The Morey Organization’s big addition for 2023 is not an amusement ride or a water slide, nor is it located on or near the Boardwalk. In fact, it’s not physically situated in the Wildwoods.
“But it is, literally, right over the bridge,” second generation partner Jack Morey said of Morey's Big Little 9, formerly Laguna Oaks Golf Course at 600 Bayberry Drive in Cape May Court House.
“We call it ‘The Happiest Golf Course on Earth,’ an extension of the Morey’s brand that stands for quality, family hospitality and entertainment.”
According to its official website, Big Little 9 “encompasses 89 serene acres of meadow land, willow oak trees, ponds and waterfalls - a masterpiece that may be the most challenging, beautiful and fun par-3 course you will ever play.”
Morey confirmed that several new features and improvements are in the works, with the intention of furthering the late Laguna Oaks creator Fred Langford’s vision of “a perfect par-3 golf course.”
Foremost is the completion of a 9th hole, which will tee off with a spectacular view of the nearby salt marshes. Returning players will notice landscaping upgrades throughout the course, including massive tree and lake grooming; a willow tree has been added near the 7th hole in memory of Langford.
A new cafe, Cup of Bliss on the Green, will offer coffee, cappuccino, lattes, cold beverages and baked goods, while the updated club house will sell a collection of Big Little 9 merchandise.
The Moreys have teamed with Polly Pollock-Bell, the only local instructor certified by U.S. Golf Kids, who is scheduled to host a series of tutorials. And plans are in the works to finalize and release “a full calendar of special events and tournaments offering loads of fun for every level of golfer.”
Laguna Oaks opened in 2008, the cherished creation of Fred Langford - an architect, amusement industry legend and longtime collaborator with/associate of the Morey family. A Wildwood native, Langford began his career building single-family homes and hotels with his childhood and lifelong friend, Will Morey, Sr., the future co-founder of Morey’s Piers.
After working for renowned international architect Louis Kahn, Langford returned home and reunited with Will Morey, Sr., who was getting set to introduce a new mini-water park concept at Morey’s Piers. He designed the stair tower leading to the top of the waterslides and, in the process, became so enamored with this burgeoning aspect of the amusement industry that he plunged headlong into it.
In the years to come, Langford’s companies, Surf Coaster and Waterworld Products, would design and build fiberglass water slides on six continents. Several of his creations remain in regular operation in the Wildwoods and Ocean City, and on Long Beach Island.
For his many contributions to the industry, Langford was inducted into the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Hall of Fame, an honor he shared with his friend Will Morey, Sr.
Laguna Oaks, often described as Langford’s “dream project,” opened in 2008. But the project was conceptualized much earlier, and began to take shape with land acquisitions as far back as 1982.
“Look around at the concrete retaining walls of the lakes and you will see Fred’s personal fingerprint as he both designed and built the forms personally,” his bio on the Big Little 9 website notes.
Langford passed away last November at age 94. Soon after, the Morey family purchased his beloved golf course with the intention of honoring and continuing his legacy.
“Fred was my dad’s first business partner and, as an architect, has been a mentor and family friend for decades,” said Jack Morey. “This course was his passion project and now it is mine.”
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