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Joe Stansell

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #625 on: September 11, 2011, 01:57:02 PM »

Joe,

Interesting that you put these three together.  Of the three I've only played Bandon Dunes, and frankly this does not make me want to run out and purchase a ticket to the Pacific Northwest...

Well, it may be on account of my own lack of exposure, but I view all three courses as deserving of a top 25, at least on my personal list. And you included Bandon Dunes as an honorable mention on your's, so it can't be all that bad.

Mark Saltzman

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #626 on: September 11, 2011, 02:50:23 PM »
Mark, you've had one heck of a summer, haven't you!  Glad I got to meet and play a few holes with you.  Thanks for taking the time to share your photo tours with us.  Glad you enjoyed Ballyneal so much its in your top 5!

Scott,

Ballyneal is number 1.  Most fun I've ever had on a golf course!



Salz

WOW!  I'm tickled you gave Dismal River (old 201) some props.  Thats some very good company after a great summer!

See you next year!

CJ,

There was no question Dismal was making my list, the real question was where.  Everything about the place is awesome - not just the golf, but the atmosphere, the food, the members, (and even the guy who runs the place ain't bad).

Looking forward to next year.




Mark, it's great living vicariously through you.  Thanks for sharing your recent experiences. Your list personally intrigues me because:

1.  It places Wine Valley ahead of Chambers Bay, as does my own, although I can't quite articulate a good reason.

2.  You dropped Bandon Dunes and yet added both Wine Valley and Chambers Bay. It seems to me all three courses are very, very close in quality.

3.  Likewise, I just returned from a trip where I had the chance to play Wild Horse, which I really enjoyed (despite a lightening delay).  I left wondering whether I liked Wild Horse better than Wine Valley and yet you don't even include Wild Horse on your list. Do you suppose it's because of the houses and, if so, what does that portend for Wine Valley?


Joe,

1: On another thread I rated Chambers ahead of WV.  I think it may be a better golf course (define that as you like), but WV is the type of golf I love.  Right from the first tee I knew I was going to love it.  My list is my top 25 courses played, not the top 25 courses I have played.

2: Re Bandon, see my earlier post, conditions were just so bad that really I should not have included it. I really want to get back out there to experience all 4 courses there properly.

3: I'm not sure why I left Wild Horse off my list, though I am comfortable doing it.  Not sure if the courses I played just before WH impacted my view of the course (Sand Hills, Dismal and Prairie Club, all of which I really loved).  I don't know if it was the houses, though they did bother me, it seems more than they bother others.  It could simply be that there are a lot of good courses to choose from.  Many I really, really enjoyed and I find it hard to believe I am leaving off the list of favorites I have played.  Certainly not a knock against WH horse, though.  And yes, I think homes at WV would really suck!


NB: I have a few possible trips in the works, Northern Michigan, Long Island and Pinehurst.  If any/all come to fruition, expect some changes to this list.

Lloyd_Cole

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #627 on: September 11, 2011, 05:20:25 PM »
Royal County Down
Royal Dornoch
Barnbougle Dunes
Cape Kidnappers
Royal Melbourne West

Merion
Lahinch
The Old Course
Kingston Heath
Pinehurst #2

Western Gailes
Portmarnock
North Berwick
The Alwoodley
Pebble Beach

Pine Needles
Pacific Dunes
Yale
Ganton
Garden City

Royal Aberdeen
Highland Links
Maidstone
Victoria
Turnberry

Great as these courses are the list only serves to remind me of all the great courses I haven't seen... Coming soon to this list, I suspect - Cabot Links.

Mark Chaplin

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #628 on: September 12, 2011, 07:23:30 AM »
Just off to play National Golf Links of America will my top 25 alter today?  :P
Cave Nil Vino

Scott Warren

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #629 on: September 12, 2011, 07:52:21 AM »
Chappers: Couldn't happen to a nicer guy... than Earlington ;D Have a great day.

Matt Bosela

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #630 on: September 12, 2011, 10:07:48 AM »
An exercise like this is fun just to see how your individual list evolves over the years.  I posted my first list in December 2009 and it looked like this:

Quite a bit of Canadian content on my list - a bit less travelled than most:

Oakmont CC, Oakmont, PA (H. Fownes - 1903)
Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, CA (G. Thomas - 1927)
Sagebrush Golf & Sporting Club, Quilchena, BC, CAN (R. Whitman, R. Zokol & A. Suny - 2008)
Westmount GCC, Kitchener, ON, CAN (S. Thompson - 1931)
St. Thomas GCC, Union, ON, CAN (S. Thompson - 1922)

Princeville - Prince Course, Princeville, HI (R. Trent Jones Jr - 1990)
Glen Abbey GC, Oakville, ON, CAN (J. Nicklaus - 1976)
Brantford GCC, Brantford, ON, CAN (S. Thompson - 1906)
Muskoka Bay GC, Gravenhurst, ON, CAN (D. Carrick - 2006)
Bigwin Island, Baysville, ON, CAN (D. Carrick - 2001)

Eagles Nest, Maple, ON, CAN (D. Carrick - 2004)
Oviinbyrd, Footsbay, ON, CAN (T. McBroom - 2004)
Warren GC at Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN (B. Coore & B. Crenshaw - 1999)
Devil's Pulpit, Caledon Village, ON, CAN (Dr. M. Hurdzan & D. Fry - 1990)
Tanglewood Park - Championship, Clemmons, NC (R. Trent Jones - 1956)

Burlington GCC, Burlington, ON, CAN (S. Thompson - 1922)
Lookout Point CC, Fonthill, ON, CAN (W. Travis - 1922)
Cog Hill - Dubsdread, Lemont, IL (D. Wilson & J. Lee - 1964)
Taboo, Gravenhurst, ON, CAN (R. Garl - 2002)
Osprey Valley - Heathlands, Caledon, ON, CAN (D. Carrick - 1992)

Tobiano, Kamloops, BC, CAN (T. McBroom - 2007)
Rosedale GCC, Toronto, ON, CAN (D. Ross - 1893)
Bear Mountain - Mountain Course, Victoria, BC, CAN (J. Nicklaus & S. Nicklaus - 2005)
Hammock Beach - Ocean Course, Palm Coast, FL (J. Nicklaus - 2000)
Osprey Valley - Hoot (Wasteland), Caledon, ON, CAN (D. Carrick - 2001)

Fast forward to today, essentially two golf seasons later, with new additions noted in bold:

Sand Hills GC, Mullen, NE, USA (B. Coore & B. Crenshaw - 1995)
National Golf Links of America, Southampton, NY, USA (C.B. Macdonald - 1911)
Oakmont CC, Oakmont, PA, USA (H. Fownes - 1903)
Pacific Dunes, Bandon, OR, USA (T. Doak - 2001)
Ballyneal Golf & Hunt Club, Holyoke, CO, USA (T. Doak)

Bethpage State Park (Black), Farmingdale, NY, USA (A.W. Tillinghast & J. Burbeck - 1936)
Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, CA, USA (G. Thomas - 1927)
Old Macdonald, Bandon, OR, USA (T. Doak & J. Urbina - 2010)
Sagebrush Golf & Sporting Club, Quilchena, BC, CAN (R. Whitman, R. Zokol & A. Suny - 2008)
Muirfield Village GC, Dublin, OH, USA (J. Nicklaus & D. Muirhead - 1974)

Hamilton GCC (West/South), Ancaster, ON, CAN (H.S. Colt - 1915)
Bandon Trails, Bandon, OR, USA (B. Coore & B. Crenshaw - 2005)
Scioto CC, Columbus, OH, USA (D. Ross - 1916)
Bandon Dunes, Bandon, OR, USA (D. McLay Kidd - 1999)
Sebonack, Southampton, NY, USA (J. Nicklaus & T. Doak - 2006)

Westmount GCC, Kitchener, ON, CAN (S. Thompson - 1931)
St. Thomas GCC, Union, ON, CAN (S. Thompson - 1922)
Princeville - Prince Course, Princeville, HI, USA (R. Trent Jones Jr - 1990)
National GC of Canada, Woodbridge, ON, CAN (G. Fazio & T. Fazio - 1975)
Glen Abbey GC, Oakville, ON, CAN (J. Nicklaus - 1976)

Scarboro GCC, Scarborough, ON, CAN (A.W. Tillinghast - 1924)
Southampton GC, Southampton, NY, USA (S. Raynor - 1925)
Brantford GCC, Brantford, ON, CAN (S. Thompson - 1906)
Muskoka Bay GC, Gravenhurst, ON, CAN (D. Carrick - 2006)
Bigwin Island, Baysville, ON, CAN (D. Carrick - 2001)

So that's 15 new additions to my top 25 in two years.  Four of them were played in 2010 (Sand Hills, Ballyneal, Hamilton and Scarboro) while the other eleven were played in 2011 (NGLA, Pacific Dunes, Bethpage Black, Old Macdonald, Muirfield Village, Bandon Trails, Scioto, Bandon Dunes, Sebonack, National GC of Canada and Southampton).

I'm thankful to still be married ;)
« Last Edit: September 12, 2011, 10:10:21 AM by Matt Bosela »

Mark Saltzman

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #631 on: September 12, 2011, 10:17:41 AM »
Matt,

Fantastic list and nice to see Canada so well-represented.  Interesting to see Scarborough on your list - makes me really want to go see it. 

Matt Bosela

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #632 on: September 12, 2011, 11:13:09 AM »
Matt,

Fantastic list and nice to see Canada so well-represented.  Interesting to see Scarborough on your list - makes me really want to go see it. 

Mark,

Scarboro is a treat to play - Ian Andrew and Gil Hanse re-worked the bunkers a few years ago and the results are stunning, to say the least.  The 18th hole is quirk personified but the course is generally very strong overall.  Get out there if you can!

Bill McKinley

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #633 on: September 12, 2011, 01:15:08 PM »
OK i'll play...  Not in exact order, but you get the gist

Oakmont
TOC
Muirfield
Seminole
Turnberry (Alisa)

Oakland Hills (South)
Oak Hill (East)
Kiawah Island (Ocean)
Kingsbarns
Bethpage (Black)

Carnoustie
Indian Creek
Fox Chapel
Loch Lomond
Canterbury

Scioto
Inverness
Laurel Valley
Pepper Pike Club
Isleworth

Pete Dye Club
The Sharon Club
Kiawah Island (Cassique)
Canton Brookside
Princeville Resort (Prince)
« Last Edit: September 12, 2011, 10:48:21 PM by Bill McKinley »
2016 Highlights:  Streamsong Blue (3/17); Streamsong Red (3/17); Charles River Club (5/16); The Country Club - Brookline (5/17); Myopia Hunt Club (5/17); Fishers Island Club (5/18); Aronomink GC (10/16); Pine Valley GC (10/17); Somerset Hills CC (10/18)

John Kavanaugh

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #634 on: September 12, 2011, 03:32:06 PM »
What I like about these lists is that I am reminded of courses I forgot I had played.

jonathan_becker

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #635 on: September 12, 2011, 06:23:23 PM »

Pepper Pike Club


President McKinley,

Have you played across the street?

Steve Kline

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #636 on: September 12, 2011, 07:18:02 PM »
Ranked in tiers (based on how quickly I would want to go back) (modifications in red:

Pine Valley

Ballyneal
Bandon Trails
Camargo
Pebble Beach
Pinehurst #2
Riviera
TOC

Bandon Dunes
Cruden Bay
North Berwick
Pine Needles
Royal Aberdeen
Royal Dornoch

Country Club of Columbus (GA)
Kohler-River Course
Muirfield Village
NCR South
Prestwick
Spyglass Hill
TPC Sawgrass
Western Gailes

Bel Air
Donegal
Holston Hills
Hyde Park
Nairn
Tobacco Road


Others considered:
Point o' Woods
Carne
Enniscrone
Turnberry
Royal Liverpool
Royal Birkdale
Royal Troon
Crail
Nairn
Tobacco Road

By the way...this is extremely hard to do.


The list above was from July 2010. Here's how it looks now.

Pine Valley
Ballyneal
Kingsley
Pacific Dunes
Pinehurst #2

TOC
Bandon Trails
Camargo
Riviera
Old MacDonald

Pebble Beach
Cruden Bay
Royal Dornoch
Cruden Bay
North Berwick

Bandon Dunes
Pine Needles
Royal Aberdeen
NCR South
Country Club of Columbus (GA)

Kohler-River Course
Muirfield Village
Prestwick
Spyglass Hill
TPC Sawgrass

Most likely to be added in the next couple of months - Lookout Mountain and LACC North.

Mark Chaplin

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #637 on: September 12, 2011, 07:48:57 PM »
Lobstertastic.....a 36 back nine with 3 good birdie putts missed hurt the oppo!
Cave Nil Vino

Bill McKinley

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #638 on: September 12, 2011, 10:30:26 PM »

Pepper Pike Club


President McKinley,

Have you played across the street?

Yes I have.  I like Country but I like the feel of Pepper better.  I would say Country would be in the 27-30 range on my list if I had to get specific
2016 Highlights:  Streamsong Blue (3/17); Streamsong Red (3/17); Charles River Club (5/16); The Country Club - Brookline (5/17); Myopia Hunt Club (5/17); Fishers Island Club (5/18); Aronomink GC (10/16); Pine Valley GC (10/17); Somerset Hills CC (10/18)

Mac Plumart

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #639 on: September 12, 2011, 10:39:09 PM »
Ranked in tiers (based on how quickly I would want to go back) (modifications in red:

Pine Valley

Ballyneal
Bandon Trails
Camargo
Pebble Beach
Pinehurst #2
Riviera
TOC

Bandon Dunes
Cruden Bay
North Berwick
Pine Needles
Royal Aberdeen
Royal Dornoch

Country Club of Columbus (GA)
Kohler-River Course
Muirfield Village
NCR South
Prestwick
Spyglass Hill
TPC Sawgrass
Western Gailes

Bel Air
Donegal
Holston Hills
Hyde Park
Nairn
Tobacco Road


Others considered:
Point o' Woods
Carne
Enniscrone
Turnberry
Royal Liverpool
Royal Birkdale
Royal Troon
Crail
Nairn
Tobacco Road

By the way...this is extremely hard to do.


The list above was from July 2010. Here's how it looks now.

Pine Valley
Ballyneal
Kingsley
Pacific Dunes
Pinehurst #2

TOC
Bandon Trails
Camargo
Riviera
Old MacDonald

Pebble Beach
Cruden Bay
Royal Dornoch
Cruden Bay
North Berwick

Bandon Dunes
Pine Needles
Royal Aberdeen
NCR South
Country Club of Columbus (GA)

Kohler-River Course
Muirfield Village
Prestwick
Spyglass Hill
TPC Sawgrass

Most likely to be added in the next couple of months - Lookout Mountain and LACC North.

Country CLub of Columbus...I like your style!!  Great old Ross course.  Fun stuff!!
Sportsman/Adventure loving golfer.

John Kavanaugh

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #640 on: September 12, 2011, 10:48:03 PM »
CCoC sucks because of having to hit a tee shot out of sequence to prevent an awkward backtrack.

Steve Kline

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #641 on: September 13, 2011, 09:43:47 AM »
CCoC sucks because of having to hit a tee shot out of sequence to prevent an awkward backtrack.

We never had to do that in the two times I played the Southeastern Am. What hole did you do that on?

There are plenty of courses that require back tracking - and far more of it than anything possible at CCoC.

Mark Johnson

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #642 on: September 13, 2011, 09:58:55 AM »
my list (update this for this play and insight i've gained from GCA.   Again, think of the rankings in tiers.  (eg.  dont ask why 17 is higher than 19.)

1.  Chicago Golf
2.  Merion
3.  Sebonack
4.  Harbortown
5.  White Bear Lake

6.  Whistling Straits
7.  Bandon Trails
8.  Pinehurst 2 (Pre-renovation)
9.  Spring Hill
10. Somerby

11. Black Sheep
12. Old Mac
13. Hazeltine
14. Butler
15. Bandon Trails

16. Prince Course
17. Erin Hills
18. Kinloch
19. Pac Dunes
20.  Somerby
20.5 (late add no idae how I forgot)  Shoal Creek


21. Arcadia
22. Oak Tree
23. Koele
24. Irish Course
25. Willingers
26. Merit Club

My wish list

- Carnoustie
- CPC
- Shoreacres
« Last Edit: September 13, 2011, 11:43:07 AM by Mark Johnson »

Shane Wright

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #643 on: September 13, 2011, 10:41:36 AM »
Mark, thanks for sharing your list.  Being a Minnesotan, I appreciate many of the courses on your list, especially where you have placed WBYC as I believe it is that good.  I also appreciate your willingness to go against the grain and be a little different.  I happen to love Willinger's while there are many here who would and do hate it.  

However, I gotta know how and why Pac Dunes is below the likes of Erin Hills, Hazeltine, Whistling Straits.  I very much enjoy all three of these courses, but can you honestly say that you would prefer to play Erin Hills and Hazeltine over Pacific Dunes?  Really?

If Carnoustie is in the top 3 on your wishlist going in, you will absolutely love it.




Mark Johnson

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #644 on: September 13, 2011, 10:58:58 AM »
I probably do need to play Pac Dunes again.   It is still a phenomenal course, but I like all of the other three Bandon courses much better.

I just felt that the other Bandon courses provides more options on how to play the holes.   I wish there were more holes like the 6th (which I think is one of the best in the entire complex.)

Still a great great course.

Hazeltine is just one of my favorite modern courses; not sure I can think of a course that rewards good ballstriking better.

John Kavanaugh

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #645 on: September 13, 2011, 11:12:17 AM »
CCoC sucks because of having to hit a tee shot out of sequence to prevent an awkward backtrack.

We never had to do that in the two times I played the Southeastern Am. What hole did you do that on?

There are plenty of courses that require back tracking - and far more of it than anything possible at CCoC.

I never take a card with me when playing so I of course do not know what hole number.  It was not a mandatory hit out of sequence just a convenience.  One of the finest courses in the country does exactly the same thing.  In attempting to figure out which hole I found this video of who must be the worst golf course reviewer in history. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zhUtyWRbwg

Mark Saltzman

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #646 on: September 13, 2011, 11:15:13 AM »
CCoC sucks because of having to hit a tee shot out of sequence to prevent an awkward backtrack.

We never had to do that in the two times I played the Southeastern Am. What hole did you do that on?

There are plenty of courses that require back tracking - and far more of it than anything possible at CCoC.

I never take a card with me when playing so I of course do not know what hole number.  It was not a mandatory hit out of sequence just a convenience.  One of the finest courses in the country does exactly the same thing.  In attempting to figure out which hole I found this video of who must be the worst golf course reviewer in history. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zhUtyWRbwg

I thought I was the only one who called Donald Ross "The Don Man."  Seems I am in good company.

John Kavanaugh

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #647 on: September 13, 2011, 11:27:05 AM »
If I were one to make lists I'm certain that The Riviera Country Club would make my top 25.  Darian Philo again puts it best in his review:

http://www.youtube.com/user/darianphilo#p/a/f/1/EHv_eUKkmDU

Pete Blaisdell

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #648 on: September 13, 2011, 01:07:05 PM »
The 25 most impressive AND enjoyable courses I have played in America in no particular order are

  Cypress----Oakmont----NGLA---- Shinnecock----Riviera
  Pine Valley-----Augusta----The Golf Club-----Merion--Old Mac
  Pebble----Quaker Ridge---Seminole--Pacific Dunes--Myopia
  Kittansett---Old Sandwich----The Honors---Newport--Old Town
  Salem---San Francisco--Harbour Town--Chicago--Sankaty Head
' Golf courses are like wives and the prom queen doesn't always make for the best wife "

Sean_A

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Re: Whip it Out: Post your Top 25 Courses Played
« Reply #649 on: September 14, 2011, 04:30:36 AM »
Matt,

Fantastic list and nice to see Canada so well-represented.  Interesting to see Scarborough on your list - makes me really want to go see it. 

Mark,

Scarboro is a treat to play - Ian Andrew and Gil Hanse re-worked the bunkers a few years ago and the results are stunning, to say the least.  The 18th hole is quirk personified but the course is generally very strong overall.  Get out there if you can!

There used to be a nice chap on the board who is (was?) a member of Scarboro - Wayne Kozun (I think is how its spelled).  He posted some photos several years ago and the course looked very good - one I would like to see.

Ciao
New plays planned for 2024: Nothing