Last week Golf
Magazine released its well-regarded list of the Top 100 golf courses in the
U.S. and the World, and once
again New Jersey's
Pine Valley Golf Club reigned supreme in the biennial rankings.
Shrouded in secrecy, yet known for its visually-intimidating layout and tremendous difficulty, Pine Valley is always one of the first layouts mentioned when long-time golfers are asked where they'd tee it up if they had only one round left to play.
But most will never be invited to play this ultra-private course. However, the public is welcome to explore the storied venue once every 365 days.
If you live in the Tri-State (PA, NY, NJ) area, or are planning on a visit to the region this weekend, Pine Valley Golf Club will be hosting the annual Crump Cup, an amateur competition that started in 1922.
As tradition goes, Sunday is the final round of the tournament and consists of match play. The club opens to the public at 1 p.m., and visitors are able to freely walk the grounds without the usual confines of a PGA Tour event. It's just you and George Crump's masterpiece.
Here is how to get into Pine Valley on Sunday, Sept. 20.
First, you'll need to drive to the following address: 144 Berlin Road, Clementon, NJ. You'll arrive at the Clementon Lake Amusement Park which serves as the parking area for the event. Signs will be posted to guide you to designated parking areas. A $20 fee per car will be collected which includes parking and a shuttle bus that runs to and from the course.
The shuttle bus will take you to the gate of the golf club, where you'll be met by a club member who will provide a scorecard and send you on your way.
The golf course itself is only 15 miles from Philadelphia. This year marks the 85th anniversary of the Crump Cup.