[Chris Johnston]

Always!

[Mike Hendren]

I guess I'll have to go with LuLu - not too taxing and some nice quirk with the short quarry hole and the dell. Bread and butter.   Day in and day out.

That said, I really like:
The three shotters at Plainfield
The closing eight holes at Beverly
The loops within a loop routing at Memphis
The strong par fours at Idle Hour
The bold greens and one shotters at French Lick
The seamlessness of Holston Hills
The dicey approaches at Mid Pines

Did I just leave out Southern Pines, Pine Needles, Cherokee CC, Chattanooga G&CC, Mimosa Hills, Grove Park Inn, Mountain Ridge, Belle Meade, Augusta CC and Athens CC?   Nice bench strength.  

Mike

[John Kavanaugh]

I've always found it funny that so many bad golfers claim to love #2 despite it being one of the most difficult courses on the planet.  It's saving grace is that it is so expensive that you can not play it very often.  

I still recall my souffle au coeur moment on the 6th green at one over par.  My putt for birdie found the bunker.  It was the beginning of the end of the notion that I could play the game.  We all remember moments like this in our lives but do not wish to repeat them on a regular basis.

[Tyler Kearns]

Elmhurst

It's where I learned the game from my father, and an affection for golf course architecture. It will always hold a special place in the game for me. It's unfortunately been tinkered with, and could be better, although Ron Prichard is presently doing some good work to bring it back to a former glory.

TK

[Jud_T]

Ron,

Happy Turkey.  Just remember, a large open deep-fryer, a frozen turkey and box wine are a volatile combo. 

[Tim Gavrich]

I've always found it funny that so many bad golfers claim to love #2 despite it being one of the most difficult courses on the planet.  It's saving grace is that it is so expensive that you can not play it very often.  

I still recall my souffle au coeur moment on the 6th green at one over par.  My putt for birdie found the bunker.  It was the beginning of the end of the notion that I could play the game.  We all remember moments like this in our lives but do not wish to repeat them on a regular basis.

That's probably why I tend to forget that I've played #2 sometimes.  I followed rounds of 72 and 77 in the North & South Junior on #8 and #5 with 84 whacks 'round #2 to fade back into mediocrity that week.  It also didn't help that I played alongside a guy named Will Collins, who is a standout at UVA, who shot 71 and made it look alarmingly easy.

Let me add Shennecossett to this list as well.

[Jud_T]

I've always found it funny that so many bad golfers claim to love #2 despite it being one of the most difficult courses on the planet.  

Because we can chip and 3-putt almost as well as you can and finish the round without losing a dozen balls.   

[George Pazin]

I've always found it funny that so many bad golfers claim to love #2 despite it being one of the most difficult courses on the planet.  It's saving grace is that it is so expensive that you can not play it very often.  

I still recall my souffle au coeur moment on the 6th green at one over par.  My putt for birdie found the bunker.  It was the beginning of the end of the notion that I could play the game.  We all remember moments like this in our lives but do not wish to repeat them on a regular basis.

So it plays like that all the time, not just when maxed out for the Open? I seem to recall redanman being a critic of the speed of the greens for exactly that reason, but I may be remembering wrong.

[Bill McKinley]

Seminole.  Do I need a reason?  OK.  The greensites are unbelievable, all of them.  It's pretty much just as Ross intended it to be.  You can score there, but if the wind is blowing, which it usually is, it's very tough, but still fun!

[John Kavanaugh]

I've always found it funny that so many bad golfers claim to love #2 despite it being one of the most difficult courses on the planet.  

Because we can chip and 3-putt almost as well as you can and finish the round without losing a dozen balls.   

They'll make more balls but you only have one heart.

[Mark Saltzman]

Plainfield CC.

Happy belated, D.R.

[Will MacEwen]

Essex County in MA must be a very strong candidate

This is the one that interests me.  Sean Leary grew up in the Bay State and claims it is not to be missed.

[Sean_A]

I have to plop for my boyhood course, Grosse Ile.  There are some issues with the finish, but the bones of a fine course rattle through any abuse folks throw at her.  The greens are still among the best I have ever seen.  The use of hills is very good not only for interest, but for drainage.  Not terribly unusual for a Ross, but the course is a joy to walk (one of Ross's great strengths).  The collection of par 4s is outstanding.

I also like Mid-Pines quite a bit, but it does have issues with drainage which is off-putting.  LuLu too is quite an interesting course that is not quite even in quality; some good highs and some odd lows.  I still wonder if this is 100% Ross.  I have to mention Oakland Hills if only because of the greens. 

Other than Grosse Ile, the course I want to see again is Pinehurst #2, but I can't swallow the idea of the stupidly high green fee.  Plus, the house really irritates me.

Ciao 

[Bill Weber]

I spent over 5 years at Longmeadow and The Orchards and must give the nod to the latter. When I was there the super had done an outstanding job of reintroducing many original design characteristics such that Ben Crenshaw on a visit stated it was one of the best preserved he had seen. It was just a great course to walk and the membership I played with did just that. I returned for the Ladies US Open and was disappointed to find a renovated locker room but still great course. I just loved the total membership experience and that included the minimalist clubhouse lunch only, plus firm and fast conditioning. I can't vouch for the current situation as I have not been back since the Open. It was just a great members course to show up on the weekends throw up the balls, and play, as was Longmeadow as well.

[Chris Johnston]

This is a great thread.  Shows the absolute strength of the body of work by Donald Ross.  A lot of solid picks.

Gobble, Gobble!

[J_ Crisham]

My favorites would be Charles River- possibly the best course in Boston-yes, it's that good ,better in my book than TCC or Mypoia. Winchester, after the first 3 holes-wow! Seminole was a very special place but thought the course was overrated, very nice/scary green complexes, but the piece of property was surprisingly flattish with the exception of the 2 dune/ridges that did serve as excellent green/tee placement sites. White Bear Yacht was another sleeper of a Ross- some tremendous green sites and bunkering. Sentimental favorite is of course Beverly- the club where I hope to grow old! I feel like a kid again every time I come out of the tunnel to the 1st tee.

[Tim Martin]

I spent over 5 years at Longmeadow and The Orchards and must give the nod to the latter. When I was there the super had done an outstanding job of reintroducing many original design characteristics such that Ben Crenshaw on a visit stated it was one of the best preserved he had seen. It was just a great course to walk and the membership I played with did just that. I returned for the Ladies US Open and was disappointed to find a renovated locker room but still great course. I just loved the total membership experience and that included the minimalist clubhouse lunch only, plus firm and fast conditioning. I can't vouch for the current situation as I have not been back since the Open. It was just a great members course to show up on the weekends throw up the balls, and play, as was Longmeadow as well.

Bill- I echo your thoughts on the Orchards as just a blast to play and a very low key fun atmosphere. I had an out of town membership there back after the Women`s Open for a year and absolutely loved the place. The deck overlooking the course under the huge awning is one of my favorites with an awesome view out over the golf course. Unfortunately I couldn`t get there often enough to make it work and my friends are still pissed off about that unfortunate development. I think that 18 is one of the best finishers in golf.

[Dean DiBerardino]

The “best” I’ve played is Pinehurst No. 2. I didn’t think too much of No. 2 the first time I played it. It’s definitely the most challenging “easy” looking golf course I’ve ever played. Having worked at Pinehurst for eight years, I was fortunate to play it enough to understand it and realize how great it really is. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to play the C & C updated version.

My “favorites” list would include Mid Pines, Southern Pines, Canton Brookside and Congress Lake. I really can’t recall a Ross course that I’ve disliked.

Happy Birthday "DJ"!

[Ronald Montesano]

Tim and Bill...AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH I had forgotten about the Orchards. Wow, did I love that place. Absolutely tremendous from 1 tee to 18 green.

[Joe Leenheer]

The “best” I’ve played is Pinehurst No. 2. I didn’t think too much of No. 2 the first time I played it. It’s definitely the most challenging “easy” looking golf course I’ve ever played. Having worked at Pinehurst for eight years, I was fortunate to play it enough to understand it and realize how great it really is. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to play the C & C updated version.

My “favorites” list would include Mid Pines, Southern Pines, Canton Brookside and Congress Lake. I really can’t recall a Ross course that I’ve disliked.

Happy Birthday "DJ"!

Double D- not sure if you remember me but I worked for Schwartz at Morgan Run.  No mention of the other Ross you worked at in OH?

Ive played more Ross courses then any other architect. Pinehurst #2 must be played under ideal/normal conditions or you may not appreciate how great the course is.

Canton Brookside is in another realm when it comes to Ross courses. If you like Ross, it's a must play. 

[Dan Byrnes]

Glens Falls Country Club.  Just a great place to spend a day. 

Dan

[Pete Garvey]

Hands down, my favorite Ross course is Seminole.  In fact, from the time you pull through the welcoming entrance and past the Indian sculpture to the time you depart the property, Seminole is one of the finest experiences in golf.  Certainly the golf course speaks for itself as one of Ross’ greatest accomplishments.  From the superior routing to the inverted saucer shaped greens, Ross’ greatness shines through.  Regardless of the weather and wind conditions, this is one of the best challenges golf has to offer day in and day out. 

If the course is the cake, the clubhouse, the Indian, the locker room, the impeccable service, the outstanding caddies, the stories of Hogan and Picard, and much, much more are the icing and cherry on top. 

Happy Birthday DJR!

[Doug Wright]

Minikahda, Minneapolis MN. The use of the land to site tees and greens, always a Ross strong suit, is prevalent here.
Wellshire GC, Denver. Very interesting to see what was once there and is still there in places; how he did golf courses from topos  without ever seeing the property is pretty amazing. Again some great greensites. And the price is right--$30.
Broadmoor East/West (the Ross holes). Classic Ross; an interesting juxtaposition with the RTJ holes.

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