An Architecture Enthusiast's Ten Year Plan

[Josh Tarble]

I'm going to suggest one that may not need a two-week trip...more like a long weekend.

But throughout Indiana is a pretty good Pete Dye trip.  There's a couple on the list that you can skip, but combine the Fort, Crooked Stick, Maple Creek (one of his earliest) with a side-trip down to French Lick and its a few good days of excellent golf from several periods of Pete's career.

Toss in Trophy Club and the Ross Course at French Lick and I think it's a nice little trip.

[Mike Hendren]

Josh, I couldnt' agree more.   I love the Hill Course at French Lick and believe that Indianapolis has the best collection of affordable publics in the country.   Highly recommended.

Mike

[Josh Tarble]

It's not one you're going to look forward to for years...but it would be a great trip to do spur of the moment.

Don't forget the shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo's.

[Mike Hendren]

It's not one you're going to look forward to for years...but it would be a great trip to do spur of the moment.

Don't forget the shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo's.

Agreed. In fact I've selected Indy as the destination for the 16th annual outing of The Other Senior Tour next spring.  Table for 8 at St. Elmo's. 

[Jason Topp]

Hopefully others have enjoyed this exercise.   As of now I' thinking:

1.  Erie Canal Tour:  Lookout Point to Taconic
2.  LA - son's in school there and I must see the remaining work of George C. Thomas, Jr.  (any left at Whitemarsh in Philly?)
3.  Chicago - A great city with great guys.  Starting w/ Mr. Goldman's stewardship of Bendelow's OF-South
4.  Charleston - w/ an exception at Yeaman's Hall, most interesting grouping of moderns with Bull's Bay, Ocean Course and Harbor Town
5.  Canadian Rockies - Gotta get me some Stanley Thompson
6.  Scotland - The Highlands plus Cruden Bay and Cullen! (Plus a mad dash to Machrihanish and Shiskine?)
7.  Melbourne.
8.  Ireland - Royal County Down and Royal Portrush, then wherever.
9.  Southeast England
10. TBD

Thanks to all.  A  man can dream, can't he?

Tough to beat that plan!

[Don_Mahaffey]

I hope that within 10 years we see more reasons to travel to Central and South America for golf.

[Bill_McBride]

I hope that within 10 years we see more reasons to travel to Central and South America for golf.

I had a great time playing Mike Young's Hacienda Pinella course in Costa Rica last January.  It's really worth a trip down there.

[Dave McCollum]

Ireland and NI blew me away.  So many courses, so little time.  In my mind, I need a second two week trip to catch up on what I missed.  Rich G’s Ireland suggestions are excellent.  As is Ally’s Scottish itinerary through the Highlands/Islands/West.  On separate trips five years apart, I covered similar ground mostly driving myself.  The roads in Northern Ireland are better than the South.  Hiring a driver is a good suggestion.  On your own, GPS is essential in Ireland.  Not so much in Scotland, but I knew my way around much better there.  Bear in mind these comments are coming from an old road warrior who now is simply an old geezer

[Don_Mahaffey]

I hope that within 10 years we see more reasons to travel to Central and South America for golf.

I had a great time playing Mike Young's Hacienda Pinella course in Costa Rica last January.  It's really worth a trip down there.

I know, but to meet the criteria for most of these lists there needs to be multiple destinations. Since Houston is a main connection to much of central and south America, one could start their south bound journey with a few days of the laid back atmosphere at Wolf Point, followed by a month or so playing golf and enjoying the beautiful coasts of central America. Plan it right and you could travel on south and play the Rio 2016 Olympic course, enjoy the carnival, and then head on to Argentina and play at the jockey club. Hopefully a few other courses worthy of a visit pop up between now and 2020.

[Garland Bayley]

I don't think anyone has mentioned my Ten Year Plan, which is to try and make a trip across the pond to play
West Cornwall,
Perranporth,
Trevose,
St. Enodoc,
North Cornwall?
Westward Ho,
Saunton East and West,
Sean's B&B guest

[Morgan Clawson]

Bogey-

Minnesota should make your top 10!

We have 6 very good to great Ross's:  Interlachen, Minikahda, White Bear Yacht Club, Woodhill, Northland, Minneapolis
3 fun Raynor's:  Midland Hills, Minnesota Valley, Somerset
1 challenging Tillie:  Golden Valley
2 expansive Lehman's: Windsong Farm, Troy Burne
Many north woods beauties:  The Quarry, Deacon's Lodge, Wilderness

And if you come-up I'll let you wear one of my extra toboggans:

[Bill_McBride]

I hope that within 10 years we see more reasons to travel to Central and South America for golf.

I had a great time playing Mike Young's Hacienda Pinella course in Costa Rica last January.  It's really worth a trip down there.

I know, but to meet the criteria for most of these lists there needs to be multiple destinations. Since Houston is a main connection to much of central and south America, one could start their south bound journey with a few days of the laid back atmosphere at Wolf Point, followed by a month or so playing golf and enjoying the beautiful coasts of central America. Plan it right and you could travel on south and play the Rio 2016 Olympic course, enjoy the carnival, and then head on to Argentina and play at the jockey club. Hopefully a few other courses worthy of a visit pop up between now and 2020.

That would be quite a drive!

[Sean_A]

You fellows who overlook the links courses along the southeast coast of England - Rye, Littlestone, Deal, Sandwich and Princes - have no idea what you are missing.  It's one of the world's greatest golf experiences.  

Bill:

Perhaps they are not overlooking those links courses.  I took Bruce Hepner on a combined tour several years back, and I think that our visits to Rye and Sandwich spoiled the heathland courses for him.  The heathlands are a great venue, best appreciated separately.

That's a very interesting point, Tom. Can you elaborate?

For me (I'm not saying I'm right), I see the Heathland courses about the serenity, beauty and naturelness of the features. A completely different experience to the great links courses on the South East coast which are more about hitting golf shots if that makes sense. That isn't to say that Heathland courses can't be challenging or have many compelling shots, but they offer something different in the way of an experience. They're equally good to me, but to be enjoyed at different times.

Did Bruce come off Rye and Sandwich looking for tons of quirk, ground game, challenge etc and was a bit underwhelmed?

Very strange that.  I think of southeast England as the best variety golf in GB&I with links and heathland being very complimentary yet each is distinct.

Ciao

[Mark Saltzman]

Here's mine:

1. As much time as work/money will allow, split between Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania -- Targeting 17 days in early 2014.

2. A drive up (or down) the California coast, starting in LA, passing through Santa Barbara and Monterey and ending in San Francisco.  Great golf and the opportunity to meet some west coast GCAers.  -- Targeting 10 days in May 2013.

3. London.  I've played a couple of the biggies, but I've missed so much.  No target date.

4. Boston, Cape Cod, Rhode Island.  Target 7 days in October 2013

No target date for all below, but hope for less than 10 years! 

5. A return trip to Bandon. Need to see it in half-decent weather. 

6. Northern Ireland

7. SW England

8. Something or many in Continental Europe... France, Netherlands... lots to see!

9. A trip through the Virginias (and Baltimore and DC)... No target date but should find a long weekend this year.

10. Minnesota

[Jud_T]

10 year plan of the places I haven't been:

1.  England- I have a resume of 3 courses, the best of which is Wentworth East.  I imagine I could spend a month and not see everything I'd like to.

2.  Australia- Played 1 crap round there on my honeymoon.    At least the diving was good.

3.  The Netherlands.  Can't believe I've never been there, period.  The golf looks significantly underrated.

4.  Scotland, the missing links:  North Berwick, Western Gailes, Machrihanish, Troon, Musselburgh, Muirfield, Renaisance, Gullane, Crail, Elie, St. Andrews New, Cruden Bay, Murcar, Nairn, Askernish, Dornoch, Brora

5. Ireland, the missing links: Cork, Dooks, Killarney, Enniscrone, County Sligo, Ballyliffin, Rosapena, Carne

6. Wales

7.  New Zealand

8. Streamsong

9. Nova Scotia

10.  Sand Hills, the missing links:  Sand Hills, Dismal Doak, Horse Course

[Tom_Doak]

8. Streamsong

All by itself?  Wow, that's quite a compliment.

[Jud_T]

8. Streamsong

All by itself?  Wow, that's quite a compliment.

Either that or I'm jaded... If you're inviting me to Seminole, I accept!   

[Mark Saltzman]

8. Streamsong

All by itself?  Wow, that's quite a compliment.

Either that or I'm jaded... If you're inviting me to Seminole, I accept!   

I'm sure you'll make the effort to play Mountain Lake if you have not already done so.

[Jud_T]

8. Streamsong

All by itself?  Wow, that's quite a compliment.

Either that or I'm jaded... If you're inviting me to Seminole, I accept!  

I'm sure you'll make the effort to play Mountain Lake if you have not already done so.

oh,  good point.  forgot that one...it's always been on my short list even though I've heard mixed reviews...

[Don_Mahaffey]

I hope that within 10 years we see more reasons to travel to Central and South America for golf.

I had a great time playing Mike Young's Hacienda Pinella course in Costa Rica last January.  It's really worth a trip down there.

I know, but to meet the criteria for most of these lists there needs to be multiple destinations. Since Houston is a main connection to much of central and south America, one could start their south bound journey with a few days of the laid back atmosphere at Wolf Point, followed by a month or so playing golf and enjoying the beautiful coasts of central America. Plan it right and you could travel on south and play the Rio 2016 Olympic course, enjoy the carnival, and then head on to Argentina and play at the jockey club. Hopefully a few other courses worthy of a visit pop up between now and 2020.

That would be quite a drive!

Well, I was thinking one might fly to Houston, spend a few days, then fly to Costa Rica, spend a few weeks, the fly on down to Rio and stay for...awhile. But, since you have a year, drive would work.

[Mike Hendren]

Bogey-

Minnesota should make your top 10!

We have 6 very good to great Ross's:  Interlachen, Minikahda, White Bear Yacht Club, Woodhill, Northland, Minneapolis
3 fun Raynor's:  Midland Hills, Minnesota Valley, Somerset
1 challenging Tillie:  Golden Valley
2 expansive Lehman's: Windsong Farm, Troy Burne
Many north woods beauties:  The Quarry, Deacon's Lodge, Wilderness

And if you come-up I'll let you wear one of my extra toboggans:

Morgan, I can't help but wonder how much that Big Orange toboggan costs and what percentage of the price will be necessary to fund former Coach Derrick Dooley's $5,000,000 payout courtesy of last night's thrashing by The Big Ward's Commodores.

Bogey

[Mike Hendren]

Four years down - six to go.  I've all but given up the game but remain committed to a ten years plan, slightly altered.    Very fortunate in the past four years:

Yeaman's Hall
Ocean Course
Comment:  A startling  juxtaposition
Lamentable miss:  Bull's Bay

Teugega 
Glens Falls
CC of Troy
Yahnandasis 
Onondaga
Fenway 
Comment:  Fun, fun, fun.
Lamentable miss:  Leatherstocking

Huntercombe
Walton Heath Old
Royal Cinque Ports
Royal St. Georges
Sunningdale Old
Sunningdale New
Comment:  Heathland trumps seaside in Bogey's book
Lamentable miss:  Swinley Forest and Walton Heath New

Royal Dornoch
Durness
Brora
Castle Stuart
Comment:  Perfect Highlands spectrum
Lamentable miss:  Cullen and Cruden Bay

Remaining plan:
LA - George C. Thomas Jr.
Canada - Stanley Thompson
Ireland (twice)
Australia
To Be Determined / Open to Suggestions  / Buda Cup

I might take 2017 off and actually work on my game.  I so miss hitting quality golf shots.

Thanks to so many who have made this possible.   

[Tom_Doak]

Bogey: 
You should put off LA until 2018 so you will have one more George Thomas course to play!

[Mike Hendren]

Tom, is that a teaser or am I one of the last to know?

Mike

[Ian Andrew]

Canada - Stanley Thompson
Ireland (twice)

I expect a call on the first one ...
I'll have even more comments on the second one after this spring (trip three)