Guide Me Home to North Jersey

The United States Golf Association has selected Trump National Golf Club to host both the 2009 U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Girls’ Championships. The dates will be from July 20-25. Concurrent championships on the same course have happened only 3 times in the history of the two events.

Trump National opened for golf in 2004. The original course was designed by Tom Fazio on over 500 acres of beautiful rolling hills. It is now referred to as the “Old Course”. The second course known as the “New Course”, designed by the nephew of Tom Fazio, Tom Fazio II, opened in August of 2008 and is quite different in topography. The events will take place on both courses.

The events begin on July 20, 2009. On July 24, 2009, the Girls and Boys Quarterfinals and Semifinals take place. The next day, the championship matches take place.

Trump is located at 900 Lamington Road in Bedminster, NJ. It has parking facilities for 14,000 cars close to the course. It’s easily accessible by car. Take 78 West to exit 26. Follow Rattlesnake Bridge Road to Lamington Road, take a right and enter the club 1.1 miles later.

Posted by:Mary Jane Benedetto

Unless your idea of a weekend home involves a beach, a long drive and a high price tag, western New Jersey has much to offer you. A weekend Victorian home invokes summers of old, with beautiful gardens, lemonade and backyard picnics.

There are two old homes of note, built in 1847 and 1880 respectively, in Peapack-Gladstone and Mendham Township that are currently on the market. Both are under $700,000. The homes are easily accessible from Manhattan. You could leave and be home in New Jersey in time for dinner in a great country restaurant, even on a Friday night.

The first, in Peapack Gladstone, has 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths and sits on .25 acres. The kitchen is renovated and the home is in move-in condition. Peapack is known for its shops, restaurants and parks. The home is within walking distance from the train station and the property slopes down to a stream.

The second, in Mendham Township, has 2 bedrooms, a family room, a full bath and sits on 5.06 acres. There are possibilities for expansion or a pool. The views from the back of the house look out onto a beautiful rolling lawn. The home is close to Mendham shops, restaurants and Jockey Hollow Park.

Make it a day and also checkout all the areas’ summer activities! Don’t miss the Tewksbury Barn Tour on July 19, the Chester Peach Festival and Country Auction on August 1, or the Somerset County 4-H Fair on August12-14.

Posted by:Mary Jane Benedetto