Francis Byrne Named One of NJ's Top Public Golf Courses

NJ Monthly magazine has rated Essex County Francis Byrne Golf Course in West Orange among the 40 best public golf courses in New Jersey, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced recently. 

"We are pleased to be included in NJ Monthly’s Top 40 list,” DiVincenzo said. 

Francis Byrne was ranked 26th overall and was the ninth highest ranked county-owned course in the state.

“With its picturesque fairways, challenging greens and welcoming accommodations, Francis Byrne Golf Course provides golfers with a first-class and affordable recreation experience,"DiVincenzo said,

Noted golf architect Charles Banks designed Francis Byrne Golf Course in 1926 as a private facility and Essex County acquired the property and made it a public course in 1978. Among its unique features are the par-five First Hole that is modeled after the Road Hole at St. Andrews and an optional fairway on the 10th hole that is modeled after similar alternative fairway designs found on classic golf courses in Great Britain.

DiVincenzo added, “In addition to Francis Byrne, we invite golfers to play at our other two public courses – Weequahic Golf Course and Hendricks Field Golf Course. Over the last several years, we have modernized our facilities and made a good thing even better."

In 2009, Essex County completed comprehensive upgrades to each of the courses to enhance the golfers’ experience. The Master Plan renovations included installing modern, automated irrigation systems, renovating the field houses, repaving cart paths and upgrading bunkers and tee areas.