JP Morgan Chase credit cardholders frequently receive invitations to Chase Inside Access events, which range from intimate dinners prepared by celebrity chefs to exclusive experiences at prestigious venues around the country. I was lucky to attend one such event at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Chase hosted the gathering at the former estate of John DeLorean, the automotive designer best known for the DeLorean featured in the film Back to the Future.
Cardmembers paid a reduced fee to attend. Invitations were emailed to eligible members and included a Chase phone number to reserve a spot. The event filled quickly on a first-come, first-served basis.
David Gold, general manager, JP Morgan Chase Credit Cards © Francis X. Gallagher
The Fazio family designed both the Old Course and the New Course at Trump Bedminster. The Old Course, designed by Tom Fazio, opened in 2004 and plays 7,560 yards from the back tees. It has been recognized among the top 100 courses in America by Golf Magazine and Golfweek and was named New Jersey Golf Course of the Year in 2011. The course is meticulously maintained—expect nothing less at the owner’s home course.
Significant investment went into the course and clubhouse, including a full restoration of the estate mansion. The renovated locker facilities, located in the former stables, are exceptionally well appointed. Bathed in natural light, they resemble formal sitting rooms more than typical locker rooms.
The New Course, an 18-hole heathland-style layout by Tom Fazio II, opened in 2008. It complements the Old Course and earned honors such as Best Modern Course from Golfweek in 2011 and Best New Private Course from Golf Magazine in 2008.
I teed off on the Old Course on a beautiful summer day for a four-man scramble with David Gold, general manager for JP Morgan Chase Credit Cards; Drew Luthern, account manager at Source Marketing; and Chris Musumeci, senior vice president of Parcel Management.
Hole 6 | 351 yards, par 4
I tend to remember the best moments of a round, and Hole 6 earns a spot in this recap because I played it well. Drew took a phone call and lost his rhythm, so David and I stepped up. I found the center of the fairway, while David’s drive landed right but safely in play. The hole doglegs slightly to the right and is guarded by a pond up front, so left-center off the tee is ideal. With two solid approaches, David finished with a confident birdie putt and we moved on satisfied.
Hole 12 | 350 yards, par 4
This hole showcased some big hitting from my teammates, whose drives found the center of the fairway. My own tee shot hooked left into deep fescue—a hazard on this course where the landscaping is both beautiful and punitive. Thanks to the scramble format, we abandoned that ball and relied on the remaining drives. Chris found a fairway bunker and was out of play, but David’s second shot left us positioned on the lower tier of a two-level green. A steady chip and a putt secured a par.
Hole 16 © Francis X. Gallagher
Hole 16 | 150 yards, par 3
Hole 16 presents a chance to “beat the pro,” an element of the Chase Inside Access experience. The event included access to the warm-up facilities and instruction from club professionals. A PGA pro worked the range and offered swing tips. On the 16th hole, players could hit their own ball or take the pro’s shot; landing on the green closer than the pro earned a sleeve of Trump National Bedminster golf balls. The pro’s tee ball found the left portion of the green, and following his advice I struck a well-placed shot to the center of the green, leaving a six-foot birdie putt—which I made.
Hole 18 | 662 yards, par 5
The finishing hole is long, demanding and designed to bring golfers back to the clubhouse ready for a break. The dogleg right wraps around a pond and becomes a true test when the wind picks up. With Chris gone for a late appointment, it was just David, Drew and myself. Our caddie Tom hit a drive for fun, but Drew produced the best placement, favoring the left side as Tom Fazio’s design often rewards. David and I tried a riskier route that flirted with the water with mixed results. Ultimately, Drew’s drive and a solid short game got us close enough to the green to finish with a satisfying up-and-down and head to the reception.
The cocktail reception and dinner offered a great chance to meet other attendees from various backgrounds. The event gave many guests the rare opportunity to play a private course at a modest cost and to bring a foursome. Kudos to the staff at Trump Bedminster and to Chase Inside Access for delivering a polished, memorable experience. I’ll be watching my email for the next invitation.
Trump National Golf Club Bedminster
900 Lamington Road
Bedminster, NJ 07921
tel 908 470 4400
trumpnationalbedminster.com