New weekly series: For every poster a list...

[Mac Plumart]

I hope that the entrants are not greeted with "ARE YOU KIDDING?  How can you include XXX at the expense of YYY?"  I'm thinking that there should be a moratorium ond ebate declared for the purpose of enjoying this thread.

Ron...

I thought the whole point of this entire site was to have open and honest discussion about golf course architecture.  Therefore, I hope we get good discussion on this thread(s).  Note the emphasis on GOOD discussion, not petty b.s.

And, most likely, that is your point entirely.

[Phil_the_Author]

Mac,

Cut him some slack. He lives in Buffalo after all. You have no idea what he goes through during the winter, especially when football is being played... 

[Mark Pearce]

George,

Another great idea.  Sean Arble on 2nd tier English courses would be great.  I look forward to the series.

[Carl Rogers]

For those of you learned in the field, I would politely and respectfully suggest you do this.  The site can get a little unwieldy and the cats need herding.

For those of us that are amateur observers, these categories and distinctions give us something specific to focus our attention.  In a big engrossing field, it helps to break it down into smaller more digestable pieces.

[George Pazin]

Okay, we have several more volunteers, thanks a bunch! I think it would be best to leave the lists up to the person doing the list, though of course people would be free to make suggestions to them. People like Tom D and Ian and others might come up with more interesting lists than we can suggest.

Carl, since your thread prompted this series, I'd love it if you signed up - you could do something as simple as the 5 courses in your area you'd take a fellow gca'er to, or even the 5 courses which opened your eyes to architecture or something like that.

Ron, no worries, it will all be fun - or else! I'm sure we will see someone questioning a bold assertion in like manner, but that's often what best foments discussion. I will try to encourage folks through positive reinforcement, such as a paid ticket 'round my home muni...

[paul cowley]

 

[Peter Pallotta]

George - you're a peach!  What a postive force you continue to be on this site. Thanks.

Mac - you seem to be the most positive and optimistic and generous fellow I've ever come across. Good on you, and thanks.

Good suggestions all around for lists.  Here's mine: I'd like someone to do a list of the 10 courses where they've felt most at peace with themselves and with the world, courses where even for just one hole or two they have forgotten themselves and come out of themselves and entered into a state of grace and one-ness and whole-ness, where they have glimpsed the eternal in the ever fleeting (even if just for an instant) and enjoyed a calm that passeth all understanding -- enveloped in awe and wonder and gratitude.

Maybe that's asking too much But hey, if you're asking, that's what I'd like.  Come on, gents -- share a little about what really matters! Cause to me, all the great greens and strategic options and historic surroundings don't mean much (well, okay, they mean a lot, but they don't mean  everything) if there isn't a moment here or there of trancendence...

Yeah, I know - asking too much....but what the hell

Peter    

[Tom_Doak]

Peter:

That's the best suggestion I've seen for a list so far, although I am still taking entries.

My favorite story about Pacific Dunes involves a moment of transcendence.  That first summer, while we only had eleven holes complete, a group of golfers from Pebble Beach came up to Bandon and played a preview round on Pacific Dunes.  They started out on #8 and then #9, but when they got to #10 tee, one of the group was so moved that he suggested they stop playing golf and just walk the rest of the holes and enjoy them ... and so they did.

[Morgan Clawson]

My favorite story about Pacific Dunes involves a moment of transcendence.  That first summer, while we only had eleven holes complete, a group of golfers from Pebble Beach came up to Bandon and played a preview round on Pacific Dunes.  They started out on #8 and then #9, but when they got to #10 tee, one of the group was so moved that he suggested they stop playing golf and just walk the rest of the holes and enjoy them ... and so they did.[/i

That is a great story. Amazing really. The ultimate compliment.

[Pat Burke]

Be happy to do whatever the group likes.
Remember I stopped playing a damn long time ago!!!!    
So not too up to date on the current tour courses  (in response to an earlier poster suggestion)

[Mac Plumart]

Peter...

You've just completely nailed what I am searching for in a golf course and what I've actually stumbled on to a time or two.  One of the greatest post I've ever seen!

"I'd like someone to do a list of the 10 courses where they've felt most at peace with themselves and with the world, courses where even for just one hole or two they have forgotten themselves and come out of themselves and entered into a state of grace and one-ness and whole-ness, where they have glimpsed the eternal in the ever fleeting (even if just for an instant) and enjoyed a calm that passeth all understanding -- enveloped in awe and wonder and gratitude."

[jeffwarne]

Peter:

That's the best suggestion I've seen for a list so far, although I am still taking entries.

My favorite story about Pacific Dunes involves a moment of transcendence.  That first summer, while we only had eleven holes complete, a group of golfers from Pebble Beach came up to Bandon and played a preview round on Pacific Dunes.  They started out on #8 and then #9, but when they got to #10 tee, one of the group was so moved that he suggested they stop playing golf and just walk the rest of the holes and enjoy them ... and so they did.

That seems a bit like picking up Jennifer Anniston (or your favorite hottie ) , making out for a while, then deciding to cuddle.
Personally. I couldn't do it.....

[Jim Tang]

I would like to see Tom D. do a top 10 lost courses/courses that no longer exist.

[Mike McGuire]

George:

I will do a list for you.  And I'll take suggestions here on what list they would like to see from me.

Top 10 routings you did that never got built.   Example: Erin Hills

[Tom_Doak]

I would like to see Tom D. do a top 10 lost courses/courses that no longer exist.

Jim Tang:

I did that list once ... it's in the back of The Confidential Guide:

Lido, Addington (New), Blackheath, Tommy Tailer's Ocean Links, Olympic (original Ocean course), Waddesdon Manor, Bayside Links, Ithaca C.C., The Links Golf Club, Gambel Golf Links

Those were really, at the time, the ten NLE courses I would most like to go and play.  Dan Wexler's book highlighted some others I had never heard of ... Mill Road Farm in Chicago, for one.

And, of course, High Pointe would now be pretty high on my personal list.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Here is an idea for the avid players:  Top ten courses you walked off the 18th tee and played again, either immediately, the next day, or made plans to get back as soon as practical and actually did.

The "want to play again immediately" test is similar to the "at peace with yourself test" but focuses a bit more on the course and a bit less on the other factors that the golfer may consider when thinking of peace.

[George Pazin]

Thanks for all the input. I've had a lot of volunteers, so this is what I'm suggesting for now:

We do 2 listers a week, roughly Monday and Thursday. The lists will be the listers choice, and he's free to do as many or as few as he'd like. If you have an idea for someone specific - for some reason, Peter's idea on transcendent holes made me think of the big redhead - then you can send a message to the person you have in mind and he can consider it for his day(s). I'll try to put up a thread the day ahead, like we did for the GTK threads, and listers can respond as soon as they'd like.

As promised on p1, Jud will lead off, Sun/Mon. Then Kyle Harris will go later in the week (he has indicated he's on a break, has lots of free time and lots of pics!). Tom D will go the following week and I'm sliding Ian Andrew in later in that week. This approach has the side benefit of more accurately following the Ruth/Gehrig analogy suggested earlier.

Bill & Phil will be week 3. Then we'll go Pat and Matt in week 4.

After that, it will be a free for all...

Seriously, if some particular set of days work or don't work for anyone, just drop me a message and I'll work it in.

See you Sunday! Thanks again for participating.

(Apologies to Bob Huntley and Dan Kelly for the multiple smileys...)

[Ronald Montesano]

Mac, you received my message, loud and clear.  No good in my opinion comes from hack jobs on opinion.  If someone is stating a fact and another finds fault with it...fine.  This thread has another purpose.

Phillip, I expect a visit from you soon DURING WINTER.  Then, a second during the summer so we can visit Niagara Falls CC and you can tell me all the Tilly that the course has lost to RTJ and Cornish over the years.

[Ash Towe]

If at all possible I would like to see Bob Huntley's list of his 10 best golf stories/memories/recollections.

[Peter Pallotta]

Brian - thank you for sharing that, I could imagine those golf holes and the feelings.

Best
Peter

[Jim Nugent]

Can anyone think of a good list(s) from Gil? 

[Sean_A]

George

What a good idea!  I would like to see a top Baker's Dozen of the courses around London doable by train - say 1 hour train time plus local taxis etc OR 1.5 hours by car..........by Spangles Muldoon - the guy needs to get involved more.  

I am willing to do a top 9 second tier of England minus ATNOM.

Ciao

[Jonathan Cummings]

For Doak:

Top 10 non-RGD modern courses.

For Klein:

Top 10 you most want to play again

[JR Potts]

Look forward to seeing the lists.

[Mike Cirba]

George,

I'm thinking I could do something along the lines of the 10 best true Municipal courses I've seen. 

That might be helpful to some others here.

I could probably also do the "Worst Top 10", as I've seen a LOT!