How would you summarize the overall 2013 results? Golf Magazine's 2013 Top 100s dish out a perfect blend of surprise and predictability, of new and old. For every macho or post-modern success that might antagonize a purist, there's a petite, wind-blown, old-fashioned relic that now gets its day in the sun. I'm pleased that international courses continue to make gains on the World list. I think that adds credibility, in that it shows our panelists are taking the time to travel the planet and judge every course fairly.
What result(s) surprised you the most in the World and U.S. rankings? I'm still amazed at the consistency of the top courses. All of the top 20 from 2011 stayed in the top 20, with only the tiniest of movements. I must say the success of Trump Scotland surprised me. The Donald's bull-in-a-china-shop approach to building this course, and to life in general, really polarizes people and I wondered if voters might "punish" him and this course. They didn't. I do believe that once the novelty wears off, he's going to have to make it play more like a real links to have it hold its place or move up, but there's no question the holes and views are world-class.
Naturally, I was curious to see where the two Streamsong courses would fall, and which would be ranked higher. Of the 34 panelists that played both, 13 preferred Red, 7 opted for Blue and 14 didn't indicate a preference. Of note, many voters saw these courses during the Grand Opening and during Tom Doak's Renaissance Cup, when the greens on both courses were frustratingly fast for the amount of contour they yielded. The 2015 vote will prove more to me, once both these courses have matured.
Rye jumping into the World Top 100? Why Rye and not say, Deal? Or Prestwick? Or Mid-Ocean? Not sure, but in my mind, better Rye than some other 7,500-yard turf nursery.
Finally, it's nice to see China place a course on the list. Shanqin Bay sets new standards for China--and Asia--right down to its built-in quirks, from blind shots to its unusual finish, flush with short par-4s.
Can you discern any trends? For instance, did any type course (links, parkland) etc. fare better than others? First off, kudos to Seth Raynor, an overnight success nearly 90 years after his death. Firm and fast keeps gaining, especially when combined with seaside golf. We're definitely moving away from gargantuan, overshaped, "manufactured" courses in favor of charmers with more character. Just look at Rye, or Eastward Ho! and Country Club of Fairfield on the U.S. list. All seaside, and under 6,500 yards. Is that enough golf for really low handicappers? Who cares? Why does a course have to be hard to be considered great? Oh, because another magazine said so. Cabot Links epitomizes the new breed. You're paying no attention to the length of the holes. There are so many puzzles to be solved, amid such a scenic, delightful walk, there's no need to add up how many par-4s are of such-and-such length, or how many dogleg this way versus that way. You leave knowing you were involved and entertained every step of the way. Perhaps that's the new yardstick of greatness.
An aerial view of Cabot Links – #82 on the World List. From the two lists combined, 100 courses in America are guaranteed to get exposure while something closer to 50 international courses are recognized. As a result, there is always great interest in those internationals that are on the cusp. Can you share with us which five internationals were next in line to make the world top 100? In order, Sunningdale (New), Royal Aberdeen (Balgownie), Highlands Links, Punta Espada in the Dominican Republic and Prestwick. I have to add, however, that ultra reclusive Ellerston in Australia would have cracked the top 100 comfortably, but lacked the minimum of 10 votes--missing by one this year, ironically, due to the retirement of an Australian panelist, who didn't care for the course all that much, but whose vote would have propelled it into the rankings.
So close again this year, will Sunningdale New make it back on the World List in 2015? Of the international courses that didn't make it, what course is the most polarizing (i.e. receives the most World top 50 support as well as some low marks below world top 200)? Prestwick is absolutely one of those courses that folks "get" or they don't, at least for rankings purposes. Stoneforest's C course (Leaders Peak) in the mountains of southwest China (Kunming) is another. Some consider this Brian Curley creation to be one of the most spectacular on earth, a legitimate Top 75 Wow! Others must regard it as too much of a novelty layout, its rock formations perhaps too gimmicky for greatness. In a similar vein, one-time Top 100 member Old Head in Ireland earns huge numbers from its supporters, but too many 200-251 and 251-plus votes doom its chances.
Tell us about the panel. How many panelists are now on it? How many were new to 2013? Do you think you will keep growing it? Of the world top 100 courses, how many on average has a panelist played? This year, I asked 116 panelists to respond, mostly as a way of ensuring that at least 100 votes would come in. That 100 number was important to me because a course needs at least 10 votes to warrant inclusion. Twelve panelists were new to the panel in 2013, but seven stepped down. Either they got mad at me, or just don't travel like they used to. A handful of panelists couldn't be reached or else never responded to multiple queries. A true head-scratcher.
The Old Course at St. Andrews and Pebble Beach picked up the most votes--104. I anticipate growing the panel, but slowly and in a limited way, just so we can cover more courses and more renovations in a proper manner. I'm really striving for greater international makeup among the panelists, and I'm partial to new panelists who have the ability to see the new courses in Asia in particular as well as those in emerging markets. That said, there is always room for qualified, younger, U.S.-based panelists. I like the consistency Golf Magazine achieves in its rankings from year to year, but fresh eyes and new blood is usually a good thing.
I haven't polled the panel lately, nor did I crunch all the numbers this time, but a couple of years ago, our panelists had played on average 73 of the World's Top 100. I know that a minimum of 12 members of our group have played at least one recent version of all Top 100 Courses in the World.
Thanks to tweaks and improvements, Erin Hills enters the U.S. list at #96. It continues to round into fine form in preparation for hosting the 2017 U.S. Open.