Atlantic City Country Club remains a treasure along the New Jersey shore
NORTHFIELD, N.J. -- Atlantic City Country Club just oozes with history and golf lore.
A historic clubhouse filled with memorabilia and photos feels like a museum of golf. Legends Arnold Palmer, Bob Hope and Sam Snead have hung out with friends at the Taproom Bar & Grille and in the locker room, swapping stories and advice.
"If these walls could talk," said Charles Fahy, the general manager/director of golf at the club.
Founded in 1897, Atlantic City Country Club has hosted six United States Golf Association championships, including the 1901 U.S. Amateur won by Walter Travis. The club hosted the first Senior PGA Tour event (now called the Champions Tour) in 1980.
The golf terms "birdie" and "eagle" were coined at the club. The 6,577-yard, par-70 course remains a pure classic, ranking as New Jersey's no. 1 public course. In 1999, Tom Doak did a thoughtful restoration of a layout molded over a period of years by multiple men, including Willie Park Jr. and William Flynn.
The back nine dives deep into the tidal marshes to provide striking views of the Atlantic City skyline and some tantalizing shots. This is as good as golf gets.