About Hillsborough Country Club
Hillsborough,NJ
Now a days, golfers get excited when they learn the course they’re playing was designed by Tom Fazio, and for good reason. But, Tom learned his craft by working with his uncle, George, who designed many great courses, including this one at the foothills of New Jersey’s Sourland Mountains. Granted, it’s been more than 40 years since the elder Fazio designed this track, and many of his trademark elements have been muted by the elements, but anyone who has played here knows that the Fazio spirit lives on…especially on the greens.
Though the course stretches to only 5,800 yards—it’s a par-70 with four par-5s and six par-3s—its greens are some of the fastest and most undulating around, giving even low handicappers a run for their money. Case in point: head professional Bobby Damica hit 16 fairways and 16 greens during a round…and still shot a one-over-par 71.
Of the 18 narrow, tree-lined holes, the most severe green appears on the 14th, a 350-yard, dogleg left, par-4. It’s a small surface that tilts dramatically from right to left and “the approach must be hit on the right side to wind up somewhere left of the flag,” says Damica. And speaking of drama, the par-3, 11th has plenty to go around, too. It’s a 155-yarder that drops about 100 feet from tee to green.
Like the 11th hole, the entire back nine features exciting elevation changes that often make the diverse holes even more fun for everyday golfers. In addition to making “saving par” a reasonable possibility after hitting an errant drive, Hillsborough’s short, but strategic, holes offers average players more opportunities at making natural birdies and eagles. And who couldn’t use more of those?