{{Short description|Golf course in Newark, New Jersey, United States}} '''Weequahic Golf Course''' (pronounced {{respell|wee|KWAY|ik}}) is an 18-hole public course located in the Dayton neighborhood of Newark, New Jersey.

Weequahic is the oldest public golf course in New Jersey; the first nine holes were designed in 1913 by George Low, with the course opening for play in 1914.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Weequahic Golf Course {{!}} Parks {{!}} Essex County Parks |url=https://essexcountyparks.org/parks/weequahic-golf-course/about#:~:text=Originally%20Designed%20by%20George%20Lowe,an%2018%20hole%20golf%20course. |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=essexcountyparks.org}}</ref> The course was expanded to 18 holes in 1969.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mar 24, 1972, page 42 - The Star-Ledger at Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1109798167/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Essex County Executive DiVincenzo Announces Reconstruction of Two Holes at Essex County Weequahic Golf Course is Complete; Reconfiguration of Holes 10 and 11 Removes Blind Spot and Enhances Safety for Golfers |url=https://essexcountynj.org/essex-county-executive-divincenzo-announces-reconstruction-of-two-holes-at-essex-county-weequahic-golf-course-is-complete-reconfiguration-of-holes-10-and-11-removes-blind-spot-and-enhances-safety-fo/#:~:text=The%20original%20nine-hole%20course,challenging%20par%2070,%2018-hole |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=essexcountynj.org}}</ref>

The word "Weequahic" is from the Lenni-Lenape Native American term for "head of the cove".<ref>[http://www.essex-countynj.org/index.php?section=dept/p/we County of Essex: Weequahic Park], accessed September 21, 2006</ref> The course sits next to the 311 acre (1.3 km²) Olmsted Brothers-designed Weequahic Park, which features a 2.2-mile rubberized jogging path around its 80-acre (324,000 m²) lake. It is also adjacent to Evergreen Cemetery, an American cemetery and located at 1137 North Broad Street, Hillside.

The course was home to golf pro legend Wiley Williams, who was one of the first African-American golfers to win a major New Jersey golf event and worked to introduce city youth to the sport.<ref>[http://www.africanamericangolfersdigest.com/golfer-of-the-week-wiley-williams/ Golfer Of The Week: Wiley Williams]</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kiefer |first=Eric |date=August 9, 2017 |title=Newark Golf Legend Inspires Community: 'No Tiger Without Wiley' |url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/newarknj/newark-golf-legend-gets-his-due-no-tiger-without-wiley |work=Newark, NJ Patch |access-date=February 5, 2022}} Williams taught generations of young people the game of golf and adopted Weequahic Golf Course as his home course, county officials stated. The county executive is Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., widely known as "Joe D."</ref> Williams died on December 26, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Obituary information for Wiley Williams |url=https://www.cottonfuneralsvc.com/obituaries/Wiley-Williams?obId=34326074 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=www.cottonfuneralsvc.com |language=en}}</ref> The course is also home to the First Tee Program of Essex County which teaches youth to golf.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kiefer|first=Eric|url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/newarknj/county-spends-3m-newark-golf-course-city-s-residents-live-poverty|title= County Spends $3M on Newark Golf Course|date=May 23, 2017|website=Newark, NJ Patch|access-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref>

The course was described in 2016 by the Golf Channel as a "hidden gem."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.essexcountyparks.org/golf/weequahic-golf-course|title = Weequahic Golf Course &#124; Golf &#124; Essex County Parks}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.golfchannel.com/video/ginella-discovers-hidden-gem-weequahic/|title = Matt Ginella at hidden gem Weequahic Golf Course}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.weequahicpark.com Weequahic Park] * [http://www.newarkhistory.com/weequahicpark.html Newark history: Weequahic Park] * [http://www.essex-countynj.org/index.php?section=dept/p/we County of Essex: Weequahic Park] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxBd1zu5pGA Video from East Coast Greenway about Weequahic Park]

{{Essex County Parks, New Jersey}}

{{coord|40.6980|-74.2115|format=dms|region:US-NJ_type:landmark|display=title}}

Category:Geography of Newark, New Jersey Category:Parks in Essex County, New Jersey Category:Tourist attractions in Newark, New Jersey Category:Golf clubs and courses in New Jersey Category:1913 establishments in New Jersey

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