Record Number of Golfers on County Greens This Year

As of this week, the golf season is officially underway; although Central Jersey golfers aren't too sure that it ever ended, in light of this year's unseasonably warm weather.

Spurred by a record-breaking mild winter, golfers teed-off at Middlesex County's most convenient greens all winter long. The Middlesex County Improvement Authority's four golf courses saw 7,366 rounds of play in January and February. Between the three sites, Tamarack in East Brunswick recorded 4,510 rounds; the Meadows at Middlesex Golf Course in Plainsboro confirmed 1,331 rounds; and the Raritan Landing Golf Course in Piscataway had 1,525 rounds played in that two-month span.7366

Quite the difference a year makes, considering the opposite was true for the start of 2011, when a record- breaking winter dumped more than 20 inches of snow and downed dozens of trees, all but halting play at county courses.

Rain or shine, the MCIA's diligent staff members continue their maintenance schedules so the courses are well kept and open for the many loyal golfers that frequent them.

The most visible of these efforts includes the aerification of the tees, fairways and greens, a rarely interrupted reseeding routine and a supervised team of border collies at Tamarack, warding-off Canada Geese.

Of the three sites, Tamarack's two 18-hole courses routinely attract central county golfers. In fact, a number of golf leagues, 10 high school teams and First Tee of Raritan Valley, an organization aimed at teaching children life skills through the game, all call Tamarack home.

In the south county region, Meadow's 18-hole bent grass course weaves through the area's townhome and apartment communities, creating a park-like setting that's appreciated by residents and visitors alike. League play, high school golf teams and charitable outings that produce substantial donations for various organizations each year are common sites on the course.

Raritan Landing's par-58 executive-style Course a destination point for many of the region's seniors, beginning and family golfers and women's foursomes. With its small greens and narrow fairways, this 3,300-yard, 18-hole golf course serves as a fairly precise barometer of a player's accuracy and skills.

For more information on these golf courses, log onto the Middlesex County Improvement Authority's web site at www.mciauth.com.