Ponderlodge Update

Golf balls, birds may both fly at Ponderlodge
By RICHARD DEGENER Staff Writer, (609) 463-6711
Press of Atlantic City
Published: Thursday, March 16, 2006
Updated: Thursday, March 16, 2006

LOWER TOWNSHIP — The state has pretty much ruled out allowing an 18-hole golf course to remain on land it recently purchased for a bird sanctuary in the Villas, but it may allow nine holes.

Administrator John Flynn of the state Green Acres Program told a crowd of more than 200 people at Township Hall on Wednesday night that even with nine holes there would be strict conditions.

“If there is golf we would want it scaled back to a nine-hole course. We would require wastewater be used for irrigation and stringent best-management practices for golf courses be used,” Flynn said. “Any proceeds for golf would roll back into environmental and recreation programs.”

Most of the duffers packing the meeting left feeling pretty good about the compromise: Since the state bought the bankrupt Ponderlodge Golf Course for $8.45 million, there had been talk of managing it for migrating birds with limited recreation.

Flynn said a golf course would be worse for the underground water system than the housing development the purchase prevented. He also noted that golf courses are going bankrupt, and golf course owners are coming to Green Acres seeking help.

But there also is a trend to manage golf courses using less water and pesticides and offer a more natural terrain. The Lower Township sewerage plant is right next door to the Ponderlodge site.

Flynn disputed an argument from Steve Sheftz, who organized civic groups to fight a proposed 409-unit housing development at Ponderlodge, that a bird sanctuary would endanger planes at the Cape May Airport. Flynn said the geese attracted to golf courses pose a bigger threat than migratory birds the sanctuary would draw.

The meeting included statements by many of the civic-group leaders who fought the housing development. The goal was to get state and county funding to buy the course but have the township manage it for golf and recreation. Many felt the state pulled a fast one when it stepped forward and purchased the 239-acre tract.

Flynn said the state took action because developers wanted the property and deadlines were set by the bankruptcy court. Cape May County Deputy Administrator Steve Hampton put this in perspective when he reminded the crowd the primary goal was always preserving the land, and Green Acres did this.

“These are not the bad guys,” Hampton said of Green Acres. “You have 239 acres of preserved land you're not going to have to worry about.”

State Sen. Nicholas Asselta, R-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, drew cheers when he said he is a golfer, but he urged a compromise for golfers and wildlife. Freeholder Ralph Bakley, a Ponderlodge member for 10 years, agreed.

“I think there's room for both, the nature side of it and the recreational side of it for golfers,” Bakley said.

Flynn, called “a brave man” by Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, for coming to the meeting, surprised everyone when he said the Ponderlodge owner approached Green Acres in 1996. This made it clear Green Acres has been interested for a long time.

Flynn said there is room for recreation — indeed, it is one reason Green Acres exists — but he noted the state also knows the significance of the location for migrating birds and how it could provide critical habitat.

“We don't want it open just for the golfing community. We want to enhance habitat. Together we preserved that property. We achieved that and should be celebrating it,” Flynn said.

The bulk of the meeting included individuals testifying that the township needs cheap recreation because of a large population, low per-capita incomes, many seniors and a major shortage of recreation acres.

“With 25,000 residents we should have 250 acres of land and we have 40,” said Steve Morey, who heads the town's Recreation Advisory Board.

Ponderlodge golfer Jane Senico noted the Cape May County's large senior population compared to that of other counties with multiple golf courses. She said many can't afford golf at privately owned courses.

To e-mail Richard Degener at The Press:RDegener@pressofac.com