By John Russo, Press of Atlantic City
Vineland–The city’s Planning Board on Thursday night unanimously gave its final approval to all nine phases of Trout National — The Reserve, a championship golf course coming to the area by the end of next year.
“This is a very exciting project,” said project attorney Michael Fralinger. “For me personally and professionally, to have something like this come to the city of Vineland, I never thought anything like this would happen. … This is just an immensely terrific project for the city.”
During the hour-long meeting, engineers and attorneys asked the board for waivers on a few details, including stormwater basin placement and access. Only two members of the public had questions for Fralinger.
Trout — center fielder for the Los Angeles Angels, perennial All-Star, and three-time American League MVP — announced plans for the course off Hance Bridge Road last spring. The 2009 Millville High School graduate and his wife, Jessica, are partnering with local developer John Ruga on the project.
Trout National, which is being built on the site of a former silica sand mine and is surrounded by forest and farmland, is hoping to be open for member play by the end of 2025, Fralinger said. Tiger Woods’ company, TGR Design, is the course’s designer.
The environmental impact was also addressed by a resident, with Fralinger assuring the type of grass used coupled with the stormwater basins and irrigation system in place will allow the course to operate efficiently. Same with the natural perimeter wall being environmentally friendly.
“We haven’t really gotten too much big environmental pushback,” Headley said. “The one person who spoke, that was the first time a couple of those issues came up for us. But overall I think it’s been positive. It sounds like (the golf course will be) pretty good neighbors to the surrounding area and have worked really hard to maintain a good relationship with everyone in that South Vineland area.”
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