Most Stunningly Beautiful Course In the World?

« **on:** July 08, 2008, 05:03:01 PM »

Yesterday one of my playing partners said he had played the "most stunningly beautiful course in the world". Quite a statement, don't you think?
He went on for a couple of holes describing the unrelenting beauty of this architectural masterpiece and how nothing he had ever played could compare to it.
I could be accurately described as a "hit and run golfer" when I travel - I usually play them once, and move on to something new. When it comes to this kind of "golf eye candy" I usually think of Mauna Lani with the green grass and black lava or something like Troon North. Maybe even Old Head on the right day.
Here's the course my playing partner raved about:
www.golfwolfcreek.com
Golf eye-candy....what do you think?

« **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2008, 05:05:50 PM »

Ruggedly beautiful....but I don't know about stunningly.

« **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2008, 05:07:03 PM »

please see vegas thread.......

« **Reply #3 on:** July 08, 2008, 05:07:35 PM »

eye of the beholder....

« **Reply #4 on:** July 08, 2008, 05:22:50 PM »

Jon - I didn't get a chance to look at the Vegas thread - could have posted this there.
Looks like Wolf Creek is getting a variety of mixed reviews - as usually happens here.
Doug

« **Reply #5 on:** July 08, 2008, 05:29:15 PM »

Tortured is more like it. I know Matt likes it but I'm suspect of a place that if you turn the water off, in a month you wouldn't know a golf course was once there.

I played Worf Creek and after my round asked the head pro, laughingly, if any psycho had ever tried to walk the course. To my complete surprise he said yes. A triathlon runner from LA came out once and said he was going to walk the course with his wife as she drove a cart with his clubs on it. The pro said the guy was exhausted and riding in the cart by the turn.

Stunningly beautiful?? Old Head, Cape Kidnappers, Kauri Cliffs, County Down, Cypress, Gleneagles (even though it's inland!). All Bo Derek 11s.

JC

« **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2008, 05:35:54 PM »

Looks real busy...

in the visual sense...

I would not call it stunningly beautiful.

But some may.

« **Reply #7 on:** July 08, 2008, 05:42:14 PM »

"Sea of Tranquility G.C.," by Bud Chapman. (If there isn't one, there should have been!)

I'd love to see how it plays.

« **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2008, 05:52:46 PM »

It depends on what you think is beautiful.
My favourites are in no particular order, Cape Kidnappers, Cypress Point, Kauri Cliffs.

« **Reply #9 on:** July 08, 2008, 05:55:57 PM »

I've not been to Australia or New Zealand so I can't comment on that part of the globe just yet but it's hard to beat Old Head for the overall setting.

And for those who've heard me say this time and again -- Wolf Creek is indeed like playing golf on Mars ! I guess for those who prefer Earth the need to go to Mars (Wolf Creek) may not be someone's cup of tea or golf.

I also second what Ash said about Cypress Point.

« **Reply #10 on:** July 08, 2008, 06:16:44 PM »

Matt,
Hope to see you in this part of the world soon.

« **Reply #11 on:** July 08, 2008, 06:39:56 PM »

Doug,
It is all relative and a matter of one's personal perspective and experiences.

« **Reply #12 on:** July 08, 2008, 07:43:20 PM »

I will bet your friend would really like Stone Eagle.
My pick is still Pebble, standing behind the fourth green and looking in both directions. Although the views from 16 tee at the Plantation course at Kapalua are tough to beat also.

« **Reply #13 on:** July 08, 2008, 07:59:48 PM »

if setting is a criteria - ie the ocean / mountains etc on some holes i would include

cypress point
fishers island
pacific dunes
pebble beach
challenge at manele
capilano
mpcc

have not played kauri cliffs or cape kidnappers but the photos look great

worst course with great views would have to go to furry creek -located halfway between vancouver and whistler

« **Reply #14 on:** July 08, 2008, 08:18:14 PM »

Would certainly throw in Casa de Campo with the above mentioned group.

« **Reply #15 on:** July 08, 2008, 09:47:35 PM »

Wayne - I would not throw in CdC. It's tremendous course but stunning beautiful course in the world??? Not by a long shot. With a select number of ocean holes, level terrain and an abundance of housing it doesn't qualify. Architecturally it ranks right up there (I love the course) but pales in a beauty contest to others listed above. JC

« **Reply #16 on:** July 08, 2008, 10:40:07 PM »

Cape Kidnappers is the most stunningly beautiful course I've set foot on.

« **Reply #17 on:** July 08, 2008, 10:47:57 PM »

Gullane with the gorse in bloom or Turnberry.

« **Reply #18 on:** July 08, 2008, 11:29:20 PM »

Gee, no one has mentioned Sand Hills. The two which come to mind are Sand Hills and Shinnecock Hills.

« **Reply #19 on:** July 08, 2008, 11:38:30 PM »

Quote from: Gerry B on July 08, 2008, 07:59:48 PM

if setting is a criteria - ie the ocean / mountains etc on some holes i would include

cypress point
fishers island
pacific dunes
pebble beach
challenge at manele
capilano
mpcc

have not played kauri cliffs or cape kidnappers but the photos look great

worst course with great views would have to go to furry creek -located halfway between vancouver and whistler

Gerry,

I would agree with you here but would substitute Royal County Down for Manele.

Bob

« **Reply #20 on:** July 08, 2008, 11:55:34 PM »

It definetly different and eye catching. I found it amazing that on the web site the architect wasn´t identified, thus leading me to leave out the big branding names but it looks to have a Fazio flavor...could the archie be an X of Fazio. Must have had a pretty healthy budget also to truck in some dirt. Love the movement though, they had a good shaper that was in to detail.

« **Reply #21 on:** July 08, 2008, 11:55:39 PM »

NSW and Barnbougle Dunes in Aust. spring immediately to mind as would Kingston Heath

I've always liked the setting of TOC and Nth Berwick and of course Royal Dornoch in full bloom

« **Reply #22 on:** July 08, 2008, 11:57:20 PM »

I wish I could recall the course I saw here on GCA. I do remember it was in Ontario, and the pictures were absolutely breathtaking. Anyone know which I mean?

The other that comes to mind for me, who loves mountain courses, is Waterfall CC in Georgia.

We all love seaside courses, but often mountain and lake courses are more visually powerful to me.

Doug

« **Reply #23 on:** July 09, 2008, 02:08:33 AM »

Well, Doug, for me, this course is not ...stunningly beautiful... I am reminded of one of my mother-in-law's favorite comments in comparable situations, "...Well, I guess that's why Baskin-Robbin's sells 31-flavors..." and she's right. One size does not fit all.

My best neutral comment is that this course is striking. I also readily admit that I have a strong bias for links courses. I haven't played Ballyneal, but I think the photos that were posted here recently are exquisite. I also love Oakmont.

It appears that your golf friend has found his nirvana and that's great. Hopefully he isn't too far away so that he can play it often!

« **Reply #24 on:** July 09, 2008, 02:36:34 AM »

Within the last year here on GCA.com, someone profiled a new course in S. Africa that looked pretty stunning. Lots of holes perched on cliffs that soared hundreds of feet over the ocean. Can't recall the name of the course or much else about it.

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