Future Of Rock Spring Golf Club In West Orange Under Discussion

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A community meeting to discuss the financial status of the Rock Spring Golf Club in West Orange will take place on Thursday, Feb. 16.

According to a social media post from the township, Mayor Susan McCartney will be on hand for the discussion, which will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. at Rock Spring Golf Club, 90 Rock Spring Boulevard.

The event will offer insight into Rock Spring Golf Club's financial status and existing financial commitments, and explore suggestions for improvements and potential future upgrades.

Questions can be emailed to the mayor in advance of the meeting at SMcCartney@westorange.org, or by scheduling an appointment with Shari Quirk at 973-325-4100.

For decades, Rock Spring operated as a private country club. But about seven years ago, the Montclair Golf Club merged with it, planning to complement its 36-hole golf course located on the border of West Orange and Verona. However, the Montclair Golf Club ultimately decided to sell the property.

Essex County briefly considered purchasing the property before township officials stepped in, hoping to prevent it from being turned into a residential development.

In 2019, the town inked an $11.28 million deal to purchase the 138-acre Rock Spring Club, which has a 6,600-yard, par-71 golf course. The West Orange Township Council approved a $12 million bond ordinance to pay the purchase price.

The club’s golf course has since been converted into a public, daily fee golf facility, which opened in May 2019.

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