02 Aug ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO REOPENS ESSEX COUNTY WEEQUAHIC GOLF COURSE AFTER MAJOR RENOVATION Updating Infrastructure, Enhancing Safety and Preserving Historical Elements are Included in Project
Published on August 2, 2025
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. reopened Essex County Weequahic Golf Course in Newark on Thursday, July 31st after the completion of a $9.5 million project to perform a comprehensive makeover. The improvements include updating drainage and irrigation systems, realigning the layout of the course to enhance safety and eliminate blind spots, and updating playing conditions while preserving historic elements.
“Weequahic Golf Course has a rich history of being the first public course in New Jersey and providing access to the game for all golfers regardless of race, ethnicity, gender and socio-economic status. The changes we are making help Weequahic continue to carry out its legacy and keep it as a vibrant recreation attraction for generations to come,” DiVincenzo said. “Over the last several years, we have made significant investments to update Francis Byrne Golf Course in West Orange and Hendricks Field Golf Course in Belleville, and now it is time that we do the same at Weequahic Golf Course so all three of our public facilities offer championship caliber playing conditions,” he added.
“All I can say is that Joe D. is doing a great job,” said Ottis Anderson, retired NFL running back and South Orange resident.
“Joe continues to do a lot for this county. He has tremendous results,” said Rick Cerone, Newark native and retired MLB catcher.
“There is no better hardworking public official than Joe D. What is special about him is that he gets things done that make people’s lives better,” said Kevin O’Toole, Chairman of the Port Authority of NY/NJ Board of Commissioners.
“This project is a big undertaking and I want to thank Governor Phil Murphy, Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz and Assembly Budget Committee Chair Eliana Pintor Marin for understanding the unique needs of Essex County and working to secure State funding for Weequahic Golf Course,” the County Executive added.
“When we lobby for funds in Trenton, it’s easy because everyone knows the good work Joe does. Everything you do keeps getting better and better,” Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin said.
“Congratulations to Joe on another great project. The Board of Commissioners are proud to partner with the County Executive to enhance recreation facilities for our residents,” Commissioner President Carlos Pomares said. “I take my hat off to Joe D. for all the good work he does in our parks and throughout our county,” Commissioner Wayne Richardson said.
“We have the best park right here in Newark because of the investments made by Joseph DiVincenzo. It’s because of his tireless efforts and commitment to creating recreation opportunities for youth, adults and seniors,” Newark Councilman Pat Council said.
The irrigation and drainage infrastructure, much of which was installed over 50 years ago, was modernized to help better maintain and care for the course. Holes were redesigned and realigned to eliminate safety hazards and buffers were created to prevent golfers from getting hit with errantly hit balls. Tees, greens and bunkers were rebuilt and designed to replicate historic features that were removed by previous administrations. Cart paths were repaired and dead and decaying trees were removed.
Similar projects were undertaken at Essex County Hendricks Field Golf Course in Belleville in 2021 and Essex County Francis Byrne Golf Course in West Orange in 2023.
A professional services contract was awarded to Stephen Kay Golf Course Architect of Egg Harbor City for $350,000 to design the golf course improvements. A publicly bid contract was awarded to Downes Tree Service, Inc. from Hawthorne for $9,016,072 to perform the construction work. The Essex County Department of Public Works monitored the project to ensure delays are avoided. The project was funded with grants provided by the State of New Jersey and the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund. Construction began in September 2024.
Essex County Weequahic Park Golf Course opened in 1914. The original nine-hole course was designed by Seth Lowe, the former golf professional at historic Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J., while the back nine holes, which opened in 1969, were designed by distinguished golf course architect Hal Purdy, making Weequahic a charming and challenging par 70, 18-hole facility. In 2017, the parking lot was redesigned, a new open-air pavilion was installed, the clubhouse was renovated and the three-hole First Tee practice facility was modernized. In 2015, Holes 10 and 11 were redesigned to address safety issues on the course. The course received a major renovation in 2009 in which many course features were redesigned to improve strategy and make the holes more challenging. The drainage system was upgraded to address flooding issues that affect at least nine holes and a new pumping and filtration system was installed to improve the quality of water used to irrigate the course. Additional bunker and feature work was performed on nearly every hole at Weequahic to emphasize the natural beauty of the course’s rolling landscape. More than half of the course’s tees were rebuilt or expanded to provide better playing conditions, and several new cart paths to improve safety were installed.