The Emerson Golf Club is going public this spring because Bergen County just bought it. This is a fabulous purchase for Bergen County’s golf program.
Bergen County Freeholders approved the purchase on October 18th with a unanimous vote. They allowed the Bergen County Improvement Authority to float notes for the $8.5 million purchase. I believe the actual closing is this month.
The Emerson Golf Club is located on 135 acres in Oradell and Emerson. The club is 54 years old having been created in 1963. It is a 7,000 yard par 71 eighteen hole course with a front and back 9. The front 9 is much longer but the back 9 is more challenging. Golf Digest rated it as one of the best golf courses in New Jersey for 2008-2009.
This becomes the 6th public golf course in Bergen County. It preserves open space and avoids over development. Because it’s now a county golf course, it will be re-branded as part of the county golf system. Here are the other 5 courses and their locations:
- Darlington is in Mahwah
- Orchard Hills is in Paramus
- Overpeck is in Teaneck
- Rockleigh is in Rockleigh
- Valley Brook is in River Vale
Four are 18 hole courses. Only Orchard Hills is but 9 holes. As a result, adding a challenging 18 hole course will significantly improve Bergen County’s public golf program. This has ocal golf enthusiasts very excited about this new acquisition as a result.
I think it’s great. Open land is scarce in Bergen County. Builders would buy it and construct hundreds of homes. While I should love that idea because I’m a real estate agent, I don’t.
Bergen County is the most populous county in New Jersey. We have 939,151 residents so open space is very important. It’s important 
because it is good for the environment and good for the soul. Therefore this is a truly wonderful decision by our Freeholders.
The plan is to renovate the Emerson Golf Course over the winter because the course is to open in the spring. Keep your eye out for an opening announcement. Golf is extremely popular here and we now have an even bigger and better program!
Contact me through my website if you want more information or have questions about the Bergen County golf program.
