One Of NJ’s Oldest Public Golf Courses Just Turned 100

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the City of East Orange. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Every city has a hidden treasure. For East Orange, that place is the East Orange Golf Course.

Spread across 155 acres of rolling hills, mature trees, and beautifully-maintained fairways at 440 Parsonage Hill Road in Short Hills, the course has offered generations of residents an opportunity to enjoy nature, fellowship, recreation, and reflection. Recently, Mayor Ted R. Green and the East Orange City Council recognized the 100th anniversary of the East Orange Golf Course—one of New Jersey's oldest municipal golf courses and one of East Orange's crown jewels.

Its story, however, began long before golfers first stepped onto the fairways.

In 1903, when several neighboring municipalities—including Millburn, Maplewood, and Union—declined the opportunity to purchase the property, East Orange saw something extraordinary. City leaders, under the administration of Mayor Charles L. Martens, appreciated not only the beauty of the land, but also its long-term value as open space that could benefit generations yet to come.

It was a visionary decision.

At a time when communities across the country were rapidly developing, East Orange chose preservation over expansion, protecting hundreds of acres of native landscape that residents continue to enjoy more than a century later.

The property later served the East Orange Water Commission beginning in 1923 before officially opening as the East Orange Golf Course on July 17, 1926.

Over the last 100 years, the course has become much more than a place to play golf. The course has served as a gathering place where lifelong friendships have been formed, families have shared traditions, and residents have found peace in the outdoors. It has also reflected the broader story of America.

Like many public facilities during the era of segregation, Black residents were once denied equal access to the course. Through the determination of local residents and the advocacy of organizations including the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and CORE (Congress of Racial Equality), those barriers were broken, ensuring the course became a welcoming public space for everyone. That chapter serves as a reminder that the history of the East Orange Golf Course is not only about recreation, but also about perseverance, progress, and equal opportunity.

The course entered a new era in 2015 when it underwent a comprehensive $6.5 million renovation designed by renowned golf course architect Stephen Kay. The extensive upgrades modernized the facility while carefully preserving its character and natural beauty.

Today, the East Orange Golf Course continues to flourish under the supervision of the Department of Public Works. With a growing membership, ongoing improvements, and programs offered through the Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs and the Division of Senior Services, the course introduces new players to the game while continuing to welcome longtime golfers who have called it their home course for decades.

Mayor Ted R. Green, who recently began playing golf and has become a regular at the course, says his appreciation for the game has only deepened his admiration for this remarkable community asset.

"The East Orange Golf Course has been one of our city's greatest assets for the span of a century, and we're fortunate that the leaders who came before us had the vision to preserve this property for generations to come," said Mayor Ted R. Green. "Since taking up the game myself, I've come to appreciate the many benefits golf offers. It gives you time to slow down, clear your mind, stay physically active, and enjoy meaningful conversations along the way. Their foresight gave East Orange something truly special—a beautiful, accessible public golf course that continues to enrich our community 100 years later. Our responsibility has been to honor that legacy by preserving the character and history of the course while introducing the game to a new generation of golfers."

Elizabeth Collins, Director of the Department of Public Works, said the centennial celebration also recognizes the employees, groundskeepers, administrators, volunteers, community partners, and supporters whose dedication has preserved the course and sustained its excellence throughout the years. She said their commitment has ensured that the East Orange Golf Course remains beautiful, accessible, and prepared to serve future generations.

“As East Orange commemorates this historic anniversary, the city proudly honors the leaders who had the foresight to preserve the land, the residents who fought for equal access, the workers who have cared for the property, and the countless individuals whose lives and memories are connected to the course,” said Collins. “For 100 years, the East Orange Golf Course has reflected the strength, vision, and resilience of the community it represents. It is where history and progress meet. It is where generations come together. It is where nature, recreation and community flourish side-by-side. It is East Orange.”

As the course enters its second century, the City of East Orange looks ahead with renewed commitment and confidence that its greatest chapters are still to be written.

For those who have walked its fairways, the East Orange Golf Course is far more than one of the city's greatest treasures—it is a living legacy, a source of pride, and a place where memories are made across generations. And for those who have yet to experience it, there has never been a better time to discover everything this remarkable public course has to offer.

The city continues to provide some of the area's most affordable golf opportunities, including:

• East Orange residents and city employees receive 25% off seasonal golf passes
• Golf cart rentals are $10 for residents
• Weekday greens fees are $18 for residents
• Weekend greens fees are $20 for residents

For more information, call 973-379-7190.

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