Shackamaxon Country Club Named a Best Bargain in Online Survey

Scotch Plains's Shackamaxon Country Club earned top honors in GolfStyles New Jersey magazine recently, as voters in their online survey ranked it the ninth "best bargain" among private clubs in the state. 

Teaching professional Joe Bush was also honored with a top 10 showing in two categories – favorite golf professional (#4) and top teaching professional in a private club (#5).

“I was pleasantly surprised and take this as a huge compliment from the members and guests at Shackamaxon, especially considering that this was my first season on staff at the club," said Bush. "From early on, members went out of their way to make me feel extremely welcome. I am excited for 2014, and hope to contribute to making next year’s golf experience at ‘Shack’ even better."

Opened in 1916, Shackamaxon features a classic A.W. Tillinghast-designed, par-71 course that boasts the architect’s first-ever island green.

The club has hosted a number of prestigious events including the 1922, 1937, 1972 and 2002 New Jersey State Golf Association (NJSGA) Open Championship, the 1924 and 1977 NJSGA Amateur Championship, the 1928 Met Open, the 1955 Cavalcade of Golf and the 2010 Women’s Eastern Golf Association Amateur Championship.

Shackamaxon is experiencing a renaissance, the club reports, with golf membership growing nearly 300 percent since being purchased in late December 2011 by an affiliate of RDC Golf Group, Inc., a N.J.-based golf course ownership and management company.

“After acquiring this historic country club, we lowered the dues and invested in the course and club facilities,” said Christopher Schiavone, co-owner of Shackamaxon Country Club and Chief Executive Officer of RDC. “With an emphasis on value to the member and creating a welcoming environment for new members, their families and their guests, we have seen unprecedented membership growth in this still-struggling economy. We believe we offer the best club and service for the money in our area and the success of Shackamaxon supports that.”  

In addition to an already completed golf course bunker restoration and clubhouse ballroom refurbishment, the club’s new ownership plans to add an aquatics facility in 2014.