In Praise of the Girl Next Door

[Mike Hendren]

Just to counter-balance the Philly Gang and their lust for the dominatrix known as Pine Valley, I thought we might at the same time discuss those courses that are simple and just plain lovable.  As you might suspect I'm thinking of the likes of Lulu, Brora, Lawsonia,  CC of Troy, Huntercombe and Cape Arundel.  What's your favorite girl next door and why?

Bogey

[Tom_Doak]

If you mean a lovely but plain-looking course, my ATF is Royal Worlington & Newmarket, but the closest to where I live is Belvedere.

[PCCraig]

Lawsonia comes to mind, mainly because it is next door in Wisconsin. It's wonderful in the no BS, show up and enjoy a great golf course for a reasonable price.

[John Kavanaugh]

One of the tricks I learned early on in the access business is to join the course next door. You'll eventually run into a member of the jewel.

[Mike Hendren]

One of the tricks I learned early on in the access business is to join the course next door. You'll eventually run into a member of the jewel.

I believe this was called "snaking" back in the day.

[Mike Hendren]

Tom, perhaps Belvedere was too subtle for my one-and-done assessment but I found it more like the girl who makes her own clothes and is well liked by the other girls.  Perhaps she needs dolling up with all those original bunkers.

Bogey

[John Kavanaugh]

One of the tricks I learned early on in the access business is to join the course next door. You'll eventually run into a member of the jewel.

I believe this was called "snaking" back in the day.

Not familiar with the term. Two courses that are little sisters where I was once a member: Dismal River and Norwood Hills. They were both more in my cultural wheelhouse than the jewels next door.

[Sean_A]

In praise of the girl next door?  How bout Reigate Heath being quite close to Walton Heath?  Wonderful little sister course who may not be the beauty of the big sister, but she has her own alluring charms.  Much the same could be said for Aiken and Palmetto....and for Corballis and The Island. Not that many years ago the same was said about Cruden Bay and Royal Aberdeen and North Berwick and Muirfield. The green fees are so high on all four of those courses that all talk of girl next door should rightfully be abandoned.

Ciao

[Kalen Braley]

I'm not sure if it applies here.


But Pacific Grove vs the local collection of sirens may fit here...

[JJShanley]

Mortonhall: one of my two favorite City of Edinburgh courses.
Braid Hills: also one of my two favorite City of Edinburgh courses.

[Tim_Weiman]

Hands down my favorite “Girl Next Door” would be Dooks. Simple, pleasant and beautiful.

[Ed Brzezowski]

Too keep it in Philly my choices, besides my home course since our super is a lurker, how about Rolling Green or Mannys? She has to be a Flynn girl.

[James Brown]

Which course is Huntercombe the girl next door to?  Sunningdale?  Swinley?


I am playing Huntercombe on Sunday PM for the first time and a big Willie Park Jr. fan. 

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

One of the tricks I learned early on in the access business is to join the course next door. You'll eventually run into a member of the jewel.

I believe this was called "snaking" back in the day.

Not familiar with the term. Two courses that are little sisters where I was once a member: Dismal River and Norwood Hills. They were both more in my cultural wheelhouse than the jewels next door.

I've not specifically heard the term "snacking" but along the lines of the old phrase "it doesn't matter where you go to look at the menu, as long as you come home to eat!"  Which applies to more than just golf, I have heard one of my friends use the term MILP  (Municipal I would Like to Play!!!)

[Tim Leahy]

I'm not sure if it applies here.


But Pacific Grove vs the local collection of sirens may fit here...

I was going to say Fort Ord but then she went and had work done and became Bayonet/Blackhorse and lost her innocence.

[Ira Fishman]

Mid Pines
Golspie
Elie


Ira

[Daryl David]

Formby Ladies, obviously.

[Lou_Duran]

When travelling to Fort Worth, everyone wants to play Colonial; many would at least like to visit Shady Oaks.  Colonial is surprisingly accessible if $$$$ is not an issue.  But there are two very enjoyable, bargain GND options not far, Rockwood and Squaw Creek, both greatly improved by local architect John Colligan and his associate Trey Kemp.


Does Chicago GC - Shoreacres qualify?  How about Winged Foot - Fenway?


Re: Belvedere, a cult course if I ever saw one.  Pleasant, maybe quaint, but skipping a round at Crystal Downs to drive up there as I did was regrettable.  I don't know who designed the greens, but someone else must have done the last two, the only ones that had much going on. 

[Cal Seifert]

How about Southampton? It surely is next door.

[Greg Gilson]

Woodlands on Melbourne's Sandbelt. Sort of the step-sister next to the 7 or 8 supposedly prettier sisters nearby.

[Peter Pallotta]

Tom, perhaps Belvedere was too subtle for my one-and-done assessment but I found it more like the girl who makes her own clothes and is well liked by the other girls.  Perhaps she needs dolling up with all those original bunkers.
Bogey

I think what you're looking for is Mary Tyler Moore -- particularly in her Laura Petrie in New Rochelle phase: she was actually an absolute knock out, at least for those with eyes to see. A fairly close second was her Mary Richards stage, when she moved to Minneapolis -- she could still light up the world with her smile. 

[Ira Fishman]

Tom, perhaps Belvedere was too subtle for my one-and-done assessment but I found it more like the girl who makes her own clothes and is well liked by the other girls.  Perhaps she needs dolling up with all those original bunkers.
Bogey

I think what you're looking for is Mary Tyler Moore -- particularly in her Laura Petrie in New Rochelle phase: she was actually an absolute knock out, at least for those with eyes to see. A fairly close second was her Mary Richards stage, when she moved to Minneapolis -- she could still light up the world with her smile.

Audrey Meadows.


Hello Ball.

[JMEvensky]

Tom, perhaps Belvedere was too subtle for my one-and-done assessment but I found it more like the girl who makes her own clothes and is well liked by the other girls.  Perhaps she needs dolling up with all those original bunkers.
Bogey

I think what you're looking for is Mary Tyler Moore -- particularly in her Laura Petrie in New Rochelle phase: she was actually an absolute knock out, at least for those with eyes to see. A fairly close second was her Mary Richards stage, when she moved to Minneapolis -- she could still light up the world with her smile.

I don't think Laura Petrie or Mary Richards needed dolling up. But Millie Halper or Rhoda Morganstern...

[Gene Greco]

How about Southampton? It surely is next door.

+1


The poster girl for this thread..

[John Foley]

Wildhorse is pretty hard to beat.