Doak courses

[Martin Toal]

I live in the UK and travel to the US from time to time. I have played many nice courses but never played a Doak course.

Are there any near the big cities that are accessible to a moderately respectable visitor? Or me?

[Will MacEwen]

Common Ground is in Denver, and doesn't have a "No Irish" policy.

[Carl Rogers]

Riverfront in Suffolk, Virginia is very close to Norfolk, Virginia (Tidewater Virginia).  Fairly inexpensive, easy to get on during the week ... not hard to find.  It is a development course, but has some excellent isolated property in the wetlands of and on the Nansemond River.

An early example, some might say a forerunner of things to come ....

[George Freeman]

Black Forest at Wilderness Valley is roughly 3 hours from the Detroit area (one way).

[John Moore II]

I live in the UK and travel to the US from time to time. I have played many nice courses but never played a Doak course.

Are there any near the big cities that are accessible to a moderately respectable visitor? Or me?

Well, there is Sebonack on Long Island, you could possibly write them a letter and see if they are able to let you on. Long shot though. Riverfront is close to Norfolk (though actaully Virginia Beach is the biggest by population these days  , directed at Carl) and Charlotte Golf Links is just outside of Charlotte. Though these are both early works and certainly not on the level of what he has done post 2000.

[SL_Solow]

If Chicago is in your plans, I suspect a round at Lost Dunes could be arranged notwithstanding its private status.  It is a little more than an hour from downtown Chicago.

[Martin Toal]

Common Ground is in Denver, and doesn't have a "No Irish" policy.

Darn, I forgot that additional impediment which applies at many respectable joints.

Thanks for the other suggestions, gents. I may look into some of them when I get a chance. I will be in Chicago in June, but unlikely to have time for a game then.

[Jud_T]

How about a quick drink with the GCA riffraff?

[Carl Johnson]

Charlotte Golf Links in Charlotte is a daily fee course, very inexpensive, and available to anyone, including you.  But I don't know if you'd classify Charlotte as a "big" city.

[Bill_McBride]

A trip to Bandon Resort (Pacific Dunes and Old MacDonald) would be about the same for you as a trip to Ireland for us.  Go for it, you won't be sorry!

[John Foley]

Check out in Heathland in Myrtle Beach - relatively accessible from the east coast

http://legendsgolf.com/heathland.cfm

While there you can check out Stranz work @ True Blue & Caledonia also

[Tom_Doak]

Martin:

By far the easiest one for you to get to would be The Renaissance Club, in East Lothian, near Edinburgh.  It is private but they do allow some outside play by invitation.

[Martin Toal]

How about a quick drink with the GCA riffraff?

Jud

Would love to. I have had a couple of messages from GCA members in Chicago already. Not sure if they were riff raff or elite members, though!

Also starting to think that it would be a shame not to try to squeeze in a game of golf while there too. Problem would be that best day (based on gaps in the conference agenda) is Saturday. How difficult would it be to get a game somewhere reasonable or better on Saturday? Have money, and would pay decent money for somewhere worth it.

[Mike Demetriou]

Martin,
what Saturday in June? It might be easier than you think to get a round in, depending on who is available.  Regardless, there many of us riff-raff types, and maybe a few elites, who would love to buy you a drink.

Mike

[PThomas]

Common Ground is in Denver, and doesn't have a "No Irish" policy.

., but unlikely to have time for a game then.

there's always time for a game Martin

serioulsy , hope you find the time...keep all us of CHicago riff-raff posted

[Terry Lavin]

I could surely host at Beverly, which might be most convenient to Martin, who is staying downtown.  Let me know.

[Matthew Hunt]

Tom, you need to build something in Northern Ireland

[Rory Connaughton]

Well Matthew, its not Northern Ireland but will Ulster do?
Lots of great linksland going to waste at St. Patricks.
Ballydoak?

[Martin Toal]

Gents

Thank you for all the kind offers of golf and beer. I have not be indulging in much of either lately.

I would love to have a game somewhere, on Saturday or Sunday, but only if it fits in with existing plans or does not cause any inconvenience. Sunday is slightly better but will try to work in with whatever works best for my local hosts.

I can grab a rental car - have driven many times in the US and happy to do so, or grab a cab if that is better.

Rory - I have to confess that I now live in Berkshire in England!

[Garland Bayley]

How about a quick drink with the GCA riffraff?

Jud

Would love to. I have had a couple of messages from GCA members in Chicago already. Not sure if they were riff raff or elite members, though!

...

Some of the Chicago members are such riff raff they don't even dare use their real names on here.

[George Freeman]

I could surely host at Beverly, which might be most convenient to Martin, who is staying downtown.  Let me know.

What a guy!

Take my word for it Martin: You don't want to pass up an opportunity to meet the Judge!

[Martin Toal]

I could surely host at Beverly, which might be most convenient to Martin, who is staying downtown.  Let me know.

What a guy!

Take my word for it Martin: You don't want to pass up an opportunity to meet the Judge!

Thanks George. Normally it is a good idea to try not to appear before a Judge, but I think this is an exception to the rule.

[Mark Smolens]

A good policy indeed, tho this one is pretty harmless, except when he's insisting that you have one more cold one for the road/ditch. Besides, he in truth is a Justice, as opposed to a mere Judge. . .

[Mike Demetriou]

I have it on VERY good authority that the only reason he ascended to the bench was in the hope that the number of gimmes he receives in a year would skyrocket from playing partners who hail from, or are connected to, the legal community. 

"Your short game is terrific today, your honor, that flop shot's good by me..."

[Terry Lavin]

Three words I live to hear:  "That's good, Judge!"

Four words I live to hear:  "Pick it up, Judge!"

Never can hear it enough: "Your honor, Your Honor."