Which living golf course architect is most worth traveling for?

[JNC Lyon]

I always take my time to get to the latest Fazio because I know it will still be there when I am ready.

Which one, Wild Dunes or PGA National?

[John Kavanaugh]

I always take my time to get to the latest Fazio because I know it will still be there when I am ready.

Which one, Wild Dunes or PGA National?

I've never played Shadow Creek, The Alotian or Wade Hampton.  They all interest me and will wait.  I would travel to any of the three as quick as any other living architects work if I were comped or friend of a member.

[Jud_T]

Well,

I'm travelling to play 3 Doaks, 2 DeVries, 2 C&Cs, 1 MacKenzie, 1 Urbina, 1 DMK, 0 Faz and 0 JN.  So there's your answer.

[Carl Rogers]

Now that High Pointe is non-operational, the cheapest Doak in the world must be Riverfront in Suffolk, VA.

[Gary Slatter]

I think we'll make that trip to play Rod Whitman's Cabot Links.  He's become Canada's top Designer in the golf dirt, and we enjoyed having fish and chips with he and Ben at St Andrews while they were researching..

[John Kavanaugh]

Now that High Pointe is non-operational, the cheapest Doak in the world must be Riverfront in Suffolk, VA.

Sorry, but Groupon was just offering a coupon for Quail Crossing that was $20 per person including cart.

[Carl Rogers]

Now that High Pointe is non-operational, the cheapest Doak in the world must be Riverfront in Suffolk, VA.

Sorry, but Groupon was just offering a coupon for Quail Crossing that was $20 per person including cart.

ok cheapest at the regular rack rate.

[Greg Tallman]

Let's see...

Doak
Harman
Nicklaus
 
Mix in a couple from those no longer with us

[Peter Pallotta]

Easy - I'm going with the architect who will grease my palm a little, who'll let me wet my beak, who'll make it worth my while, the one who'll thrown in a few perks, a six pack, a sleeve of Pro V1s, a cart girl; in short, I'm going with the one who will treat me in the manner I hope to one day grow accustomed to.  I mean, really - golf courses are a dime a dozen, there's thousands of them, and every single architect we've mentioned has many, many designs to his name...but there is only one Peter P!!  I figure they need me more than I need them.  

[Charlie Goerges]

Easy - I'm going with the architect who will grease my palm a little, who'll let me wet my beak, who'll make it worth my while, the one who'll thrown in a few perks, a six pack, a sleeve of Pro V1s, a cart girl; in short, I'm going with the one who will treat me in the manner I hope to one day grow accustomed to.  I mean, really - golf courses are a dime a dozen, there's thousands of them, and every single architect we've mentioned has many, many designs to his name...but there is only one Peter P!!  I figure they need me more than I need them.  

Spot on my good man!

[Joe Bausch]

Easy - I'm going with the architect who will grease my palm a little, who'll let me wet my beak, who'll make it worth my while, the one who'll thrown in a few perks, a six pack, a sleeve of Pro V1s, a cart girl; in short, I'm going with the one who will treat me in the manner I hope to one day grow accustomed to.  I mean, really - golf courses are a dime a dozen, there's thousands of them, and every single architect we've mentioned has many, many designs to his name...but there is only one Peter P!!  I figure they need me more than I need them.  

Is your beak already wet P2?

Joe

P.S.  We got game seven hockey action yo!!!!  Let's go Flyers.
--------------------

[Mike Hendren]

Now that High Pointe is non-operational, the cheapest Doak in the world must be Riverfront in Suffolk, VA.

Sorry, but Groupon was just offering a coupon for Quail Crossing that was $20 per person including cart.

Sorry to hear that as I recall you and I paid $17 a few years ago - walking though.

I still lament the fact that the Magaic Spoon cracked that day.

Bogey

[Sean_A]

As I haven't played that many modern courses I don't really know.  I prefer to target courses and/or areas rather than archies.  It doesn't mean much to me to say such and such name is associated with a course except in a general way.  Looking at pix of Ballyneal it wouldn't matter to me if that was a Doak or a Dickhead design - the course looks good and one I want to see it.   I don't travel for archies.  I travel for golf.

Ciao

[Mac Plumart]

I don't travel for archies.  I travel for golf.

Bingo!!  A golf course is what it is, regardless of who designed it. 

[Brad Isaacs]

Isn't Pete Dye still alive? His impact on desgn is incredible and has a portfolio that matches any. Would there be a Doak without Pete?

[Mac Plumart]

JC,

On this website the answers are either Doak or C&C.  We all know when either of those are opening new courses, often times before it is even meant to be public.

Very few know if or when a Fazio, Nicklaus or anyone else course will be opening.

Wow, you have become one serious Fazio honk lately JC.  Seriously, at every opportunity you cite the Doak and C & C bias and defend Fazio.

We get it already...

Interestingly, I've not played a Fazio course to date.  Perhaps you know me better than I know myself.

You haven't played a Fazio?!?!?  No freakin' way!!!  Dude, have some serious fun with it and experience it.  I'd suggest starting with early Fazio work and progress it up to Shadow Creek and then play his post-Shadow work.  Keep us in the loop and let us know if you see any trends, differences, etc.

I have my thoughts and opinions on this and I'd love to compare notes.

[scott_wood]

Rack rate three years ago at Quail Crossing was $39, which included a hat ,,club logo on front, 'Tom Doak Design' on it''s side

Best value round I've ever had.......

And the afternoon round down the round, MAY be the best fazio I've played.......

Pretty good day.....

[Joe Bausch]

Rack rate three years ago at Quail Crossing was $39, which included a hat ,logo on front, 'Tom Doak Design' on it''s side

Best value round I've ever had.......

And the afternoon round down the round, MAY be the best fazio I've played.......

Pretty good day.....

It is a nice 36 hole day, eh Scott?   

[Bart Bradley]

I think it is a flawed question for architecture nuts....

Isn't the answer for a website like this:  "All of them".  If we are students of architecture, we must see the work of a diversity of architects to inform our opinions and to give perspective.  If we only travel to see the "best" courses, can we really come to understand the breadth and scope of the subject?   Don't all architects utiliize features that are worthy of study (even if we learn what to avoid)?  Even the bashers should be able to find something admirable in 18 original designs  .

Just my opinion,

Bart

[Mac Plumart]

Bart...

Absolutely correct.  Students of architecture need to see as much as they can.  Fans, not so much.

[Brett_Morrissy]

Carl:
Now that High Pointe is non-operational, the cheapest Doak in the world must be Riverfront in Suffolk, VA.

There is a Doak course here in Australia - St Andrew's Beach - A$50 - about USD53.50 and Barnbougle Dunes is A$98 - about USD 105

[JC Urbina]

Jim,

For me it would be Pete Dye.

I recently drove a long way to see the two courses at Trump Bedminster.
I also went to see what Gil was doing at LACC and what Kyle did at Welshire.

I wouldn't pass up a chance to see what Paul did in Cabo and Nuzzo did in Texas. It will just take some time to get there.
If I  am close to a Fazio course I usually stop in to take a look.
I have spent some time recently looking at Brian Curly's golf courses.

[Kevin Pallier]

If one hasn't seen a Doak or C&C course then I would recommend they travel to experience one of them. I would also say the same to see the work of one Mike Clayton as well.

[Carl Rogers]

For some of that will be going to Ballyhack on September 16 - 18, a stop in Radford, VA to Pete Dye's River Course at Virginia Tech will be a treat of an experience along the banks of the New River.  Warning: this a course built for NCAA Division 1 golf, a very mean course.

[Jud_T]

Well,

I'm travelling to play 3 Doaks, 2 DeVries, 2 C&Cs, 1 MacKenzie, 1 Urbina, 1 DMK, 0 Faz and 0 JN.  So there's your answer.

Oh and let's not forget a Langford/ Moreau y'all...What's the Fazio course near Quail Crossing?  Plan on heading down that way one of these days...