The Finest Nines-by Anthony Pioppi

« **on:** February 21, 2018, 12:09:52 AM »

I have been reading Anthony Pioppi's new book: The Finest Nines. It's an excellent book with terrific profiles on the best nine hole courses in the U.S. and Canada. If you haven't picked up a copy, I highly recommend doing so.

Aetna Springs appeared to be an obvious choice for the Top 25 while it was open. However, the course has sadly closed since publication.

Which nine hole course should take its place among the finest?

« **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2018, 03:30:08 AM »

Two nine hole-ers immediately spring to mind in Tennessee: Sweetens Cove and Sewanee.

I've never played Sweetens, but Sewanee (post-Gil Hanse renovation) is spectacular and tons of fun.

Royal Worlington & Newmarket GC (Cambridge's home club) is often thought of as the finest nine hole course in England

« **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2018, 12:08:06 PM »

Sweetens Cove and Sewanee are already in the book.

AP

« **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2018, 09:50:11 AM »

Conley,

Thanks for your response. I realized after starting this thread, that the book has only been out a few weeks. Many posters may not be familiar with the 25 courses that are included. As Tony pointed out both of the Tennessee courses you mentioned were included in The Finest Nines. I also don't want to give away the list, so I am willing to be patient.

Many of the usual suspects are in there like Whitinsville, Winter Park, Gibson Island and Birchwood. Litchfield County, Connecticut was well represented with two courses from the northwest corner of the state: Norfolk Country Club and Hotchkiss School Golf Course. I grew up in Litchfield County and the county is home to many wonderful nine hole courses, in fact the county has more nine hole courses than it does 18 holers. A few other neat little nine holers in Litchfield county include Lake Warmaug CC in New Preston, Litchfield Country Club, The Washington Club and Greenwoods CC in Winsted. All of these courses have been around since the turn of the 20th century and are a delight to play if you only have a couple hours to spare.

Bret

« **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2018, 10:58:46 AM »

I recently read the book and really enjoyed it. I grew up in the Texas Panhandle where just about every small town has a 9-hole course so I have spent a lot of time on them. While these courses would never be considered one of The Finest Nines, they all had their own unique character and I have always had fun playing them.

I have only played a handful of the The Finest Nines so I look forward to seeing more of them. A few of the better 9-hole courses I have played that are not in the book are:

- Starr Hollow Golf Club in Tolar, TX.
- Highland Links in Truro, MA.
- Twelve Shores at Ute Lake near Tucumcari, NM.

I am not sure they are worthy of consideration being one of The Finest Nines, but if you ever get a chance to play them I would recommend it.

« **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2018, 11:02:31 AM »

Did Gleneagles in SF make the grade? That was my favorite public when I lived there in the late 1980s.

« **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2018, 11:06:55 AM »

Quote from: Bret Lawrence on February 22, 2018, 09:50:11 AM

Conley,

Thanks for your response. I realized after starting this thread, that the book has only been out a few weeks. Many posters may not be familiar with the 25 courses that are included. As Tony pointed out both of the Tennessee courses you mentioned were included in The Finest Nines. I also don't want to give away the list, so I am willing to be patient.

Many of the usual suspects are in there like Whitinsville, Winter Park, Gibson Island and Birchwood. Litchfield County, Connecticut was well represented with two courses from the northwest corner of the state: Norfolk Country Club and Hotchkiss School Golf Course. I grew up in Litchfield County and the county is home to many wonderful nine hole courses, in fact the county has more nine hole courses than it does 18 holers. A few other neat little nine holers in Litchfield county include Lake Warmaug CC in New Preston, Litchfield Country Club, The Washington Club and Greenwoods CC in Winsted. All of these courses have been around since the turn of the 20th century and are a delight to play if you only have a couple hours to spare.

Bret

Bret-Not far from Litchfield County is Highfield Club which is an early 1950’s Orrin Smith design which as we have discussed deserves honorable mention and is always a blast to play with a great mix of holes and different tees for the inward nine. Still operating under an ancient set of puritanical blue laws members must have their own booze stored on site and pay for “set ups” provided by the club.

« **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2018, 09:53:36 PM »

Tim:

Have not played the other two but Highland Links is an eminently fun layout.

Jim: Gleneagles was up for consideration. I've played it and enjoyed it but from multiple reports the condition is nothing short of atrocious, which is really too bad.

Anthony

« **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2018, 11:33:50 PM »

Anthony,

I am curious how many time you went to the golf courses to walk or play them. How often did you look at the Routings and the holes while you were writing the articles and talking about the holes.

Thanks,

Angela

« **Reply #9 on:** February 24, 2018, 06:07:34 AM »

Highland Links in Truro (nearly to Provincetown on Cape Cod) is an enjoyable course, a throwback, a sand-based gem, but it is not in the top 25 9-hole courses. It has average holes (1 and 7-9) that don't stand up against gems like 2-6. I would tell EVERYONE to play it if given the opportunity, especially in the morning mist or in the evening gloaming. Its location is spectacular and the ambiance is a return to a simpler time.

« **Reply #10 on:** February 24, 2018, 09:14:52 AM »

I wonder if Hay Harbor got a nod? The second hole alone should put it in the mix.

« **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2018, 09:28:00 AM »

Just ordered on Amazon!!!

Thanks for the heads up

« **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2018, 04:14:06 PM »

Is Kahuku in Oahu on the list? I just stopped in there might before last. Extremely scruffy conditions but a beautiful spot.

« **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2018, 05:39:57 PM »

Anthony's book is a good read - very descriptive and well put together. I received my autographed copy a few weeks ago and was pleased by it.

Two friends of mine (one's 84 and always shoots south of that number around our course) lived in Cincinnatti for a number of years and they say Wyoming GC is quite good.

We have a few early courses in our area that were built by this guy and they are enjoyable, so I'm guessing his Pottawatomie GC in Illinois is probably similar to them (I also love that name).

*RTJ Sr -1930

« **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2018, 08:40:12 PM »

Thanks for all of the responses.

Tim: Hay Harbor is not included in the book, but I agree Highfield in Middlebury, CT is also a very fine nine hole course.

Tom: Kahuku is included in the book. The way I read this chapter was that Anthony was heavily relying on Zac Blair's experience there. After the basic history is laid out this chapter reads much like an interview. The pictures look great, even if a little rough around the edges.

Jim: Is that Robert Trent Jones Sr.?

Bret

« **Reply #15 on:** February 25, 2018, 11:12:07 AM »

Tom:

Kahuku has a fascinating history. Check out the chapter. The layout was destroyed twice, once by a rodeo and once because of the Second World War.

Thank you for the support, Jack!

Anthony

« **Reply #16 on:** February 25, 2018, 02:19:27 PM »

Angela:

Apologies for not answering your questions sooner.

Over the years I visited 19 of the 25 courses in the book. I polled a number of people in the golf business for their nominations and then looked at all available images of the courses I could find, drawings, aerials, historic photos, etc. For most of the writing process I had that information in front of me as well as the notes I took talking with people familiar with the layout, so for instance, Zac Blair and Mark Rolfing with regards to Kahuku. For Glenboro Golf & Country Club, I talked with golf course shaper Riley Johns, who had spent a considerable amount of time assessing the design, as well as two longtime members.

« **Reply #17 on:** February 25, 2018, 07:38:17 PM »

I have enjoyed reading Tony's excellent book. I hope to visit Hooper and Culver later this year. Enjoyed GCA highlights of the 25 nines, but also enjoyed the info re local color, cafes, etc.

Note to Tony regarding Union Square Barnes & Noble, NY product placement.

Just when you get off the 3rd floor escalator and bear left, the golf books appear. Finest Nines is right at eye level
Can't miss it....

« **Reply #18 on:** February 26, 2018, 10:02:38 AM »

Mark:

Thanks for the kind words. I hope you get to play those Finest Nines, and many more.

That is great news about Barnes and Noble, thanks for passing it along!

TP

« **Reply #19 on:** February 28, 2018, 11:41:56 AM »

Anthony,

Just purchased this for my dad for his birthday. I'm sure he will love it. BTW did you look at the 10 hole course at The Quarry at La Quinta by chance? I haven't played it, but 2 buddies rave about it.

Keep up the great work and look forward to an international edition.

JS

« **Reply #20 on:** February 28, 2018, 05:14:18 PM »

Jeff:

Thanks for making the purchase. I hope he enjoys it.

No one ever mentioned the La Quinta course to me when I was researching the book, but thanks for the tip.

Anthony

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