A round at Seaview’s Pine Course
By Sean Fawcett
Golf history abounds at the South Jersey Shore. It’s the birthplace of the birdie, and where The King, Arnold Palmer, spent a crucial time of his life serving in the U.S. Coast Guard in Cape May before turning professional.
Of all the historic places you can play at the South Jersey Shore, Seaview Pines Golf Course in Galloway Township should be at the top of the list.
A classic tree-lined, parkland-style golf course, Seaview Pines winds through the scenic and serene New Jersey woodlands. Built by renowned architects William Flynn and Howard Toomey, it opened in 1929 and features some shorter par 4s and challenging par 3s. It all borders the iconic Seaview Resort and Hotel, a Dolce Hotel, host to U.S. presidents, entertainment and pop legends for more than 100 years.
Prime features of Seaview’s Pines Course include its bunkers, elevation changes, bountiful doglegs and expansive, sloping greens.
In 1942 they were conquered by World Golf Hall of Famer and the PGA Tour’s All-Time winningest golfer Sam Snead, when “Slammin’ Sammy” won his first-ever Major Championship victory at the PGA Championship.
It’s basically the same as it was way back when Snead defeated journeyman Jim Turnesa 2 and 1 (two holes ahead with one left to play) with a final match-winning, 60-foot bridie chip on the par-3, 200-yard 16th hole.
Playing a round at Seaview’s magnificent Pines Course gives golfers of all ages and abilities an enjoyable and unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of one of golf’s greatest players and personalities.
“It’s really incredible to have the kind of history we have, and with Sam Snead, here at Seaview,” said Seaview’s Troon Golf PGA Director of Golf, Alex McGann. “We’re one of maybe a dozen public golf courses in the country, and one of only two courses here at the Jersey Shore, to have hosted a major like the PGA, and having one of golf’s all-time best players to have won it, and his first major, right here is really amazing.”
A plaque beside the 16th tee box, then the 17th hole in the 1942 Championship, tells of Snead’s winning, and some say miraculous stroke.
Highlights of the Pines Course include hole 16, where Snead ultimately claimed his ’42 PGA, as well as all four of the par 5s, and in particular the ninth hole and the 18th. Nine plays up to about 500 to 550 yards uphill, with a strategically placed tee shot short of a pond, which bisects the fairway around 220 yards out.
A solid and quality second swing is then a necessity to set up a tough wedge or short-iron approach to an elevated green, guarded by sand to have a shot at birdie or par.
The Pines’ magnificent closing hole, meanwhile, has plenty of room to drive and is sometimes reachable in two for the longer hitters. A good aiming point is Seaview’s water tower with the ShopRite LPGA Classic logo painted on it.
A day on Seaview’s Pines Course is a day walking in the footsteps of golf’s legends in the echoes of golfing history. Make sure to tee it up there when you can. You won’t forget it.
Sean is a local golf professional and college golf coach who teaches at Ronnie O’Toole’s Golf Hospital and Driving Range.
