Ultimate 18 - under $100

[Bill Satterfield]

Matt Ward commented on the Ultimate 18 thread that he thought it would be a good idea to do a list that consisted of only public courses and ones that preferably had a green fee under $150.  So I took a little bit of time tonight and compiled a quick list that met the Ultimate 18 criteria (courses you've play, only one hole per course, measure from the tips, hole number on fantasty course has to match the hole number of the real course, par 72) and featured only courses where the green fee was under $100.  I will start a new thread of public courses over $100 green fees and the ultimate 18 I would associate with that.  Here we go:

1   Valley View (Layton, UT)   447 yard Par 4
2   Creek at Qualchan (Spokane, WA)   398 yard Par 4
3   Old Works   587 yard Par 5
4   Circling Raven   406 yard Par 4
5   Falcon Crest   212 yard Par 3
6   Green Spring (Washington, UT)   449 yard Par 4
7   Whitefish South   195 yard Par 3
8   Pinecrest (Idaho Falls, ID)   435 yard Par 4
9   Gold Mountain   621 yard Par 5
10   Indian Canyon (Spokane, WA)   443 yard Par 4
11   Harbour Pointe (Mukilteo, WA)   394 yard Par 4
12   Thanksgiving Point 436 yard Par 4
13   Devils Thumb   414 yard Par 4
14   Redlands Mesa   370 yard Par 4
15   Desert Canyon (Orondo, WA)   690 yard Par 5
16   Big Mountain   193 yard Par 3
17   Apple Tree   180 yard Par 3
18   Lakota Canyon (New Castle, CO)   557 yard Par 5
         
   Front Nine   3750   36
   Back Nine   3677   36
   Total   7427   72


Yes, for all of you haters out there I have featured an island green (#17 Apple Tree).  What can I say, it's fun to play and makes for nice pictures 

[Mike Nuzzo]

Ok mr. challenge maybe fun for you to play.
Do you have a ping driver with a loft of 4 deg too?
what is with the par 72?
Cheers

[Phil_the_Author]

Interesting... not a single hole from Bethpage, Black, Red or otherwise...

[Sean Leary]

Interesting... not a single hole from Bethpage, Black, Red or otherwise...

All of his courses are in thhe west/nw. I am guessing perhaps he hasn't been there.

[Mark Bourgeois]

Interesting... not a single hole from Bethpage, Black, Red or otherwise...

All of his courses are in thhe west/nw. I am guessing perhaps he hasn't been there.

Nor, apparently, outside the US. So: "Ultimate 18 in a Not Necessarily Contiguous US Mountain and Pacific Region."

EDIT that was an incomplete qualification: "Ultimate 18 in a Not Necessarily Contiguous US Mountain and Pacific Region, Since 1945 -- Public (Under $100)."

[Cliff Hamm]

Lawsonia Links 1 thru 18

[Jimmy Muratt]

For $100 you could play nearly three rounds at Wild Horse....it doesn't get any better than that.

[Matt_Ward]

Bill S:

Great idea -- I will have my list to you with the $100 cap -- but I will also provide one that goes beyond that to $150.

That would permit the inclusion of Bethpage Black which is above the $100 threshold for non-residents of NY.

Godo stuff ...

[tlavin]

In Chicago, this might only be available on a simulator.

[JNC Lyon]

1) Hanover Country Club, Par 4, 415 Yards (Hanover, NH)
2) Oak Hollow, Par 5, 480 Yards (High Point, NC)
3) Cobb's Creek, Par 4, 330 Yards (Philadelphia, PA)
4) Greystone Golf Club, Par 4, 470 Yards (Walworth, NY)
5) Thousand Islands Club, Par 5, 520 Yards (Wellesley Island, NY)
6) Monroe Country Club, Par 3, 175 Yards (Monroe, NY)
7) Ravenwood, Par 4, 315 Yards (Victor, NY)
8. Mill Creek, Par 4, 330 Yards (Churchville, NY)
9) Fayetteville Golf Club, Par 4, 340 yards (Fayetteville, GA)

10) Winston Lake, Par 4, 410 Yards (Winston-Salem, NC)
11) Mark Twain, Par 3, 230 Yards (Elmira, NY)
12) Long Shadow, Par 5, 570 yards (Madison, GA)
13) Kettle Brook, Par 4, 290 Yards (Paxton, MA)
14) Seven Oaks Golf Club, Par 3, 180 Yards (Hamilton, NY)
15) Emerald Bay, Par 4, 450 Yards (Destin, FL)
16) Links at Hiawatha Landing, Par 4, 450 yards (Apalachin, NY)
17) Canterbury Woods, Par 3, 155 Yards (Canterbury, NH)
18) Leatherstocking, Par 5, 515 Yards (Cooperstown, NY)

[Bill Satterfield]

Interesting... not a single hole from Bethpage, Black, Red or otherwise...

Bethpage isn't under the $100 cap unless you are a NY resident.  I've played the Black course and the 4th hole from there was on my Ultimate 18 list that included all public and private courses.

[Bill Satterfield]

Interesting... not a single hole from Bethpage, Black, Red or otherwise...

All of his courses are in thhe west/nw. I am guessing perhaps he hasn't been there.

Nor, apparently, outside the US. So: "Ultimate 18 in a Not Necessarily Contiguous US Mountain and Pacific Region."

EDIT that was an incomplete qualification: "Ultimate 18 in a Not Necessarily Contiguous US Mountain and Pacific Region, Since 1945 -- Public (Under $100)."

I'm 31 years old, been married 10 1/2 years, and have five kids (ages 8, 6, 4, 2 and 4 months).  Haven't exactly been in position to play internationally yet.  I've played over 300 courses so far and didn't pick up golf until after I was married so I figure I've done pretty good in a relatively short time period.  I've played a limited amount of golf on the east coast and since I have pretty good access to private courses I haven't played courses that would fit in the criteria of this exercise out east.

[Bill Satterfield]

Ok mr. challenge maybe fun for you to play.
Do you have a ping driver with a loft of 4 deg too?
what is with the par 72?
Cheers

Not a Ping, I'm more of a TaylorMade guy when it comes to drivers; I ought to give the 4 degree a try though  .  The par 72 is simply a qualification of trying to make the "fantasy" course as close to "normal" as possible.  Obviously there are plenty of par 71s, 70s, some 73s, etc.  The extra constraint just makes it all the more challenging when trying to select the holes you'd put on your course.

[Carl Rogers]

At Riverfront holes 3 (par 4.5), 4 (medium short par 3), 12 (long par 4), 13 (medium length par 3), 14 (par 5) & 15 (medium to short par 4) match up with any holes on this thread for the course green fee.

[Phil_the_Author]

Bill,

By any stabndard, the 1st and 15th holes on Bethpage Red and the 2nd hole on Bethpage Blue, both of which are under $100, shoyuld be given STRONG consideration.

As far as non-residents of the Black having to pay more than $100; more than 70% of all rounds on the Black are played by residents for less than $100. Based upon that I think it should be included within your parameters...

[Patrick Hodgdon]

Interesting... not a single hole from Bethpage, Black, Red or otherwise...

All of his courses are in thhe west/nw. I am guessing perhaps he hasn't been there.

Nor, apparently, outside the US. So: "Ultimate 18 in a Not Necessarily Contiguous US Mountain and Pacific Region."

EDIT that was an incomplete qualification: "Ultimate 18 in a Not Necessarily Contiguous US Mountain and Pacific Region, Since 1945 -- Public (Under $100)."

I'm 31 years old, been married 10 1/2 years, and have five kids (ages 8, 6, 4, 2 and 4 months).  Haven't exactly been in position to play internationally yet.  I've played over 300 courses so far and didn't pick up golf until after I was married so I figure I've done pretty good in a relatively short time period.  I've played a limited amount of golf on the east coast and since I have pretty good access to private courses I haven't played courses that would fit in the criteria of this exercise out east.

I say well done to the 5 kids and the 300 courses since the marriage. I'd be pretty happy with both at age 31! Hats of to you Bill.

[Ronald Montesano]

I admire the guys who can somehow pare down their course lists to 18 great holes.  I've played so many courses for under $100 that there is no way I could do so.  Nor, sadly, can I see the value in it, other than measuring of the eternal organ.  What do you do, say, for a course that charges over $100 during peak times and less than $100 during twilight/off-season?

I will admit that JNC_Lyon has as varied a group of holes from the east coast, although I disagree with the choice of Leatherstocking's 18th.  I hated the drive, wasn't enamored of the second shot, liked the approach and loved the green.  That would add up to and divide into an average hole, despite the scenery.  I would put Victoria Hills' 18th  (Deland, Florida), also a par five, in its place.

[JNC Lyon]

I'm surprised that you hated the tee shot on 18 at Leatherstocking.  Sure, it is easy to get a little seasick standing on the island tee.  I, for one, was concerned about the driver flying out of my hands into the lake.  However, on a course that is a relatively easy driving test, this final drive across the lake is a great test of one's mettle.  If one is confident in his swing, then he can take a line to the left, chomp off the lake, and try to get home in two.  Otherwise, you are bailing right.  However, a person with no confidence who blocks one right will find trees and and a brook.  The tee shot is a heroic way to finish, and it is anything but an average hole in my mind.

I am glad you enjoyed my list otherwise.  It is a very motley group of courses overall, and some are unknown to GCA types.  However, I would recommend each course, because they all have some unique and compelling architecture beyond the holes that I listed.

[Jaeger Kovich]

JNC - I like your #11 pick at Mark Twain... a truly hidden Ross gem!

[JNC Lyon]

JNC - I like your #11 pick at Mark Twain... a truly hidden Ross gem!

Thanks,  I need to get back down there sometime soon.  Mark Twain is a little bare bones, but it has a fantastic set of Ross greens.

[Kyle Harris]

1: Bethpage Red, Bethpage, NY 470 Yards
2: Bethpage Green, Bethpage, NY 330 yards
3. Macullough's Emerald Links, Ocean City, PA 520 yards
4. Galen Hall Golf Course, Wernersville, PA 180 yards
5. Reading Country Club, Exeter, PA 510 yards
6.
7. Penn State Golf Courses (White), State College, PA 180 yards
8.
9. Penn State Golf Courses (Blue), State College, PA 520 yards
10. Middletown Country Club, Langhorne, PA 220 yards
11. Paxon Hollow Golf Club, Marple, PA 490 yards
12. Cobbs Creek (Olde), Philadelphia, PA 440 yards
13. Jeffersonville Golf Club, Norristown, PA 420 yards
14. Manor Golf Course, Wernersville, PA 540 yards
15.
16. Lederach Golf Club, Harleysville, PA 130 yards
17.
18. PineCrest Golf Club, Montgomeryville, PA 420 yards

I've got a few blanks... but it's bedtime.

[Michael Huber]

18. PineCrest Golf Club, Montgomeryville, PA 420 yards

I've got a few blanks... but it's bedtime.

Kyle,

What did you like about the 18th at pinecrest?  I wouldn't say its a bad hole, but I also would not say it distinguishes itself from any of the other holes on the golf course. 

[Kyle Harris]

18. PineCrest Golf Club, Montgomeryville, PA 420 yards

I've got a few blanks... but it's bedtime.

Kyle,

What did you like about the 18th at pinecrest?  I wouldn't say its a bad hole, but I also would not say it distinguishes itself from any of the other holes on the golf course. 

Very demanding tee shot with the situation of the two large trees, and a pretty neat green. I've parred it from all over the map and I've doubled it from all over the map. Plenty of good options that require good golf to get home.

[Tom_Doak]

Some of my best courses under $100 are now closed, because they couldn't make money at that price.

I guess Black Forest, Charlotte Golf Links, Riverfront, Quail Crossing, Apache Stronghold, and Common Ground all qualify for this discussion.

[Matt_Ward]

Bill S:

Saw your list and don't deny a number of the choices you made.

Such as the choices at Redlands Mesa, Desert Mtn (great par-5 hole), Lakota Canyon, Thanksgiving Point and Devil's Thumb -- few really know how good the layout in Delta, CO is for affordabilty, walkability and overall hole quality.

Gents:

I"ve included my "ultimate 18" under $100 for the following three (3) states -- Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. These three states feature some of the best affordable golf one can play in the States in my mind.
 
So here goes ...
 
1st Hole / Buffalo Thunder Resort (Pinon Nine), Santa Fe, NM 631 yds par-5
Just an incredible starting hole -- provides for a thrilling opening tee shot as the hole plunges downhill with a slight dog-leg right turn. Scenery is present but so is strageic calculations all the way around.

2nd Hole / Murphy's Creek, Aurora, CO 494 yds par-4
Demanding hole from both the tee and approach. Ken Kavanaugh provides an eye-opening hole that does grab one's attention.

3rd Hole / Grandote Peaks, LaVeta, CO 200 yds par-3
Gets little attention in recent years but the Weiskopf / Moorish layout is still worth a play and look. The hole plays back into the prevailing wind. Green is angled with bunker protection on the right side.
 
4th Hole / Lakota Canyon Ranch, New Castle, CO 557 yds par-5
There are a number of fun holes at the Jim Engh designed Lakota Canyon Ranch but the donwhill then uphill par-5 4th is one of the best par-5 holes I have played. There are no bunkers on the hole and you tee off from an elevated area that overlooks the entire fairway area. The fairway is slightly bowled but the preferred landing area is on the left side. The hole then climbs with the green tucked away around a corner of pine trees on the left side. Going for the green is an option with a sufficient tee shot -- but the lay-up area for a short 3rd approach is not an automatic option. The green is contoured with a back-to-front slope and with the edges being cut especially tight. A fantastic hole that tempts the big play but only rewards the well executed shot.
 
5th Hole / Four Mile Ranch, Canon City, CO 402 yds par-4
A number of holes can be picked from Four Mile Ranch -- but the 5th is a great example of a mid-length par-4 that can tackle all types of players. Plays slightly uphill as it turns to the left in the drive zone. Good players have to be wary of going through the fairway. Turning the ball left ensures a good spot for the approach. The approach is tested in a big time way as the green is characterized by a rolling two part putting surface -- the front half protected by a tier that will only reward the finest judged approaches.
 
6th Hole / Highland Meadows, Windsor, CO 456 yds par-4
Art Schaupeter is a disciple of Keith Foster and his work at Highland Meadows is a wonderful play for those who get to the immediate vicinity which is just north of Denver. Tough dog-leg left par-4 that features a somewhat "cape" option. You can cut the corner off and get an even shorter approach but the shot must fly over a left side bunker that protects one side -- push too far right and another comes into pay. Generally plays into the prevaling wind -- the approach is to pear-shaped green that is well-protected by a bunker on the left side.

7th Hole / UNM (Championship), Albuquerque, NM 468 yds par-4
Bear of a hole -- honest -- right to the point - and just one tough hombre. The key is the approach -- plays uphill to a narrow green which is nearly 50 yards in length but not more than 25 yards across. Often plays downwind but even with that edge the hole still gives little quarter -- truly the #1 handicap hole at UNM / Championship.

8th Hole / Redlands Mesa, Grand Junction, CO 164 yds, par-3
Shallow green to a short target that starts from an elevated tee to a target just across H20. Requires total finesse to land it close and no less attention when reaching the putting green.
 
9th Hole / Devil's Thumb, Delta CO 436 yds par-4
Course finished 2nd to Rustic Canyon when Digest rated best new candidates several years ago and few really have heard about the layout. The 9th is a deceptional oriented par-4 that invites the bold play off the tee but one must deal with an H20 pond that creeps close enough to grab the slightest push off the tee. The further left you go the longer the approach which must also cross H20 which cuts across the front section of the green.

10th Hole / Black Mesa, LeMesiila, NM 457 yds par-4
Just a superb opening hole for the inner half. The tee shot offers a spectacular vista of the course's namesake in the nearby view along with views of Los Alamos in the far distance. The key to success here is successfully bending your tee shot to find the right-to-left slot that can propel one's balls far down the fairway. The fairway turns abruptly so the slightest push off the tee will mean a very rude fate. There is more room left than the viewing area off the tee provides. The green is neatly angled diagonally from lower left to top right. Bunkers protect the far right and a hillside can serve as a worthy ally to bounce shots off from. The toughest pin is in the front because the approach must land as softly and quickly as a fighter jet landing on an aircraft carrier. The green hugs the countryside and the combination of natural scenery plus top shelf strategic implications makes for a grand hole.

11th Hole / Riverdale (The Dunes), Brighton, CO 544 yds par-5
Great example of what par-5 holes should be. Birdies are possible but never simply given away. Just a solid hole time after time. Nicely situated here between two of the most demanding par-4's one can play.

12th Hole / Antler Creek, Falcon, CO 538 yds par-4
No misprint here -- it's a ball busting par-4 that will do what Jaws did to swimmers -- swallow them. Hole is shaped like a question mark -- requires a long tee shot to a fairway that turns to the left. A slightly pulled shot is deadsville -- even after hitting the fairway the approach must be played across wild grass and other debris to a green with just enough pitch to keep all player's honest.
 
13th Hole / Sand Hollow, Hurricane, UT 323 yds par-4
Hats off to architect John Fought -- tour de force risk-and-reward short par-4 with the added benefit of stellar scenery. The tee shot invites a range of options for the player to ponder. Can be driven but the shot must be archer straight -- avoiding a solitary bunker to the left and dead-inducing cliff that can proide the siren's call for one's golf ball.

14th Hole / Pinon Hills, Farmington, NM 348 yds par-4
Few people likely will single out this hole but it presents a slew of options and various challenges at this fine taxpayer-owned layout in the NW corner of NM. Given its location on the scorecard players may attempt the big tee shot to reap a huge reward but the execution must be flawless -- the slightest pull / hook will find H20 -- and the green is protected well by bunkers.
 
15th Hole / Paa-Ko Ridge, Sandia, NM 640 yds par-5
Callled "turquoise trail" the hole demands an accuate tee shot that features a bowled-shape fairway -- best side is the left but tee ball must combine accuracy and power. Hole descends about 100 feet from the tee and can be reached in two blows but water forces one to think carefully about how aggressive you can be. Possible birdie hole but can quickly become troublesome with any serious miss that's made along its full length.
 
16th Hole / Cougar Canyon, Trinidad, CO 163 yds par-3
The island green concept has been done too many times since Pete Dye introduced the island green at the TPC / Sawgass. Here you have a green which sits on a small plateau and which falls-off in a number of directions. The pin can be placed in a variety of demanding spots -- especially when placed near any ledge. A possible birdie hole with one swing -- it's also a mean enough hole for a quick DB or TB.
 
17th Hole / CommonGround, Aurora, CO 243 yds par-3
Yes, a layout with back-to-back par-3 holes. CommonGround's most challenging of the five par-3 holes. Looks quite simple but that is where the demands begin. The long requires a highly skilled approach -- a pull will be grabbed by abunker complex to the left -- finish too far right and the pitch to the green is not an automatic by any means. If there's any option it's finishing immediately in front of the hole. Tough green too if you are not near the pin with your approach.

18th Hole / The Hideout, Monticello, UT 457 yds par-4
Great ending hole -- plays downhill with a creek that intrudes in a parallel fashion from the left side. The more you play down the left side the easier the angle but the creek becomes more and more of an issue to avoid. Hit down the right side avoids the creek but then you are left with a delicate shot over a pond that fronts the green on a diagonla fashion. Green is well-positioned and appropriartely contoured. Plenty of possibilities from birdie to high scores can happen there.


Out = 3,808 (36)
In   = 3,713 (36)
Total = 7,521 Yds

PAR = 72

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