For more than a century, Seaview has reigned as the Jersey Shore’s most iconic resort. Sure, we’re partial, but our grand hotel has welcomed countless luminaries and hosted historical events, ranging from Grace Kelly’s Sweet 16 in 1945 to Mick Jagger’s summer home when he took up residence during the Rolling Stones’ Steel Wheels Tour in 1989. But outside our storied walls is a proud bit of history as well, and we’re excited to “chip” away at it. This summer, tee off at Seaview Golf Club and sink a putt in more than 100 years of history.
When it was founded in 1914 by Clarence H. Geist, a wealthy Philadelphia utilities magnate, and golfer, Seaview Resort was an exclusive retreat. Described to have been a self-made man, Clarence Geist became a multimillionaire thanks to his investment, ownership, and monopoly of major utilities. According to various sources, his big break came after meeting former United States Vice President under Calvin Coolidge, and Charles Dawes of the South Shore Gas Company. With this connection, Geist quickly acquired Atlantic City Gas & Fuel, both serving Atlantic City and the vicinity. And having established profitable roots in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Deleware, Geist established homes and offices in Atlantic City and Philadelphia but spent much of his free time playing golf. In no time, he became President of the Whitemarsh Country Club near Philadelphia and was a member of the Atlantic City Country Club, too. But, according to sources, traveling between them by horse and buggy, trolley, or train grew tiresome for Geist, and so with his fortune, he determined to build his own course. Seaview Country Club, costing $1.5 million, opened a year after construction began in January 1915.
It includes two courses: the Bay Course designed by Hugh Wilson and completed by Donald Ross, and the Pines Course designed by Toomey and Flynn. The par-71 layout isn’t especially long; it plays 6,366 from the championship tees, 6,011 from the whites, and 5,017 from the golds. But what it lacks in distance it more than makes up for in other areas. There is often a two-club wind blowing in off the bay, thick, ankle-high grasses lining the fairways, and small, undulating greens that make even short putts an adventure. The second hole, a 484-yard par 4, is ranked as the most difficult, but once you reach the green, golfers report being treated to an amazing view of the Atlantic City skyline. The same goes for the tee box on hole 15, a 204-yard par 3. Just don’t forget to turn and see the view before teeing off!
Ever since its opening, Seaview has been host to some of golf’s greatest players, like Ben Hogan and Annika Sorenstam, as well as some of golf’s greatest moments. In 1942, the PGA Championship was played on The Pines course. It was during a play-off that Sam Snead won his first of seven majors with a remarkable 60-foot chip-in, known as “The Shot.” A tee monument now commemorates this remarkable achievement where guests can visit to marvel at the hole made famous by Slammin’ Sammy.
The Pines golf course is surrounded by beauty, too. Seaview’s Pine Barrons trail winds around the edge of the course and the edge of more than 100 million wooded acres of New Jersey Pinelands. The area also includes one of North America’s largest freshwater aquifers producing some of the purest water in the world. Seaview’s walking trail showcases this unique setting and is home to a variety of flora and fauna, from red maples to red-tail hawks, pitch pines to peregrine falcons.
Today the colonial-style, four-story resort combines traditional elegance with state-of-the-art golfing facilities while maintaining a strong sense of history. More than a century later, Seaview remains a standard for luxury service and hospitality at the Jersey shore. So come stay with us, walk in Geist’s footsteps, and become a part of our rich history.
