A devastating fire tore through the main clubhouse and banquet hall at Frog Rock Golf and Country Club in Hammonton, N.J., early morning Oct. 7, leaving the longtime family-owned business in ruins.
Owner Rock Colasurdo, who has dedicated nearly six decades to the club, watched as firefighters worked to contain the blaze that gutted the building. The fire began around 2:30 a.m., when neighbors reported hearing an explosion. By the time emergency crews arrived, the structure was already engulfed in flames.
Hammonton Fire Chief Sean Macri said about 100 firefighters from nearly 20 companies responded to the scene. Downed electrical wires sparked additional fires, destroying approximately 50 golf carts parked nearby.
Drone footage revealed the complete destruction of the clubhouse, with charred wood and collapsed walls. The roof caved in during the fire, and officials have deemed the remaining structure unsafe, requiring demolition.
The fire also disrupted plans for upcoming events. A wedding scheduled at the banquet hall in two weeks has been canceled, and Colasurdo is helping the couple secure a new venue and will refund their deposit.
Colasurdo recalled building the clubhouse himself, block by block, and shared that the club once hosted events attended by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden in the 1970s. He also had photos of President Ronald Reagan from a 1984 rally in Hammonton—memorabilia that was lost in the fire.
Despite the devastation, Colasurdo remains determined to rebuild. He plans to construct a smaller facility to keep the golf course open but does not intend to immediately resume catering or restaurant operations.
The New Jersey State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze. No injuries were reported.
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