Favorite Halfway House?

[John Ezekowitz]

I was reminiscing on my trip to England because of the "greatest course you've played evolution" thread, and was reminded of my day of 36 at Sunningdale. The halfway house there was exceptional, and remains the best I have ever had the pleasure of stopping at on a course. The halfway house at Old Macdonald is probably my second favorite.

I know, however, that my golf course resume pales in comparison to many on here, so I was wondering what your favorite halfway houses were. Some dimensions I would consider ranking on would be: quality of food, architecture, setting, and ambiance.

[Jim Johnson]

Curious, John, what made the Sunningdale and Old MacDonald halfway houses so exceptional for you?

[Chris_Hufnagel]

I was reminiscing on my trip to England because of the "greatest course you've played evolution" thread, and was reminded of my day of 36 at Sunningdale. The halfway house there was exceptional, and remains the best I have ever had the pleasure of stopping at on a course. The halfway house at Old Macdonald is probably my second favorite.

I know, however, that my golf course resume pales in comparison to many on here, so I was wondering what your favorite halfway houses were. Some dimensions I would consider ranking on would be: quality of food, architecture, setting, and ambiance.

John, I was on my way to the gym this morning and briefly checked GCA on my phone to check for new posts - I saw your title, but didn't have time to open the thread.  On my drive I was trying to think of what my favorite was - by the time I got to the gym I had decided Sunningdale and Old MacDonald were mine.  Once I got to my office I opened up GCA and this thread - I read yours...

They are pretty easily my favorites - I love the settings of both of them for different reasons...I love how Sunningdale was tucked into the really intimate setting and it was completely unexpected.  We stopped and had a sausage and got on our way again.  I loved how simple it was and almost rustic...

As for Old Macdonald - it is hard to beat the setting and I also love how it is tucked up behind the hole and really isn't visible from the course.  It is a great place to grab a quick drink and get on your way again.  The people who man that house probably have one the best views at the resort.  

The last time I was at Bandon in March I played in easily the worst weather I have ever seen there - I was a single as the twosome I had been paired with walked back to the clubhouse after the climbed the hill on three and got the full effect of the weather.  At the house I ordered a double Maker's, played 8, and then went and huddled under a gorse bush with my drink for 30 minutes until the wind and rain subsided a bit.

[Jim Franklin]

Over the years, I have come to conclude that I do not like halfway houses. By that, I mean true halfway houses that you hit after 9 holes. The reason is that they set the table for too much confusion/discourteous behavior at the 10th tee - groups trying to leapfrog other groups, people hopping on right in front of a group that stops for a few seconds after 9,  etc.

For this reason, the only good kind of halfway house is one that is not between nines.

I have been meaning to tell you about this one for a couple of weeks. The "halfway" house at Sagebrush is off the 13th tee box and is the coolest one I have seen. In addition Shiv, the course is among the funnest I have ever played. It ranks up there with the best and is in my top 5 most fun. Anyway, this particular "halfway" house has a flat screen TV with big leather chairs in front and a table for eating as well. Two big grills and a chef there to make you whatever you want. I highly recommend the pulled pork. We came back for dinner later. But the coolest part was the pond next to the "halfway" house had a pier with 6 fly rods waiting to be used. So you fish while you wait. If you are lucky and catch a fish, one of the two bald eagles waiting on top of the trees across the pond will swoop down and take your fish.

You need to visit this place. Fantastic.

[PCCraig]

Shoreacres is pretty great. In the middle of both nines, it's a small little hut manned by a guy usually watching the Cubs game and has an awesome set up of finger sandwiches. 

[Terry Lavin]

Old Macdonald's is tough to beat, on the ocean, just after the magnificent 7th hole and just before the long Biarritz par-3.  It's tucked away between two small dunes and has a panoramic view of the ocean.

[Ed Brzezowski]

Pine Valley?? has to be in the top five, especially with that golf ball collection.

[Sven Nilsen]

Sleepy Hollow, set in the Alpine Meadow, you can stop there after 4, 7 and 12.

[Matt Bosela]

Over the years, I have come to conclude that I do not like halfway houses. By that, I mean true halfway houses that you hit after 9 holes. The reason is that they set the table for too much confusion/discourteous behavior at the 10th tee - groups trying to leapfrog other groups, people hopping on right in front of a group that stops for a few seconds after 9,  etc.

For this reason, the only good kind of halfway house is one that is not between nines.

I have been meaning to tell you about this one for a couple of weeks. The "halfway" house at Sagebrush is off the 13th tee box and is the coolest one I have seen. In addition Shiv, the course is among the funnest I have ever played. It ranks up there with the best and is in my top 5 most fun. Anyway, this particular "halfway" house has a flat screen TV with big leather chairs in front and a table for eating as well. Two big grills and a chef there to make you whatever you want. I highly recommend the pulled pork. We came back for dinner later. But the coolest part was the pond next to the "halfway" house had a pier with 6 fly rods waiting to be used. So you fish while you wait. If you are lucky and catch a fish, one of the two bald eagles waiting on top of the trees across the pond will swoop down and take your fish.

You need to visit this place. Fantastic.

Winner...and I don't know if there is even a close second...

[Carl Nichols]

Several courses in Argentina have great half-way houses, with several tables where (if you want) you can sit down and have an espresso or a full-blown lunch.  They are often designed with pretty cool architecture too.

Here's the one at Jockey Club:




And the one at Olivos -- which is oddly located within 100 yards of the clubhouse (but close to the first tees on each of the three nines):

[Jim Franklin]

Second to Sagebrush would have to be Gozzer Ranch. They have two in the middle of each nine. You can get anything you want. Root Beer float, done. Anything.

[Kalen Braley]

Jim,

While I agree the ones at Gozzer are certainly "fully stocked" and win in that category...

I'm having a hard time seeing how this one gets beat overall....behind the 6th green at MPCC Shore.  Just perfect!!

[K. Krahenbuhl]

Any Discovery Land course or ex-Discovery Land course.

MPCC - Shore.

[John Ezekowitz]

Curious, John, what made the Sunningdale and Old MacDonald halfway houses so exceptional for you?

Sunningdale's is set at the intersection of the two courses in a little valley. The setting is very peaceful and the food is fantastic.

Old Mac's, as others have said, is set in an unbelievable clifftop location and abuts two of my favorite holes I've ever played (7 and 15).

I'd also add that the stop at The Bear's Club in Jupiter is pretty great. I think it is after the 5th hole.

[Tim Gavrich]

Sunningdale's is my favorite for ambiance.

Hartford GC's is perfectly located. You can visit it four different times: on the way to 3 tee, on the way to 7 tee, on the way to 14 tee and on the way to 16 tee (though this one is slightly out of the way). Good hot dogs, good sandwiches, and the convivial atmosphere that that good placement breeds.

[Tom Ferrell]

5.  Old Macdonald - wonderful view but having to backtrack to reach it is a downer (esp. after 15)
4.  MPCC - Both the Shore and the Dunes halfway houses are fabulous
3.  NGLA - Saved my life during a round in heavy rain.  Waited out the heaviest and had a transfusion - and was good to go!
2.  Pine Valley - I mean, talk about tough to beat.
1.  Atlas Golf Club (Guadalajara) - Lulu's Taqueria.  Fantastic tacos, homemade corn tortillas, salsa bar.  GREAT spot.

[Mark Chaplin]

Deal, NJ

Deal, UK

Flossmoor

PV is a great building but not somewhere to linger and banter.

[Andrew Lewis]

Carl -- Many thanks for posting this; Jockey came to mind for me as well.  Nestled back in a quiet corner of the property, it's a perfect, serene spot to have a hot dog and Quilmes while waiting for the 12th green to clear.

Here's the one at Jockey Club:

[Ross Harmon]

Old Mac is my favorite too, but I do also really like Cherry Hills' from an architecture standpoint. Very cool old structure.

[Doug Wright]

I've always been fond of Mrs. Forman's Inn adjacent to what is now the 4th hole at Old Musselburgh. There was a hatch in the wall used to pass refreshments to the golfers. and according to lore the inn became a refuge for Old Tom Morris in one famous match with Willie Park as depicted below:

Old Tom Morris, two down with six to play to Willie Park in the last battle they ever fought in 1882, famously left the course at Musselburgh and retired to Mrs. Forman's pub with Robert Chambers the referee, as a protest against the Park supporters in the large gallery taking judicious kicks at Old Tom's golf balls in their efforts to help the Willie Park cause. With a riot looking the likely outcome, Park angrily told Morris that unless he continued on with the match he would claim the prize money.. Morris declined and Park played on, and after taking the money was extremely fortunate to escape with his life.

[Bill Shotzbarger]

The "Sheep House" at Manufacturers' Golf and Country Club. The Ironmasters is my favorite tournament!!

[Mark McKeever]

Pine Valley

Mark

[Sam Morrow]

I like the simple pisser with a Coke machine. Don't get me wrong, I love a cool halfway house (Dallas National, Flint Hills, etc) but that's more than I need.

[Tom Yost]

[Phil McDade]

Tom Yost:

All are mere pretenders to the throne...