BATTLEGROUND COUNTRY CLUB

The rolling farmland of central New Jersey provides ideal canvas for this Stephen Kay renovation, where strategic bunkering and elevation changes demand thoughtful club selection on nearly every approach. Kay's deft touch transforms what could be pedestrian parkland into a thinking person's test, particularly on the risk-reward par-5 14th that tempts aggressive players with a forced carry over wetlands. For public golf in the shadow of New York, the conditioning and pace of play here consistently punch above their weight class.