[Adam Lawrence]

Silvies Valley Ranch......some of the holes will be reversible.

Awesome!  2 reversible golf courses opening over the next couple years.  Trend setting?  What else has Dan Hixson done?

Three. Frank Pont is doing one in the Netherlands too

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

St Emiilion is one I am very intersted in seeing, when will that Open?

[Jerry Kluger]

I read in the Wall Street Journal that the Chinese government is going after golf courses and that they are forcing the closure of a number of courses and there is a question of whether courses under construction or ready to be opened will be allowed to open.  Anyone have any further information on this?

[Greg Tallman]

I read in the Wall Street Journal that the Chinese government is going after golf courses and that they are forcing the closure of a number of courses and there is a question of whether courses under construction or ready to be opened will be allowed to open.  Anyone have any further information on this?

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,59968.0.html

[Tom_Doak]

I read in the Wall Street Journal that the Chinese government is going after golf courses and that they are forcing the closure of a number of courses and there is a question of whether courses under construction or ready to be opened will be allowed to open.  Anyone have any further information on this?

Jerry:

That is happening, but it's not like they are closing all of the courses, they are just making examples of a few in order to slow things down.  The course I built was approved to open, although I don't know when the owner will want to open it officially.  A course that's only partly complete as of today may face a more uncertain approval.

[Ruediger Meyer]

I second Michael's question, Tom. Is there already a date set for the opening of Saint Emilion?

[Adam Lawrence]

I read in the Wall Street Journal that the Chinese government is going after golf courses and that they are forcing the closure of a number of courses and there is a question of whether courses under construction or ready to be opened will be allowed to open.  Anyone have any further information on this?

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,59968.0.html

I can't share it yet because the magazine is in production, but the next issue of GCA will include an article by Brian Curley that will give the latest update on what's going on in China. Brian thinks a large number of courses will be closed, but does see hope for the future.

[Ronald Montesano]

I second Michael's question, Tom. Is there already a date set for the opening of Saint Emilion?

Tom told us he's on sabbatical from GCA for a few months. You might not get an answer, Ruediger.

[Ronald Montesano]

I can't share it yet because the magazine is in production, but the next issue of GCA will include an article by Brian Curley that will give the latest update on what's going on in China. Brian thinks a large number of courses will be closed, but does see hope for the future.

I'm looking forward to this, Adam. I did an interview with Brian a few years back. He was very cooperative. Good guiter player, as well, or is that Schmidt?

[Scott Weersing]

Here is another course opening this year in Nebraska:

http://www.omaha.com/sports/local-golf/notes-ohiya-resort-course-set-for-summer-opening/article_e9ee1796-454b-5e01-a758-3bb2e606cfbb.html

Tatanka Golf Club at Feather Hill, the 18-hole course for the Ohiya Casino Resort of the Santee Sioux Nation east of Niobrara, Nebraska.

Anyone heard of this one?

[Tom_Doak]

I second Michael's question, Tom. Is there already a date set for the opening of Saint Emilion?

The first nine holes of St. Emilion [some from each nine, since it doesn't return to the clubhouse in the middle] will open in the spring.  The full 18 probably in September.

Tara Iti opens in two weeks, for the owner's birthday, but then will close again until October or November.

[Rees Milikin]

I second Michael's question, Tom. Is there already a date set for the opening of Saint Emilion?

The first nine holes of St. Emilion [some from each nine, since it doesn't return to the clubhouse in the middle] will open in the spring.  The full 18 probably in September.

Tara Iti opens in two weeks, for the owner's birthday, but then will close again until October or November.

How are the last 12 holes at Tara Iti looking?  There was decent grow in back in November, but can imagine the summer really helped.

[Tom_Doak]

I second Michael's question, Tom. Is there already a date set for the opening of Saint Emilion?

The first nine holes of St. Emilion [some from each nine, since it doesn't return to the clubhouse in the middle] will open in the spring.  The full 18 probably in September.

Tara Iti opens in two weeks, for the owner's birthday, but then will close again until October or November.

How are the last 12 holes at Tara Iti looking?  There was decent grow in back in November, but can imagine the summer really helped.

The last three planted [12-13-14] are still looking a bit rough, according to reports; the others are all ready to go.  I'll give you a first-hand report after April 15!

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Wickenburg Ranch GC, Wickenburg, AZ recently opened for play in January: From initial reviews here, it may not qualify as a "Best"


http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=d512ca0e86cb769450d9e2a6eecd3d05&topic=31090.0

[Peter Ferlicca]

Steve,

Actually you might be a tad off . I have had a great time working on this property and am even more excited for our par three course.   We have had a ton of raters out in the last couple of months and with many more to come in the next month.   From the reviews from them it will be a top 5 new course in 2015.   Some have said the best one they have played as a 2015 course so far.   Have you played there yet Steve.  And regarding Matt petersons comments.   The course has a ton of strategic value.   Many well respected golfers who have played all the courses in Arizona are already saying it is easily a top 5 in the state.  

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Peter,

I will be there in early May and report thereafter.  Here's my concern as a member of the target audience of home buyers- the "active adults" of a certain age- as Matt Petersen wrote:

"My impression is that when the course was constructed, an "active adult" community course was not what they had in mind. I played with 3 gentlemen of that age and I don't think any of them would have wanted to make the place their "home" course. It's playable, but there are a number of very demanding uphill shots and a few fairways that are tight for an average player." and as Dave Givnish wrote: "Some in our group thought that it might even be a bit hilly for what will be a senior lifestyle real estate community. Most of the greens are elevated and there are about a half dozen blind shots. "[/i]

I note that the scorecard shows a slope of 126 from the white tees @ 6000y. This rating is  higher than the 6000y courses at Pebble Creek.
Any resident bogey golfer member or higher will have to learn course management. Raters and "many well respected golfers" are generally not bogey golfers.
There won't be too many new courses opening this year so it won't be too hard to make someone;s list.

[Matthew Petersen]

Steve,

Actually you might be a tad off . I have had a great time working on this property and am even more excited for our par three course.   We have had a ton of raters out in the last couple of months and with many more to come in the next month.   From the reviews from them it will be a top 5 new course in 2015.   Some have said the best one they have played as a 2015 course so far.   Have you played there yet Steve.  And regarding Matt petersons comments.   The course has a ton of strategic value.   Many well respected golfers who have played all the courses in Arizona are already saying it is easily a top 5 in the state.  

Like I said, it was one go around, so I'm really withholding judgement on what strategic options are there. My initial impression was that most holes asked for fairly specific shot types and I didn't see a lot of holes that felt wide enough to offer a lot of choices or, for example, preference for one side of the fairway over another. It's not target golf, but getting it in the fairway is paramount, which is typical for desert golf. I should also say that for me a course doesn't have to offer huge numbers of options to be good.

If it gets the raters, I too would expect to see it debut pretty highly on various lists next year. I certainly prefer it to Quintero, and that's #1 in the most recent Gulfweed rankings!

Steve,

Whether the course will succeed as a private amenity at a Trilogy community is a separate issue from whether raters will like it. I haven't played the Trilogy course in the SE valley, but Vistancia on the NW side is much more of a course that would be interesting for players beyond those who live in the community. I can;t much imagine recommending any of the course in Sun City/West/Grand or Pebble Creek to anyone visiting the Valley, but Vistanica is an interesting enough course to not disappoint most people.

That said, the Wickenburg Ranch course is a step beyond even Vistancia. As Dave noted, elevation changes are a big part of that. So are the greens. I liked both of those aspects, but I certainly sympathized with the retirees I played with who wouldn't have been interested in playing that course every week.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Matt,

I understand what you're saying; however, it's my understanding that at some point, Shea Homes plans to make this course private for the residents. From the website:  Private club memberships are available, including special early enrollee incentives. For a limited time, Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club will welcome non-member play as well, to allow everyone the opportunity to enjoy Arizona’s newest premier golf experience.  Trilogy at Vistancia is a fine course, one of the best in the West Valley, however; it's public and is not dependent on resident "active adult"  play. Another comparable course is The Preserve At Saddlebrooke in Tucson. If you have played there, it's a fine course, hilly, but again it's public and not dependent on resident "active adult" play. No doubt there are many lower handicap players who buy into these communities, as there are here at Pebble Creek where I live. My concern is for the many higher handicappers who MAY not enjoy everyday play, as you pointed out. I  (@14-16) will be playing at WR with a friend who is a mid 20s handicap as are our respective wives. It should be interesting.

[Matthew Petersen]

Matt,

I understand what you're saying; however, it's my understanding that at some point, Shea Homes plans to make this course private for the residents. From the website:  Private club memberships are available, including special early enrollee incentives. For a limited time, Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club will welcome non-member play as well, to allow everyone the opportunity to enjoy Arizona’s newest premier golf experience.  Trilogy at Vistancia is a fine course, one of the best in the West Valley, however; it's public and is not dependent on resident "active adult"  play. Another comparable course is The Preserve At Saddlebrooke in Tucson. If you have played there, it's a fine course, hilly, but again it's public and not dependent on resident "active adult" play. No doubt there are many lower handicap players who buy into these communities, as there are here at Pebble Creek where I live. My concern is for the many higher handicappers who MAY not enjoy everyday play, as you pointed out. I  (@14-16) will be playing at WR with a friend who is a mid 20s handicap as are our respective wives. It should be interesting.

I agree, Steve, and that's kind of why I brought it up. As I mentioned my impression is that this wasn't the idea when the course was initially designed and built, so not criticizing the course itself or the design at all. For the plan as it's expressed to work, they need both good buy-in for the homes and the course itself by the homeowners. Neither is guaranteed in my opinion. But if this model for the course works for now, perhaps they can operate on a semi-private model into the future, as well.

[Scott Weersing]

Here is a new 18 hole course in Virginia. It was 9 holes but now is 18 holes. Not sure it is worth visiting but I may check it out this fall on my way to the George Cup.



http://www.richmond.com/business/local/article_6710d6c6-8dd6-5786-b56b-e8ba40e46ad5.html

http://www.magnoliagreengolfclub.com

[Pete_Pittock]

Silvies Valley Ranch may be ready for play in 2015. I haven't gotten an update from Slag to find out their progress in the last year. When an official opening may occur has always been up in the air.

My information is that, at best, they have not completed fairway seeding. A 2015 opening is probably too ambitious.

[Scott Weersing]

Here is the first photos I have seen of Tara Ti in New Zealand. It looks like Streamsong on the coast.


http://www.golfcoursearchitecture.net/Article/Development-of-Tom-Doak’s-design-at-Tara-Iti-reaches-completion/3431/Default.aspx#.VYqf3r5JdD8

[Jim Hoak]

Repetitive, but I'd say Cabot Cliffs and Tara Iti are the two to watch.
I've seen numerous pictures of both and I drove the land of Cabot Cliffs before it was built. 
I'm very excited to play both of them.

[Garland Bayley]

From the Silvies Valley Ranch website: "Finally, and my favorite part of any of the projects I have designed, and the best news of all; we will be opening in 2015. Certainly all the details are not worked out at this time. I really look forward to showing off the courses, the resort, the ranch and Greater Eastern Oregon."

[Kalen Braley]

Canyons Golf course in Park City, Utah.....
 
http://www.canyonsresort.com/activities/golf.aspx#/GeneralInformation
 
But I doubt it'll win anything except best new in Utah....

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