"Holesome" Family Fun!
Pine Creek Miniature Golf
Where might your kid's 10th birthday party run into high level corporate discourse? It could happen at Pine Creek Miniature Golf in West Amwell, although conflict between the two groups would be most improbable at the expansive 28-acre complex just off Route 31 in Hunterdon County.
Pine Creek or Pine Valley?
Pine Creek is the ultimate miniature golf course.
One of the largest and most beautiful miniature golf facilities in America, two 18-hole courses roll over acres of natural countryside in a country club setting. Spacious, romantic, and charming, Pine Creek has become the outing of choice for groups from the likes of Merrill Lynch, J&J, Ortho/McNeill, Merck, Princeton University, and, yes, for lots of kids.
The fertile imaginations of attorney Terry Lynam and former professional ice skater Reg Forgie- and a $2 million investment- have created the only place where you might see such divergent groups converge and remain blissfullly satisfied. As golf has soared in popularity, yielding regulation courses of enhanced challenge and sophistication, the game's miniature version has remained largely unchanged. The vision at Pine Creek, however, has elevated "little links" to another level, one that appeals not only to families and young couples, but to regular golfers no longer able to spend entire afternoons on the golf course and bored with practice putting greens. Well beyond the realm of artificial windmills and plastic giraffes, Pine Creek offers real challenges for avid golfers, and hours of real fun for anyone willing to address the ball. Says Lynam, who is a hands-on proprietor, "There are no gadgets and gizmos, and the game isn't over shortly after it begins. The courses are challenging and can take more than an hour to play. There are no easy holes-in-one."
Ben McDowell, Vice President of Human Resources Development for Bristol Myers-Squibb remembers, "We originally planned a more traditional golf outing at a local country club, but then we realized most of our employees wouldn't come because they don't play golf. Most of the families and kids wouldn't play either, so why have an outing for only 10% of our employees?" Over 75 employees and their families participated. The golfers were happy, the non-golfers were happy, and the kids had a great time.
Pine Creek is the best of both worlds. Customers get their initial view of the magnificent custom-designed courses from an outdoor stone patio that seats up to 75 guests. Spacious practice greens ahead of each course allow participants to take as many practice putts as they like before tackling the courses. The par 55 course is best for novices, while the more difficult par 65 course invites seasoned players.
At the tip of the property, cascading waterfalls feed the nine ponds, which typically host live swans. Errant balls are likely to land in swiftly running streams alongside and under the well-kept and intricate greens. But, not to worry, strategically placed ball traps stop them from running out of reach. Golfers stroll among pine trees, waterfalls, fountains. small ravines lush with flowers, and wide stretches of green grass. Clean, tiled comfort facilities, complete with baby changing stations and water fountains, wait at the halfway point of each course. For night play, Pine Creek provides targeted lighting laced to highlight the unique features of each hole while accenting the natural scenery. Consummating the country club atmosphere is a charming Danish-style clubhouse, complete with dining area and fireplace, dance floor and gleaming kitchen serving hot and cold treats including fresh pizza and ice cream. An elegant wall made almost entirely of glass provides views of the outdoor patio and the exquisitely engineered courses.
Because the facility has been so many things to so many people since its 1993 opening, Pine Creek has already found well-deserved recognition. When reporter Peter Genovese of Northern New Jersey's Home News and Tribune set out to find the state's best miniature golf courses, he rated dozens on difficulty, overall appearance, upkeep, and scenery. Only four courses earned as many as sixteen stars: two of those are at Pine Creek. And because the complex has had such positive local economic impact, while maintaining open space and natural beauty, Pine Creek was named 1995's "New Good Neighbor" by the New Jersey Business and Industry Association.
Indeed, Pine Creek's beauty and serenity lends that "getaway feeling"- the attraction that makes regulation golf so popular- to many more players. Whether your group consists of a Fortune 500 board, a party of boy scouts, a church group, or you and a friend, Pine Creek deserves a visit. It is a rare place that the whole family can enjoy at equal par. Open every day and night (weather permitting) April 1-October 31, hours vary. $6.50-$7.50 kids 12 & under; $7.50-$8.50/ seniors 62 & over; $8.50-$9.50 adults; play twice the same day for $12; group rates available. Off-season rates apply November-March (call for hours). Pine Creek is ten minutes north of Lambertville and ten minutes south of Flemington at 394 Route 31, West Amwell. (609) 466-3803.