You’ve probably driven past it a dozen times if you live in Monmouth County. It sits right there in Eatontown, tucked behind those brick walls of the old Fort Monmouth. Honestly, for years, Suneagles Golf Club NJ was sort of a mystery to anyone who didn't have a military ID or a direct connection to the base. It was this hidden, slightly overgrown relic of a bygone era. But things have changed. A lot.
It’s a Tillinghast. If you know golf, that name should make your ears perk up. Albert Warren Tillinghast is the architect behind legendary tracks like Bethpage Black, Winged Foot, and Baltusrol. To have a "Tilly" that was essentially a military recreation course for decades is wild. It kept the bones of the course intact, even if the conditioning went through some rough patches. Today, Suneagles is stepping out from the shadow of the base and into the spotlight as one of the most interesting public-access (but privately owned) courses in the Garden State.
The Tillinghast DNA and Why It Matters
Most people don't realize that Suneagles was originally designed in 1926. It wasn't always a military course. It started as the Monmouth County Country Club before the U.S. Army moved in during the World War II era. Why does this history lesson matter? Because Tillinghast didn't do "boring."
When you stand on the first tee, you aren't looking at a flat, manufactured landscape. You're looking at what the man called "The Great Hazard" style of design. He loved using the natural roll of the land to mess with your head. At Suneagles, this translates to some of the most challenging, undulating greens you will ever encounter in New Jersey. They are fast. They are deceptive. If you leave yourself above the hole on the 5th, well, good luck keeping that ball on the green.
The layout is compact but feels expansive. It’s a par 72 that plays around 6,400 yards from the tips. Now, I know what you're thinking. "6,400 yards? I'll tear that apart." No. You won't. The defense of Suneagles isn't length; it’s the angles and the green complexes. The bunkers are deep, often featuring those classic Tillinghast "fingers" of turf that reach into the sand.
The Fort Monmouth Transformation
The elephant in the room is always the base closure. When Fort Monmouth shut down in 2011, the fate of the golf course was up in the air. For a while, it was a bit of a ghost town. Then came Martelli Development Group. They saw what most people missed: a historic masterpiece that just needed a massive hug and a lot of capital.
They’ve been pouring money into the place. It’s not just about the grass, though the fairways are in the best shape they’ve been in for twenty years. It’s about the infrastructure. The "Gibbs Hall" clubhouse, a massive Tudor-style building that looks like it belongs in the English countryside, has undergone a staggering renovation. It’s now a premier wedding and event venue. This matters because the revenue from those $200-a-plate weddings is what funds the irrigation systems and the bunker restorations on the course. It’s a symbiotic relationship that ensures the golf course survives.
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What to Expect on the Back Nine
The back nine is where the course really starts to show its teeth. The 10th hole is a beastly par 4 that requires a precise drive to avoid the trees on the right, followed by an approach into a green that slants more than you think.
- The 11th Hole: A shorter par 4, but don't get cocky. The green is the real test here.
- The Par 3s: Tillinghast was a master of the short hole. The par 3s at Suneagles require varied clubs—you might hit a 9-iron on one and a 4-iron on the next depending on the wind coming off the Atlantic (which is only a few miles away).
One of the most frequent complaints about Suneagles in the 2000s was the drainage. It’s low-lying land. If it rained on Tuesday, you were playing in a swamp on Thursday. The new ownership has addressed this with extensive drainage projects. It’s not perfect—heavy Jersey downpours will still leave some soft spots—but the improvement is night and day.
Misconceptions About Playing Suneagles
A lot of golfers think it’s still a private club or restricted to military. It’s not. It is open to the public. You can jump on their website or use various booking apps to snag a tee time. However, it feels private. That’s the Tillinghast magic. The routing is clever; you rarely feel like you’re on top of other groups.
Another myth? That it’s an "easy" course because of the yardage. Look, if you hit it 300 yards straight, you can score here. But how many of us actually do that? The narrow corridors on several holes punish the "grip it and rip it" mentality. You have to be a shot-maker. You have to think about where the pin is located before you even pull your club for the tee shot.
The Course Conditions
Let’s be real for a second. Is it Pine Valley? No. But for a daily fee course in Monmouth County, the value proposition is huge. The greens are generally kept at a stimp reading that will challenge any mid-to-low handicapper. The rough can be thick and punishing, particularly in the summer months when the humidity kicks in.
One thing you’ll notice is the "old school" feel. There aren't many power lines. There aren't rows of houses lining every fairway (though some residential development is happening on the periphery of the old fort land). It feels like a walk through a park.
The "New" Suneagles Experience
The vibe has shifted from "government-run facility" to "boutique golf destination." The pro shop is well-stocked, and the staff actually seems happy to be there, which wasn't always the case during the transition years.
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If you’re planning a trip, here’s the deal:
- Book early. Since the secret got out about the renovations, weekend morning slots vanish.
- Bring your short game. Spend 20 minutes on the practice green. You need to get the speed of these Tilly greens into your hands before you head to the first tee.
- Check the wind. Being so close to the shore, the wind can flip your club selection by two or three numbers in an instant.
There is a certain gravity to playing a course with this much history. When you walk the fairways, you’re walking where generals and soldiers played for over half a century. You’re playing a layout designed by a man who is in the World Golf Hall of Fame.
The redevelopment of Fort Monmouth is still ongoing. You’ll see construction in the distance—new housing, tech hubs, and retail spaces. But the golf course remains the anchor. It’s the green lung of the project. For the longest time, Suneagles Golf Club NJ was Monmouth County’s best-kept secret. It was the place you went for a cheap round if you didn't mind some rough edges. Those edges have been sharpened. It’s now a legitimate contender for the best public-access Tillinghast experience in the region.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
If you want to get the most out of a round at Suneagles, don't just show up and hack away.
- Study the Green Maps: If you use a GPS app like 18Birdies or GHIN, pay close attention to the heat maps for the greens. The breaks are often more subtle than they appear to the naked eye.
- The 18th Hole Strategy: The closing hole is a par 4 that demands respect. Don't try to hero-shot your way over the bunkers if the wind is in your face. Play for the fat part of the green and take your two-putt.
- Post-Round: Grab a drink at the clubhouse. The architecture of Gibbs Hall is worth the price of admission alone. It’s one of the most impressive structures in any NJ golf setting.
- Walk if You Can: It’s a very walkable course. The transitions between tees are short, and you’ll appreciate the Tillinghast nuances much more on foot than buzzing by in a cart.
Suneagles represents a rare success story in the world of golf course "rescues." It could have easily been turned into a massive housing development or a shopping mall. Instead, the community and the developers recognized the architectural significance of the land. It’s a piece of living history that you can actually play. Whether you're a Tillinghast nerd or just a local looking for a solid 18, this place deserves a spot on your rotation.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the current seasonal rates on the official Suneagles website, as they vary significantly between the shoulder season and peak summer. If you are a local resident, inquire about "preferred player" programs which often provide a discount over the standard rack rate. For those planning an outing, contact the pro shop at least three months in advance, as the revamped Gibbs Hall has made the course a high-demand location for corporate events and tournaments. Finally, ensure your wedge game is dialed in; the tight lies around the Tillinghast greens require clean contact to avoid the dreaded "chunk and run" back into a bunker.