2020 Marks the 50th Anniversary of the Pomona Golf & Country Club
The roots of Pomona Golf Course are deeply entrenched in the history of South Jersey.
For those of you unfamiliar with the story, Sara Spencer Washington, a local African American entrepreneur and founder of Apex Beauty Products Company purchased several tracts of land in Pomona, New Jersey. Apex Farm and Apex Rest were established in the late 1930s. After witnessing widespread discrimination at many other establishments in the area, Madame Washington had the Apex Golf Course designed and built in the late 1940s. She opened the doors to individuals of all races, creeds, nationalities, and economic status. After Madame Washington’s passing in 1953, the course was sold and renamed Sandale Country Club.
The course operated as Sandale Country Club until 1970. It was in 1970 that our story begins. The course and surrounding property was purchased by a local agriculturalist and his wife: Vernon & Regina Truitt. After countless hours of planting more than 400 trees, rebuilding every green and tee box, and refurbishing the clubhouse, the course opened as Pomona Golf Course.
It’s been 50 years since Vernon began workiing the land and running the business. Following the passing of Vern & Jeanne, the course has remained in the family. It is currently owned and operated by Vern & Jeanne’s two daughters Andy Truitt and Pam Grenda and their nephew, Bruce Ritchie.