The club came into existence in 1899 for social and recreational purposes. The founders were primarily New York City residents and, thus, the use of “country” in the name of their Club.
The above image is of the brilliant par three 2nd hole, with it's long and tricky redan style green.
The Club was originally situated along the Raritan River, partly in Bernards and partly in Bedminster Township. In 1918, the Club changed locations and the Club was built at its current site.
This current site provides the course with great contrast. A relatively open front nine, and a narrower, more undulating, wooded, back nine.
The quality of this course is outstanding. Not only for the design, but the condition is amazing. The fairways were like carpet. A great testament to the work that Tillinghast did here is that his greens in particular, like the one on the 5th above, are virtually unchanged from 1918.
Yes, there has been some additions to length, about 250 yards, but only the 10th hole has seen anything resembling significant change to one of the greens. This was part of the length increase, as it was changed from a short par four to a par five.
The front nine, was built on equestrian land, hence the more open nature, and this land included a racetrack, the image above shows the depressed area that was the racetrack. It is a feature of the 5th, 6th and 7th holes.
Tom Doak has done some restorative work here in recent years, and commented “As far as I’ve seen, the greens at Somerset Hills are the most bold and varied set of putting surfaces Tillinghast ever built.”
The magnificent, and difficult long par three 8th hole.
The shot of behind the green at the par five 9th hole, shows the extreme nature of the drop off to the greenside bunker.
The par five 10th hole works it's way around to the right, and up into the wooded section of the course.
Sharon Marks driving at the par four 11th hole. A stunning downhill dogleg right, with many challenges.
This is the view from the inside of the dogleg. It is one of the best holes here.
The great holes continue through the back nine. Wendy Pullar is preparing to hit her approach to the difficult par three 12th. Anything left is in the water, and anything right, well your next will probably be in the water. Wendy hit a great shot here, giving an uphill putt for birdie.
The view from behind the 12th green, as you make your way to the 13th tee.
Another great example of Tillinghast's green complexes. The green here at 13 is his version of a Biarritz. This one also combines a false front with the Biarritz. It is very impressive.
This is the approach to the par four 15th hole. The signature hole. The Duke of Windsor visited in the 1940s and was particularly taken with this hole, a 404-yard downhill dogleg right named Happy Valley. It boasts the course’s largest green set behind a meandering creek with a cascading waterfall to the left. According to club lore, the Duke was so taken with the setting that he recreated it on one of his French estates.
The view from behind the par three 16th hole. A wicked left to right sloping green means that precision with your tee shot is vital. Even then, a 12 foot birdie putt is a lag, aiming up to 6 feet away from the hole.
Michael Merrett preparing to launch his drive to the bottom of the hill at the par four 17th. A great example of deception here. The hole looks as though the only fairway is on the left side, however, it is up to 70 yards wide over the brow of the hill. It narrows the further down the hill you go.
Somerset Hills is a master class in how angles affect golf. The interest and the originality of the green contouring is what separates the club from other courses.
The running joke is that Tillinghast was drunk when he designed Somerset Hills. He just might've been because there is so much variety, particularly in the greens, going on with this design!
The par four 18th is a short uphill hole to finish, but is protected by cavernous bunkers. Somerset Hills is a true delight to play, and was an experience greatly appreciated.
Mike King fired a very impressive 37 points to claim victory here today.
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