What Are Your "Hidden Gems"?

[Paul_Lorenzen]

Two NYC area courses:
1. Split Rock in the Bronx - ignore the conditions and enjoy the bones
2. Links at Unionvale (70 miles north of NYC)

[Ash Towe]

In my part of the world, Arrowtown in the South Island, see the thread that Grant Saunders did.
North of Auckland is Waipu.  Great little course set by the sea.  Some very challenging especially in the wind.  Cost is $30 or about $US22.

[Bart Bradley]

1.  Rock Hollow in tiny Peru, IN -- built in the remanants of a strip mine.  Check out the website.  Designed by Tim Liddy of the Dye group.

2.  Diamond Creek -- ultraprivate Fazio in the mountains of NC (does this count as a hidden gem:  it is certainly off the beaten path)

3.  Dooks course in Ireland -- discussed on here occassionally as a lesser known gem

4.  Peru Municipal golf course-- Peru, IN not really that great but the best course I've ever played for under $20 (not the twilight rate) and where my grandmother introduced me to golf

5.  Draper Valley --- Wytheville VA ---another cheap, solid course hidden in Appalachia


These are the best I can do for now...I'll give it some more thought.


Bart

[Matt_Ward]

Candidly, for a course to be a "hidden gem" it can never have been rated - either in a state poll or clearly a national one.

Few such gems exist given that reality but there are a number that do truly exist.

[Andy Troeger]

Bart,
Rock Hollow yes...Peru Municipal not so much in my opinion. Although it was kind of fun and quirky. You obviously know it better than I.

I do give you credit, that may be the only mention Peru Municipal ever gets on this website!

Sultan's Run is another good Tim Liddy design in Indiana. Second the Grandote Peaks nomination as well.

[Bart Bradley]

Bart,
Rock Hollow yes...Peru Municipal not so much in my opinion. Although it was kind of fun and quirky. You obviously know it better than I.

I do give you credit, that may be the only mention Peru Municipal ever gets on this website!

Sultan's Run is another good Tim Liddy design in Indiana. Second the Grandote Peaks nomination as well.

Ok, I agree Peru Muni isn't really that great but how many $18 golf courses are there...and there are a few good holes...well maybe, decent holes  .

Sultan's Run is good...should have listed it earlier.

Bart

[Joe Bausch]

I started a thread last fall on Pilgrim's Oak, a Hurdzan/Fry course near Lancaster County PA that can be played for 20 bucks after 2 PM on weekdays.  Is it a gem?  Hmm, maybe not by all here, but it is a wonderful course for the money. 

Now this would never make Matt Ward's definition of a "hidden gem", but that is okay.

[JESII]

Philadelphia gets plenty of airtime on here, but in a forum like this where probably half of you all are not from here...it's worth mentioning places like LuLu and Manufacturer's and Torresdale Frankford.

There are others, but those places really are great golf.

[Andy Troeger]

Ok, I agree Peru Muni isn't really that great but how many $18 golf courses are there...and there are a few good holes...well maybe, decent holes  .

Sultan's Run is good...should have listed it earlier.

Bart

Had to say something, glad you understood  

If I were in the area regularly I'd consider playing it again for amusement sake, so I think I know what you're getting at. Eberhart GC in Mishawaka, IN is one of those courses for me. Its not good anything from a critical standpoint, but I still enjoying playing it once in awhile.

[Allan Long]

For purposes of this discussion, my definition of a "hidden gem" is this:  Hard to find or relatively unknown to participants on this site, but a quality course with decent golf course architecture that is worth seeing if you are in the area.

With that and Matt's definition, I will offer the following:

CA - Meadowlark, Willowick
KS - Macdonald Park
ME - Waterville
MO - Swope Memorial
NC - Keith Hills (No. 1)
VA - Bryce
WV - Pipestem

[Jay Kirkpatrick]

The Wilmington (NC) Muni course is a great old Donald Ross design that was just refurbished.  For architecture geeks, there are several top-notch holes.  There is a nice write-up about it on this site.

Also in Wilmington, Cape Fear CC is an excellent layout.

[Bill Shamleffer]

St. Jonesbury C.C.  This is quite the hidden gem (although some in New England appreciate its quality).  This course is open to the public.  The original 9 is a Willie Park Jr. design and the 2nd 9 is a Cornish design.  Although it is obvious the nines are designed by different people at different time periods, both nine fit the land quite well and go together well.  It is like playing two different nine hole courses, but courses in which the player's game easily flows from one nine to the other.

I would like to hear what the other New Englanders think of this quicky but fun course.

[John_Conley]

This is a list compiled about six years ago by some from this site.

--

GCA Reader-Certified HIDDEN GEMS
   with help from…   www.golfcourse.com   
               
Course   City   State   Vintage   Architect   Nominated by
               
Barona Creek   Lakeside   CA   2001   Todd Eckinrode   Slag Bandoon
Del Rio CC   Brawley   CA   1926   William Bell   Gib Papazian
Gleneagles Int'l   San Francisco   CA   1962   John Fleming   Peter Galea
Stevinson Ranch   Stevinson   CA   1995   John Harbottle   Gib Papazian
               
Fenwick GC   Old Saybrook   CT   1890s   unknown   Anthony Pioppi
               
Grandote Peaks GC   La Veta    CO   1984   Weiskopf & Morrish   Doug Wright
               
Deerfield GC   Newark    DE   -   -   Scott Burroughs
               
DPC - Clermont   Clermont   FL   1999   Terry LaGree   Derek Duncan
the Dunes at Seville   Brooksville   FL   1988   Arthur Hills   Conley
Hidden Creek   Navarre   FL   1988   Ron Garl   John Bernhardt
Sara Bay   Sarasota   FL   1925   Donald Ross   Nick Ficorelli
               
Athens CC   Athens    GA   1926   Donald Ross   Mike Young
Cateechee   Hartwell    GA   1997   Mike Young   Mike Young
               
Bass Rocks GC   Gloucester   MA   1896   Herbert Leeds   "Cup Cutter"
Chequessett Yacht   Wellfleet   MA   1929   -   "Cup Cutter"
Cohasse CC   Southbridge    MA   1916   Donald Ross   Anthony Pioppi
Cranwell Resort   Lenox   MA   1926   Stiles & Van Kleek   Gary Sherman
Eastward Ho!   Chatham   MA   1921   Herbert Fowler   Curt Madson
Highland Golf Links   N. Truro   MA   1892   -   "Cup Cutter"
Hotchkiss School GC   Lakeville   MA   1925   Raynor & Banks   Anthony Pioppi
Hyannisport   Hyannis Port   MA   1901   Alex Findlay   Paul Perrella
Longmeadow   Longmeadow   MA   1922   Donald Ross   Paul Chiampa
Marion Golf Course   Marion    MA   1904   George Thomas   Anthony Pioppi
Marshfield   Marshfield   MA   1922   Wayne Stiles   Gary Sherman
Plymouth CC   Plymouth   MA   1901   Donald Ross   "Cup Cutter"
Winchester   Winchester   MA   1902   Donald Ross   Gary Sherman
Woods Hole   Falmouth   MA   1899   Stiles & Van Kleek   Rich Goodale
               
Worthington Manor   Urbana   MD   1998   Ault, Clark   J.S. Pulliam
               
Prouts Neck CC   Scarborough   ME   1924   Wayne Stiles   Gary Sherman
               
Belvedere   Charlevoix   MI   1927   Willie Watson   Doug Sobieski
               
Cloquet CC   Cloquet   MN   -   -   Conley
Double Eagle   Eagle Bend    MN   1983   Joel Goldstrand   Conley
Fox Hollow   Rogers   MN   1989   Joel Goldstrand   Conley
Golden Valley CC   Golden Valley   MN   1926   Tillinghast   Conley
Minneapolis Golf Club   St. Louis Park   MN   1916   Bendelow/Willie Park   Conley
Owatonna CC   Owatonna   MN   1973   Goldstrand/Pirkl   Conley
Winona CC   Winona   MN   1920   Ben Knight   Conley
               
Biltmore Forest   Asheville   NC   1925   Donald Ross   Adam Messix
Highlands CC   Highlands   NC   1926   Donald Ross   Adam Messix
Hyland Hills CC   Southern Pines   NC   1965   Tom Jackson   Hart Huffines
Keith Hills   Buies Creek   NC   1976   Ellis Maples   Hart Huffines
Nags Head   Nags Head    NC   1987   Jerry Turner   Paul Perrella
New Bern G & CC   New Bern   NC   1920   Donald Ross   Hart Huffines
Old Town Club   Winston-Salem   NC   1937   Perry Maxwell   Adam Messix
Pennrose Park   Reidsville   NC   1929   Donald Ross   Hart Huffines
Pinecrest CC   Lumberton    NC   1953   Donald Ross   Andrew Bernstein
Roaring Gap   Roaring Gap   NC   1926   Donald Ross   Adam Messix
the Cardinal CC   Greensboro   NC   1973   Pete Dye   Hart Huffines
               
Hooper GC   Walpole   NH   -   Stiles & Van Kleek   Anthony Pioppi
Kingswood GC   Wolfeboro   NH   1926   Donald Ross   Russell Eaves
               
Forsgate CC   Jamesburg   NJ   1931   Charles Banks   Matt Ward
Knoll   Boonton   NJ   -   Charles Banks   Dave Marr
               
Bethpage (Red)   Farmingdale   NY   1935   Tillinghast   Patrick Hitt
Bristol Harbour   Canandaigua   NY   1972   Rob't Trent Jones   John F
CC of Rochester   Rochester   NY   1895   Donald Ross   Paul Perrella
Hiawatha Landing   Apalachin   NY   1993   Brian Silva   John F
Leatherstocking   Cooperstown   NY   1909   Dev Emmet    Paul Perrella
Mark Twain GC   Elmira   NY   1939   Donald Ross   Mike Cirba
Monroe GC   Pittsford   NY   1923   Donald Ross   Patrick Hitt
Montauk Downs   Montauk   NY   1968   Rob't Trent Jones   Paul Perrella
Rip Van Winkle CC   Palenville   NY   1928   Donald Ross   Peter Galea
Saranac Inn   Saranac Lake   NY   1905   Seymour&Willie Dunn   Paul Perrella
Soaring Eagles GC   Horseheads   NY   1963   Pete Craig   Mike Cirba
Spook Rock   Suffern   NY   1970   Frank Duane   Paul Perrella
Teugega CC   Rome   NY   1919   Donald Ross   Steve Wilson
Yahnundasis   New Hartford    NY   1897   Walter Travis   Paul Perrella
               
Champions GC   Columbus   OH   1948   Rob't Trent Jones   Tom MacWood
Congress Lake   Hartville    OH   1896   Park/Ross   Tom MacWood
Kirtland   Willoughby   OH   1921   Colt & Alison   Tom MacWood
Sleepy Hollow   Brecksville   OH   1923   Stanley Thompson   Tom MacWood
               
Eagle Point   Medford    OR   1996   RTJ Jr.   Gib Papazian
Gearhart Golf Links   Gearhart   OR   1913   -   Slag Bandoon
               
Blueberry Hill   Russell   PA   1961   Harrison & Garbin   Doug Wright
Galen Hall   Wernersville   PA   1910   Alex Findlay/Tillie   Mike Cirba
Immergrun   Loretto   PA   1917   Dev Emmet & Ross?   Craig Rokke
Lehigh   Allentown   PA   1928   William Flynn   Mark Fine
Lu Lu   North Hills   PA   1917   Donald Ross   
New Castle CC   New Castle   PA   1923   Tillinghast   Dave Seanor
               
Metacomet    E. Providence    RI   1908   Donald Ross   Geoffery Childs
Misquamicut   Watch Hill   RI   1895   Willie Anderson   Tom Paul
               
Tierra Verde   Arlington    TX   -   Graham/Panks   Lou Duran
Whispering Pines   Trinity    TX   -   Nicklaus Group   Dave Wigler
               
Belmont GC   Richmond   VA   1938   Tillinghast   Patrick Hitt
               
Ekwanok   Manchester    VT   1899   Walter Travis   Paul Perrella
               
Husum Hills   White Salmon   WA   1958   -   Slag Bandoon
               
Brown County   Oneida   WI   1966   Larry Packard   RJ Daley
Bull's Eye   Wisconsin Rapids   WI   1927   Leonard Macomber   RJ Daley
Chaska GC   Appleton   WI   1975   Larry Packard   RJ Daley
Eau Claire CC   Eau Claire    WI   1901?   -   Conley
Moscoutin   Berlin   WI   1998   Rick Jacobson   RJ Daley
NAGA-waukee GC   Pewaukee    WI   1966   Larry Packard   Taylor Anderson
North Shore   Menasha   WI   1930   -   RJ Daley
Stevens Point   Stevens Point   WI   1962   Larry Roberts   John Reichert

[PThomas]

i must second Mr. Macwood's nomination in the previous post of Kirtland, which is probably even better than when Tom nominated it as they have done a LOT of great work there

[John Kavanaugh]

i must second Mr. Macwood's nomination in the previous post of Kirtland, which is probably even better than when Tom nominated it as they have done a LOT of great work there

Paul,

Have you found your way on Old Elm yet...It is quite hidden and gemmy.

[Jason Topp]

My definition:  A course you play as an add on during a trip and enjoy better than many of the main attractions:

1.  Dooks - Ireland
2.  Southern Pines- Pinehurst
3.  Woodlands - Victoria

[Sam Morrow]

               
Tierra Verde   Arlington    TX   -   Graham/Panks   Lou Duran
Whispering Pines   Trinity    TX   -   Nicklaus Group   Dave Wigler
               

Tierra Verde is a wonderful golf course and has a great location just off the highway but still giving a feel of being away from it all. I haven't yet played Whispering Pines (shame on me) but I don't think we can call it a hidden gem. Though it's in a hidden location it has gotten much acclaim all over Texas.

[John_Conley]

Sam, you may not have seen the thread from years ago.  There was a lot of discussion as to what is and what isn't both "hidden" and a "gem".  Jaka mentions Old Elm.  It would seem to qualify.  It is lost in the shuffle around Chicago (hidden) and by all accounts wonderful (gem).  Someone may disagree if they didn't like it as much or don't think it qualifies as hidden.  Heck, it has been there nearly 100 years in America's 'Second City'.

I remember Wiggles' nomination.  He said it was in the middle of nowhere and the best course he'd seen in Texas.  I have not yet played it.

How about Brauer's Tangle Ridge and Indian Creek?  I had not played either when we compiled this.

[mike_beene]

Sam,Whispering Pines is so hidden I got lost on the property. I nominate Mt Mitchell in NC off the Blue Ridge Parkway.Worth a few hour drive.

[K. Krahenbuhl]

Blaketree National - Montgomery, TX

[Ari Techner]

When I think "Hidden Gem" I think of Lookout Mountain Golf Club.

[Ed Oden]

New Jersey

Moriss County GC is a very below the radar Raynor course that has some of the stuff you expect to see and more. http://www.morriscgc.com/

Mike, I second your nomination of Morris County, which gets lost in the incredible depth of quality courses in northern NJ.  While Morris County will never qualify as a championship test, there are few places more fun to play.  And I would think it would be even more of a hidden gem for participants on this site who arguably would appreciate its architecture and history.

2.  Diamond Creek -- ultraprivate Fazio in the mountains of NC (does this count as a hidden gem:  it is certainly off the beaten path)

Bart, SSSHHHHUUUSSSHHHH!!!

Also in Wilmington, Cape Fear CC is an excellent layout.

Jay, I agree with your mention of Cape Fear.  It is a restored Ross course whose feel is in stark contrast to the newer designs typically found along the NC/SC coast.

A few others which I feel are worthy of mention:

1.  The Club at Irish Creek in Kannapolis, NC.  Here is a link to a prior thread.  http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,32910.0.html

2.  Sedgefield CC in Greensboro, NC, although that will likely change when it hosts the GGO.

3.  At the risk of being too much of a homer, I think Carolina GC in Charlotte qualifies.  It has been mentoned on this site as a hidden gem in the past and that was before Kris Spence's restoration of our Donald Ross design.  Brad Klein had the following comment in a recent GolfWeek, "Prediction: When the full restoration is revealed in late summer/early fall, folks will be blown away by the boldness, width of play and recaptured greens."

Ed

[Mike Benham]

If I were to give you the city this course was in, you would say it is hidden, but we all know about it ... Pajaro Valley ...

[Jon Wiggett]

In the Yorkshire area I would put forward the following:

Huddersfield GC (Fixby)
Baildon Golf Club
Bingley & St.Ives GC
Crossland Heath GC
Howley Hall GC

[Reef Wilson]

a couple NorCal gems I've never heard brought up here

Wildhorse (no, not that Wildhorse) - Davis CA - lived nearby for a few years and always enjoyed the course and don't know why more don't know about it. I guess it got lost in the Sacramento area course building boom of the late 90s. a great variety of holes.

South Ridge - Marysville CA - always has conditioning issues but fun holes snuggled up against and through the Sutter Buttes, the "smallest mountain range in the world"