REVIEW PART THREE OF FIVE – WEEKEND GETAWAYS – CRYSTAL SPRINGS RESORT – 81 holes in 2 days  - THE CASCADES 9 – a fine way to extend a day
 

HUNTERDON COUNTY Multiple, well respected business and finance magazines have concluded that in the current state of the economy most American families are taking vacations for a shorter period of time and are taking that vacation much closer to home than usual. With this in mind THE HC NEWS review team took off to the Crystal Springs Resort to see if this location might be an ideal family/golf/weekend getaway for Hunterdon residents, and we are happy to report that it has a number of unique qualities that  make it an ideal place to rejuvenate a hard worked soul.

Right off the bat we must mention that our contact person, Natasha Wright – director of marketing - was an absolute joy to deal with. She set up a flawless schedule of golf, arranged for a wonderful suite, made sure we ate in comfort and was available 24/7 for any questions we had. Our interaction with her made the weekend that much more enjoyable than we would have imagined.

Crystal Springs Resort - http://www.crystalgolfresort.com  is located exactly 52.8 miles from the bridge on Main Street in Clinton. If you travel up route 206 to route 94 during non rush hours it will take you an hour and five minutes to arrive at the grand Cascade Lodge - http://www.crystalgolfresort.com/content/category.aspx?SID=13&CID=169 

During the great golf rampage of 81 holes in 36 hours we found ourselves at the Cascade nine hole course which is located on the Grand Concourse Lodge property at 6 p.m. on Saturday afternoon after already playing 36 tough holes in tremendous 95 plus degree heat. Basically what this means is that if this course didn’t pass muster we were going to let you know, instead, even with a sun soaked shirt and matted brow we found this to be  a completely joyful nine holes of golf that actually had us thinking, hmmmm if there was one more nine attached here we would go for holes 45 through 54 before sunset.

Now you have to understand a few things thing. This Cascade course is a work in progress. It is not a course, since it is only nine holes that you would drive 50 plus miles to play and go home. However, if you were going up for a weekend where you wanted to play 27 holes Saturday and Sunday, I could easily see adding this to any of the other 18 in the Crystal system.

Another point is that the areas surrounding this course are not done. It is obvious that there is a plan to build more townhouses etc.. and as such it leaves the surrounding vistas off of the fairways a little bit rough, but so what, you are there to play the course, not ogle the construction sites, but those who are more sensitive we thought we might alert you.

As far as the course goes, it is a very interesting nine, gives you a bunch of different side hill uphill lies, has greens with undulations and nice breaks, has tees that give everyone a nice distance to play. This may not sound glorious but the nine was very very pleasant and enjoyable as the sun was sinking in the west giving us nice long shadows and cooler temps. The entire group thought it was great and if you are one to do a bit of wagering it lends itself to a nice skins game as there are no impossible holes and the high handicapper can hang in. Though we had no children with us, I could also see it being a nice place to take the kids who’s attention spans and tired arms might wilt playing 18 but would be perfectly suited for a nice nine.  

And again we have to give a shout out to the staff - great job by all, including the gents below who took great care of us -

To the course

The guys here are always smiling

Down Down Down she goes - grip and rip, there is little trouble to get into, though if you get caught up on the downhill lie over the ridge you may start thinking water on the second shot.

Second shot, not as bad as it looks but that left bunker does get some attention

It's right out in front of you - blast away as this one plays 430 yards

Number three tee - plays 275 from the white tees - so there is little trouble fro the mid to high handicap

This little par three is a devil. take an extra club, hit two perfect pitching wedges to the 111 yard hole and thought they were perfect, not, they both bounced off the front rock wall at the pin. A nine iron left an 18 inch easy putt.

You are better to be right off of the tee than left as you can play from the upper hillside but not the lower ditch.

A nice view form behind the green of the rolling fairway

You have to love a par five that is wide open. Bang away but only the bigger hitters have a shot at getting to the 583 yard hole Which rises up at the end.

The sun starts to reach the mountain tops from behind the green.

Aim at the right edge of the left bunker.

And you will have an approach of about 170

Which will leave you a birdie putt of about this far

8 Plays 158, but its uphill so take two extra clubs if you are getting tired, and beware the bunker on the rights, its deep and a tough up and down.

A par five straight back up the hill ends the day. It's only 486 from the blues so the fairway is more important than crushing it.

And as you can see it keeps rising to the green. Two good shots can get you to the front right which then gives you a lot of green to aggressively chip at.

The last drop of sun after hole 45 on a challenging day of golf.

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