Today's course is the well-regarded Pine Tree Golf Club in Boynton Beach, FL, a course Ben Hogan called "the greatest flat course in the country".
Designed by Dick Wilson in 1962, Pine Tree has long been known as a tough "test of golf", particularly when the wind whips up off the nearby Atlantic. It has been in many of the "Top 100" lists over the years, although it has dropped a bit in more recent times as the mostly aerial game dictated by the design has fallen out of favor in many quarters.
More about the course can be found on their website.
www.pinetreegolfclub.netToday's clues include;
The name of the course is hardly descriptive...Perhaps "Palm Tree" would have made more sense.
Wilson's boss was William Flynn, but it could be argued that his original style shared more in common with his chief competitor, RTJ Sr.. Together, they were probably the "Big Two" in architecture from the 50s until the early 70s.
Wilson's first big claim to fame (solo) was the West Palm Beach Country Club, which became a springboard of sorts to his design career. Today that course is a well-regarded municipal with EXCELLENT value.
My understanding is that recent restoration work was done by Ron Forse, but I believe Brad Klein's clue hinted at Steve Smyers. Perhaps someone in the know can clarify.
According to some reports, Wilson claimed that actually HE was the architect responsible for Shinnecock. While he was the construction foreman, the plans were clearly Flynn's, as Wayne Morrison, Tom Paul, and I have seen with our own eyes.
Many former PGA stars and LPGA hall of famers like Louise Suggs have been members at Pine Tree, honing their game on its tough demands.
Other well-regarded Wilson designs in Florida include Doral & Bay Hill.
The name of the course is arranged in flowers on the clubhouse lawn. It can be seen on the home page of the club's website.
Thanks, all...it's been fun!