[PCCraig]

When golfers think about the Twin Cities, they immediately think about Hazeltine and Interlachen. Those courses have been on a variety of ranking lists for years and have hosted many national & international golf championships. Therefore, when "well-traveled" aka belt notching golfers plan a trip here, their itinerary begins and end with getting access to those two clubs.

While they are fine clubs and courses, they are not anywhere near the best golfing experiences in Minnesota. 

For example, these people are missing some wonderful things.

They aren't hitting a mid-iron over a 100+ year old tree that sits between the tee and green on the 4th at Keller.
They aren't checking out the great Tillinghast courses like Golden Valley & Rochester
Many work hard to access Interlachen, but how many golfers drive two hours north to play Northland in Duluth?
Are they experiencing the unique quirkiness of Town & Country?
Are they clamoring to visit the Raynor designs at Somerset, Midland, and Minnesota Valley?

Nope, no thank you...they would rather go out of their way to visit Spring Hill, a run of the mill but exclusive Fazio which just pegged itself on a top 100 list.

What are these people missing in your town while in never ending pursuit of bag tags and twitter followers?

Or is the answer..."who cares let them have Hazeltine and keep them off my course!"

[Ira Fishman]

In the DC area, not much of anything except Washington Golf which is a cool, old Ross course squeezed on a very small plot. DC is a great place to live and to raise a family, but the golf options are quite poor.


Ira

[Derek_Duncan]

In Atlanta, I'd generally say Rivermont, though it's pretty well represented on these particular pages.


The Standard Club and Dunwoody Country Club are overlooked but as good as anything not named Peachtree.

[Bill Shamleffer]

Back in my old hometown of St. Louis, Westwood CC NEVER gets credits (either in town or out of town), for what a REALLY REALY good golf course it is.

[John Connolly]

I suppose in Chicago a superficial "scraping" would include Medinah, Butler, Beverly, Olympia Fields and possibly Conway now that it's associated with the BMW. Chicago Golf and Shoreacres would be coveted as well, although immeasurably more difficult to get access to.

The charming yet classic courses that may be missed?
On the north shore, Old Elm, Knollwood, Exmoor, Skokie and one of my new favorites, Onwentsia maybe bit under the radar to those outside of Chicago. Bob O'link should also be sought out now that Jim Urbina's redo is complete. The south side is replete with overlooked fun courses including Flossmoor and Midlothian.

[Tommy Williamsen]

In the DC area, not much of anything except Washington Golf which is a cool, old Ross course squeezed on a very small plot. DC is a great place to live and to raise a family, but the golf options are quite poor.


Ira

Ira, I disagree. There are many fine sleepers in the DC area. Four Streams, Chevy Chase, and Columbia fly under most people's radar. Most folks only know Congressional. Throw in Burning tree, Bethesda, and newly renovated River Bend and you have some fine courses. They are not world beaters but they sure give us some goods days of golf and they certainly are at least the equal of Washington Golf.

[J_ Crisham]

I suppose in Chicago a superficial "scraping" would include Medinah, Butler, Beverly, Olympia Fields and possibly Conway now that it's associated with the BMW. Chicago Golf and Shoreacres would be coveted as well, although immeasurably more difficult to get access to.

The charming yet classic courses that may be missed?
On the north shore, Old Elm, Knollwood, Exmoor, Skokie and one of my new favorites, Onwentsia maybe bit under the radar to those outside of Chicago. Bob O'link should also be sought out now that Jim Urbina's redo is complete. The south side is replete with overlooked fun courses including Flossmoor and Midlothian.

John,
       I agree with a good deal of your post with the exception of Old Elm and Skokie. They are both firmly top 6 in Chicago - belt notchers will generally struggle as access to these clubs is very difficult. Old Elm is by far the best maintained, quietist club in our area. In fact I believe it's easier to play CGC . If you are looking for clubs that are really good but rarely talked about in Chicago then we must discuss Elgin CC , Briarwood, Lake Shore, Glen View, and Exmoor .

[Ira Fishman]

In the DC area, not much of anything except Washington Golf which is a cool, old Ross course squeezed on a very small plot. DC is a great place to live and to raise a family, but the golf options are quite poor.


Ira

Ira, I disagree. There are many fine sleepers in the DC area. Four Streams, Chevy Chase, and Columbia fly under most people's radar. Most folks only know Congressional. Throw in Burning tree, Bethesda, and newly renovated River Bend and you have some fine courses. They are not world beaters but they sure give us some goods days of golf and they certainly are at least the equal of Washington Golf.

Tommy,


I assumed that Chevy and Columbia would be on the belt notchers list because they make classic course rankings. I have not played them but friends really like both. My one play at Burning Tree was great for the overall experience (and made my wife furious) and thought the course was very good but not special. River Bend was in great condition and layout good if overly bunkered but again not hankering to play it. I have not played Four Streams.


Ira

[Terry Lavin]

In Chicago, I’d say Onwentsia, Edgewood Valley and North Shore fit this category. All three courses have solid architectural bones and provide a memorable golf experience but none of the belt notchers who have come through town have ever expressed any interest in playing any of them. All three clubs are thriving, so it’s not like they are looking for any attention.

[John Kavanaugh]

Back in the mid 80's I owned a house on and very much enjoyed a little Flynn course called Bonnie Brook in Waukegan, Illinois. Anyone seen David Ogrin lately?

[Terry Lavin]

Back in the mid 80's I owned a house on and very much enjoyed a little Flynn course called Bonnie Brook in Waukegan, Illinois. Anyone seen David Ogrin lately?

Haven’t seen Ogrin and haven’t played Bonnie Brook. But I did finally play Glen Flora in Waukegan. Nice piece of rolling land with a bunch of great holes. They need to cut down 500 trees to expose the gift that is currently obscured.

[Ian Mackenzie]

Back in the mid 80's I owned a house on and very much enjoyed a little Flynn course called Bonnie Brook in Waukegan, Illinois. Anyone seen David Ogrin lately?

Bonnie Brook was done by James Foulis, not Flynn. We know the only Flynn course in town...;-)
Brother duo. Also did Onwentsia post CBM.

[John Kavanaugh]

Thanks.

[James Brown]

In the DC area, not much of anything except Washington Golf which is a cool, old Ross course squeezed on a very small plot. DC is a great place to live and to raise a family, but the golf options are quite poor.


Ira

While DC is not exactly a Mecca, I don’t know if i’d go that far.  Columbia Country Club is a real gem.  So is Burning Tree.  Chevy Chase Club has some nice HS Colt touches. 

[Rich Goodale]

What are "they" missing?


Nothing.


If you are a belt-notcher you do not have a clue about golf course architecture or even a what a proper golfer is (pace Bob Huntley).  You are most likely an access whore (even if that access involves spending 10 Benjis to play, stay and pay at Pebble Beach or The Old Course).


Enjoy, and hopefully you will eventually learn how to learn.

[Mike_Trenham]

Philadelphia:


Llanerch
North Hills
Lu Lu
Whitemarsh Valley

[Sean_A]

What are "they" missing?

Nothing.

If you are a belt-notcher you do not have a clue about golf course architecture or even a what a proper golfer is (pace Bob Huntley).  You are most likely an access whore (even if that access involves spending 10 Benjis to play, stay and pay at Pebble Beach or The Old Course).

Enjoy, and hopefully you will eventually learn how to learn.

Really?    Why anybody cares about the motivation and methods of travelling golfers is a mystery to me. 

I live in an area which belt notchers routinely skip, miss or jump simply because not many courses in the Midlands are highly praised.  Folks already know what I think they are missing.

Ciao

[BCowan]

Sean,

  Most notchers criticize other notchers because they are notchers themselves. 

[John Connolly]

I suppose in Chicago a superficial "scraping" would include Medinah, Butler, Beverly, Olympia Fields and possibly Conway now that it's associated with the BMW. Chicago Golf and Shoreacres would be coveted as well, although immeasurably more difficult to get access to.

The charming yet classic courses that may be missed?
On the north shore, Old Elm, Knollwood, Exmoor, Skokie and one of my new favorites, Onwentsia maybe bit under the radar to those outside of Chicago. Bob O'link should also be sought out now that Jim Urbina's redo is complete. The south side is replete with overlooked fun courses including Flossmoor and Midlothian.

John,
       I agree with a good deal of your post with the exception of Old Elm and Skokie. They are both firmly top 6 in Chicago - belt notchers will generally struggle as access to these clubs is very difficult. Old Elm is by far the best maintained, quietist club in our area. In fact I believe it's easier to play CGC . If you are looking for clubs that are really good but rarely talked about in Chicago then we must discuss Elgin CC , Briarwood, Lake Shore, Glen View, and Exmoor .

Yes, OE and Skokie are tough to access. I was only saying they may not be recognized as gems by those that come into town wanting to play what they perceive to be the "must plays." If they did have the sense to seek those two out, getting on would be tough in the absence of a host.

[Jon Cavalier]

In Chicago, I’d say Onwentsia, Edgewood Valley and North Shore fit this category. All three courses have solid architectural bones and provide a memorable golf experience but none of the belt notchers who have come through town have ever expressed any interest in playing any of them. All three clubs are thriving, so it’s not like they are looking for any attention.

Agree wholeheartedly on Onwentsia. That place is truly a gem.

Philadelphia:LlanerchNorth HillsLu LuWhitemarsh Valley

Agree on all four of these, Mike, and would add the following:
Manufacturers
Stonewall
French Creek
Lehigh
Gulph Mills (which may be more due to access difficulty)

[Steve Lang]

Back in the mid 80's I owned a house on and very much enjoyed a little Flynn course called Bonnie Brook in Waukegan, Illinois. Anyone seen David Ogrin lately?

Ogrin/Nugent did a nice course in Magnolia, TX, High Meadow Ranch, with 3, 6-hole loops...  and there's basic Aggie fare in Oggie's Grill there... I believe Ogrin lives further west, over in Hill Country

[jeffwarne]

Bonnie Briar
Wheatley Hills
Wykagyl
St George's (known here well)
Leewood(back 9 very solid)
Apawamis
North Shore

[BHoover]

When I lived in Columbus, the answer was, and remains, Springfield. Okay, it's not in Columbus, but it's only 40 minutes west.

[Criss Titschinger]

As I said to the pro at Cedar Rapids: I could do at least another 3-4 trips to Minnesota and still not see all the golf I want to see. While I would like to play Interlachen someday, I'm still glad the opportunity to play White Bear Yacht Club presented itself to me. Still the best course I've ever played.

Cincinnati's tough because THE "belt notcher" is far and above everything else. I always bring up Clovernook (Langord/Moreau) as the overlooked great course in the city, and one that's worth the effort to play if in town.

In Dayton, OH, I would put Dayton CC on that list; and if Springfield is considered more Dayton than Columbus, then Springfield too. DCC is a Ross course on a pretty tight piece of land, though with plenty of interesting holes.

Having just been in the Quad Cities area, TPC Deere Run had a full tee-sheet and is the belt notcher for the general public, but I would strongly recommend its neighbor at Davenport Country Club over TPC if it could be arranged.

[Craig Disher]

In the DC area, not much of anything except Washington Golf which is a cool, old Ross course squeezed on a very small plot. DC is a great place to live and to raise a family, but the golf options are quite poor.


Ira

While DC is not exactly a Mecca, I don’t know if i’d go that far.  Columbia Country Club is a real gem.  So is Burning Tree.  Chevy Chase Club has some nice HS Colt touches.

Certainly not a Mecca. The metro area populations of DC and Philadelphia are about the same but we can only come up with 3 or 4 courses in the DC area that would merit a special trip or wouldn't leave most GCAers disappointed. Philadelphia is full of them. DC wasn't always so but the 1940s through the 1960s were very unkind.

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