The most anticipated golf course opening in the last 50 years

[Matthew Mollica]

What has it been -

Sebonack? Sand Hills? Pacific Dunes? Old Mac? Cape Kidnappers?

Some other course possibly?

MM

[Tom_Doak]

It certainly wasn't Sand Hills.  Very few people had any idea what was going on out there before it opened.

Based on the recent hype, Old Macdonald is a candidate.  But, I would say the correct answer is the TPC at Sawgrass, or possibly the Ocean course at Kiawah, since it opened with the Ryder Cup.

[Tony Ristola]

Trump's upcoming project in Scotland. Just to see what comes out of the whole hullabaloo.

When TPC was being built, golf architecture wasn't much celebrated. I recall a short bit by George Peper with a small B&W photo during its construction as the sole bit of coverage of the course during its development.

Post inaugural tournament it sure took off; I think Loxahatchee got far more pre-opening coverage.

.

[Gary Slatter]

Pre-opening would have to be the Links Trust's Castle Course near St Andrews. 
IMHO many now have jumped off that wagon.

Most of our favourites mentioned were not on the public's radar, as Sam Baker's newsletter says
"Golf news for those that get it"   which is very clever.

Of course Trump's Aberdeen project is getting a long loud pre-opening.

[Scott Warren]

The Lost Farm, though perhaps not a competitor in this fight, against more well-known and well-populated parts of the golf world (Castle Course, Pacific Dunes, Castle Stuart etc), is really building some steam up in Aus from what I am reading back there.

IMO the most anticipated course of the last 50 years is likely to be one from the last 10 - with the internet in place to fuel excitement and quickly transmit details and pictures around the world.

[Andrew Thomson]

The Lost Farm isn't in the fight, but the anticipation is fueled by the quality and success of its older brother, much like Old McDonald and it's neighbours.

[Mac Plumart]

As an FYI, I think Tom Doak is correct...but I'll mention...

Askernish

[Jim Colton]

How about Whistling Straits?

[Kalen Braley]

In truth, as for courses that the public actually know about its more likely:

"The stunning/incredible/amazing/awesome/<insert superlative> re-design of <insert PGA tour course>".

  

[Jim Sweeney]

Chambers Bay was awarded the US Amateur with the strong possibilithy of the US Open before it was even finished....also a compelling story of reclamation....could be a strong candidate.

[Ian Andrew]

But, I would say the correct answer is the TPC at Sawgrass, or possibly the Ocean course at Kiawah, since it opened with the Ryder Cup.

Kiawah and the Ryder Cup - I remember multiple articles about the golf course and Pete leading up to the event.
I couldn't wait to see the Ryder Cup ...... to see the course

I remember Pete doing a American Express commercial - was that at the same time?

[Jeff_Brauer]

Shadow Creek would have to be in there somewhere. Erin Hills and Chambers Bay similar to Kiawah.

As to TPC, it might be the winner, for the original opening because none of the pros liked Sawgrass across the street, the first reopening after the greens were rebuilt because the pros didn't like them, and then the second reopening, after the pros complained again and many greens were rebuilt again.

[PCCraig]

Old Mac is sure pumping people up. Which I think that is helped by the fact that 10 holes have been open to many for about a year or so with people coming back here, bloggers, and journalists writing about how great its shaping up to be.

Also, it seems that when various golf officials award big tournaments to courses, that gives the course instant credibility and generates a good amount of buzz (Erin Hills, TOC, Chambers Bay, etc...)

[BCrosby]

As to TPC, it might be the winner, for the original opening because none of the pros liked Sawgrass across the street, the first reopening after the greens were rebuilt because the pros didn't like them, and then the second reopening, after the pros complained again and many greens were rebuilt again.

Jeff - The evolution of Sawgrass would make for a terrific article. I hope someone digs into it someday. Has there ever been a course that opened to so much fanfare that underwent so many changes so soon after its opening and that was, finally, viewed by many as a flop?

BTW, I like the current Sawgrass and do not think it is a flop. But I don't know much about its design history.

Bob

[Tom MacWood]

Muirfield Village has to one of them. There aren't too many new course openings that rate a multi-page color spread in Sport Illustrated.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/8404/index.htm

[Bill_McBride]

As to TPC, it might be the winner, for the original opening because none of the pros liked Sawgrass across the street, the first reopening after the greens were rebuilt because the pros didn't like them, and then the second reopening, after the pros complained again and many greens were rebuilt again.

Jeff - The evolution of Sawgrass would make for a terrific article. I hope someone digs into it someday. Has there ever been a course that opened to so much fanfare that underwent so many changes so soon after its opening and that was, finally, viewed by many as a flop?

BTW, I like the current Sawgrass and do not think it is a flop. But I don't know much about its design history.

Bob

My most vivid memory of the original TPC design at Sawgrass is of Jerry Pate grabbing Pete Dye and Deane Beman and jumping in the lake by the 18th green after he won!  I think it was meant as some kind of statement........

[jeffwarne]

As to TPC, it might be the winner, for the original opening because none of the pros liked Sawgrass across the street, the first reopening after the greens were rebuilt because the pros didn't like them, and then the second reopening, after the pros complained again and many greens were rebuilt again.

Jeff - The evolution of Sawgrass would make for a terrific article. I hope someone digs into it someday. Has there ever been a course that opened to so much fanfare that underwent so many changes so soon after its opening and that was, finally, viewed by many as a flop?

BTW, I like the current Sawgrass and do not think it is a flop. But I don't know much about its design history.

Bob

The stage is set for a restoration 

[Tim Martin]

It seemed Sebanock got a ton of press before its much anticipated opening due to the collaboration of Doak/Nicklaus as well as a fantastic site. 

[BCrosby]

Jeff -

Bingo. What little I know about the the original Sawgrass fascinates me. It must have been an edgy, gutsy and imaginative bit of golf architecture - lost solely because pros thought the course was too hard.

I would love to know more about the original course, the reactions to it, why the PGA caved so cravenly to the players and how exactly the PGA tried to "fix" it. I have this sneaking suspicion that if the PGA had hung tough, Sawgrass might today be considered a great modern course.

I played Sawgrass five or six years ago and they were still "fixing" it. That's not my term. It's what they called it in the pro shop the day I played. A shame.

Bob

 

[John Moore II]

For me, I could give a freak less about Old Mac, Sebonack or any of the rest. My most anticipated course opening was the new course at NC State. Thats the only course I've really wanted to get out and play just as soon as I possibly could. All the rest, ehhh, whatever.

[Mike_Trenham]

Most anticipated remodel or restoration has to be Bethpage Black.

Most anticiated new course Ocean Course tight schedule to be ready for the War at the Shore made worse by Hurricane Hugo. 

The early opening in Old MacDonald disqualifies it in my book the mystery is much less.  The treads in GCA on other famous renovations also disqualifies them.

[Kevin Pallier]

I would have thought the most anticipated could be those that can be played by the wider golfing public.

Lost Farm or Barnbougle would probably get that nod in Aust. as for the US I couldn't comment.

[Ash Towe]

The media opportunities change daily.  as a result I would say Old MacDonald and on this sight Lost Farms is a contender.

[Anthony Gray]

Pre-opening would have to be the Links Trust's Castle Course near St Andrews. 
IMHO many now have jumped off that wagon.

Most of our favourites mentioned were not on the public's radar, as Sam Baker's newsletter says
"Golf news for those that get it"   which is very clever.

Of course Trump's Aberdeen project is getting a long loud pre-opening.

  This has to be the one. My GOD it is St Andrews. Did it live up to expectations? How could it. Gary Slater knows golf.

   Anthony

[Kalen Braley]

I think this thread pretty much proves that this is only relevant for GCA.com types