Just returning from a wonderful trip where we had the privilege of experiencing these four courses (for the first time). Our journey began at Colorado Golf Club, with special thanks to Graham Cliff for getting us on. Colorado GC was a very fun round. Coore and Crenshaw did a very nice job of working the routing up and down the natural elevation change of the property, with the flow of holes, and routing in and out of the pines providing a great sense of variety as you make your way around the course. The conditioning was excellent, playing firm and fast. Strategically, lots of decisions to make, plenty of options in the air or on the ground. A very fun experience!
Next up, was the 5 hour drive to Sand Hills for several days of golf at its finest. Sand Hills Golf Club, unlike many of todays newer courses, lets the course do all the talking. The clubhouse, cottages, Ben's Proch, and other amenities are simple and understated, and like the golf course, blend seamlessly into the surroundings. As we arrived late at night, we could not contain our enthusiasm and ventured first thing in the morning on a walk up towards the golf course before being told that after a mile of walking, we were barely half way to Ben's Porch...we returned and grabbed some carts...
While i have read countless reviews on this site, none have truly captured the vastness of the Sand Hills area or the untouched feeling of the entire property. The golf course simply looks like it was made by cutting the grass in positions where tee's, fairways and greens should be positioned (i know it essentially was, however, again, until witnessed first hand, i could not truly appreciate this). It truly looks discovered, not built, and plays as brilliantly as anything contrived by the best of man or nature. You cannot help yourself as you look around wondering where else tee's, greens and fairways could be positioned alongside natural blow-out bunkers, as evidenced from the routing Coore and Crenshaw did with over 100 possible holes that is posted in the clubhouse. We both rode in carts and walked separate rounds, and I must say that Sand Hills must be walked if possible as it allows a constant appreciation for ones surroundings and perfect flow of holes. The landing areas off the tee were, for the most part, generous. The greens require fairly strategic approach shots as missing on the wrong side can mean a tough up and down (4, 7, 11, 13, 15, 17) or a favorable bounce towards the hole (1, 3, 10, 16). As Mike Brown, the starter and also coach of the Mullen Broncos said, the greens roll "fast enough" and keep you on your toes without being unmanageable. I simply cannot imagine a golf experience that exceeds the natural, challenging, strategic, firm and fast experience that is Sand Hills. Even Pine Valley seems more "constructed" than Sand Hills. While I did have high expectations for Sand Hills prior to my arrival, I can only say that they were exceeded. This, to me, is as important a pilgrimage for a golfer as a trip to Augusta, The Old Course, Pine Valley or any of the other "classics".
Next up was the 3 hour drive to Ballyneal. The contrast between Ballyneal and Sand Hills is fairly apparent, as the Ballyneal site almost seems like a moonscape compared to the more gentle rolling dunes of Sand Hills. Ballyneal has some of the more interesting fairway and green contours I have ever played. The green speeds were quite slow for us, which the caddies mentioned was caused by the healing from a recent damaging hail storm. While i have played several of Tom Doak's courses including Pacific Dunes, Cape Kidnappers, Riverfront, Sebonack, and Atlantic City CC, these are the most dramatic contours i have seen on his courses. The site appears to have more elevation change than all but Cape Kidnappers. Ballyneal uniquely seems to grow on me the more i am removed from my visit (somewhat ironically in a similar fashion to Ballyhack) It is a very fun course, with forgiving characteristics for my off-line shots and unforgiving "surprises" when one fails to consider the potential outcomes of an incomplete strategy when executing a shot. As expected, fairways are firm and fast (though not quite as firm as Sand Hills). I highly recommend getting to Ballyneal as i can't wait to get back!
Finally, our trip concluded back in Denver with a round at The Sanctuary. A lot has also been written here about Sanctuary. It was a good contrast to the exploration of modern golf course architectural trends as Sanctuary is more in line with traditional parkland courses, with softer conditions (helpful in holding shots from some of the extreme elevation changes), tree lined fairways and several forced carries. The dramatic shot values from elevated tees make for amazing vistas including, of course, the first shot. It is a very photogenic golf course. The only question i would ask Engh is why the extreme "balloon" green on 8. It just seemed very out of place with the rest of the course. That said, the truly scenic surroundings, untouched by any close development, excellent design and shot values, lush impeccable conditions, and first class service all contribute to the Sanctuary's highly regarded status.
Time to re-write my top 25.