I almost fell off my chair laughing when I saw Shoreacres listed as the 28th best classical course in the USA.
It seems certain raters from GolfWeek who fancy this "archiectural classic" are really into the Raynor experience although many of the holes at the layout are fairly pedestrian.
While Medinah is clearly a tougher layout than Shoreacres I'm not a fan of the course and don't see why these two layouts drop a bit further down the poll.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO SKOKIE? I guess many people simply forgotten this gem. In my mind if Shoreacres and Medinah are in the first third of courses than Skokie has to be listed as well in the top 100.
A couple of other quick comments ...
*Yale rated in the top 100 INSPITE of mediocre turf conditions. Again, I believe we have a situation where people are rating the course who what it COULD BE rather than what it is.
*How does Saucon Valley merit inclusion of the Old & Grace Courses within the Top 100? I don't doubt the Old has some qualities but it's not enough to merit such an inclusion. The Grace is simply overrated in my book. How it maintains it's position simply amazes me.
*Interlachen and White Bear Yacht Club in the top 50. Really?
*When people harp on Bethpage Black I will concede an element of truth to the point about the fanfare attached to its hosting of the Open. However, if not 19th then what # would be fair? I can't see the Black being lower than 25th.
*Shinnecock Hills only at 5th? Can't see it. In my mind SH is the finest day-to-day course for all types of players and the ones ahead of it are clearly first rate layouts but in my book SH is the premier course in the USA. After the Open in '04 I'm sure SH will rise to the level it deserves.
*Fisher's Island and Prairie Dunes are both gems -- but 11th and 12th respectively? That's a bit too high in my book especially when Winged Foot / West and and Riviera are rated below it at 16th and 23rd respectively.
*Is Scioto really still a meritious selection for the top 50?
*Wykagyl in the top 100? A fine course no doubt but I see a stretch here because I can name several othert bonafide candidates that can meet and exceed the qualities of the New Rochelle layout.
*Cherry Hills rated 61st? A great example of a course that gets by because of its isolation in the Denver area. Throw the course into the stretch of territory between Phillie and the NY metro area and it gets simply swallowed up.
*Can someone explain to me what people see in Champions / Cypress Creek course?
On the kudos side:
*Fenway (long overdue recognition)
*Lehigh (although I still believe the course suffers for a few long par-4's)
*Westchester CC (course gets little serious attention depite hosting a tour event)
*Lawsonia / Links (wonderful and often underrated and underappreciated Langford & Moreau design)
More to follow ...