Hidden Creek A Jewel On Member Golf Day
Eric LeFante, a two-time winner of the NJSGA Public Links Championship, who will be competing for the NJSGA in next week’s Compher Cup matches against the Golf Association of Philadelphia, always wanted to play esteemed Hidden Creek Golf Club in Egg Harbor.
“I felt it was a great day to share with my dad (Tom), who knew about Member Golf Days, and it provided a chance to play two great golf courses at the end of the season,” said LeFante, who will tee it up with the NJSGA team vs. GAP next Tuesday (Oct. 21) at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa.
LeFante was part of the sellout field of 110 golfers who took part in the NJSGA’s 10thMember golf Day of the season at Hidden Creek. The 11th and final Member Golf Day is set for next Monday, Oct. 20, at Trump National-Philadelphia in Pine Hill, N.J. Spots are available for the MGD at Trump-Philadelphia at a fee of $125.
It was the seventh sellout and ninth time Member Golf Days have included fields of 90 or more golfers.
Yesterday’s competition was Four-Ball Net with Stableford scoring. Each person played his or her own ball with the better scoring counting for each two-person team.
“This is my first Bill Coore-Ben Crenshaw designed course an I’m excited about playing Hidden Creek,” said LeFante, who played in his first USGA Championship this summer, the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Saucon Valley. “The way the use the land is great. They keep it natural The way they see the land is the way they shape the golf course. The holes look like they’ve been here for 100 years. That’s what they pride themselves on.”
LeFante, 27, now lives in Florham Park and works in finance in New York. He is a graduate of Rider University.
Next summer, Hidden Creek will host at USGA championship, the 61st U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, Sept. 26-Oct. 1, 2015.
“We’re looking forward to hosting a USGA event next summer,” said Hidden Creek head pro Andrew Madsen. “Having an NJSGA Member Golf Day here is nice. Because we’re so exclusive, it gives people a chance to look at the course. We have 326 members and have openings for a few more. The green complexes here are some of the most difficult in the state.”
Doug Vicari, Joe Galadeta, Tim Tracy and John Trobiano, all members of White Beeches C.C. in Bergen County, turned Member Golf Day into a two-day golf junket for the second year in a row, having played Twisted Dune on Monday and Hidden Creek on Tuesday.
Mike Decker of Mercer Oaks, who also plays in GAP member days, will take advantage of the NJSGA’s new partnership with the South Jersey Golf Association and take part in the SJGA Fall Invitational next Wednesday at Atlantic City C.C.
Patti Larson who lives in nearby Northfield was able to enjoy Hidden Creek of the first time, thanks to her friendship with Grace Ciampi of Hyatt Hills, a regular Member Golf Day participant.
“I have heard a lot of good things about Hidden Creek and am excited to be playing here. It’s a scenic and challenging course,” said Larson a former resident of Colonia who played in a women’s league with Ciampi at Hyatt Hills.
“I enjoy the meber Golf Days. It’s a lot of fun. The level of competition is good. You don’t feel intimidated. I’ve met a lot of people taking part in Member golf Days and they’re all good people,” said Ciampi, the Hyatt Hills club champion, who has played in MGDs at Ridge at Back Brook and Metedeconk among others.
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