Far Hills, N.J. – Neshanic Valley Golf Course in Neshanic Station, N.J., which is owned and operated by the Somerset County Park Commission, has been selected by the United States Golf Association to host the 2012 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship. The dates of the championship are June 18-23.
"On behalf of the Freeholders and Park Commissioners, I would like to thank the USGA for selecting Neshanic Valley as the site of the 2012 Women’s Amateur Public Links,” said Bob Ransone, deputy director, Golf Division for the Somerset County Park Commission. “This is a tribute to our staff, all of whom have contributed to making Neshanic Valley a golf course deserving of this prestigious national event."
Neshanic Valley is a 27-hole facility designed by Michael Hurdzan. The Meadow and Lake nines opened in 2004 and the Ridge nine opened in 2005. The Meadow and Lake nines will be used for the championship.
Neshanic Valley has hosted sectional qualifying events for the U.S. Women's Open (2009), the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship (2008, 2009, 2010) and the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship (2010). It will also host qualifying for the U.S. Amateur Public Links and U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championships in 2011.
The course has also hosted the 2007 Metropolitan Golf Association Men's Public Links Championship and the 2009 New Jersey State Golf Association Women's Amateur Championship, as well as numerous NCAA Division I tournaments.
The course has been recognized for its environmental initiatives with the following awards: River Friendly Golf Course by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority in 2008, Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International in 2009, Environmental Stewardship by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in 2009 and Groundwater Guardian Green Site by The Groundwater Foundation in 2010.
The U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship was inaugurated in 1977 as an opportunity for public-course players to compete for a national championship. It is open to female amateur golfers who are bona fide public-course players and who hold a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 18.4.
In 2011, the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship will be played at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore., from June 27-July 2.