The Vineyards

The Vineyards is an Ed Shearon design located in Egg Harbor City, in the southern New Jersey Pinelands region. Shearon, who worked extensively in the Mid-Atlantic during the latter decades of the twentieth century, routed this course through terrain characteristic of the area—sandy soils, pine and oak woodlands, and relatively flat to gently rolling topography. The setting reflects the agricultural and natural heritage of Atlantic County, where cranberry bogs and vineyards have historically shared the landscape with the native pine barrens ecosystem. The layout takes advantage of the sandy, well-drained ground common to courses built in this part of New Jersey, which tends to produce firm conditions and allows for year-round play in milder winters. Shearon's design philosophy typically emphasized playability for a range of skill levels while incorporating strategic bunkering and water features where the land permitted. The Vineyards operates as a semi-private facility, serving both members and daily-fee players in a region where golf tourism benefits from proximity to Atlantic City and the Jersey Shore. Egg Harbor City itself has deep roots in the nineteenth-century wine industry, established by German immigrants, and the course name pays homage to that viticultural history. The Vineyards provides a straightforward test of golf in a quiet, wooded setting removed from the coastal resort atmosphere, appealing to golfers seeking accessible conditions and a relaxed pace.