's a nice little course with some hills to test you," North Jersey golfer Ken Witte said. "Plus it's cheap."
This is the extent of Minerals' power, which is no knock. If you're searching for a short course with some personality, a place to bring the kids along on a golf vacation, or just a break from the frequently mind-numbing routine of the driving range, Minerals could be the place for you.
"You can actually use shots you hit here on a regular golf course," Brandon Decker said. "That's what I like about it."
"You can work on your game here."
On a few holes that even includes driver, or at least 3-wood. Four of Minerals'nine holes come in at more than 320 yards. The 407-yard seventh actually invites you to bomb away with a long carry over a drop filled with bushes and trees from the back tee and a decent sized (for this course) fairway up ahead.
For the most part, though, Trent Jones gives this par-62 course teeth by shrinking the fairways and demanding accurate irons. You can actually lose a few balls here. Especially if you turn every shot into a long-drive contest.
The course runs through the woods on its first four holes, particularly the 363-yard par-4 third. Then the vacation condos appear and things really get interesting.
If you thought living off a golf course was dangerous for your windowpanes, try living off an executive course with beginners and teenagers swinging free and wild. Our group witnessed one golfer ding three different residences - each more spectacularly than the last. At least, it makes you feel better about your own game.
Make no mistake, this isn't your typical golf atmosphere. Minerals is as about as full service as a Wendy's. There's no driving range and, while the people in the decent-sized clubhouse will take your money, they monitor starting times with all the vigilance of an absentee father.
Out on the course, it's a whole new frontier as well. You can get teenagers clueless about course etiquette teeing off into your group. Not coming as close as the infamous "Sideways" scene, but close enough to annoy. On this day, we had a lady and her 7 or 8 year-old kids hitting off the junior tees - about 50 yards from each hole - impatiently pushing us.
If you're the easily upset type, Minerals is not the course for you. Rather than enjoying Robert Trent Jones' take on short design, you'll spend the day bemoaning the manners of your fellow man. But if you can go with the flow, this executive course is capable of becoming a practice time fancy.
"Whenever I have something to work out in my short game, I go here," Clifton golfer Rick Gomez said. "It's a lot more fun than spending a few hours at the range."
The greens are just sloped enough to infuriate someone with the yips. You have to hit decent shots to collect your birdies here. It's no executive course giveaway.
The greens fee ($22 weekend twilight with cart) gives you two trips around the nine holes and the second try is valuable to get your groove on the greens.
This course isn't visually stunning, but Trent Jones does what he can with the land. No. 4 - a 181-yarder that requires a decent-sized pond clear from the tee and features a large green backed up against a steep hill with water in front-is one of the better executive course holes you'll find anywhere. Heck, it could be a signature par 3 on a few courses.
"No. 4's a nice hole," Witte said.
"Nine's all right too," Decker broke in.
A debate over the best hole on an executive course? Who would have thunk it?
Sometimes the rap is wrong.
The verdict on Minerals Golf Club
Minerals Golf Club is not the type of golf course you plan a day around. But if you get the urge to play, find a little unexpected time, there are much worse places to get in your swings. None of the obstacles Robert Trent Jones Sr. throws at you is going to produce serious stress.
But you'll still earn your pars here. Don't be surprised if your score's a little higher than you expected at first scorecard glance.
Minerals may be a short course, but it's in better shape than many full courses. The conditioning is much better than municipal quality with only green in sight.
The staffing situation is closer to a muni approach, but that shouldn't affect your day too much unless you're accustomed to being fawned over.
All in all, Minerals is the rare worthy executive course. Sometimes short does not equal subpar.
Places to stay
Ballyowen is part of a resort complex of five courses in a five-mile radius. The resort offers a 174-room facility with seven pools and indoor/outdoor tennis courts (973-827-5996).
Minerals has its own resort right off the course in the complex. The Mountain Creek Resort at 200 State Route 94 ((973) 209-3300) is a nearby alternatives.
Places to eat
This northwest corner of New Jersey is a tad isolated, so the options (at least within 20 minutes drive) are not plentiful. All the resorts offer dining rooms.
In addition, if you've been dying to try a real Jersey diner there is the Franklin Diner on 94 State St. ((973) 827-5588). For something a little livelier, there's the Blue Water Cafe on 191 Woodport Road in nearby Sparta ((973) 726-0010).
July 21, 2005
Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management.
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RJ wrote on: Jul 22, 2005
2nd article in a row about a new jersey course by someone who obviously hasn't visited either course...decent sized club house? where are you getting your info? bad enough the basic errors being made in the writing, but then compounding that with sheer inaccuracies about the subject matter? ridiculous
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