Former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski, famous for his powerful arm and insightful analysis, has charted a an impressive second career in an entirely different arena: golf course ownership. His company, Ron Jaworski Golf, has steadily acquired a diverse portfolio of public and semi-private courses, transforming them into popular destinations for players of all stripes. This article will walk you through the full list of courses Jaws owns and offer an expert look at what to expect and how to play some of his premier properties.
The Ron Jaworski Golf Philosophy
Before jumping into the individual courses, it helps to understand the mission behind the RJG brand. Jaworski's approach isn't about creating ultra-exclusive, private clubs. Instead, he focuses on acquiring quality public-access courses and elevating the experience for the everyday golfer. The common themes across all RJG properties are excellent course conditioning, outstanding customer service, and a welcoming atmosphere. You can feel the "player-first" mentality that Jaws, a passionate golfer himself, instills in his teams. He aims to provide great value and make every golfer feel like a member for the day.
What Golf Courses Does Ron Jaworski Own?
As of today, the Ron Jaworski Golf portfolio includes eight impressive properties spanning Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Here is the complete list:
- Back Creek Golf Club (Middletown, DE)
- Blue Heron Pines Golf Club (Galloway, NJ)
- Downingtown Country Club (Downingtown, PA)
- Honey Run Golf Club (York, PA)
- Ramblewood Country Club (Mount Laurel, NJ)
- RiverWinds Golf & Tennis Club (West Deptford, NJ)
- Running Deer Golf Club (Pittsgrove, NJ)
- Valleybrook Country Club (Blackwood, NJ)
While each course offers a fantastic day out, let's take a closer coaching look at four of the most notable tracks to help you prepare your game for the specific challenges they present.
In-Depth Look: Ramblewood Country Club (Mount Laurel, NJ)
The Layout and Feel
Ramblewood is a classic parkland-style facility featuring 27 holes designed by the prolific Ed Ault. The Red, White, and Blue nines each present a distinct personality, meandering through mature forests and offering a traditional, tree-lined golf experience. It’s the kind of course that rewards strategic thinking over brute force. Since RJG took over, the conditioning has been consistently excellent, with particularly smooth and true-rolling greens.
A Golf Coach's Guide to Playing Ramblewood
From a coaching perspective, Ramblewood is an outstanding test of your accuracy and approach play. Forget grabbing the driver on every par 4 and 5, this course asks you to think your way around.
- Off the Tee: Positional play is paramount. You need to be in the fairway to have a clear look at these well-guarded greens. The White nine is the tightest of the three, demanding your most accurate tee shots. A 3-wood, hybrid, or long iron is often the smarter play to ensure you're setting up your second shot from the short grass.
- Approach Shots: Ault’s green complexes are subtly challenging. They are generally large but are often protected by deep bunkers and collection areas. Missing on the "short side" (the side of the green with the pin) will leave you with an extremely difficult up-and-down. Pay attention to pin positions and always favor the fat part of the green.
- Who It's For: Ramblewood caters to a wide range of players. Higher handicappers can enjoy it by playing from the correct tees and focusing on keeping the ball in play. More skilled players will find it to be a fantastic test of their iron game and course management skills. It’s a great place to learn how to score without your "A-game" driver.
In-Depth Look: RiverWinds Golf & Tennis Club (West Deptford, NJ)
The Layout and Feel
Prepare for a completely different test at RiverWinds. Perched on the banks of the Delaware River with views of the Philadelphia skyline, this is a windswept, links-style layout designed by Ed Shearon. Unlike the enclosed feel of Ramblewood, RiverWinds is wide open. Expect high fescue, dramatic mounding, deep pot bunkers, and constant exposure to the wind. It’s a bold, dramatic course that feels like it was transported from the coast of Scotland.
A Golf Coach's Guide to Playing RiverWinds
Playing RiverWinds effectively is all about managing the wind and using the ground as your friend. Power is helpful, but controlling your ball flight and your imagination are the real difference-makers here.
- Controlling Ball Flight: This is a non-negotiable skill at RiverWinds. When the wind is up (which it usually is), you need to be able to hit lower, more penetrating shots. Practice hitting "three-quarter" swings with one extra club. This naturally produces a lower trajectory without having to manipulate your swing. For example, if you have a 150-yard shot into the wind, take a 7-iron instead of your normal 8-iron and make a smooth swing that feels like it stops a little short at the top.
- The Ground Game: Links golf invites you to use the contours of the land. Instead of flying every approach shot to the flag, look for opportunities to land the ball short and let it run onto the green. This is especially useful on downwind and crosswind shots, where the ball can get knocked down or pushed offline easily in the air.
- - Navigating Trouble: Water comes into play frequently, especially on the spectacular finishing stretch. The fescue grass is beautiful to look at but punishing to play from. Smart strategy here means playing away from the big hazards. A bogey is not a bad score on the tougher holes, avoid the dreaded "other" by taking your medicine and playing to safe positions.
In-Depth Look: Downingtown Country Club (Downingtown, PA)
The Layout and Feel
Nestled in the rolling countryside of Chester County, Downingtown is a classic George Fazio design. Opened in 1967, it has that mature, timeless feel that Fazio was known for. You'll navigate elevation changes, doglegs, stands of beautiful, old trees, and some challenging green complexes. It’s an honest, what-you-see-is-what-you-get golf course that tests every club in your bag. It’s the kind of course you can play again and again and never tire of.
A Golf Coach's Guide to Playing Downingtown
Downingtown is a shot-maker's paradise. It demands that you shape the ball both ways and have precise control over your distances with your irons.
- Course Knowledge Pays: This is a layout with some subtleties. There are a few semi-blind tee shots and approach angles that are much better than others. On dogleg holes, don't just pull driver and hit it as far as you can. Figure out the ideal yardage to leave yourself at the corner, giving you the best angle into the green. Hitting past the turn can leave you blocked out by trees.
- Mastering the Par-3s: The collection of par-3s at Downingtown is particularly strong and varied. You will face uphill and downhill shots requiring anything from a short iron to a hybrid. Getting the club selection right is half the battle. Remember the simple rule: a 10-foot elevation change plays about one yard different. For an uphill shot, add yardage, for a downhill shot, subtract it. It's an important calculation here.
- - Respect the Greens: Fazio’s greens often feature distinct tiers and subtle breaks. Being on the right level of the green is crucial for a two-putt. Your focus on approach shots should be less about attacking the pin and more about finding the correct portion of the putting surface. Lag putting is a skill that will save you many strokes here.
In-Depth Look: Running Deer Golf Club (Pittsgrove, NJ)
The Layout and Feel
Widely considered the championship "crown jewel" of the RJG portfolio, Running Deer is a magnificent and formidable test of golf. Carved through the New Jersey Pine Barrens by designer Ed Shearon, the course feels grand in scale. You’ll be faced with vast sandy waste areas, forced carries over wetlands, and beautifully sculpted fairways and greens. It has hosted qualifiers for major tournaments and delivers a premium, pro-level experience from start to finish.
A Golf Coach's Guide to Playing Running Deer
Before you peg it up at Running Deer, you need a solid game plan and a healthy dose of humility. This is a big golf course that will expose any weakness in your game if you are not prepared.
- Tee Selection is Vital: This is my most important piece of coaching advice for Running Deer. Do not let your ego choose your tees. The course can play over 7,000 yards from the tips. Choose a set of tees where you can comfortably get your tee shots in play and have reasonable clubs into the greens. Playing from too far back will turn an enjoyable day into a grueling one.
- Managing Risk/Reward: Shearon's design tempts you with risk/reward opportunities on almost every hole. There are reachable par-5s and driveable par-4s, but they are all protected by serious trouble. Assess your game honestly. If you are not hitting the ball purely, the "reward" is rarely worth the "risk." The smart play is often to aim for the wide part of the fairway and rely on your wedge game.
- Mental Toughness: You are going to hit a wayward shot at Running Deer. The course demands it. The key is how you respond. Don’t try to hit a one-in-a-million recovery shot from the waste area. A simple pitch back to the fairway is almost always the right call. Accept that you’ll make some bogeys, stay patient, and you can post a score you're proud of. A round here is a great mental workout.
Final Thoughts
Ron Jaworski's passion for the game shines through in his collection of golf courses. From classic parkland designs to windswept links and championship tests, the RJG portfolio offers a fantastic and diverse golfing experience for players across the Tri-State area, all united by a commitment to quality and a welcoming feel.
When you're facing the strategic questions posed by these varied layouts - like deciding the right club on a gusty day at RiverWinds or the best way to attack a unique Fazio green at Downingtown - having a solid plan is half the battle. I use tools like Caddie AI to help develop that smarter approach to course management. For any hole, on any of these courses, I can describe the situation and get an instant strategy, or even snap a photo of a tricky lie to get expert advice on how to play the shot. It takes the guesswork out of the equation, allowing me to play with more confidence and commit to every swing.