Blue Heron Pines

Many courses in New Jersey and the world over try to emulate the state’s crown jewel — Pine Valley — but few go as far as to create replicas of its holes. Kay did not do an exact clone of the famous “Hell’s Half Acre” hole but the similarities are inescapable, including both the enormous waste bunker that needs carried on the second shot, as well as the forced carry to reach the green. Where Kay adds a unique twist is the tee shot over a lake on the way to the fairway. Fortunately, his version of the famous hole measures just 510 yards from the back tees.

Another popular hole is No. 7, a par four that measures just 320 yards from the back tees. Finding the green in one means challenging a “U” bunker that fronts the green. Even laying up short is complicated by a massive cross bunker heading diagonally up from right to left.