Evan Schiller Photography
Union League National Golf Club
Overview
The backbone of this super-maximalist design from Dana Fry and Jason Straka in the South New Jersey cape are a pair of constructed 40-foot-high central ridges that that half of the complex’s 27 holes scramble up and down. The design is a head-spinning presentation of three different nines that show off electrified putting surfaces stuffed with all manner of tiers, baubles and side slopes, big sandy dunes, scrubby barrens, cavernous bunkers, a section on the north end that mimics holes forged from a quarry and a kaleidoscope of native New Jersey vegetation. The new Union League National earned second-place honors on our 2022 Best New private award.
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Awards
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Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
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Reviews
Review
“What Dana Fry has done in transforming the old Sand Barrens course into the Union League National (Sherman/Grant nines) is amazing. With the Union League wanting to establish The National as the Calusa Pines of the north, their work is off to a great start. Many green complexes and flow of holes are reminiscent of Calusa Pines. The creativity in the redesign includes building a 150' tall sand dune that offers multiple elevation changes in an area of south NJ where everything is flat. To build the mountain, tons of sand were moved and many lakes and ponds have been formed to challenge every level of player. The sequence of holes 6, 7 and 8 on the Sherman are highlights, as the players hits down from the mountain to a par 3 surrounded by water on the left, and then goes back up the mountain on 8 where a very delicate approach shot must be held on a very elevated green. The variety of the remaining holes are excellent with three par 4s less than 400 yards, and reachable pars that offer great risk and reward. While the course routing makes great use of the property, this course will be awesome when all of the vegetation and plantings grow in over the next few years. "
Read More2023
Review
“In an era when minimalist, naturalist mentality has been the dominant approach, designers Fry & Straka took a maximalist approach in every way, moving more than 1.5 million cubic yards to create 50+ foot high ridges running through the middle of the mostly flat 27 hole property. Every hole plays off the effects of this decision. Most holes use the elevation change to bring layout variety, while others border large, deep sand pits that have become hazardous water basins. Union League National is an ode to massive dirt moving projects like Calusa Pines (their first and small attempt at creating ridges on a flat property) and Bayonne GC. Where Bayonne GC feels completely unnatural in its New York City area surroundings, Union League National feels much more appropriate. It’s still unnatural, but honestly, I didn’t care because the golf that enabled is interesting and fun. It made me feel like I expect people in the 1920s felt playing Banks and Langford & Moreau courses — oddly natural even if it required moving large amounts of earth for their day. Many of the green were extreme, some with tier-like pockets that provided a great number of pinable locations on massive greens with heavy contour and playable undulations. The fast, bouncy fairway and greens felt like links turf, and the choice to incorporate pine barren native vegetation like Pine Valley brought great character that will only increase as the trees and shrubs grow. The holes playing up and down the created ridge lines are the visually most interesting, but there are subtle design touches like Grant #2; a par 5 that provides strong shot options where a longer player can bail out left into a lower basin below a narrow, slanted green that protects the hole from shorter wedge shots. Shaved green areas on most holes leave the player with a variety of shot choices. While still strong, shot values off the tee don’t reach the level of the green complexes. Union League National exceeds in overall quality its strong neighbors, namely Galloway National and Hidden Creek Golf Club, and as the courses continue to mature, I expect the property will improve its already strong distinctiveness and aesthetics. Some may not like that the property is the opposite of natural, but in an area generally devoid of land that provides natural interest for golf designs, the manmade naturalness enables great golf. To Coore & Crenshaw’s subtle Impressionism in their approach to neighboring Hidden Creek, Union League National is Picasso’s Cubist abstraction. Just like the art world would be poorer for not having one of these styles, so would golf architecture."
Read More2023
Review
“What a visually stimulating routing with subsequent hole designs, some of which were reminiscent of both Tobacco Road and Pine Valley to me. The elevation changes created on such a flat piece of original property demonstrated the creative minds of the architects. The greens and complexes were large, semi receptive [new course], quick, true, and with multiple good pin placements throughout the undulations. My experience rating courses has revealed that many courses have a lesser hole or two shoved into the routing to make it work. That was not true of the Grant and Sherman nines."
Read More2022
Review
“Fry and Straka design that has the feeling of Florida in Southern New Jersey. Added water features make this a unique change from the previous layout. The course is still growing in and, when mature, will be a top course within the state and a contender for national rankings. Massive green complexes compliment the generous landing areas. Rolling hills are abound which is unusual for the topography of the area. Lots of land was moved but the design does not overly showcase this occurred while still maintaining a somewhat natural look. Very challenging sets of par 3's and par 5's where the distinct water features on the tee shots and around the green were very prominent."
Read More2022
Review
“I greatly enjoyed the course and would love to come back in 5-7 years when the vegetation has a chance to grow in and really fill out the vision of the course. The mix of holes is some of the best I’ve ever seen, with the par 3’s really standing out for me. The 7th hole on the Grant nine is one of the best long par 3’s I’ve played, with multiple options available for the player to successfully (or not) navigate the tee shot. The third on the Sherman nine is the shortest hole on the course but can easily play as the most difficult par 3 of all if you aren’t able to hit the green with your tee shot. Great set of par 5’s as well, ranging from true 3-shot holes (#6 Grant) to great risk-reward holes with well struck tee shots as both par 5’s on the Sherman nine are."
Read More2022
