McCullough's Emerald Golf Links - Holes #18 and #8

Getting To Know: McCullough's Emerald Golf Links

An Insightful Interview With Sonny McCullough, President of Board and Town Mayor

By Brian Weis

Whether you have played a course 20+ times a year or looking to play the course for the first time, insights from an insider can help enhance your golf experience. Below is an interview with Sonny McCullough who shares some valuable tidbits about the course, memorable holes and must eats and treats at the 19th.

Give Our Readers An Overview of the Golf Course/Property
Located just minutes from Atlantic City, this layout is a tribute to St. Andrews, Carnoustie, Prestwick, Gleneagles and Turnberry, among others. Designed by architect Alister McKenzie, McCulloughs features a three acre waste bunker plus an island fairway that is 160 yards wide, on the par four 7th hole. With water on 5 holes and the regions only 100 foot elevation changes, visitors to this course are treated to remarkable vistas and a challenging round.

If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course?
McCullough's Emerald Golf Links is a unique golf course for the Atlantic City area. The course has some amazing elevation changes, risk vs reward holes and country club conditioning for a municipal golf course.

What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course?
Purchase a yardage book as there are a few blind shots off the tee. This will save you a few shots.

Recent Awards or What You Are Most Proud About The Course?
Top 35 New US Public Course To Open in 2002 - Golf Magazine
Top 2 US Municipal Course To Open in 2002 - Golf Magazine

What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole?
Architect, Stephen Kay, hailed #7 as our signature hole. The 464 yard hole doglegs left over an acre sized sand trap. An aggressive line will make the hole shorter. Bite off only what you can chew.

What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It? I love elevation changes and the returning holes to the club house offer some great views and intimating shots. The tee box on the 8th hole is elevated a few stories above the fairway. A precise drive is needed for placement between the pond on the left and woods on the right. Hole 18 mirrors number 8 with an elevated tee. New Jersey is known for being flat so having these holes makes us very unique in the area.

Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole?
Late fall (2015) we will be reopening the steak house on property. Our steaks were amazing and I am excited to reopen the restaurant. The best way to end your round at McCullough's Emerald Golf Links is with a juicy steak and ice cold beer!

Back Tee Stats
Par: 71
Yardage: 6535
Slope: 130
Rating: 71.7

More Information
McCullough's Emerald Golf Links
3016 Ocean Heights Avenue
Egg Harbor Township, NJ, 08234
609-926-3900
www.mcculloughsgolf.com/

Revised: 12/09/2015 - Article Viewed 38,855 Times - View Course Profile

About: Brian Weis

Brian Weis is the Publisher of GolfTrips.com, a network of golf travel and directory sites including GolfWisconsin.com, GolfMichigan.com, ArizonaGolfer.com, GolfAlabama.com, etc. Professionally, Brian is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), International Network of Golf (ING), Golf Travel Writers of America (GTWA), International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA) and The Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG). In 2016, Brian won The Shaheen Cup, an award given to a golf travel writer by his peers.

All of his life, Brian has been around the game of golf. As a youngster, Brian competed at all levels in junior and high school golf. Brian had a zero chance for a college golf scholarship, so he worked on the grounds crew at West Bend Country Club to pay for his University of Wisconsin education. In his adult years, his passion for the game collided with his entrepreneurial spirit and in 2004 launched GolfWisconsin.com. In 2007, the idea for a network of local golf directory sites formed and GolfTrips.com was born. Today, the network consists of a site in all 50 states supported by national sites like GolfTrips.com, GolfGuide.com and GolfPackages.com. It is an understatement to say, Brian is passionate about promoting golf and golf travel on a local, regional, national and international level.

On the golf course, Brian is known as a fierce weekend warrior that fluctuates between a 5-9 handicap. With a soft fade, known as "The Weis Slice", and booming 300+ drives, he can blast it out of bounds with the best of them.