Worldgolfer's Golf Course Reviews

Designer: Nicholas Psiahas (1967)

Location: Teaneck, New Jersey

History: Overpeck was designed by local architect Nicholas Psiahas in 1967 and is operated by Bergen County.

Conditions: 6/1o, The conditions at Overpeck are fairly average with acceptable teeboxes and fairways and true but very slow greens.

Value: 4/10, Overpeck’s rates range from $33 for resident weekday teetimes to $50 to walk for nonresidents on weekends.

Scorecard:

Tee                     Par         Yardage         Rating          Slope

Black                 72           6584               71.9               126

White                72           6195                 69.8             124

Gold                   72           5786               68.0              117

Red                     72           5280               69.3              116

Hole Descriptions: Bergen County is known for its wealthy residents and nice towns, but unfortunately not for its public golf. This is because the municipal system leaves a lot to be desired, especially compared to nearby Essex County, which houses several excellent public courses and has put substantial time and money into renovating them. Overpeck is one of six Bergen County courses and occupies a small, relatively flat property traversing ponds and creeks. Built in the dark ages of golf architecture by a relatively obscure architect, there is nothing inherently offensive about the course but also nothing memorable or worthwhile architecturally here. This, coupled with poor pace of place and mediocre conditions, makes it so there’s really no reason to play here especially given the strength of nearby courses.

Overpeck’s opening hole is the longest on the course as a 528 yard dogleg right par 5. This teeshot runs slightly uphill over a pair of bunkers at the corner of the dogleg at 220 yards to a tree-lined fairway. From here, the fairway continues uphill and narrows with a crossbunker down the left about 100 yards short of the green. This green is fairly flat and is defended by bunkers on either side.

The 2nd hole continues in the same direction as a straightaway 362 yard par 4. This fairway is lined by a crossbunker right at 170 yards and stops at about 265 yards with a valley of rough before another slab of fairway. This green runs slightly back-to-front with two bunkers right and a grass bunker short left.

At 188 yards, the par 3 3rd hole runs along the highway and plays slightly longer uphill. Playing over marshland, this hole features four intimidating bunkers short of a left-to-right sloped green.

The 4th hole is a short 330 yard par 4. Bunkers narrow this fairway at 245 yards down the right and 275 yards left so the best option might be a lay-up short. This green runs slightly back-to-front.

Overpeck Creek runs through the course and is most notably in play on the par 4 5th. While certainly memorable, this 430 yard par 4 is a truly horrible hole design-wise. This teeshot features an immediate 115 yard carry over water to a small slab of fairway that ends around 220 yards. At this point, the hole turns hard right and the creek bisects the fairway. Not only is this pure target golf, it also really doesn’t leave the golfer any options as this second slab of fairway is a 280 yard carry from the teebox and not accessible for the majority of golfers. Once on the second slab of fairway, this hole plays rather straightforward with a back-to-front sloped green defended by bunkers on either side.

At 441 yards, the number 1 handicap 6th hole is another challenge as the longest par 4 on the course. A semi-blind dogleg left, this hole requires an accurate and lengthy teeshot with a 220 yard forced carry over the creek and water down the right for the first 300 yards. Once safely in the fairway, this hole is quite open until you reach a left-to-right sloped green defended by a bunker short left.

The 7th hole is a short par 5 at just 479 yards but be aggressive at your own risk, as the creek bisects this fairway at 260 yards and OB lines the right side the entire way. Most golfers will hit their teeshots short of the creek and need to carry it on their approach to a relatively flat green defended by bunkers short.

At just 130 yards, the 8th hole is the shortest at Overpeck as a par 3 playing over water the entire way. A string of bunkers defends just short of this back-to-front sloped green.

The front side closes with a 342 yard straightaway par 4, another hole where the creek runs across the fairway, greatly limiting your options. This fairway ends at just 215 yards with bunkers down the right as well. This approach plays over the hazard to a green that pinches in from both sides.

The 10th hole is one of the stronger holes on the course as a 410 yard dogleg right par 4. This fairway is quite tight for the first 245 yards with multiple bunkers down both sides at this point before turning right. This green is elevated and slopes predominantly back left-to-front right with bunkers short on either side.

The 11th hole is another solid par 4 running parallel to the 10th as a big, sweeping 392 yard dogleg left par 4. You should aim just left of a right bunker at 225 yards and may find a speed slot. This relatively flat green plays slightly uphill and is defended by a bunker short left.

The remaining seven holes play on the other side of the parking lot around two large lakes and we weren’t able to play them due to sunset. Judging by the holes I did see, I’m in no rush to get back to Overpeck.

General Comments: Overpeck’s clubhouse is small and basic and there is no range here. Pace of play is on the slower side.

Verdict: A municipal course in North Jersey lined by the highway and creeks, Overpeck is overall rather forgettable and not worth a play unless you have no other options.