By Sean Fawcett
Golfing a round at LBI National is a real treat. The classic Ray Hearn parkland-style, par-72 course in nearby Little Egg Harbor is simply one of the most fun and challenging golf courses at the Jersey Shore.
Formerly known as Sea Oaks, LBI National Golf and Resort, a Vivamee signature golf course and resort, and sister to Vineyard National Golf Course at Renault Winery, features wide, winding, lush fairways, generous chartreuse colored greens and dramatic views of the Atlantic City skyline – all in a serene location close to the pristine Pinelands National Reserve right off Exit 58 on the Garden State Parkway and Route 539.
The course begins with its longest hole: a dogleg right, descending, 500-plus-yard par 5. A long fade for right-handers is the preferred play off the tee, but requires about 200 yards with the driver to catch the speed slope right of center down to the traps 200 yards from the green separating the upper fairway from the lower.
Most good players will reach the green fairly easily with two good swings leading up to a short iron or wedge to the green which slopes back-to-front and left-to-right.
Birdie is a fantastic score on No.1, and so is par, but a bogey won’t ruin your day.
LBI provides two shorter, and much better birdie opportunities on Nos. 2 and 3, both medium to short par 4s. Of the two, No. 3 is the shorter, measuring around 300 yards. A false front and a bowl in the center of the fairway protect the green. The pin, perched upon the small upper level of the putting surface, makes sinking a birdie far from certain, although kind of probable. It is a thrilling hole to play.
So too is the course’s magnificent signature hole, the par 5 16th.
“Sixteen is a double dog left with water in play,” said LBI’s Head Golf Professional Zach Bush. “It is a risk/reward hole. Go for the green in two over the water or bail out to the right.
“LBI National is known for its large greens, offering a large landing spot, but a demand for disciplined putting. Hole 13 and 15 share a 1.5-acre green,” Bush continued. “It’s one of the only ‘double greens’ in the whole state.”
One of my favorite holes is the par 3 seventh. Originally played over about a hundred yards of sand, the seventh now plays over marsh to a long and narrow green with a bowl middle and left. Playing around 150 to 160 yards, No.7 demands accuracy and some distance with a middle iron or hybrid and two good putts to make par.
Established in 1999, the course reopened only about one year ago after sitting idle for two whole years for the COVID shutdown, resulting in bankruptcy. The course is really shaping up under new owners, Vivamee, whose name comes from two French words, Viv and Ahmee, which together mean “Revive the Soul.”
Improvements to the course and a massive revitalization and reimagining of the clubhouse, restaurant, halfway house and weddings and events amenities is well underway with the goal of making LBI National Resort and Golf Club the premiere resort and golf course at the Jersey Shore.
