Good memory, Lester.
The “Best 18 in America” ran in February 1965 – with the front nine in one issue and the back nine in the next issue. And both weeks it was the cover story.
The set-up:
“A great golf hole is a delicate conspiracy of man and nature. It is difficult but fair, ruggedly scenic but well-conditioned, risky but rewarding—and sometimes even privileged and historic. At right and on the following pages are nine such holes, the first nine of America's Best 18. Each hole is in the same position that it occupies on its own course and each, through some combination of the standards cited above, is better than any of its counterparts in the country. The holes, which add up to a dream course, were chosen by Sports Illustrated after consultation with three men who have seen hundreds of U.S. courses: USGA Executive Director Joseph Dey, Professional Byron Nelson and Amateur Charlie Coe. While in the final process of selecting the Best 18, Dan Jenkins, an 8-handicap golfer, played them all. He describes the holes, and tells how—alas—he fared.”
FRONT 9http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1076924/index.htm1 MERION PAR 4 360 YARDS
2 SCIOTO PAR 4 436 YARDS
3 OLYMPIC PAR 3 220 YARDS
4 BALTUSROL PAR 3 183 YARDS
5 COLONIAL PAR 4 459 YARDS
6 SEMINOLE PAR 4 388 YARDS
7 PINE VALLEY PAR 5 570 YARDS
8 PRAIRIE DUNES PAR 4 424 YARDS
9 CHAMPIONS PAR 5 538 YARDS
BACK 9http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1076929/3/index.htm10 WINGED FOOT PAR 3 191 YARDS
11 MERION PAR 4 378 YARDS
12 AUGUSTA PAR 3 155 YARDS
13 THE DUNES PAR 5 560 YARDS
14 CHERRY HILLS PAR 4 460 YARDS
15 OAKMONT PAR 4 458 YARDS
16 OAKLAND HILLS PAR 4 405 YARDS
17 QUAIL CREEK PAR 4 459 YARDS
18 PEBBLE BEACH PAR 5 530 YARDS
36-36—72
7,174-yards