[John Kirk]

What's the best Rees Jones designed golf course?  I'm having trouble deciding.  Consider design variety, use of natural features, and overall course beauty.

Please name only one, unless you can't make up your mind, in which case name those which tie for best.

Thanks.

[Rich Goodale]

Arcadian Shores (assuming it hasn't been "restored" by one of the New Golden Agers.....)

[Eric Smith]

Haig Point

[SPDB]

Atlantic or Nantucket. Can't pick.

[Matt_Ward]

Before this thread goes off in a hundred different tangents -- I'd have to say Olde Kinderhook just outside Albany, NY, is the best Rees Jones course I've played.

It is, IMHO, also a layout fully capable in being rated among the ten best in all of the Empire State and that is saying something given the bar of competition one faces there. Without question, I'd include it among my top 100 modern courses as well.

I've played Nantucket and Atlantic and a host of others that are quite good but Olde Kinderhook is rock solid -- superb site and very different from the formulaic design too often associated with his work.

[Don Hyslop]

With the question being "what is your favourite Rees Jones course?", I would have to say it is Royal Oaks in Moncton, New Brunswick. It was at its time the only course designed by Jones in Canada. I am not sure if it retains that distinction. Opening in 2000, it was rated the 83rd best course in Canada in the 2006 Score Magazine rankings. Obviously it is not the best Jones has done but it still is a great course and the only one of his that is near to me.
   Take a look at some photos of the layout:

http://royaloaks.nb.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=40&Itemid=72

[John Kirk]

Great answers.  Thanks guys.  Keep them coming, and I'll be back in 4-5 hours.

[Mike Sweeney]

Before this thread goes off in a hundred different tangents -- I'd have to say Olde Kinderhook just outside Albany, NY, is the best Rees Jones course I've played.

It is, IMHO, also a layout fully capable in being rated among the ten best in all of the Empire State and that is saying something given the bar of competition one faces there. Without question, I'd include it among my top 100 modern courses as well.

I've played Nantucket and Atlantic and a host of others that are quite good but Olde Kinderhook is rock solid -- superb site and very different from the formulaic design too often associated with his work.

Matt Ward is spot on! 

Nantucket GC is my favorite Rees place to play for reasons beyond golf, but Olde Kinderhook is a better course.

[Ed Oden]

Here is what I posted on a prior thread.  I'd give Atlantic a slight edge over Haig Point.  But I haven't had the pleasure of playing Olde Kinderhook or Nantucket. 

I am not a Rees Jones fan.  Maybe that's why I was surprised that I really liked both Atlantic and Haig Point.  Atlantic's biggest problem is the neighborhood it resides in.  Its like the worst house on the nicest street in town.  Just because there are bigger mansions down the street doesn't mean its not a very nice place.  And I really enjoyed Haig Point.  A very solid course in a beautiful setting.  I thought it was just as good as Harbor Town.

[John Kavanaugh]

I had a great time at The Legacy course at Greystone in Birmingham, Al.  http://www.greystonecc.com

[JR Potts]

John:

I played the Legacy last Wednesday and although it was cold, windy and a bit rainy (which didn't help the enjoyment factor), I thought it was just okay.

Out of Shoal Creek, Old Overton and the Legacy, it was clearly the mutt in the class.

[John Kavanaugh]

John:

I played the Legacy last Wednesday and although it was cold, windy and a bit rainy (which didn't help the enjoyment factor), I thought it was just okay.

Out of Shoal Creek, Old Overton and the Legacy, it was clearly the mutt in the class.

I have not played nor been invited to at Shoal Creek or Old Overton.  I think the Legacy course would be a pleasant surprise for anyone who has spent much time on this site.  I believe Rees Jones to be the most underated architect found in the annals of GCA.

[Gary Daughters]

Not totally sure, but I believe Metropolitan east of Atlanta was the first course that RJ designed.  It closed about 5 years ago and now it's condos.  It was a truly fine golf course that many years ago, and through its shortcomings, got me to thinking about golf course architecture.

[Matt_Ward]

John K said, "I believe Rees Jones to be the most underated architect found in the annals of GCA."

Just love your wicked sense of humor !

I'm just wondering when this thread goes way OFF track.

[Kalen Braley]

John K said, "I believe Rees Jones to be the most underated architect found in the annals of GCA."

Just love your wicked sense of humor !

I'm just wondering when this thread goes way OFF track.

Seeing how JK has already started taking this thread off track...

When I first read the question on the original post, I thought to myself "Is this a trick question?"   

[Mike Hoak]

My sampling of the Rees ouevre is somewhat limited--6 or 7 courses--but I greatly enjoyed Haig Point.  One of the par 5's on the back nine is one of the best par 5's I have had an opporunity to play.  I can not remember the hole number, but each shot progressively requires more thought and skill.

[tlavin]

It's a close battle between Pinehurst #7 and Haig Point.   Both are terrific golf courses in very serene surroundings.

[Lou_Duran]

Briar's Creek near Kiawah.  Low country, nice understated scale, plenty of variety, good use of native vegetation, playable but difficult when the wind blows.

[JR Potts]

John:

I played the Legacy last Wednesday and although it was cold, windy and a bit rainy (which didn't help the enjoyment factor), I thought it was just okay.

Out of Shoal Creek, Old Overton and the Legacy, it was clearly the mutt in the class.

I have not played nor been invited to at Shoal Creek or Old Overton.  I think the Legacy course would be a pleasant surprise for anyone who has spent much time on this site.  I believe Rees Jones to be the most underated architect found in the annals of GCA.

Turns out, the esteemed Mssr. Lavin informed me that I played the Founders course and not the Legacy course.  After the emergency landing in Springfield, Illinois on the way down, I was a bit too frazzled to remember much of anything.

[Scott_Burroughs]

Probably the Champions course at Bryan Park, given that my visit to Olde Kinderhook got rained out (did get to tour it).

EDIT:  I forgot about Montauk Downs SP, which is up there, too.

[Matt_Ward]

I do agree with Lou in regards to Briar's Creek but the low country layout comes in a distant second to me when held against the majesty of what Olde Kinderhook provides.

Put OK in some other are of the country where it would be noticed more and its standing would increase considerably.

[David Federman]

Although I have played Pinehurst #7 and think very highly of it, as well as Arcadian Shores (not so impressed), my favorite Rees Jones course is the old Eagle Lodge Course in suburban Philadelphia. To my recollection Rees redid a small muni that was in existence in the early 80's or late 70's and turned it into a gem of a course. It had great variety and was a course I loved to play without ever getting tired of it. Unfortunately Ace LTD which owned the course hired Gary Player a few years back, who bulldozed the entire course and built what is now The Ace Club.  The old Eagle Lodge was a charming, challenging and fun course. Whatever your views of Ace, it is not charming.

[Ray Richard]

Pine Hills on Plymouth Mass-RJ built a Cape Cod style links with just enough rolling terrain to make it fun. Plenty of wind to make it tough.

[Sean Leary]

Sandpines

[Mike_Cirba]

Olde Kinderhook

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