The Golf
Event Photo's
search for the 50
most beautiful golf holes in New Jersey took Dr. John T. Whiting and his wife
Buffy to the beautiful Hamilton Farm Golf Club on Saturday, August 15, 2009 to
play the golf course, gather background information and photograph the course
and its signature golf hole, the par 4 18th hole.
The Hamilton
Farm Golf Club was constructed on the site of the famous
and historic "Diamond Jim" Brady Estate located on "Millionaires Mountain" in
Peapack-Gladstone, which also hosts the U.S. Equestrian Team. New York
financier James Cox Brady, whose father made his fortune in utilities in the
late 1800s, was encouraged by pharmaceutical magnate Charles Pfizer, to
purchase a 180 acre parcel of land adjacent to the Pfizer estate in 1911 for $18,000
which he named "Hamilton Farm" for his wife whose maiden name was Elizabeth
Hamilton. Over the next 10 years Brady acquired 5,000 acres which he
transformed into one of New Jersey's largest working farms..
In 1978, the
property was purchased by Beneficial Corporation and in 1998 Lucent Technologies
took ownership with a plan to create an exclusive golf club with eighteen
corporate members. Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, two nationally
known golf architects were engaged to construct an eighteen hole championship course and a
challenging par three course, which became the only USGA rated par three in the
country.
In June of
2001 Townsend Capital took ownership and converted the club into a private,
invitation only club. The beautiful Brady Mansion continues to provide outstanding dining and entertainment and host well known visitors such as basketball great Michael Jordan, golf super star, Tiger Woods,
and the Whitings.
The search for the
50 most beautiful golf holes in New Jersey visit was scheduled by Erin Walsh,
Membership Director and Tim Bakels, the General Manager
at Hamilton Farm
Golf Club, with the course's par 4 18th hole nominated by Walsh. A round
of golf was played with the course's Head Golf Pro John McDole and Club
Membership Committee Member Jay Flynn, and photographs were taken of the course and signature hole. Golf was followed by a superb
"Tuscany Dinner" served by Food & Beverage Director Greg Gibbs created by Head
Chef, John Rellah. Following the day's events the Whitings were invited to
stay the night in the Brady Mansion. Needless to say this was an
extraordinary experience thanks to the wonderful staff and many new friends at
Hamilton Farm Golf Club.
Photographs of the
visit and the golf course are posted on this web site. The chapter on the
Hamilton Farm Golf Club is being written for inclusion in the book, "The Search
for the 50 Most Beautiful Golf Holes in New Jersey" which will be published
following visits and photographing of nominated golf holes.
To learn more about
"The Search for the 50 Most Beautiful Golf Holes in New Jersey" and/or to
nominate a golf hole go to the "50 Most Beautiful Golf Holes in NJ" tab on the
drop down menu and complete the nomination form.
