Westlake G&CC in Jackson to Celebrate its Platinum Anniversary in 2019
The Westlake Golf and Country Club located in Jackson Is getting ready to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
The golf course was designed by noted architect Arthur Hills and Associates as part of a 1,421-home community. Many of its 55-and-over residents have moved to the community in order to take part in the club – and the sport.
“We are a private country club of 365 members that offers very reasonable membership fees,” says Kevin Maciorowski, the PGA Director of Golf at Westlake.
Maciorowski oversees a fully stocked, full-service pro shop and he is known throughout the region for both his play and teaching techniques. He also proudly holds the official course record of 66.
Westlake, a par-71 venue, has nine different tee boxes to choose from to suit all golfers’ skill levels. The club has recently added a new set of forward tees that plays to 3,670 yards and a 104 slope for the high-handicap players who just want to get out and enjoy their own home course.
However, when advanced players play the further back tees for the first time, they know they have been challenged, and that the course seems to play longer than its 6,300 yards. Maciorowski shares that the final stretch of holes – numbers 12 through 17 – is among the “great stretch of finishing holes you’ll find anywhere.”
The signature 13th hole at Westlake is a testy par 3 with a 150-yard carry over water from the blues, and a challenging 197 yards from the championship tees. “It is a shot-maker’s course with the premium placed on precision and accuracy, not distance,” the Director of Golf stated.
Superintendent Anthony Johnson, who previously oversaw the Old Course at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa., has devoted himself to several projects at Westlake.
The club is in the process of restoring all 44 bunkers, including new liner systems, reshaping the edges, and new sand. And, in keeping pace with its tree management program, some 50 trees will be removed before spring to improve the sunlight, air movement, and drainage throughout the course.
“We are continuing to make the course more senior friendly without compromising the playability of the golf course. For example, we are lowering tee boxes,” Johnson said.
A Tradition of Service
Westlake is also dedicated to giving back to its community. For example, the club supports youth golf programs. For many years it has served as the home course for the Jackson Memorial High School golf team. The club has also hosted the Ocean County High School boys and girls golf championships, as well as the NJPGA Junior Boys and Girls Tour and the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour.
Club members believe these types of outreach efforts to youth golf programs will help sustain the golf industry in the years ahead.
Maciorowski himself is dedicated to getting more people playing golf and has developed an aggressive “Get Into Golf” program for beginners. It includes everything from seminars on rules and golf etiquette, to actual hands-on chipping and putting clinics, to an individual 30-minute lesson.
“During the last three years, over 160 residents have participated in the program and many are now playing on a regular basis,” he noted.
Westlake’s 33,000 square-foot clubhouse includes the new Masters Pub sports bar, where golfers can have a drink and talk about their round, or they can have lunch or dinner at The Grille, overlooking the course and its picturesque lakes.
As part of its 20th anniversary celebration, Westlake G&CC is offering, for the first time, a limited number of full memberships to nonresidents from surrounding communities, so they will be able to experience the club.
We have a special club here, one that likes to do new and innovative things,” says Maciorowski. “We look forward to sharing it with a broader community.”
