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Golfers press Union County for clearer plan, faster fixes at troubled Ashbrook course
Summary
Multiple Ashbrook Golf Course members told commissioners the course remains largely unplayable after years of phased work, citing drainage failures, broken bridges and poor communication; county officials said DEP permitting and ongoing contracts limit immediate action but pledged follow‑up.
A string of residents and members of Ashbrook Golf Course urged the Union County Board of County Commissioners to accelerate repairs and improve communication after years of phased remediation.
Dennis Alaco, who identified himself as a longtime golfer and former postmaster, told commissioners the clubhouse and course have suffered poor workmanship and cost overruns and urged the county to address management and remediation practices. “The approach appears to be fundamentally flawed,” he said, describing parts of the course as unplayable and criticizing a lack of timely responses from county staff and the private manager, Kemper.
Fran Wilson, president of the Ashbrook men’s association, said promised stages of work have not produced expected results and blamed missed opportunities after Hurricane Ida for worsening conditions on holes 14–16. Members of the public said FEMA reimbursements were under‑claimed and that persistent flooding, debris and missing infrastructure continue to reduce the facility to a nine‑hole course in practice.
Other speakers—Chuck Snyder and Bob Gascon—asked why the dredging and creek clearing were done in disconnected phases, raised concerns about removal of the temporary access roadway and urged greater coordination so follow‑on phases can proceed without repeating setup costs. Bob Gascon reiterated a request—raised previously—for a senior discount on the full‑season $300 county access card.
County Manager Ed Oatman and Commissioners responded: Oatman said the phased approach is driven in part by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection permitting requirements and confirmed that permits for additional work are pending; he said “we have spent millions of dollars” and that the county is committed to continued work. Commissioners said they hear resident frustration, pledged follow‑up and suggested that some work depends on DEP approvals.
Commissioners also agreed to review the senior‑discount request for the county card and to pursue additional communications with residents about project stages and timelines.
The board stopped short of announcing a new schedule at the meeting; members urged residents to continue submitting questions and offered to return with more details after pending permits and contract coordination are resolved.
