Fort Monmouth FMWR

Welcome to Suneagles Golf Course at Fort Monmouth, one of our Nation's premiere Military Courses. The classical ambience and prestige of this facility are well known hallmarks of this installation, located at the world famous Jersey shore.

Suneagles has had a long and dignified history, which is outlined herein. The course was designed by A.W. Tillinghast, who is renowned for creating some of the most challenging golf courses in the world. Recent renovations at Suneagles include additional cart paths, and a new maintenance compound, as well as planned future improvements that will augment the existing services provided to our valued customers.

Eligibility to play at Suneagles is accorded to all Fort Monmouth Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, and Retired Components, as well as DOD Civilians and Contractors working on the installation, and their immediate family members. These patrons may use Suneagles on an Annual Patron Pre-paid basis or as a walk-up customer. Details on fees and procedures are provided for your convenience in this handbook.

The Suneagles Staff is here to ensure that your golfing experience is enjoyable. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Golf Course at (732) 532-4307.

2009 Suneagles Golf Course Programs and Fees

History

Suneagles has an interesting and storied history. In the 1920s, Max Phillips of the famed Phillips Van Heusen Clothing Company of New York City and the designer of the soft collared golf shirt, purchased the estate of 250 acres and the adjoining winter farm of 350 acres, to build a private golf club. Construction of the club began during October 1923, and when finished consisted of an 18 hole championship golf course, a swimming pool, tennis courts, polo stables, fields, and a magnificent clubhouse, which had a retractable roof over the ball room. Total construction costs for this project was $750,000 ($500,000 for the course and $250,000 for the clubhouse). A. W. Tillinghast, the man described as the "Dean of American-Born Architects," and whose courses include Winged Foot, Baltusrol, Bethpage Black and others designed the course. The first Golf Professional was the Scotsman, Seymour Dunn. Members and guests would frequently see Mr. Dunn on the course in a Scottish kilt as he wanted to establish the club with a Scottish flair. There were approximately 200 members when the Suneagles Country Club opened amid significant publicity on May 29, 1926.

In the 1930s, the club was purchased by the members from Phillips, and renamed the Monmouth County Country Club. Around this time an article in Golf Illustrated magazine was written about the course. The following is an excerpt from that article: "Possessed of a charmingly designed and appointed clubhouse, its fortunate members may stay at the club. No more delightful place could be available for a golfer as they look out over the course at the glorious country beyond through the ample casement windows. The clubhouse is Tudor in character and was designed by B. Hustace Simonson, known for the design of many of the finest examples in the U. S. of the architecture of this period. Monmouth County has one of the handsomest and best appointed clubhouses in the Metropolitan districts."

The U.S. Army purchased the Monmouth County Country Club in 1942 for the unbelievable low price of $42,000. This included the club house (Gibbs Hall), golf course, swimming pool, tennis courts, and the polo fields that is now known as the Charles Wood housing area. It was the site of the 1935 NJ Golf Association Open Championship which was won by the legendary golfer, Byron Nelson. His first professional victory. The course record of 65 was established in 1935 and is held by Gene Saranzen. Suneagles was also the site of the 1963 All Army Golf Trials, which was won by Lt. Frank James, while Sergeant Orville Moody came in second. Orville Moody subsequently turned pro in 1967 and won the U. S. Open Championship in 1969. Other famous Suneagles golfers have included Babe Ruth, Sam Snead and the 1941 PGA winner, Vic Ghezzi. The professional for most of this time (39 years) was John W. Welsh Jr., better known as Jack Welsh, who still plays on the course.

Although Suneagles has changed while being under the ownership of the U. S. Army, it is still known as a challenging and rewarding golf course and one of the premier Army golf courses in the world. Play it and we think you will agree.

Lesson Reservation Policy

Lessons available by appointment: John Scott 732-241-3169
Group lesson, clinics and playing lessons

Course Tournament Policy

Tournaments are open to our pre-paid annual patrons and Veterans on a space available basis and are usually held on Weekends or Holidays. Only those who have registered for the tournament will be eligible to play during the times reserved for the event. Please check the handbook, the bulletin board, in the Pro Shop foyer, as well as the registration box located by the GHIN Handicap posting computer for dates and sign up procedures for these special club events. All golfers must have a valid USGA handicap to participate in any handicap tournament.

Dress Code

Appropriate attire is required of men, women and juniors on the golf course at all times.

Acceptable for men are:
Slacks
Bermuda length shorts
Shirts with Collars or turtleneck (mock) shirts
Soft spike shoes or sneakers

Unacceptable for Men:
Demin Blue Jeans
Short Shorts
Tee-shirts or tank tops

Acceptable for Women:
Slacks or Skirts
Shorts (no more than 5" above the knee)
Shirts with Collars, turtleneck, long sleeve, sleeveless shirts or golf tee shirts
Soft spike shoes or sneakers

Unacceptable for Women:
Demin Blue Jeans
Short Shorts
Tank Tops or Halters

Children/Junior Golfer Play

We welcome children six (6) through fourteen (14) to use our facilities while under direct supervision of a responsible adult. Any child under the age of 14 who has shown golfing experience may play unaccompanied, provided they are considered qualified by the golf staff. We encourage the children to come out and utilize our golf course, practice facilities and pro shop. We also offer summer golf clinics for our junior golfers. Contact the Pro Shop for more information.

Rain Check Policy

Start without rain...but finish in the rain: If the player has played 9 holes or less out of 18, then a rain check will be issued for 9 holes. If the player has completed 10 or more holes out of 18, then no rain check will be issued at all.

Start in the rain...If the player commences play during inclement weather, no rain check will be issued.

Speed of Play

Suneagles Golf Course has been speed rated by the NJ State Golf Association for four (4) hours and ten (10) minutes. All players are expected to play 18 holes in this time or less. 9 Holes of golf should be completed in two (2) hours and five (5) minutes.

To ensure that your round doesn't take longer than the rated speed of play we have Player Assistants on the course that monitor if a group is not keeping the pace. If a Player Assistant approaches you and informs you that you are not keeping the pace we ask that you abide by their fast play recommendations as directed.

Some fast play recommendations:

*If you have one clear hole (from tee to green) in front of you and a group waiting behind you, you should let them play through.

*Always allow faster groups (twosomes/threesomes) to play through Singles should join other groups if they can.

*Quickly exit greens towards the rear.

*Mark your scorecard on the next tee.

*Use carts efficiently- drop passenger off at his/her ball first then go to your ball etc.

*Take 3 or 4 clubs with you to your ball.

*Always park carts at the rear of the green towards the next tee.

*If you have not reached the green and have taken more strokes than double the par on a hole, pick up your ball and take it to the green.

*Hit when you are ready and it is safe Don't worry about honors.

*No Mulligan's - No Ball Hawking in ponds/streams!

Golf Course Rules/Etiquette

In order to maintain the excellent conditions of our golf course there are a few rules and reminders we would like to bring to your attention.

*Please keep carts at least 30 feet away from all greens, tees and sloped bunkers. Do not take carts past the white stakes located on either side of the approach. We maintain the 90-degree Cart Rule at all times unless otherwise posted whenever you enter our fairways. Sometimes, due to heavy rain and poor drainage we may ask you to use the Cart Path Only or No Carts at all.

*Please use the provided sand/seed bottles to fill your divots.

*Cart path indicators are located in the secondary cut of rough. They indicate the point at which power carts are strictly forbidden to pass and golfers must then proceed to return to the cart path only!

*Golf bags and carts (hand or power) are NEVER permitted on the greens or on the fringe of the greens.

*Please repair your ball marks on the greens and replace your divots on the course.

*Please do not use your putter head to extract a golf ball from the cup or drag your feet on the greens.

*Please enter and exit all bunkers from their lowest point and rake footprints as you exit.

*At the tees and greens all four wheels of the golf cart must remain on the path.

Our Player Assistants will strictly enforce these rules!

Patron Rules and Regulations

Annual patrons must present their patron identification card when registering to play golf. They must also have a current bag tag attached to their own golf bag.

All other eligible patrons must present their Veteran/Military/DOD/Contractor identification card or proof of eligibility before paying appropriate fees to play.

All players must present a receipt to the Starter at the Starter before playing golf.

All players must have their own golf bag. Sharing a bag or clubs is not permitted.

Only licensed drivers may operate a golf cart.

All players must start on Hole #1, unless they have the Starter's approval otherwise.

All holes must be played in numerical sequence (no jumping around from hole to hole).

The Starter has complete authority to combine groups of less than 4 into a larger group in order to maximize the tee.

Only groups of 4 or less may play from April 1-November 30. From December 1-March 30, the Starter may approve a group of 4 or more depending on the volume of play.

Liability for Damage or Loss of Government Property

Patrons will be held liable for damage or loss of any equipment belonging to the golf course. Vandalism on the golf course will not be tolerated.

Annual Pre-Paid Patron Registration/Resignation Procedures

Patron renewal or registration commences during the month of February every year. Patrons may register at that time or anytime after that date. New golf identification cards and bag tags are distributed at that time. Patrons will not be permitted to play at the pre-paid annual rate without an updated patron golf identification card. If you have not updated your card you will be charged the appropriate fees based upon your eligibility.

Credit Card

All annual patrons will be issued an MWR credit card as well as the golf photo identification card. All monthly fees will be billed to the MWR credit card. The charges for the month are billed at the end of each credit card billing cycle. Any questions regarding your account billing should be directed to the golf course Administrative Assistant.

Suneagles golf course will prorate fees only if you register to be a patron after August 1 . Please contact the Administrative Assistant in the Pro Shop for more information.

Delinquency of Payments

If a patron's MWR credit card is unable to be billed for monthly fees, the patron must:

a)Provide a written letter explaining the situation. The patron then has 30 days to make payment.

b)If the patron does not make payment within 30 days, the patron will be suspended from further play and will not be allowed to play until all back payments are paid.

c)If after 60 days no payment is made, the case will be turned over to the Fort Monmouth MWR and the Judge Advocates Office of Fort Monmouth for further consideration.

Resignations

All patrons must fill out a resignation form in the Pro Shop and turn in their patron identification golf card with their golf bag tags. The patron will be billed for the month in which they resign. If a patron resigns for any reason other than a military transfer, he/she will NOT be eligible to register as an annual patron for one year after the resignation date.

Handicapping

Suneagles Golf Club offers a handicapping system for men, women and junior golfers for an established annual rate of $30 per player. The New Jersey State Golf Association maintains the handicapping through the Golf Handicap and Information Network (GHIN) that perform the computations for our golf club. In order to participate in any of our club event tournaments players must have a USGA handicap.

Locker Requests

Lockers are available to rent for men and women at an established annual rate of $50 or two for $75. An additional locker may be rented for your pull carts or space for your electric cart at $25.00 per year. However you may not charge them overnight while in storage.