Metedeconk National Golf Club: 1st/2nd/3rd

Set in the northern portion of New Jersey’s Pine Barrens, the course weaves through pine trees on gently sloping ground. Opening and closing holes on each nine play down and then back up the hill, which is the dominant landform that adds interest to the routing. Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and Roger Rulewich routed all 27 holes through the pines and local marsh, creating a course that challenges a player’s ability to navigate uneven lies and elevation changes. Missing the fairway here will leave a golfer amid the pines often with a difficult recovery. A recent bunker renovation opened up views on some holes while widening the landing area on others. Originally opened in 1987, Metedeconk National has occupied a spot in Golf Digest’s Best in State almost every year since, coming in at No. 15 in New Jersey in the most recent ranking.