GCAers-
Ballyneal - 2, 4, 8, 16 and 17* - one of the best courses possible for a GCA get away (and JK can suck an egg on this one).
Lost Dunes - 4 - great match play hole, especially in alternate shot with Steve Salmen. And it doesn't hurt when you played the course the day before with the architect.
Dunes Club - 8 - played it with Rob Bice, a great hole to play twice in the same 18 hole round, you learn a lot after one go at it.
Kingsley - 1, 7, 15* and 17 - thanks to Brad and Andrew for getting me up there this year, and for the crew on each trip for making those rounds a blast every time.
Common Ground - 3 - really enjoyed my round with Patrick Kiser out there, great to see a course for the first time and have some one equally interested in the experience with you.
Shepherd's Crook - 14 - a beast, my best round of the year was on this course with David Egan.
Skokie - 3 and 11 - two of my favorite holes in Chicago.
South Bend CC - 18 - Brian Joines home course, with a finisher that reminds me of some of the classics, especially the severe tilt to the green.
Blackstone - 4 and 18 - a great end to a 36 hole day with Andrew Lewis, we played 18 twice, because we could.
Highlands of Elgin - 6 - a great course for this year's GCA outing, 6 reminded me of some of the great holes in the dunes of Ireland.
Non-GCAers -
Wild Horse - 3, 6, 14 and 17 - love the course, love these holes, could play there every day and never get bored.
Butler - 7 - beautiful hole and a strong test of skill.
Blackstone - 14 - I lipped out an eagle just before my playing partner drained a 20 footer for his. Great risk reward hole, especially when your squad's total is 7.
Talking Stick North - 2 - love the hard boundary on the left protecting the ideal line to the green.
Old Mac - 6, 15 and 17 - tons of fun to play, tons of fun to see the course for the first time.
Pac Dunes - all of them, obviously.
Bandon Trails - 3, 9 and 16 - love the variety of the holes and their settings.
Chambers Bay - 18 - a great finish to a fun round, maybe not the best 5 par out there, but it capped off a fun day.
Wine Valley - 9 - great driving hole with a green that presents problems from every angle.
Hawktree - a great collection of Engh 5 pars, enjoyed each of them, especially the 5th, where the hole continually narrows on your uphill approach to the green.
Erin Hills - 7 - a very nice addition to the original course (although I do miss the Dell hole).
Warren Course - 5 and 10 - the 5's are probably the weakest set on this course, but these two are always fun, especially 5 with the collection bunker in the front of the green.
Wolf Run - 17 - the claustrophobia of the 3 or 4 prior holes is gone, but it still seems tough to put a good swing on the ball on this one. A strong test on a tough course.
Greywalls - 1 and 18 - great bookends on an amazing course.
Lawsonia - 13 - my favorite on this course.
Mystic Hills - 16 - underrated defined (the hole and the course).
Angels Crossing - 4 and 13 - fun golf and a great crew of locals that have a treat of a course to play.
Cog Hill - 11 - my favorite par 5 pre- and post- renovation.
Thunderhawk - 18 - another strong finisher which calls for a judgment on every shot.
Bayside - 15 - elevation and angles
Tullymore - 12 and 18 - two fun holes.
Vista Verde - 6 - subtle, but a challenging green to hold.
Harbor Shores - 9 and 10 - I like par 5's that sweep to right (9) and the green on 10 is something to behold.
*Technically not par 5's, but definitely 4 and 1/2's