great designs on boring pieces of land...

[Andy Troeger]

I would tend to agree with Tony regarding Talking Stick North. Its a great accomplishment given what Coore/Crenshaw had to work with. I guess thus it could be called a "great design." I would never call it a great golf course though, the land still inhibits it from that. It does not compare well IMO with the Coore/Crenshaw courses I have played that had good sites to begin with including We-Ko-Pa Saguaro and Colorado Golf Club. The Warren GC at Notre Dame isn't a great site overall but has its moments and for me is also a fair bit better than TSN.

[David_Tepper]

MUIRFIELD!

[Ray Richard]

Granite Links-aka Quarry Hills in Quincy Ma-take two smelly landfills add 11 milion yards of tunnel excavation and place a 27 hole John Sanford design on top of it all and you have a good layout with great views because of the 40 foot earthworth fills under the course.

Spanish Bay-This course should be plowed over and retrofitted with a Tom D masterpiece. I hate the layout and also those surly, predatory crows that steal your breakfast out of your golf car on the first green. Best part is the draft beer on the veranda-I look at it as a 400 dollar cover charge.

[MHiserman]

Ditto, to some mentioned earlier.

Carnoustie-afar
Laurel Links-east
Chicago-mid
Stevenson Ranch-west

Some fairly life less properties.
Great-challenging golf.

[Lester George]

I'm not saying it's a great design, but the most boring piece of land I ever had was Sundance Golf Course in New Braunfels, Texas.  It had no vegetation, no water features, and only one foot of elevation change on 100 acres.  

The course (executive) ended up with 13 acres of water and was named one of the best executive courses in the country.  So good, that I believe it has been plowed under and turned into real estate because of it's development potential.  Broke mt heart, but I knew it going in.  

That might be a good topic of discussion from the architects here,  "How many golf courses have you designed that NLE.  Or Whats the shortest time between opening and NLE.  Maybe Sundance holds the record?

I would ask but I'm not sure I know how to start a thread.  Maybe one of you could pick up the ball.

Lester

[Steve_Lovett]

The worst piece of land I've seen where a golf course is currently located is Gateway National, just east of St. Louis, MO.  I believe it was a old rail yard - dead flat, industrial and without any feature or interest (aside from the arch and skyline visible to the west).  Keith Foster was the designer, and while it may not be "great" per se - it's is quite good.

[Sam Morrow]

I played and really enjoyed the Rawls Course in Lubbock, TX.  The surrounding topography is absolutely flat but the course has quite pleasing terrain and variation.  My member friend says that there was only a few feet of topographical elevation change over the entire property before Tom Doak interceded.  Perhaps he or others will comment on this project.

For years I have traveled through West Texas to visit my in-laws (Amarillo).  The Rawls Course is an unbelievable transformation of land.  I would compare it to Primm in CA/NV and what I imagine Shadow Creek in Vegas to be.  You would not believe you are anywhere within 200 miles of there.  There have been pictures posted here showing an aerial view of the land while it was being moved and before.  

Cosign, the work of Doak at The Rawls Course is something to behold. I consider that course as good as any in Texas.

[paul cowley]

.....I can't believe anything after you turn that fist shovelful of dirt can be boring ...no make that the first tablespoon of dirt.

....no that's not right either, maybe its the first time dirt is moved by dragging your foot in the ground no...or maybe  when dirt is moved by when you walk on it looking for a greensite....no...not that either...I'm going to work...more on this later.....maybe its the first time you wash dirt of your clothes?....the first time you smell the dirt?

[jeffwarne]

Bayonne-former landfill
anything but boring now

[David Stamm]

PGA West Stadium. Abandoned orange orchard. Some of Dye is a little much, but this was impressive considering the featureless ground.

The Rawls course at Texas Tech is another that springs to mind.