The Birth of the New Jersey Golf Society

It all started on miniature golf courses up and down the vibrant landscapes of the Jersey Shore. Matthew’s journey in golf began at an early age. Guided by his father, His first swings were on the playful tracks of mini-golf, progressing to hitting balls into the woods with his buddy Tommy in the backyard and eventually making his way to the local golf links. Throughout middle school and high school golf was a leisurely pursuit shared with his father and friends.

However, life’s commitments, including joining the military and starting a family, led Matt to set aside his clubs. For 12 years, golf was a distant memory, until a vacation in Florida rekindled his passion. While staying with friends Ashley & Drew in the Tampa area, Matt stumbled upon a chipping mat and net that was strategically set up on the other side of the pool. With little expectation, he took Drew’s 60-degree wedge and by pure luck, hit a perfect chip shot over the pool and into the net reignited his love for the game.

Returning to New Jersey with newfound enthusiasm, Matt quickly invested in a new set of Titleist T300 irons, a Cleveland putter, and acquired a hand me down Driver & 3-wood coutesy of his buddy Chuck. Now that he had the essentials to hit the links, Matt reached out to old friends, some of whom had drifted from the game, struggling to find time to play. Hungry for regular play and community, Matt turned to the internet, discovering local leagues. Though fun, these leagues were fleeting or failed to fully encapsulate the community spirit he yearned for.

It was the McIntyre Pub League, held at Eagle Ridge Golf Club that opened Matt’s eyes to what a golf community could truly be. Every Wednesday, 40 golfers from McIntyre’s Pub in Toms River congregated for a 9-hole league rich with tradition, camaraderie, and friendly competition. Inspired but constrained by a work schedule that conflicted with the league times, Matt knew he needed to forge his own path.

Research into “how to start a social golf club” led him to discover golf societies in Europe—casual, inclusive groups that were perfect for players not affiliated with country clubs. This model was exactly what Matt envisioned for New Jersey. Leveraging his past success in building online communities, he founded the New Jersey Golf Society on Instagram in late November 2022. By April 2023, as the first buds of spring emerged, the society had gained traction, boasting over 1,000 followers eager to swing into action.

The society’s inaugural golf event took place at Ocean Acres Country Club on April 17th, 2023 with 33 golfers participating in a 2-person scramble. Energized by the success, Matt dedicated himself to scheduling regular events. The first year concluded with seven successful gatherings, each one building on the last to enhance the member experience—whether by refining event features or introducing new activities.

Today, the New Jersey Golf Society hosts monthly golf events across various locations in New Jersey and enriches its community with diverse events & experiences, including concerts gatherings, whiskey tastings and professional sports outings. Each event is a chapter in an ongoing story of community, passion, and the love of golf—a story made possible by the support and enthusiasm of its members.

Matt’s journey—from childhood games with his father to founding a flourishing golf society—reflects a deep-seated passion for golf and community. The New Jersey Golf Society continues to welcome new faces and stories, ever thankful for the ongoing support and eager to see what lies ahead on the fairways and beyond.