New Jersey has plenty of acclaim when it comes to golf

Not impressed that New Jersey is home to both the world's top-ranked course (Pine Valley) and one of the game's governing bodies (the United States Golf Association)? Didn't know that the term birdie was first uttered at the Atlantic City Country Club 100 years ago this winter (in a foursome that included George Crump, designer of Pine Valley, and fellow design legend A.W. Tilinghast)? Overlooked the fact that the wooden golf tee was created by a dentist from Maplewood?

Alrighty then. It's time for a history lesson that will leave you marveling at the lofty place New Jersey holds in this country's golf history. And because you're so hard to impress, we'll call out the big guns -- major events of all shapes and sizes held by the USGA and PGA over the past 108 years -- that will leave little doubt as to the state's standing. So class is now in session. And you there in the back. Sit up straight and pay attention.

When the 2005 PGA Championship is held at Baltusrol Country Club in Springfield next August, it will have been 63 years since its last visit to the Garden State. Slamming Sam Snead captured the title back then at the Seaview Country Club in Atlantic City.

The event will also continue the state's long tradition of hosting major golf events, which dates back to 1896, when the U.S. Women's Amateur was held at Morris County Golf Club. The USGA, headquartered in Far Hills, loves holding events here, especially their majors, which for our purposes will include only the Men's and Women's Opens and Amateurs, and the Senior Open. Even the Ryder Cup made a visit 69 years ago.

In fact, New Jersey ranks fifth among states that have hosted the most USGA championships, behind Pennsylvania, California, New York and Illinois. Here's a rundown of who's won what in the majors held in the Garden State.

U.S. Open

The national championship has been held here eight times, with seven being played out at Baltusrol. The exception came in 1909, when George Sargent won over Tom McNamara at Englewood Country Club. Six years earlier Baltusrol started its run of hosting, with Willie Anderson capturing the title at what was the ninth Open ever held. In 1915 Jerome Travers became one of only five amateurs ever to win title so far. He was no surprise though having already won four U.S. Amateurs. In 1936 Tony Manero (no relation to the Saturday Night Fever character) won, followed by Ed Furgol in 1954. The Golden Bear captured two of his 18 PGA Tour major titles at Baltusrol, winning in 1967 (by four shots over Arnold Palmer) and in 1980 by two shots over Isao Aoki. And in 1993 Lee Janszen beat Payne Stewart to win his first-ever major.

U.S. Women's Open

Mickey Wright and her classic swing claimed the 1961 Open held at Baltusrol, followed four years later by Carol Mann's win at the Country Club of Atlantic City. The event returned there a decade later and was won by Sandra Palmer, while 10 more years passed before Kathy Baker earned her victory at Balturol. In 1987, the Donald Ross-designed Plainfield Country Club was the site of Laura Davies' first win in an LPGA major championship. The Englishwoman defeated Ayako Okamato and JoAnn Carner in an 18-hole playoff.

U.S. Senior Open

In 1990, Ridgewood Country Club was the site as Lee Trevino won over Jack Nicklaus. The latter would win the event the following year at Oakland Hills.

U.S. Amateur

The most-played major in the Garden State has visited eight times, starting in 1898 when Findlay Douglas emerged victorious at the Morris County Golf Club in Morristown. Walter Travis won three years later at the Country Club of Atlantic City, followed by H. Chandler Egan (who would go on to help redesign the famous 18th at Pebble Beach) winning in 1904 at Baltusrol. The 1906 championship was held at Englewood Country Club and won by Eben Byers. In 1926 George Von Elm edged out the legendary Bobby Jones 2 and 1 at Baltusrol. The event returned there in 1946 (Ted Bishop won), while Jerry Pate would enter the national scene with his victory in 1974 at Ridgewood Country Club. Four years later, John Cook would win over Scott Hoch at Plainfield Country Club, and Sam Randolph earned the title in 1985 at Montclair Golf Club. One of the longest matches in Amateur history was the most recent one held in New Jersey. In 2000 Jeff Quinney defeated James Driscoll in 39 holes at Baltusrol's Upper Course.

U.S. Women's Amateur

The first major ever held in New Jersey was the 1896 version of this tournament, which was won by 16-year old Beatrix Hoyt at Morris County Golf Club. The 1901 and 1911 Amateurs were both held at Baltusrol and won by Genevieve Hecker and Margaret Curtis respectively. Twenty-five years later, Pamela Barton captured the title on the South Course at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit. The event returned to Canoe Brook in 1984, when Pat Hurst defeated Stephanie Davis.

Senior PGA Championship

In 2001 Tom Watson won his 9th career major by one shot over Jim Thorpe at Ridgewood Country Club.

Ryder Cup

In 1935, the third Ryder Cup to be held on U.S. soil was hosted by Ridgewood Country Club. The home team came out on top, with the U.S. defeating 9 Britain 9-3.

So there you have it. If that lengthy and historic list doesn't impress you, then you are on your own. Class dismissed.

May 12, 2004

Tom Mackin is the Northeast Editor for TravelGolf.com, where he writes, edits and coordinates content for three Web sites covering New Jersey, New York and New England. As an Associate Editor at GOLF MAGAZINE for three years, Mackin wrote about golf destinations in the United States, Mexico, Scotland, Ireland and Australia.