Places where a modern course is the best in the region...

[Cliff Walston]

Several different threads got me thinking about golf in Houston, my home town, and other places where the best golf in the region is a modern course.  Around here, I think Carlton Woods has the best golf in town, although some may take exception.  In the DFW region, its probably Dallas National, although some might argue Colonial or Brook Hollow.  In Austin, Austin Golf Club also probably tops the list. Outside of Texas, I think only think of Denver's Colorado Golf Club perhaps taking the honors, although I basing this on photos alone over Cherry Hills and Denver CC.  Orlando would be in the mix as well, since it didn't really exist pre-Disney.  But what about other major metropolitan areas where moderns are the best option and why?  The obvious answer is of course the ODG's weren't running around at these locations building courses, but there has to be more to it than that.   

[Mac Plumart]

Could a common link be a lot of these courses are in the South, or at least warmer climates, where the modern advances in turf and grasses have helped?

[Phil McDade]

I know folks who would argue that either Whistling Straits or Blackwolf Run-River is the best courses in what might be called the greater Milwaukee region (they are near Sheboygan, an easy trip up the interstate from Milwaukee). Some might even argue for Erin Hills.

I would not be among those folks.

[Cliff Walston]

Never thought about agronomy playing a role, but that is an interesting thought Mac.  

On a related note, what city stands most likely to have a modern come in and take the reigns of best in city?  Chicago perhaps?  

Edit:  Forgot about Chicago Golf Links.

[John Nixon]

Indianapolis? I'm probably forgetting one or two, but Broadmoor seems to be cited for Indy's best classic most often. CC of Indianapolis, Meridian Hills? Modern - The Fort, Crooked Stick, Wolf Run, and further out Purgatory and Trophy Club?

[Kyle Casella]

Bandon Dunes courses & Sand Hills.

[Andy Troeger]

There are quite a few really:

Indianapolis as mentioned: Wolf Run or Crooked Stick. Broadmoor and Meridian Hills are good, but IMO no real comparison.

Phoenix and Tucson: The oldest course is Desert Forest, which still gets a modern designation.

Albuquerque: No classic courses to speak of. Paa-Ko Ridge takes the prize.

Columbus, OH: The Golf Club and Muirfield Village are pretty consistently rated ahead of Scioto. The Golf Club is my personal favorite.

Dallas: Dallas National over Colonial gets my vote--I could see an argument there.

Milwaukee: If we're talking region, I'm one of those that disagrees with Phil and puts Blackwolf Run on top. Milwaukee CC is really good though--toss up perhaps. Whistling Straits is usually ranked #1 in Wisconsin I guess.

West Virginia: Pete Dye GC and Pikewood are really good--I'll find out in a couple weeks if Old White matches up.

Richmond, VA: Does anything else match Kinloch?

Denver: Castle Pines and Colorado Golf are both ahead of Cherry Hills IMO. Close enough to challenge though.

Palm Springs: If you consider this its own "area" then Stone Eagle might be the best. Most of the courses are modern era.

All parts of Florida excluding the region including Seminole might qualify. Tough state to divide up into regions.

[Matthew Petersen]

Phoenix and Tucson: The oldest course is Desert Forest, which still gets a modern designation.

I assume you mean "oldest course" that appears on any list of the best. There are plenty of courses around older than Desert Forest.

[Andy Troeger]

Yes...oldest "top tier" course. Ditto Albuquerque--there are a couple old courses here but nothing of note.

[Carl Nichols]

Northern Virginia: Robert Trent Jones GC is better than any of the older courses, and that's probably true of several other moderns.

[Ben Hollerbach]

Northern Virginia: Robert Trent Jones GC is better than any of the older courses, and that's probably true of several other moderns.

I presume you're stopping at the Maryland border and not including Congressional and Baltimore?

[Bill Brightly]

China.

[Paul Carey]

Northern Virginia: Robert Trent Jones GC is better than any of the older courses, and that's probably true of several other moderns.

If you only include Nova.  If you include the DC area I would say Columbia and Chevy Chase are better.

[Paul Carey]

Charleston:  Is Kiawah Ocean Course better than Yeamans Hall?  I don't think so but some will make that argument and I think it is a good argument.

[Jud_T]

Tampa? Orlando? Palm Springs? San Diego? Phoenix?

[Nigel Islam]

Victoria National in Evansville, Valhalla in Louisville (Disclaimer I have not played Louisville CC), and possibly Chattanooga & Birmingham.

[Bill Seitz]

There's a modern course that's pretty clearly the best in the Holyoke, CO metro area. 

[HarryBrinkerhoffDoyleIV_aka_Barry]

[REMOVED]

[Thomas Dai]

Places where a modern course is the best in the region........no thoughts expressed on the NE of Scotland and the Granite City area in particular (sic)?

atb

[Adam Lawrence]

Ask me again in ten years but imo Royal Aberdeen is significantly better than TIGLS.

[Sean Leary]

Seattle area. Chambers Bay is the best with Aldarra second.

[Sean_A]

Ask me again in ten years but imo Royal Aberdeen is significantly better than TIGLS.

The pictures from the various comprehensive photo tours certainly seem to suggest that. It really will be interesting to see the effect time has on people's perception of this course...

I think Trump is #3 in the area right now, but its a much closer call than Adam suggests.  If they ever sort out the grass and host an event of some true standing, things may be very different in the future.  I can honestly see Trump becoming a virtual unanimous top 10-15 GB&I;  though I doubt it would crack my top 30.  Two things are for certain, Trump will drag in more vistors to the area and lay the ground work for even higher green fees. 

Ciao