Ridgewood Country Club

Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey, operates twenty-seven holes designed primarily by A.W. Tillinghast in 1929, with later modifications by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Robert Trent Jones Jr. The club divides its layout into three nine-hole loops—East, Center, and West—allowing for varied eighteen-hole combinations. The East/Center pairing represents one of these configurations, blending Tillinghast's strategic design principles with the rolling terrain characteristic of northern New Jersey's Bergen County landscape. The property features mature tree-lined fairways, elevation changes, and greens that reflect Tillinghast's preference for subtle contours and demanding approach play. The routing takes advantage of natural ridges and valleys, creating holes that require thoughtful club selection and course management. Bunkers are positioned to penalize wayward shots while rewarding precise execution, consistent with the architect's philosophy during the Golden Age of golf course design. Ridgewood has hosted significant competitive golf, most notably the 1935 Ryder Cup, one of the early matches held in the United States. The club also served as the venue for the 1974 U.S. Amateur and multiple USGA championships, including the 1990 U.S. Senior Open. These events underscore the layout's capacity to challenge elite players while remaining playable for the membership. The club maintains a traditional private membership culture reflective of its nearly century-long history in the New York metropolitan area. Its reputation rests on the quality of Tillinghast's design work and its role in American competitive golf during the mid-twentieth century.