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John_Cullum

  • Total Karma: 0
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #50 on: October 23, 2006, 09:05:58 PM »
What is an Alotian?


They may have been an original Star Trek race,..

 or St. Paul wrote them a letter.
"We finally beat Medicare. "

Mike Hendren

  • Total Karma: -1
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #51 on: October 23, 2006, 09:55:44 PM »
Apparently, Jack Stephens' son and a group of his cronies traversed the country playing America's great golf courses - The America Lights Out Tour.  Alotians are those who have participated in such trips - hence the Alotian Club.

Or perhaps that is merely Hillbillyese for genetic lottery winners.

Mike
« Last Edit: October 23, 2006, 10:01:28 PM by Bogey_Hendren »
Two Corinthians walk into a bar ....

Bill Gayne

  • Total Karma: 0
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #52 on: October 23, 2006, 10:01:07 PM »
Top five were:

1. ANGC
2. PV
3. The Alotian
4. Sand Hills
5. NGLA


Either I'm showing my ignorance, or is this one of those SAT questions where you have to guess which one doesn't fit?

LOL Funny,

It says that they asked Golf Digests 800 member rating panel to "help us create this ranking of America's fifty greatest golf retreat."

A.G._Crockett

  • Total Karma: -1
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #53 on: October 23, 2006, 10:21:05 PM »
Top five were:

1. ANGC
2. PV
3. The Alotian
4. Sand Hills
5. NGLA


Either I'm showing my ignorance, or is this one of those SAT questions where you have to guess which one doesn't fit?

LOL Funny,

It says that they asked Golf Digests 800 member rating panel to "help us create this ranking of America's fifty greatest golf retreat."

I opened that special issue, saw that they consider ANGC and PV to be "retreats", closed it and put it immediately into the recycle bin.  They are retreats to the same extent that Jupiter is next door...
"Golf...is usually played with the outward appearance of great dignity.  It is, nevertheless, a game of considerable passion, either of the explosive type, or that which burns inwardly and sears the soul."      Bobby Jones

Tom_Doak

  • Total Karma: 10
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #54 on: October 23, 2006, 11:17:11 PM »
I really don't care all that much where the GOLF DIGEST ballots fall, because I don't agree with their formula for ranking great golf courses.  But I will make a prediction anyway -- that Crystal Downs will move into the top ten.

Or else why would I have bumped into the GOLF DIGEST photographer at Crystal Downs a couple of weeks ago?

John Sabino

  • Total Karma: 0
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #55 on: October 24, 2006, 08:52:03 AM »
Cary - love your suggestion of Myopia re-emerging in the top 100. I got to play it recently and it is certainly worthy. The 18th hole is what a finishing hole should be. Joe
Author: How to Play the World's Most Exclusive Golf Clubs and Golf's Iron Horse - The Astonishing, Record-Breaking Life of Ralph Kennedy

http://www.top100golf.blogspot.com/

Jim Franklin

  • Total Karma: 0
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #56 on: October 24, 2006, 09:02:46 AM »
Matt -

Give GD some credit. Kingsley is #20 in the state of Michigan  ;).
Mr Hurricane

Mike_Cirba

Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #57 on: October 24, 2006, 09:30:54 AM »
Sand Hills is a Top 10 course.   This is timely, earth-shattering NEWS??!?!   ::) ;D

It's been around now for almost a dozen years.  Perhaps by 2050 it will move into the GD Top 5.  ;)

Jerry Kluger

  • Total Karma: -1
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #58 on: October 24, 2006, 09:51:46 AM »
My recollection is that Trump - Bedminster jumped into the top 100 last year so what happens now that Sebonack, Dismal River, Ballyneal, Bayonne, Liberty National, Stone Eagle, and others come up for rating - where do they fall into the equation?  In my view the Trump course is really good but is it better than some or all of the ones I've mentioned - I think that is a really tough question - perhaps the easiest thing to do is to put the Wynn course up there and the heck with all of them.  

Mike_Cirba

Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #59 on: October 24, 2006, 09:58:06 AM »
Jerry,

I believe Trump National made it into the Golf Magazine Top 100, not Golf Digest.  It is also in the Top 100 of Golfweek Modern.  

Jerry Kluger

  • Total Karma: -1
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #60 on: October 24, 2006, 10:07:46 AM »
Mike: My mistake but in reviewing the list I was reminded that Trump - Palm Beach is ranked in the Top 100 - I haven't played it but is it really better than Bedminster - and is it better than the courses I named?

Mike_Cirba

Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #61 on: October 24, 2006, 10:18:12 AM »
Mike: My mistake but in reviewing the list I was reminded that Trump - Palm Beach is ranked in the Top 100 - I haven't played it but is it really better than Bedminster?

Jerry,

I must admit that I haven't been keeping up with the GD Top 100 as well as I should.  Like Tom, I'm very much in disagreement with their criteria and think that the recent changes mean that Ron Whitten's in disagreement with it, as well.   I just don't think they have it right yet, and I also think that any panel where Bernard Darwin wouldn't qualify to vote (in a cast of thousands) isn't one that makes much sense to me.  ;)

That being said, I'd be very, very surprised if the Trump course in Florida is better than the one in NJ.  
« Last Edit: October 24, 2006, 10:28:05 AM by Mike Cirba »

Matt_Ward

Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #62 on: October 24, 2006, 01:29:57 PM »
Bill:

With all due respect partner -- the idea that Bayonne only merits consideration as a "cousin to Shadow Creek" and that it doesn't have the architectural goods but that it only provides for an "experience" is a major undercut of what is frankly there.

Yes, Eric Bergstol did create a unique layout and the "experience" story is important -- but the architectural merits of the course are as plain to see as the NYC skyline which is viewable from many parts of the course.

The course is crammed on a tight piece of property but the routing and the quality of the holes found there are extremely well done. Is the course a "pure" Links. Clearly it's not and candidly the people there should soft pedal that by saying it's more of a recreation with an American golf twist.

Bill, the idea that the sloping of the greens is "amateurish" is really off base. You need to tell me what specific hole(s) you are referring to -- otherwise you are doing nothing more than the graffitti artist who "tags" a wall or other surface that merely sprays forward words with no real meaning.

The routing takes you to all corners of the property and pacing of the holes and the different directions encountered does provide for a thorough test as well as clear architectural flourishes that go beyond the layout just being an "experience" because of the off-course service you get when playing there.

When I see the sophistication of what Bayonne provides it simply blows away the architectural elements found at Shadow Creek and a host of other courses currently rated and also found on parcels of property that have required a major undertaking to create a course in those respective situations.

The issue with many -- possibly yourself included -- is that too many people often believe that if a layout is designed by someone without "architectural credentials" than the finished product in those cases cannot be anything more than just average / so-so, you get my point.

Bergstol is well-schooled from a host of visit across the pond and he has certainly raised the ante on how to create such holes from his other efforts that have come prior to Bayonne (e.g. Pine Barrens, Brandon Woods, etc, etc.).

Bill, you stated how grand the qualities of TN / Bedminster is and I agree it's very, very good. However, Bayonne is quite special and the sheer totality of the holes found there is a wining effort and worthy of top 100 status IMHO.

If there ever was a time when you need to return and see what's really there I would certainly recommend it. I've been on the site half a dozen times and each time has reenforced for me when Bergstol and crew have done there.

Kirk Gill

  • Total Karma: 0
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #63 on: October 24, 2006, 01:37:37 PM »
Has anyone on this board played the Alotian club? Comments? Is it the club's "ultra-private" nature that has resulted in little discussion of the course's architecture, or is it the architect, or.....?
"After all, we're not communists."
                             -Don Barzini

Steve Lapper

  • Total Karma: 1
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #64 on: October 24, 2006, 01:40:54 PM »
[Let the debate begin ...


   I'm jonesing to see his critical review and intellectual rigor in criticizing this "from scratch" genius. But I wouldn't/won't hold my breath for it.....so much hot air, so little time, for reality. Any over/under on his posted critique?
Quote

Matt

The caddie made no difference whatsoever in the golf course.  I actually tried to educate the poor chap about archtecture and how players other than he might play the course, so don't go there.

I don't think Shadow Creek fits into the "Top 100 in the USA" either, not architecturally at least.  It is a top 100 experience if you like that sort of isolation, pampering and the like, I'm not into being pampered.

My opinion is my opinion and I should know better than to criticize certain places in the "Honest and Frank Discussion of Golf COurse Architecture" that goes on here 24/7/365. But I willnot allow anoyone to say that "I cried and took my marbles home to play".

Bayonne can be thought of as a cousin to Shadow Creek.  

I think it likely that I will always think there is some amateurish shaping of greens in places, I don't think the routing is all that special/unique(?) and generally creating on a blank slate at some mega-cost is to me I suppose, a nice thing,  but it doesn't merit any special consideration because of someone's desire to spend to build.

Maybe create a category for clean slate terraformed courses?



And my Dear Steven

I'll personally write for you a review of Bayonne giving you my hole by hole opinion of the course.  It will cost you $100 a word.
Let me know when you are ready and I will write it.  

Your comments serve no useful purpose except to disparage,insult and further expose your own biases which we all know too well already. 1,000 word minimum up front.

Completely Off-Topic threads contribute more to the overall knowledge of members this board than comments such as yours filled with such vitriol.
Quote

Bill (neither loved nor hated),

  Yes, you are entitled to your opinions, as is everyone, but it is you who invites criticism with your periodic, yet continual debasing of C&C, your constant disparagement of a course (Mountain Ridge) that you plainly HAVEN"T EVEN PLAYED post a full & through restoration and their hiring one of the industry's best young greenskeepers. You rave about things Trump and call yourself an "expert" on most things golf-related, but in fact, you seldom back much up true critical analysis, (i.e where was your initial mention of forced carries, lack of safe lay-up ares, long walks, etc..). Your biases are on far greater display here than mine.

 You offerred, earlier in this thread, to debate Bayonne out in public, but now, of course, you couch it in silly "I'll charge you blah.blah.." As usual, you've played it once (I'm near sure), and now you are an expert on it.

  My exposing of your callow analytical abilities is hardly vitriolic, it's no more than revealing you for your "less than sturdy" architectual intellect and predilection to criticize without adding detail and analysis. If I was to be really mean-spirited, I'd focus the discussion on seliing reviews and course access, etc...

  Stop being a little whiner and tell us all why Bayonne isn't worthy and why you possess the ability and intellect to rightfully dissect it. I put my 1000 word praise up...why don't you do the same and tell us why I'm wrong instead of complaining and sniping. Better yet, play it multiple times and tell me you don't find fun there. Like Pat Mucci and I say, it's usually the desire to re-tee it up on #1 that seperates the really good from the mediocre. BGC has that, TN doesn't but you can't tell the difference.
« Last Edit: October 24, 2006, 03:06:18 PM by Steve Lapper »
The conventional view serves to protect us from the painful job of thinking."--John Kenneth Galbraith

Matt_Ward

Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #65 on: October 24, 2006, 02:26:57 PM »
Steve said, "BGC has that, TN doesn't but you can't tell the difference."

Don't agree with your take on Trump National / Bedminster -- but that's old news. Suffice to say -- I see Bayonne being ahead of Trump's Jersey place but the Bedminster-based course is one of the state's best IMHO.

If you want to use the argument about the desire to re-tee as a mark of course greatness -- I'd return in a NY minute to play either one.

Steve Lapper

  • Total Karma: 1
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #66 on: October 24, 2006, 02:54:12 PM »
Steve said, "BGC has that, TN doesn't but you can't tell the difference."

Don't agree with your take on Trump National / Bedminster -- but that's old news. Suffice to say -- I see Bayonne being ahead of Trump's Jersey place but the Bedminster-based course is one of the state's best IMHO.

If you want to use the argument about the desire to re-tee as a mark of course greatness -- I'd return in a NY minute to play either one.

Matt,

   As always, we can agree to disagree.  ;D ;D

   A round, for me and most I know, at Trump can be ardous and difficult. It's a good course for sure, but not my idea of a "fun or sporty" one. Just ask Pat. A round at Bayonne is, and has been each and every time I've played there, an exhilarting and joyous experience. Granted, memories of great holes found in Ireland & Scotland dance betweeen my ears while at Trump thoughts of bull-crap, bad hair, and PT Barnum occupy the same space, but Bayonne thrills with shot creativity, ground game options and a wide array of spectacular views. Little of that exists in Bedminister.

  One interesting side note is that when I pay Bayonne, I always take my MP-32 blades and when at Trump, I find I play better with my old Titleist cavity-backs.....I think that choice sums up the difference for me.
« Last Edit: October 24, 2006, 02:57:48 PM by Steve Lapper »
The conventional view serves to protect us from the painful job of thinking."--John Kenneth Galbraith

Steve Lapper

  • Total Karma: 1
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #67 on: October 24, 2006, 03:05:20 PM »
Steve


Mountain Ridge - have played since full re-do.  No desire to re-tee on #1 after #18. Certainly plays hard, adds little to the world of golf architecture in originality or presentation.

Nothing will satisfy you re: Trump except blanket condemnation.

Bayonne not in my Top 100, I have no more to add.




Soooooo very insightful...

PS...I don't seek, nor give Trump ANY "blanket condemnation. Just the read my previous posts of the past 5mos. Maybe that's it Bill....you don't look too closely...time to have the old eyes checked. :o ;D

As for originality and presentation, please tell me & others why Mountain Ridge holes like #5,7,8,11,17,&18 add so "little to the world of architecture." They are splendid examples of fine Ross design and playability.

Please tell us why Bayonne isn't original and why you have no more to add. Was your offer to "debate" a hollow one? Matt & I, who frequently clash over style and preference, at least have the guts to present our case and our reasoning. ???
The conventional view serves to protect us from the painful job of thinking."--John Kenneth Galbraith

cary lichtenstein

  • Total Karma: -2
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #68 on: October 25, 2006, 01:51:17 PM »
bump
Live Jupiter, Fl, was  4 handicap, played top 100 US, top 75 World. Great memories, no longer play, 4 back surgeries. I don't miss a lot of things about golf, life is simpler with out it. I miss my 60 degree wedge shots, don't miss nasty weather, icing, back spasms. Last course I played was Augusta

John Kirk

  • Total Karma: 3
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #69 on: October 25, 2006, 02:11:15 PM »
Now that the 2006 season draws to the close, all the ballots are in at Golf Digest, any predictions as to what courses will crack Golf Digest's top 100 in 2007?

I'll start with a few:

The Quarry at Giants Ridge
Tobacco Road
Ballyneal
Bayonne

I'll add a few more:

Friar's Head
Blackrock
Eastward Ho
Charles River
Yale

And an oldtimer:

Myopia Hunt Club

Adding Matt Ward's suggestions:

Black Mesa
Grey Walls
Kingsley Club

We're up to 13 now



OK, so there's 13 candidates.  Ballyneal, Giant's Ridge, Bayonne and Greywalls are definitely out of the running; they haven't been around long enough.  Which courses should be eliminated to make room for the new courses?

Add Pasatiempo to the list of courses that belong.

Here's 81-100 on the current list:

Hawk's Ridge
Aronimink
The Prserve
Trump International (Florida)
Black Diamond Ranch
Canterbury
Grandfather
Atlantic
Congressional
Hudson National
Pete Dye
Galloway National
Shoreacres
Old Waverly
Plainfield
Briar's Creek
Harbour Town
TPC @ Sawgrass
Sahalee
Eugene

My opinion is that Pasatiempo, Frair's Head and Yale are the only ones that have a chance.  I'll bet Kingsley makes a big move in the Michigan state rankings, though.  Finally, it seems a lock that the Alotian Club will become a top 50 course as soon as its eligible, based on the lofty retreat ranking.
« Last Edit: October 25, 2006, 02:14:52 PM by John Kirk »

cary lichtenstein

  • Total Karma: -2
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #70 on: October 25, 2006, 02:46:26 PM »
How long does a course have to be around before it is eligible?
Live Jupiter, Fl, was  4 handicap, played top 100 US, top 75 World. Great memories, no longer play, 4 back surgeries. I don't miss a lot of things about golf, life is simpler with out it. I miss my 60 degree wedge shots, don't miss nasty weather, icing, back spasms. Last course I played was Augusta

Jordan Wall

Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #71 on: October 25, 2006, 02:51:55 PM »
Sahalee is off the list, and Aldarra and Tumble Creek are bumped on.

I would also hope to see Kapalua somewhere on that list.

cary lichtenstein

  • Total Karma: -2
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #72 on: October 25, 2006, 04:15:08 PM »
Sahalee is off the list, and Aldarra and Tumble Creek are bumped on.

I would also hope to see Kapalua somewhere on that list.

What does "Sahalee is off the list mean?" Off the ballot for consideration? How could Tumble Creek be on bumped on, isn't it too new???
Live Jupiter, Fl, was  4 handicap, played top 100 US, top 75 World. Great memories, no longer play, 4 back surgeries. I don't miss a lot of things about golf, life is simpler with out it. I miss my 60 degree wedge shots, don't miss nasty weather, icing, back spasms. Last course I played was Augusta

John Kirk

  • Total Karma: 3
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #73 on: October 25, 2006, 04:55:22 PM »
Tumble Creek is too young.

Sean Leary

  • Total Karma: 0
Re:2007 Golf Digest's New Top 100
« Reply #74 on: October 25, 2006, 05:00:16 PM »
Tumble Creek is too young.

and from all accounts while very good, not considered Top 100 material. Neither is Aldarra or Kapalua.