Scotch Plains, New Jersey · Northern & Central New Jersey

Shady Rest Country Club

America's first Black-owned country club. John Shippen was the pro from 1931, and Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald performed here.

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About Shady Rest Country Club

Shady Rest is a short, walkable nine: par 33 and 2,247 yards from the back tees, rated 33.3 with a 106 slope. Walking is encouraged, carts are there if you want one, and there's putting and chipping practice but no full range. Next door is an 18-hole mini golf course. There's no restaurant or bar, just snacks in the pro shop.

The history is why people make the trip. The land was the Westfield Golf Club's nine before a group of Black investors bought it and opened Shady Rest, the first Black-owned and operated golf and country club in the United States. John Shippen, the first American-born golf professional, joined in 1931 as pro, clubmaker and greenkeeper and lived for thirty years in a small room in the clubhouse attic. In 1925 the club hosted the first International Golf Championship Tournament, the event that led to the United Golf Association's annual national tournament. Joe Louis played here often, Althea Gibson developed the golf game that took her to the LPGA Tour here, and Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway and Sarah Vaughan all performed.

Scotch Plains Township took the property through a tax lien foreclosure in 1938 and leased it back to the club. In 1964 the township took over, renamed it Scotch Hills Country Club and opened it to the public. The old name came back in 2021, and the club was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 7, 2022. KemperSports now runs it as part of Union County's golf courses.

It's one of 75 courses Yoink watches in the Northern & Central New Jersey area, and the closest alternative is Ash Brook Golf Course, about 3 miles away — handy when your first choice is booked solid.

Booking a tee time at Shady Rest Country Club

The public can book up to 5 days ahead, online or through the pro shop at (908) 232-9748. Cancel at least 24 hours out to avoid fees. The posted rates (no year given) are $29 for non-members before 3 p.m. on weekdays and $33 on weekends, less after 3; Union County Players Card holders pay $23 on weekday mornings. Kids under 12 need an adult with them.

How to get a tee time at Shady Rest Country Club

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If Shady Rest Country Club looks full for the day you want, it usually isn't for long: groups drop, rounds get moved and times reopen at all hours.

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  3. Get an alert when a matching tee time opens — then book it directly with the course.
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Golf courses near Shady Rest Country Club

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Shady Rest Country Club FAQ

Where is Shady Rest Country Club?

Shady Rest Country Club is in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, in the Northern & Central New Jersey area — about 3 miles from Ash Brook Golf Course.

Is Shady Rest Country Club open to the public?

Shady Rest Country Club is public, run by Managed by KemperSports.

Can you walk Shady Rest Country Club?

Walking encouraged; carts available.

How many holes is Shady Rest Country Club, and what's par?

Shady Rest Country Club is a nine-hole course: 9 holes, par 33, 2,247 yards.

How do I get a tee time at Shady Rest Country Club when it's booked up?

Set a watch for Shady Rest Country Club in Yoink with your date, time window and group size. Yoink monitors the course's tee sheet and alerts you the moment a matching time opens, including cancellations. You book directly with the course.

What golf courses are near Shady Rest Country Club?

Nearby options include Ash Brook Golf Course, Hyatt Hills Golf Complex and Galloping Hill Golf Course. Yoink watches 75 courses in the Northern & Central New Jersey area.

Sources

Facts on this page come from these pages, checked 2026-09-29. Rates and booking rules change, so confirm with the course.

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