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A party of three foursomes started ahead of our group - a twosome. The first two foursomes made decent time, but the foursome in front of us lost contact with those ahead. This last group would not let us through even though it had fallen several holes behind. I don’t know what Running Deer could have done — maybe have someone check on large group’s pace of play because they potentially can clog pace of play for the entire course. After the round, one member of the group apologized. His reason not to let us through was the three foursomes wanted to stay together (though the last group had clearly fallen behind). Maybe a lesson learned is when getting a tee time, check for large groups. Overall, the course design is one of the best in South Jersey. No complaints! Will definitely return..

You know I like Riverwinds, but the huge number of geese (honking every hole gets old) and goose droppings everywhere are major deterrents to having a pleasurable round of golf. We had these same type of conditions last November; this round was scheduled thinking conditions would be improved -- they were not. Ownership needs to visit this course and tone down the voicemail announcement ("... beautiful Riverwinds ...").

I've played a lot of courses in the last 50+ years. Shore Gate is in my top 5 - ever! The layout is magnificent. Almost every hole is spectacular and unique. From the tee box, holes just fit my eyes. Though off-season now, there was a good amount of routine maintenance happening. Tee boxes, fairways, and greens are in excellent shape which is a rarity for many area courses in March. The course is even walkable which is also a rarity for courses designed and built the last 30 years. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed playing here even if one's game is a bit ragged that day. The beauty of the course will be a positive remembrance.

Pace of Play: First 9 was good (2 hours - nice), then we made the turn. Back 9 took 3 HOURS! As drove up to 10th tee, a twosome out of nowhere pulled in just ahead of us. We asked if they were in correct tee box. They said the starter sent them there (Strike 1 against course management). As we were a foursome, we said to go on - big mistake. Somehow a single joined them a few holes later. As we played we noticed a fivesome (strike 2) on the course - odd. Then about hole 12, pace of play slowed. The threesome in the fairway ahead had the cart girl come to them in the middle of the fairway (strike 3 on cart girl training)!!!! -- we waited and waited. While one member continued to chat with the cart girl (the other two were now on the green), we hit and walked to our balls. The single member continued to chat up the cart girl in the fairway nearer the cart path as we waited in the fairway. The next tee box we reported the delay to an approaching ranger. He went forward. He came back and said he asked them to move on, but this threesome was delayed because of a fivesome (another one) ahead of them (strike 4). The ranger said there were 2 open holes ahead of the fivesome, and he advised them to move faster (did not make them pick up their balls - strike 5). He said even though a fivesome was playing, there were only four bags (strike 6???).
"New" Course: A lot of hype about it's design similar to St. Andrews. To a limited degree that was true, but if you've been there it's not that big of a deal. In both cases amateurs hit into and from adjacent fairways, double greens mean groups are on each other's greens, and pot bunkers cannot be seen from tee boxes - must use smartphone GPS app or course guide - to avoid bunkers in the middle of the fairways. The condition of the back 9 seem to worsen as we went along.
Overall, not a fun day and wouldn't repeat playing there.