Montclair Golf Club
West Orange, New Jersey, USA
#2 and #3 Nines
Architect: Donald Ross (1920)
Updated: Brian Schneider (2025)
6,578 Yards / Par-70
72.6 Course Rating / 131 Slope
This week one of the oldest golf clubs in the United States commands center stage in hosting its third national championship. Taking the spotlight is Montclair Golf Club. The West Orange-based New Jersey club is the 13th oldest having formed in 1893.
The club is hosting the USGA Women’s Mid-Amateur. Previously two others national championships were staged there — the USGA Women’s Amateur in 1973 and the Men’s Amateur in 1985.
The original 18-hole layout was by Tom Bendelow and the course was then situated in the community of Montclair. The present-day Montclair was aided by the hiring of renowned architect Donald Ross. The Scotsman crafted 27 holes on a property that provides for nearly 300 feet of elevation change from the clubhouse which occupies the highest point on the property.
In 1928 Charles “steam shovel” Banks added another nine holes.
The 27 holes by Ross were named the 1st, 2nd and 3rd nines. The Banks creation was named the 4th nine.
The 36-hole facility quickly garnered plenty of rightful attention in a State noted for the high caliber of various layouts.
Over the years the playing characteristics of Montclair went off track as thousands of trees engulfed most of the holes. Turf quality was also impacted. Generally soft conditions limited the dexterity needed in successfully integrating the capacity to engage aerial and ground game skillsets.
The club also experienced serious flooding issues via the Peckman River on several flattish holes near the western boundary of the property.
In the last several years, the leadership at Montclair opted to bring back to the forefront the original design concept in concert with turf conditions that worked in total unison with the architecture.
The scope of the planned project was extensive but the initial focal point rested with the 2nd and 3rd nines.
Montclair smartly opted to hire Brian Schneider. The architect works with Renaissance Golf which is headed by noted architect Tom Doak. Schneider has built up a track record of notable successes with his efforts at other key metro NY area clubs such as Tamarack in Greenwich, CT, Hollywood in Deal and North Jersey CC in Wayne, NJ. Schneider’s first solo design opened at Old Barnwell in South Carolina in 2024 and was joint effort with Blake Conant.
Montclair also reaped the benefit in hiring Michael Campbell as the lead person responsible for all turf management preparation. Before the architectural improvements were implemented a number of infrastructure upgrades were put in place.
Six of the putting greens on the 2 and 3 nines were totally rebuilt. 12 were expanded significantly — back to the original green pads which were under rough grass. The immediate surrounds were restored back to where Donald Ross had intended, which were also under rough.
The 3rd nine starts immediately near to the clubhouse and heads downhill. The panorama now is free of clutter as the scale of the property is finally the star of the show. One of the most engaging holes on that nine happens at the 2nd hole. The par-4 can stretch to just under 440 yards and features terrain moving downhill in a sidehill left-to-right manner. In years past, the hole was choked with trees and unwelcome underbrush that only served to clutter up the drive zone. Campbell’s team in concert with Schneider’s keen sense of detailing rejuvenated a hole where shotmaking and beauty work together in concert.
The same follows at the challenging uphill 200+ yard par-3 3rd. The actual yardage plays longer because of the uphill terrain. Club selection can vary immensely depending on the skill level of players and wind pattern encountered. The hole also benefited from having the green rebuilt because the previous one was overly severe and allowed for limited fair pin locations.
Related: Grade “A” Architecture – Montclair Golf Club
Hole 5 is also done well. Here players face a serpentine Peckman River that makes its presence known on the tee shot. The green is wonderfully located on an elevated ridge and it takes a well-played approach to secure a reasonable birdie putt.
The concluding holes on the 3rd nine are a good mixture. The uphill par-5 6th was improved with a rebuilt green that eliminated a previous putting surface that was overly severe.
A short dropshot par-3 follows at the 160-yard 7th. The 8th at 360 yards moves upward and turns slightly left in a sidehill fashion. The concluding 9th is quite rigorous. Going uphill at 376 yards and featuring a two-tiered green that demands pinpoint awareness with one’s approach play.
The 2nd nine features a stellar trio of holes to start the side — each providing a different par type. The 568-yard par-5 1st is downhill all the way but carefully positioned fairway bunkers lurk. The par-3 2nd is the ideal counterpoint at 158 yards — going back uphill to a terraced green. The long par-4 3rd follows at 473 yards as it works its way from en elevated tee to a green set in the lowest point of the property.
The next three — holes 4-6 — occupy the far western area of the property and while they are satisfactory they are hardly spellbinding.
Matters reignite as one makes the final ascent back to the clubhouse. The 371-yard 7th gives players an ample fairway but the approach must be deftly handled to an elevated target. Gauging the proper club is essential as the landing area is not so easily discerned from the fairway below.
The 321-yard 8th is not long by yardage but the approach is thoroughly tested and features a green that suffers no fools. Land short and the false front will only speed one’s demise. The same can be said for any approach that lands too far left and right. Those who arrived at the tee at the 8th licking their chops and relishing a fast birdie will often leave with gritted teeth with their pockets having been quickly picked with bogey or worse.
The ending hole on the 2nd nine is listed at 396 yards but the uphill march will certainly add approximately 15-20 effective yards. The drive zone is tested with an array of bunkers sprinkled about like land mines. A golf ball snared by any of them will likely mean a prudent surrendering rather than a arrogant play that throws caution to the wind.
The approach is of the highest order — especially when the pin is placed on a second tier in the rear. The green has an array of vexing riddles that require a keen mind and able stroke. Leaving the green in no more than four strokes will provide the player with a most enjoyable libation at the 37th hole.
Montclair’s main defense rests with greens that mandate well-executed approach play. This is a requisite element. The twists and turns are especially puzzling and one will need to be a smart golf detective to unearth their mysteries. Otherwise, you will face an unending diet of three-putts or more. The main concern is that green speeds are kept at a prudent pace to avoid being excessive and thereby limiting pin locations to safer areas over and over again. Without question – the complexity of the greens and the constant challenges provided have the 2nd and 3rd nines at Montclair among the most demanding encountered in the Garden State.
While the scorecard distance for the 2nd and 3rd nines is not long — under 6,600 yards — the effective yardage mandates clear adjustments on a number of holes.
The aesthetic presentation of Montclair now is riveting. The pulling back of the curtain of claustrophobic trees showcases a land plan in which the holes are bracketed by fescue grass wonderfully bringing to life a superb contrast of closely mown turf to a wild and natural look. Montclair is also aided by the lack of any nearby housing intrusions save for just one that is visible when you arrive at the teeing area of the 2nd hole on the 2nd nine.
One has to credit Ross for so capably creating holes on the 2nd and 3rd nines given how demanding the terrain can be at various points in the round.
So where does Montclair rank among the best in Jersey golf? A top ten position is not likely given the compelling architecture demonstrated by a number of clubs that are of national standing. However, if Montclair were placed in a number of other States, the totality of the architecture Ross and Banks created with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd nines would clearly find a placement at or very near the top in a number of them.
Montclair’s rebirth is an amazing achievement. A clear credit to the governing board for realizing the potential of the property and hiring the right people to execute the plan.
Given where the club found itself not that long ago, the progress made is nothing short of remarkable. Additional work is being contemplated and if similar results take place, you can be sure the stature of Montclair will only rise higher when future championships of note come calling to be played there.
All photos courtesy of Evan Schiller.
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Verdict — Birdie+
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Ratings AssessmentDouble Eagle Not a hole to be missed. Compelling architecture throughout testing mental and physical resolve. Your heart bumps with exhilaration from 1st tee to 18th green. Eagle + Superior shotmaking values in tandem with related turf quality melding an experience of the highest order. Eagle Like its namesake – flies high in the clouds. Consistent variety with strategic holes demonstrating brilliance at various moments. Birdie + Engaging design providing thoughtful intersections with creative results front and center. Birdie Quality architecture exists but held back by limited standout holes encountered. Par+ Has several holes of note but too many pedestrian ones subtract from the experience. Par Enjoyable but like vanilla ice cream – mainly ordinary. Bogey Little substance of note – has design fumbles that are more prevalent than need be. Double-bogey A total mistake — in need of upgrades with substandard holes, inferior routing and substandard conditioning. Triple-bogey An utter mess. Avoid the pain of the experience and the loss of time / money. ***
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Related: Behind the Architectural Curtain — Aronimink Golf Club
M. James Ward
A long-time member of both the GWAA and MGWA. The 68-year-old has covered all facets in golf since 1980 — including reporting on over 100 major championships and 13 Ryder Cup matches. His writings have appeared in various outlets. On a personal level, has played over 2,000 courses globally and is lead reviewer for Top 100 Golf Courses.
Previously served for 17 years as national course rating panelist for Golf Digest. Has also personally competed in USGA Championships. Resides in the metro New York City area with his wife Celeste. Favorite quote paraphrased for golf — “You are what your golf score says you are.”