The weekly Pulse of Golfing In The Garden State – new stories every Monday.
This week: Dottie Pepper is back for her annual visit, Mike takes on two completely different South Jersey experiences in the same week: Harbor Pines and Pomona Golf. Plus: Knob Hill gets its full close-up.
June is here. NJ golf season is fully underway.
— The DROP Podcast
#GolfingInTheGardenState
Knob Hill Golf Club: Course Close-Up
The DROP was out at Knob Hill Golf Club in Manalapan this week, and director of golf Lou Kubisa gave us the full tour of one of the most consistently conditioned golf courses in Monmouth County.
Dottie on Gotterup: “How Does He Not Make the Presidents Cup?”
Dottie Pepper is back for her fourth annual DROP appearance, CBS Sports lead on-course reporter, two-time major champion, and one of the sharpest reads in the game.
Dottie joined Mike this week to break down the 2026 season, and she did not come to mince words about our guys.
"There was a reaffirmation that he was the real deal last year at the Scottish Open. That was a studly finish against a very elite field, McIlroy right in there. And now there's a confidence about him: I've gotten this done under the most difficult conditions and I know I can do it again."
Then came the line Mike had been waiting for:
"How does he not make the Presidents Cup team? I want this guy really in the pot when it's boiling."
Dottie's read on what makes Gotterup different:
"It's not by TrackMan. He's not a numbers geek. He goes out there and hits golf shots. There's an artistry to it. A strength to it. It's old school — dig it out, get it done."
She even drew a comparison to Lee Trevino and backed Mike's retroactive Ryder Cup take, "borderline" is how she put it, which is generous given how he's played since.
Dottie also gave the clearest timeline we've heard from anyone inside the ropes:
"I'm looking at Chris Gotterup a couple years ago, that's what Max is right now. When the mini-meltdown disappears from his playbook, you're going to see Greyserman's name on a trophy very soon. And once it happens once, you're going to see it happen repetitively."
The 2026 season's identity, per Dottie: zero predictability, nobody closing.
Shane Lowry's Cognizant collapse. The big names fizzling Sunday at Aronimink. Wyndham Clark not getting his second win until late May.
Predictions for the next major? Scottie Scheffler, career Grand Slam at Shinnecock on Father's Day and his 30th birthday.
"Call Hollywood, make the movie."
Trivia
Dottie Pepper told a story about being fined by the LPGA for playing a practice round at a major venue the week before she was supposed to. How much was the fine?
A) $250 per round, she played two rounds and paid $500 total
B) $500 flat fine, plus a warning for future violations
C) $1,000 per day, she didn't know the rule existed
D) No fine, the LPGA let it go because she had permission from the club
(Answer at the bottom)
Two South Jersey Courses In One Week
Harbor Pines and Pomona Golf are both worth your time, and not despite their differences, because of them.
Harbor Pines in Egg Harbor Township is the polished version of South Jersey public golf. A Stephen Kay design, challenging and fair, with greens that rolled true even on a rain-softened morning. Mike's verdict: "I felt like I could play here all the time."
The headline rate: $175 for a weekend morning with cart is the top end. Twilight weekday is $70, cart included. For those conditions, a fair deal.
Pomona Golf is the other lane entirely. Nine holes, par 33, roughly 2,300 yards, greens the size of dimes. New ownership for the last 18 to 24 months. Jason Lamp, longtime head pro at Deal GCC and Galloway National is involved, and the changes since Mike's November visit are night and day.
It costs $38 for a weekend morning tee time with a cart.
"Golf needs places like Pomona. It's affordable. It's fun. It's comfortable. And it's full of personality."
Pro Shop
Looking to show your Jersey golf pride this season. Check out our selection of shirts, hoodies, and hats in The DROP pro shop. Find quality gear like the DROP rope hat. Lightweight, comfortable, and perfect on or off the course.
The 19th Hole
What’s the best finishing hole in New Jersey.
Mike: Berkshire Valley's 18th, uphill par four, two fairway bunkers, contoured green, clubhouse backdrop.
Chris Dymek: Essex County CC's 18th, elevated tee, uphill second shot, and a front-edge pin that'll send the ball back 80 yards if you spin it.
Where do you stand? Reply and let us know.
TRIVIA ANSWER: C) $1,000 per day. Dottie played Oakmont the week before the 1992 US Women's Open, a rule she didn't know existed. She had even discussed her preparation plans with LPGA officials the week prior in Youngstown and nobody said a word. "That was an expensive greens fee".