Union League National Golf Club

The Meade Course at Union League National Golf Club in Swainton, New Jersey, opened as part of the club's 36-hole facility designed by Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry. Located in Cape May County along the southern New Jersey coast, the property sits inland from the barrier islands, where the landscape transitions from coastal plain to pine and hardwood forest. The Hurdzan-Fry partnership, known for their environmental sensitivity and strategic design work, routed both courses through this varied terrain with attention to preserving natural features and creating distinct playing experiences between the two layouts. The Meade Course takes its name from George Meade, the Union general who commanded forces at Gettysburg, reflecting the club's historical connection to the Union League of Philadelphia. The routing moves through rolling ground with elevation changes more pronounced than typical coastal New Jersey courses, incorporating natural sandy areas and native vegetation. The design emphasizes strategic options from the tee and approaches that reward precision over length, characteristic of the Hurdzan-Fry philosophy of creating courses playable for a range of skill levels while maintaining challenge for accomplished players. Union League National serves as a country retreat for members of the Union League of Philadelphia, one of the nation's oldest civic organizations founded during the Civil War. The club maintains traditions of formal dining and historical awareness tied to its parent institution, while the golf facilities offer a more relaxed atmosphere focused on the game itself within the coastal New Jersey landscape.