The Golf Courses

Greate Bay Country Club

Celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2003, Greate Bay Country Club has long been a landmark in the Ocean City/Somers Point area.

Greate Bay was built as Ocean City Golf Club in 1923 by the Lake family, Ocean City’s founders. The Lakes envisioned a classic course on a picturesque parcel of land hugging the shore of Great Egg Harbor Bay. To make their vision a reality, they commissioned one of the most accomplished players and designers of the day, Willie Park, Jr.

Park was a star professional who won the British Open in 1887 and 1889. He also authored an instruction book before turning his attention to golf course design. Throughout an accomplished career, Park created courses that remain among the world’s finest – including Olympia Fields North in Illinois, site of the U.S. Open in 1997 and 2003 and the PGA Championship in 1925 and 1961.

Gene Gatti oversaw a course renovation in the 1970s, with much of the work executed by Norristown-based architect George Fazio and his nephew, Tom.

The bay breeze creates ever-changing wind conditions and moderates temperatures on the course, allowing for a long golf season with a marked absence of biting insects.

Today’s Greate Bay retains the timeless character of the original Willie Park, Jr. design. It’s a course that takes full advantage of its waterfront location, with elevation changes, small greens and ample bunkering that put a premium on shot-making, start-to-finish.

McCullough’s Emerald Golf Links

Located just minutes from Atlantic City and Ocean City, New Jersey, McCullough’s Emerald Golf Links offers players a distinctly different Irish-Scottish golfing experience. With wide-open fairways, tricky winds, true undulating greens, and remarkable grass mounds and bunkers, players will be both challenged and fascinated.

Architect Stephen Kay designed 17 holes after famed European courses. The signature 7th hole, is a tribute to architect Alister Mckensie, who won an award for the design in 1914, but never had the opportunity to build it. It features a three-acre waste area and an island fairway 160 yards wide.

The 18-hole, 6,600-yard par 71 layout is a unique tribute to famed European courses including Saint Andrews, Carnoustie, Prestwick, Gleneagles, Turnberry and others. With water on five holes and the region’s only 100-foot elevation changes, players can enjoy tremendous vistas, along with challenging play, reminding them of the true British Isles ‘golf experience.

In addition to an outstanding golf course, McCullough’s Emerald Links also offers a pro shop stocked with the latest apparel and equipment. The restaurant and bar is operated by Vagabond Kitchen & Tap House.

For more information visit www.greatebay.com and www.mcculloughsgolf.com.