(12/P38) TRENTON –The Department of Environmental Protection has awarded contracts through a public bidding process to two private companies to operate the state-owned Cream Ridge Golf Course and White Oaks Golf Course.

Meticulous Landscaping, Inc. has assumed management and operations of Cream Ridge, an 18-hole public course in Upper Freehold Township. White Oaks Golf Club won the bid to continue to operate White Oaks Golf Course, an 18-hole, DEP-owned public course in Franklin Township, Gloucester County.

Both courses are currently open for business.

“Our partnerships with these companies, with vast experience in the golf industry, ensures these courses will be managed in a cost-effective manner that will enhance revenue-generating opportunities for the state, while providing New Jersey residents access to high-quality golf,” said Rich Boornazian, Assistant DEP Commissioner for Natural and Historic Resources. “Also, it lets us better focus our fiscal resources and personnel to deal with forestry and wildlife issues in our parks and natural areas, rather than run golf courses.’’

Cream Ridge and White Oaks golf courses were acquired by the DEP in 2006 through the Green Acres Program preservation and have been managed by private companies under separate agreements with the agency. Both agreements expired on December 31.

Terms of the agreement at Cream Ridge include a 6-year contract for Meticulous Landscaping, with an option for a 14-year renewal for the Waretown-based company that has 25-years of experience in golf course management and grounds maintenance services. The company will pay the state an annual fee of $155,000, to be increased 3 percent each year, and also must pay 15 percent of total gross revenues that exceed $1.2 million annually. 

White Oaks Golf Club was awarded a five-year contract with an option for a 15-year renewal to run White Oaks Golf Course. The company must pay the state an annual fee of $132,000, to be increased 3 percent each year, and also must pay 15 percent of total gross revenues over $1.2 million annually. White Oaks Golf Club Inc. built the golf course in 1999 and owned it until transferring it to the DEP in 2006.

Both operators will be responsible for improvements, future marketing and commercial development of the courses. For more information, visit www.creamridgegolfcourse.com and www.whiteoaksgolf.com
The DEP owns four public golf courses, each operated by private management companies. Last year, the DEP publicly bid a management contract for the operation of Spring Meadow Golf Club in Wall Township, Monmouth County. An agreement for Centerton Golf Course at Parvin State Park in Pittsgrove was publicly bid in 2008.