LPGA Sybase Match Play Championship Comes to Hamilton Farm

The top 44 players from the Ladies Professional Golf Association will be participating in the Sybase Match Play Championship at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone.  The four-day event starts this Thursday, May 19 and runs to Sunday, May 22.  Practice rounds begin today, with the Pro-Am on Wednesday.  The excitement is building at the club as the tents are raised and television and concession stands go up.  The Golf Channel will broadcast live coverage of the event on Saturday.

2011 is the second year that the Sybase-sponsored tournament is being held at Hamilton Farm.  Players will include Tour favorites Michelle Wie, Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel and last year’s winner, Sun Young Yoo.  Other notable players are Angela Stanford, Cristie Kerr, Juli Inkster, Karrie Webb and Jiyai Shin.

The Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone is hosting the event with charity beneficiaries including the Somerset Medical Center, The First Tee and TGA-Premier Junior Golf.

Situated on about 600 acres in the Somerset Hills, the Hamilton Farm Golf Club is sited on the former country estate of James Cox Brady, a New York financier.  Comprised of two distinct courses, The Highlands and The Hickory, Hamilton Farm is known as one of the country’s premier golf clubs and was named a Platinum Club of America. 

If living in a historic and scenic area like Gladstone sounds appealing, contact our Far Hills office for information about local real estate as well as golf facilities, equestrian farms, recreational events and cultural offerings.

Far Hills Train Station

One of the area’s most-recognized landmarks is the historic Far Hills train station.  Located a short walk up Route 202 from our Far Hills Turpin office, the station provides NJ Transit service to Hoboken, Secaucus Junction or New York’s Penn Station in midtown Manhattan.  Spanish Revival in style, it was built in 1914 and in 1984 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Trains run on the Gladstone Branch of the Morris and Essex line, and the trip to New York City generally takes about an hour and a half, usually involving a transfer in Summit or Newark.  Midtown Direct service is also available from the Far Hills station, reducing the New York-bound ride to about 80 minutes.  Parking on holidays, weekends, or after 9AM on weekdays is free of charge, with a nominal fee at other times.  Permit parking is a good idea for commuters; a six-month permit is available at Far Hills Borough Hall.  Train tickets can be purchased on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

If you arrive early at the station (or if you miss the train), take advantage of The Butler’s Pantry Trackside.  This homey restaurant offers sit-down meals or to-go orders, and is a local favorite.

For more information about Far Hills, whether it’s about commuting times, train schedules or Far Hills real estate, visit the Turpin Office at 21 U.S. Route 202 in the heart of our hometown.

Sundays in the Park with Leonard J. Buck

Spring is in the air, and one of the best places to see how the season is progressing is the Leonard J. Buck Garden in Far Hills.  Stop by the garden on Sunday afternoons in April and May (except for holiday weekends) to join an afternoon Woodland Walk.  You’re likely to spy native wildflowers, colorful flowering trees and shrubs, and springtime perennials.  As the days get warmer, dogwood trees and azalea bushes will come into full bloom.

Tours take place on Sundays at 2PM on April 10, 17 and on May 1, 8 and 15.  There is a $4 fee per person for this informative tour led by a naturalist.

The Leonard J. Buck Garden is one of the premier rock gardens in the eastern United States.  Begun in the late 1930s, the garden has reached a breathtaking point of maturity. It consists of a series of alpine and woodland gardens situated in a 33-acre wooded stream valley.  Named for Mr. Leonard J. Buck, who developed the garden as part of his estate, it was donated to the Somerset County Park Commission by Mrs. Helen Buck in 1976.

The Leonard J. Buck Garden is part of the Somerset County Park Commission.  It is located at 11 Layton Road.  For more information or directions, call 908-234-2677.

Gated Far Hills Estate on Over 26 Acres

This spectacular Far Hills estate home, built in 2000, offers a unique escape from the mundane world. The hilltop site overlooking approximately 25 acres of farmland assessed property, provides expansive views of Ravine Lake and the Somerset Hills beyond.

This exceptional home was designed by Jeffrey Beer of the renowned architectural firm of Beer & Coleman. The sixteen-room main house, with its open floor plan, has four bedrooms, six full and two half baths, as well as a four-car garage complete with radiant heat. An enormous great room, reminiscent of the most elegant Adirondack lodge, with its rich paneling, soaring rustic beamed ceiling, and striking raised stone fireplace, is breathtaking both in its scale and attention to detail. The stunning open gourmet chefs kitchen is complemented by a highly functional butler’s pantry. The first floor master suite includes a silting room, dual dressing rooms, two full baths, and a laundry room. The lower level, complete with an exercise room, full bath, and multi-person sauna, includes both a playroom and an “Orvis” room with a wet bar, and a home theater, providing entertainment for all ages.

The caretaker’s cottage, designed with the same exterior architectural detail as the main house, includes a full kitchen which opens into the living room, full bath, a generous bedroom, and a huge additional multifunctional room. The cottage also houses the additional four-car radiant heated garage.

Marked by private entrance gates, this architectural masterpiece represents a rare opportunity in sought after Far Hills real estate. Surrounded by open land and wooded property, the setting is at once private, yet close to local amenities. Shopping, dining. excellent schools, train service, and a network of local and interstate highways are a short drive from this gated estate.

Race to Nowhere Movie Screening on April 4

A film that’s getting a lot of notice in the media is headed to Far Hills Country Day School on Monday night, April 4.  Race to Nowhere will be screened at 7pm in the main school building’s gymatorium, to be followed by an open discussion.  Advance tickets are available for $10 at the school’s website or $15 at the door, and the event is open to the public.  Far Hills Country Day School is located along Route 202 in Far Hills.

Race to Nowhere recounts the true-life stories of young students in the United States who are under incredible amounts of pressure, parents who are trying to do what is best for their children, and educators who are concerned about effectively preparing students for the challenges of the 21^st century.  The website for Race to Nowhere says the movie “is a call to mobilize families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens.”

Far Hills Country Day School is one of the hundreds of schools, organizations and theaters involved in a six-month grassroots campaign to screen this important film.  It has already captured the imagination of tens of thousands of viewers, who hope the movie will change the nation’s dialogue on education.  Far Hills Country Day School will host a community-wide discussion immediately following the screening.

Since its founding in 1929 as a pioneering school of early childhood education, Far Hills Country Day School has integrated a curriculum that continually evolves to keep pace with an ever-changing world.  Dedicated to academic excellence, the school offers a bucolic 55-acre setting for students in kindergarten through grade 8.

Located on Route 202, Far Hills Country Day School is located right down the road from the Far Hills Office of Turpin Real Estate.  Our agents are well-versed in the area’s many public and private schools, and are a wonderful resource about educational and real estate opportunities in Far Hills.

Maplefield– masterpiece of Far Hills real estate– was listed by Turpin in 2006.

Brandes-Maselli Architects of Bernardsville brought their visionary design approach to this iconic Shingle Style estate home set on ten bucolic acres. 

What began as a 1970s ranch style home was completely re-built using the existing foundation and chimney.  The result of this stunning transformation is an elegant residence created with attention to detail both inside and out.

An ingenious exterior combines brickwork with cedar shingles, a tribute to Old World style seen in country estates at the turn of the last century.  The home is capped by a cedar shake roof and edged with copper gutters.  A seven-car carriage house offers excellent potential for car collectors or future finished space. 

Inside the main home, a gracious floor plan contains over 20 rooms, including six bedrooms and seven full baths.  Thoughtful architectural details include four fireplaces, custom handcrafted millwork and five-inch wide quarter sawn white oak flooring on the first and second levels.

Other highlights of the layout include sun-filled gathering spaces, a mahogany terrace, a chef’s kitchen with finely-detailed cabinetry, a master suite featuring a private stairway and a walk-out lower level with distinctive entertaining areas.

Of special note is the ten-acre parcel, which offers an ideal setting characterized by sweeping lawns, open pastures and captivating countryside views.  Additionally, the property adjoins Natirar’s over 400 acres of protected parkland acquired by Somerset County, assuring an extra degree of privacy for generations to come.

Moggy Falls Farm is a glorious expanse of Far Hills real estate sited on approximately 14 acres of rolling property.  This magical estate was sold by Pam Goss in the Far Hills Office for $5.6 million in 2005.  The stone manor home’s unique name comes from its location near Moggy Hollow, a 29-acre wooded stream valley at the neighboring Leonard J. Buck Garden.  Several cascading waterfalls on the acreage add to the serene mood of the surroundings.  Moggy Falls Farm was created for the owners in 1997 to replicate the look of the area’s exquisite mansions.

Vast living, gathering and entertaining spaces are found within the ornate 29-room floor plan.  Interior highlights include detailed millwork, exposed ceiling beams set into high ceilings, four fireplaces, arched doorways, hardwood and stone flooring and custom finishes designed by Butler’s of Far Hills.  Over 13,800 square feet of interior space provides five bedrooms, seven full baths and three powder rooms.

The classic approach –a long, private drive leading to a circular entry—showcases the majestic architecture of this imposing home.  Steeply pitched rooflines capped in wood shingles and the home’s massive stone faced center point flanked by dual wings give the structure an imposing appearance.  Linking the interior and exterior are large stone terraces and porches for outdoor entertaining.  These outside spaces take in sweeping views of manicured lawns, flowering tress and perennial gardens.  The elaborate pool complex features a gazebo, stone patio and meandering stone walkways.

Inside, a stunning collection of rooms includes an elaborate chef’s kitchen, observatory, garden room encased by stone walls, conference room, first floor master suite, in-law suite, and wine cellar.  Secondary bedrooms include the maid’s quarters with a living room, bedroom, full bath and kitchen.  A finished attic and lower level contain more square footage, such as the lower level’s media and recreation areas.  A home for the ages, Moggy Falls Farm is an outstanding example of New Jersey real estate.

Monday is Girls’ Day Out at Natirar

Here’s an idea for a delicious and unconventional way to celebrate Valentine’s Day: Ninety Acres Culinary Center at Natirar is hosting a Girls’ Day Out cooking class on Monday, February 14 from 11am to 2pm.  This workshop will cover the skills and techniques for making a crab and brie bisque with roasted garlic crostini, shrimp and scallops en papillote with fresh oranges, baby spinach with spicy pine nuts and warm pancetta vinaigrette, and a decadent chocolate cherry fondue with cream cheese pound cake and fresh fruit dippers.  These popular workshops sell out quickly, so call for availability.

This hands-on workshop is sponsored by Viking appliances, and a percentage of the $85 tuition will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.  The Valentine’s Day program is for students 16 and older.

Natirar (named for the Raritan River, and “Raritan” spelled backwards) is located within the borders of Far Hills, Peapack-Gladstone and Bedminster.  The former grand estate of Kate Macy Ladd, it is now home to the acclaimed Ninety Acres Culinary Center at 2 Main St in Peapack-Gladstone.  Ninety Acres is owned by the famed international businessman Richard Branson.

A regal landmark in Far Hills real estate, Natirar was sold by Turpin Real Estate in 1982 to H.M. King Hassan II, Sovereign of Morocco.  The $7.5 million transaction set a record in the state of New Jersey that year.  It was acquired by Somerset County in 2003 and a large portion of the property is used for public recreation.

A New Listing at The Polo Club in Far Hills

With all the snowfall we’ve seen this winter, the thought of trading a snow shovel for a good book next to the fireplace is an appealing one.  Residents of The Polo Club in Far Hills are among those who don’t have to worry about snow shoveling or other seasonal chores.  They enjoy full maintenance of the common areas in this quiet yet convenient enclave that’s walking distance to the Far Hills train station.  A new listing at The Polo Club invites a carefree lifestyle in an appealing townhome setting.

The Kensington model currently listed by Turpin features an open floor plan with two bedrooms, two full baths and a powder room.  Interior highlights include a fireplace in the living room; cathedral ceilings in the living room, dining room and master bedroom; hardwood flooring and an attached one-car garage with automatic opener.

A partially finished lower level offers a large family room with built-ins, and a home office is another amenity.  This attractive, well-planned community was built in 1995 and includes a jogging/biking path.  Home seekers who are drawn to exceptionally stylish residences will find the Polo Club to be a wonderful choice in Far Hills real estate.

A Snapshot of Turpin’s Far Hills Listings

A look at some of our current Far Hills homes real estate listings displays the width and breadth of home styles we represent in this five-square-mile borough.  While it may be small in size, homes in Far Hills present a tremendous range of architecture and price ranges.  Turpin is now offering unique estates such as an enchanting French country-style manor home on Pennbrook Road, and Chase Hollow, a classic country home just four minutes from the Far Hills train station.  Another luxurious residence is set on 15 acres bordering 40 acres of protected parkland and affording spectacular westerly views. 

Two conveniently located in-town homes, one at 17 Demun Place and the other at 10 Spring Street, are walking distance to shops, boutiques, eateries and the New York-bound train in Far Hills.  Also close to the train station is the desirable Polo Club community, where a stylish end unit townhome is located at 28 Hurlingham Club Road.

A splendid circa 1850 Colonial at 250 Lake Road features a swimming pool, outbuildings, and rocking chair front porch.

Turpin’s Far Hills office at 21 U.S. Route 202, across the street from the Far Hills Fairgrounds, is a trusted resource of local real estate information.  Whether you’re interested in buying a home in the area, or are thinking about selling your current home, our professional team of knowledgeable agents can help you attain your housing goals.