2022 YANK AWARDS

[jeffwarne]

and the list goes on......




 




I of course have my own list but the tiny shop fulfilled it-in spades.


I equate it to the back bowls of Vail where you have to time your return back to the main area.
The point is it's tricky business when you have different ownership of different parts of a resort, and it just doesn't seem broken

[Jeff Schley]

Updated post 42, Sean please review.

A summary of our beloved Sean Arble's Yank Awards. Note *= Nifty Fifty addition and + = Happy 100 addition.Welcome any corrections.Most Surprising New Course - winner/runner up

• 2022 - Beverly GC (East Yorkshire, England) / Meadowbrook GC + (Detroit, Mi)
• 2021 - Harewood Downs GC (Chilterns, England) / Covesea Links (Covesea, Scotland)
• 2019 - Seahouses GC back 9 (Seahouses, England) / Wimereux GC (Wimereux, France)
• 2017 - Corballis Links GC + (Dublin, Ire.) / Reigate Heath GC (Reigate, England)
• 2016 - Royal Wimbledon GC (London, England) / Birmingham CC (Birmingham, MI)
• 2015 - Orchard Lake CC (Orchard Lake, MI) / Leckford GC, Old  (Stockbridge, England)
• 2014 - Cumberwell Park GC, Orange (Wiltshire, England) / Walton Heath GC, New (Tadworth, England)
• 2013 - Royal Worlington & Newmarket (Worlington, England) / Carnoustie GC, Burnside (Carnoustie, Scotland)

Most Disappointing New Play - winner/runner up

• 2022 - Malone GC (Belfast, N. Ire.)
• 2021 - Cullen Links GC (Cullen, Scotland)
• 2019 - Touquet La Mer (Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, France)
• 2017 - None all lived up to expectations.
• 2016 - Luffenham Heath (South Luffenham, England)
• 2015 - Western Gailes GC (Irvine, Scotland) / Canterbury GC (Canterbury, England)
• 2014 - Royal Zoute GC (Knokke-Heist, Belgium) / Tenby GC (Tenby, Wales)
• 2013 - Royal Ashdown Forest GC (Forest Row, England) / Trump International GL Aberdeen (Aberdeen, Scotland)

Best New Play

• 2015 - Castle Stuart GC  (Petty, Scotland) / Orchard Lake CC (Orchard Lake, MI)
• 2014 - Renaissance GC (North Berwick, Scotland) / Rosapenna GC, OTM links (Donegal, Ireland)
• 2013 - Walton Heath GC, Old (Tadworth, England) / Dormie Club (West End, NC)

Best New Play Inland Course

• 2022 - Chicago GC (Wheaton, Ill.) / Forest Dunes - The Loop + (Roscommon, Mi.)
• 2021 - JCB Golf & CC (Staffordshire, England) / Aldeburgh GC (Suffolk, England) / Berkshire GC Red (Ascot, England)
• 2019 - Hardelot GC, Pines (Hardelot, France) / Hardelot GC,  Dunes (Hardelot GC, France
• 2017 - Barton Hills CC (Ann Arbor, Mi) / Reigate Heath GC (Reigate, England)
• 2016 - Gleneagles GC, Kings (Auchterarder, Scotland) / Palmetto GC (Aiken, SC)
• 2015, 14, 13 - not noted

Best New Play Links;

• 2022 - St. Patrick's Links * (Donegal, Ireland)
• 2021 - Moray GC Old (Lossiemouth, Scotland)
• 2019 - Castlerock GC, Bann (Coleraine, N. Ire)
• 2017 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England) / Corballis Links GC + (Dublin, Ire.)
• 2016 - Kingsbarns GC (Fife, Scotland) / Elie Golf House Club (Fife. Scotland)
• 2015, 14, 13 - Not noted

Most Surprising Repeat Play

• 2022 - Welcombe Hotel GC (Warwickshire, England)
• 2021 - Swinley Forest GC (Ascot, England)
• 2019 - Alnmouth Village GC (Northumberland, England)
• 2017 - Minchinhampton GC, Old (Cotswolds, England)
• 2016 - Worplesdon GC (Brookwood, England)
• 2015 - Royal Dornoch GC (Dornoch, Scotland) / Notts GC (Nottingham, England)
• 2014 - North Berwick West Links (East Lothian, Scotland) / Perranporth GC (Perranporth, England)
• 2013 - Alwoodley GC (Leeds, England) / Old Town Club (Winston Salem, NC) / Mid Pines GC (Southern Pines, NC) / Royal Cinque Ports GC (Deal, England)

Favorite New Play Inland Course

• 2022 - Eagle Springs Golf Resort * (Eagle, WI.)
• 2021 - Harewood Downs GC (Chilterns, England)
• 2019 - Llandrindod Wells GC (Llandrindod Wells, Wales)
• 2017 - Reigate Heath GC (Reigate, England)
• 2016 - (tie) Palmetto GC (Aiken, SC) / Welshpool GC (Welshpool, England)
• 2015 - Leckford GC, Old (Stockbridge, England)
• 2014 - Cleeve Hill GC (Cleeve Hill, England)
• 2013 - Kington GC (Kington, England) / Old Town Club (Winston Salem, NC)

Favorite New Play Links

• 2022 - not noted
• 2021 - Seaton Carew GC New (Seaton Carew, England)
• 2019 - Castlerock GC, Bann (Coleraine, N. Ire)
• 2017 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England)
• 2016 - Elie Golf House Club (Fife. Scotland)
• 2015 - Castle Stuart GC  (Petty, Scotland)
• 2014 - St. Endoc GC (Wadebridge, England)
• 2013 - Perranporth GC (Perranporth, England)

Best Moderately Priced Played this Year (under $80)

• 2022 - Culver Academies * (Culver, IN.)
• 2021 - Cavendish GC (Buxton, England)
• 2019 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England)
• 2017 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England)
• 2016 - St. Andrews Links, The Eden (Fife, Scotland)
• 2015 - Royal Worlington & Newmarket (Worlington, England)
• 2014 - Kington GC (Kington, England) / Perranporth GC (Perranporth, England)
• 2013 - Kington GC (Kington, England)

Best Affordable (under $55)

• 2022 - not noted
• 2021 - none (Kington not played)
• 2019 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
• 2017 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
• 2016 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
• 2015 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
• 2014 - Cleeve Hill GC (Cleeve Hill, England)
• 2013 - Reddish Vale GC (Stockport, England) / Cleeve Hill GC (Cleeve Hill, England)

Best Course Played This Year

• 2022 - Royal Porthcawl GC (Porthcawl, Wales)
• 2021 - North Berwick GC (East Lothian, Scotland)
• 2019 - Royal Cinque Ports GC (Deal, England)
• 2017 - Pinehurst #2 (Pinehurst, NC)
• 2016 - North Berwick GC (East Lothian, Scotland)
• 2015 - Royal St. George's GC (Sandwich, England) / Castle Stuart GC (Petty, Scotland)
• 2014 - North Berwick GC (East Lothian, Scotland) / St. Endoc GC (Wadebridge, England)
• 2013 - Royal Cinque Ports GC (Deal, England) / Alwoodley GC (Leeds, England)

Favorite Course Played This Year

• 2022 - Cleeve Hill GC * (Cleeve Hill, England)
• 2021 - Cavendish GC (Buxton, England)
• 2019 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
• 2017 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
• 2016 -Kington GC (Kington, England)
• 2015 - not noted
• 2014 - not noted
• 2013 - not noted

[Sean_A]

Updated post 42, Sean please review.

A summary of our beloved Sean Arble's Yank Awards. Note *= Nifty Fifty addition and + = Happy 100 addition.Welcome any corrections.Most Surprising New Course - winner/runner up

• 2022 - Beverly GC (East Yorkshire, England) / Meadowbrook GC + (Detroit, Mi)
• 2021 - Harewood Downs GC (Chilterns, England) / Covesea Links (Covesea, Scotland)
• 2019 - Seahouses GC back 9 (Seahouses, England) / Wimereux GC (Wimereux, France)
• 2017 - Corballis Links GC + (Dublin, Ire.) / Reigate Heath GC (Reigate, England)
• 2016 - Royal Wimbledon GC (London, England) / Birmingham CC (Birmingham, MI)
• 2015 - Orchard Lake CC (Orchard Lake, MI) / Leckford GC, Old  (Stockbridge, England)
• 2014 - Cumberwell Park GC, Orange (Wiltshire, England) / Walton Heath GC, New (Tadworth, England)
• 2013 - Royal Worlington & Newmarket (Worlington, England) / Carnoustie GC, Burnside (Carnoustie, Scotland)

Most Disappointing New Play - winner/runner up

• 2022 - Malone GC (Belfast, N. Ire.)
• 2021 - Cullen Links GC (Cullen, Scotland)
• 2019 - Touquet La Mer (Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, France)
• 2017 - None all lived up to expectations.
• 2016 - Luffenham Heath (South Luffenham, England)
• 2015 - Western Gailes GC (Irvine, Scotland) / Canterbury GC (Canterbury, England)
• 2014 - Royal Zoute GC (Knokke-Heist, Belgium) / Tenby GC (Tenby, Wales)
• 2013 - Royal Ashdown Forest GC (Forest Row, England) / Trump International GL Aberdeen (Aberdeen, Scotland)

Best New Play

• 2015 - Castle Stuart GC  (Petty, Scotland) / Orchard Lake CC (Orchard Lake, MI)
• 2014 - Renaissance GC (North Berwick, Scotland) / Rosapenna GC, OTM links (Donegal, Ireland)
• 2013 - Walton Heath GC, Old (Tadworth, England) / Dormie Club (West End, NC)

Best New Play Inland Course

• 2022 - Chicago GC (Wheaton, Ill.) / Forest Dunes - The Loop + (Roscommon, Mi.)
• 2021 - JCB Golf & CC (Staffordshire, England) / Aldeburgh GC (Suffolk, England) / Berkshire GC Red (Ascot, England)
• 2019 - Hardelot GC, Pines (Hardelot, France) / Hardelot GC,  Dunes (Hardelot GC, France
• 2017 - Barton Hills CC (Ann Arbor, Mi) / Reigate Heath GC (Reigate, England)
• 2016 - Gleneagles GC, Kings (Auchterarder, Scotland) / Palmetto GC (Aiken, SC)
• 2015, 14, 13 - not noted

Best New Play Links;

• 2022 - St. Patrick's Links * (Donegal, Ireland)
• 2021 - Moray GC Old (Lossiemouth, Scotland)
• 2019 - Castlerock GC, Bann (Coleraine, N. Ire)
• 2017 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England) / Corballis Links GC + (Dublin, Ire.)
• 2016 - Kingsbarns GC (Fife, Scotland) / Elie Golf House Club (Fife. Scotland)
• 2015, 14, 13 - Not noted

Most Surprising Repeat Play

• 2022 - Welcombe Hotel GC (Warwickshire, England)
• 2021 - Swinley Forest GC (Ascot, England)
• 2019 - Alnmouth Village GC (Northumberland, England)
• 2017 - Minchinhampton GC, Old (Cotswolds, England)
• 2016 - Worplesdon GC (Brookwood, England)
• 2015 - Royal Dornoch GC (Dornoch, Scotland) / Notts GC (Nottingham, England)
• 2014 - North Berwick West Links (East Lothian, Scotland) / Perranporth GC (Perranporth, England)
• 2013 - Alwoodley GC (Leeds, England) / Old Town Club (Winston Salem, NC) / Mid Pines GC (Southern Pines, NC) / Royal Cinque Ports GC (Deal, England)

Favorite New Play Inland Course

• 2022 - Eagle Springs Golf Resort * (Eagle, WI.)
• 2021 - Harewood Downs GC (Chilterns, England)
• 2019 - Llandrindod Wells GC (Llandrindod Wells, Wales)
• 2017 - Reigate Heath GC (Reigate, England)
• 2016 - (tie) Palmetto GC (Aiken, SC) / Welshpool GC (Welshpool, England)
• 2015 - Leckford GC, Old (Stockbridge, England)
• 2014 - Cleeve Hill GC (Cleeve Hill, England)
• 2013 - Kington GC (Kington, England) / Old Town Club (Winston Salem, NC)

Favorite New Play Links

• 2022 - not noted
• 2021 - Seaton Carew GC New (Seaton Carew, England)
• 2019 - Castlerock GC, Bann (Coleraine, N. Ire)
• 2017 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England)
• 2016 - Elie Golf House Club (Fife. Scotland)
• 2015 - Castle Stuart GC  (Petty, Scotland)
• 2014 - St. Endoc GC (Wadebridge, England)
• 2013 - Perranporth GC (Perranporth, England)

Best Moderately Priced Played this Year (under $80)

• 2022 - Culver Academies * (Culver, IN.)
• 2021 - Cavendish GC (Buxton, England)
• 2019 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England)
• 2017 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England)
• 2016 - St. Andrews Links, The Eden (Fife, Scotland)
• 2015 - Royal Worlington & Newmarket (Worlington, England)
• 2014 - Kington GC (Kington, England) / Perranporth GC (Perranporth, England)
• 2013 - Kington GC (Kington, England)

Best Affordable (under $55)

• 2022 - not noted
• 2021 - none (Kington not played)
• 2019 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
• 2017 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
• 2016 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
• 2015 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
• 2014 - Cleeve Hill GC (Cleeve Hill, England)
• 2013 - Reddish Vale GC (Stockport, England) / Cleeve Hill GC (Cleeve Hill, England)

Best Course Played This Year

• 2022 - Royal Porthcawl GC (Porthcawl, Wales)
• 2021 - North Berwick GC (East Lothian, Scotland)
• 2019 - Royal Cinque Ports GC (Deal, England)
• 2017 - Pinehurst #2 (Pinehurst, NC)
• 2016 - North Berwick GC (East Lothian, Scotland)
• 2015 - Royal St. George's GC (Sandwich, England) / Castle Stuart GC (Petty, Scotland)
• 2014 - North Berwick GC (East Lothian, Scotland) / St. Endoc GC (Wadebridge, England)
• 2013 - Royal Cinque Ports GC (Deal, England) / Alwoodley GC (Leeds, England)

Favorite Course Played This Year

• 2022 - Cleeve Hill GC * (Cleeve Hill, England)
• 2021 - Cavendish GC (Buxton, England)
• 2019 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
• 2017 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
• 2016 -Kington GC (Kington, England)
• 2015 - not noted
• 2014 - not noted
• 2013 - not noted

Jeff

I am not sure what you are asking?

Ciao

[Jeff Schley]

Are there any mistakes in course names or locations? 

[Sean_A]

Best course that I haven't played before in UK - Stoneham a Wille Park Junior course in Southampton England which has been beautifully looked after by Matt Plested and the location of the most bizarre golf shot I played this year (Robin can tell that story)

Matt and the guys at Stoneham discovered earlier in the year that Colt had redesigned the course quite extensively in 1929. They found his original greens drawings.

Did Colt create the circular 9s similar to Muirfield?

Ciao

Not clear.

Is this a subject for future research?

Ciao

[Ben Stephens]

Sean,


I played Porthcawl in Oct 2021 and was astounded by the improvements it has made - there is no artificial walkways anymore and they have widened it with grass which connects to the fairways seamlessly. The small irrigation pop ups at 45 degs were very interesting to see. 12th is slightly improved however 12th and 17th both par 5s in a similar direction are the weakest link of what is a great links course IMO.

[Sean_A]

Sean,

I played Porthcawl in Oct 2021 and was astounded by the improvements it has made - there is no artificial walkways anymore and they have widened it with grass which connects to the fairways seamlessly. The small irrigation pop ups at 45 degs were very interesting to see. 12th is slightly improved however 12th and 17th both par 5s in a similar direction are the weakest link of what is a great links course IMO.

I concur. Like you suggest, its the par 5s which are the only serious letdown, but I am hard to please in that regard.

Jeff

At first glance, favourite new play inland course for 2013 & 2014 don't look right. I knew both Kington and Cleeve before that.

Is there a reason you want me to review? I am slightly confused as to the end goal.

Ciao

[Richard Fisher]

Best New Play Course 2022
West Hill, unquestionably


Most pleasant Surprise
Thorndon Park


Most disappointing moment on a great course
The bonkers walk routing from the 'ordinary' club tees to play the new Hoylake short hole (and I still prefer the old Rushes 13th)

Best Return after a While Away
Wallasey


V glad Sean approves of all the work that has been done at Porthcawl, and there are plans afoot to do something with the 17th: completely agree that the 12th and 17th are relatively uninspiring, compared to everything else! Elsewhere in Wales Harlech irrigation system now bedding in, and the fairways etc should be pretty good for 2023, even if the dormy expansion project is caught up in National Park stuffage. RStD does need I think to tighten up one or two greens (e.g. 2nd, 8th, 9th) that have lost bunkers over the years, as the water table has risen.


Happy Christmas to one and all!

[Adam Lawrence]

Best course that I haven't played before in UK - Stoneham a Wille Park Junior course in Southampton England which has been beautifully looked after by Matt Plested and the location of the most bizarre golf shot I played this year (Robin can tell that story)

Matt and the guys at Stoneham discovered earlier in the year that Colt had redesigned the course quite extensively in 1929. They found his original greens drawings.

Did Colt create the circular 9s similar to Muirfield?

Ciao

Not clear.

Is this a subject for future research?

Ciao

If something turns up then sure, but as the club has gone nearly a century and only found the Colt stuff by accident (and I had nothing about it before that) then I doubt there is anything extant that would prove it either way.


Now that said, I don't think, from what I have read of the correspondence between Colt and the club, that he rerouted the course -- it seemed to be (extensive) changes to individual holes, the creation of new greens, etc. But I can't prove it.

[Jeff Schley]

Sean,

I played Porthcawl in Oct 2021 and was astounded by the improvements it has made - there is no artificial walkways anymore and they have widened it with grass which connects to the fairways seamlessly. The small irrigation pop ups at 45 degs were very interesting to see. 12th is slightly improved however 12th and 17th both par 5s in a similar direction are the weakest link of what is a great links course IMO.

I concur. Like you suggest, its the par 5s which are the only serious letdown, but I am hard to please in that regard.

Jeff

At first glance, favourite new play inland course for 2013 & 2014 don't look right. I knew both Kington and Cleeve before that.

Is there a reason you want me to review? I am slightly confused as to the end goal.

Ciao

Yes in those years you labeled the results as Favorite play inland and favorite play links, not new.
You don't have locations so I just looked up the courses locations myself. Also Beverely was already corrected from Chicago to the UK. Want it to be accurate as your yank awards are a good reference for those on this site.
Also to have an updated nifty fifty and happy 100 list.

[jeffwarne]

V glad Sean approves of all the work that has been done at Porthcawl, and there are plans afoot to do something with the 17th: completely agree that the 12th and 17th are relatively uninspiring, compared to everything else! Elsewhere in Wales Harlech irrigation system now bedding in, and the fairways etc should be pretty good for 2023, even if the dormy expansion project is caught up in National Park stuffage. RStD does need I think to tighten up one or two greens (e.g. 2nd, 8th, 9th) that have lost bunkers over the years, as the water table has risen.


Happy Christmas to one and all!

Will 18 again be played as 1 for the upcoming Sr. Open at RP?

[Richard Fisher]

Yes.
One sad consequence of which is that many competitors never sample the lovely old clubhouse right by the sea.

[Tom_Doak]

Will 18 again be played as 1 for the upcoming Sr. Open at RP?

WTF?  Why do they do that?

[Bruce Katona]

Back in the day, the highest & best F&B profit margins had were in the offseason/winter when the golf professional also dealt with food at the turn.


It was $5 for a fountain soda & a large hot dog on a Portuguese roll - total food & drink costs, including paper goods & cups was less than $1.  Chips/crackers & pretzels were also available for $1 per bag.  The golf professional also collected the greens/cart fees. Maintenance stall was limited to salaried employees.


Provided there were a few good weather days in the month, operations broke even, including debt service.  With more than 5-6 decent days, a monthly profit was turned.


Archie recalls this well.

[John Kavanaugh]

Back in the day, the highest & best F&B profit margins had were in the offseason/winter when the golf professional also dealt with food at the turn.


It was $5 for a fountain soda & a large hot dog on a Portuguese roll - total food & drink costs, including paper goods & cups was less than $1.  Chips/crackers & pretzels were also available for $1 per bag.  The golf professional also collected the greens/cart fees. Maintenance stall was limited to salaried employees.


Provided there were a few good weather days in the month, operations broke even, including debt service.  With more than 5-6 decent days, a monthly profit was turned.


Archie recalls this well.

Now the rubes go to Costco.

[Ash Towe]

Best new course: Te Arai South. Everything about the course and club is top drawer.


Most pleasant surprise: Tieke golf estate. Situated not far from Hamilton. Used to be Lochiel golf club. Just about a new course. Nice to see a regular club make a massive upgrade.


Favourite new play inland: Royal Auckland. Two clubs have combined ( Royal Auckland and The Grange ) have combined to produce this 27 hole complex.

[Ben Stephens]

Best new course: Te Arai South. Everything about the course and club is top drawer.


Most pleasant surprise: Tieke golf estate. Situated not far from Hamilton. Used to be Lochiel golf club. Just about a new course. Nice to see a regular club make a massive upgrade.


Favourite new play inland: Royal Auckland. Two clubs have combined ( Royal Auckland and The Grange ) have combined to produce this 27 hole complex.

Didn't the former NZ prime minister have a hole in one at an event at Royal Auckland?

[Ash Towe]

Yes Ben you are correct. Former PM John Key had a hole in one at a charity event at Royal Auckland. Various celebrities played a few holes with Ryan Fox. It was shown on the news.

[Mark Pearce]

Best New Course played - Gog Magog.  Not a lot of golf this year, as I was training on my bike most of the season but this was far from the flat, dull experience I expected.  Really very good.  Also, therefore, wins unexpected (pleasant) surprise.


Best links and best golf course played - Muirfield.  As I expect it will always be until I no longer get games there....


Best budget - Kinghorn.  As wild, whacky and fun as my first visit.


Most improved - Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin).  Used to be dull, dull to look at and too hard.  Now just too hard.  Massively improved over what I remembered (amazing how removing trees can cause scores to go up!) but too hard to really enjoy, still.


Worst course played - Woodhall Spa (Bracken).  Every bit as nonsensically bad as I remembered.  Standing on the second tee was a @WTF?@ moment of the worst sort.


Course I'd happily play every day for the rest of my life - Elie.  And one day maybe I will.....

[Sean_A]

Best New Course played - Gog Magog.  Not a lot of golf this year, as I was training on my bike most of the season but this was far from the flat, dull experience I expected.  Really very good.  Also, therefore, wins unexpected (pleasant) surprise.


Best links and best golf course played - Muirfield.  As I expect it will always be until I no longer get games there....


Best budget - Kinghorn.  As wild, whacky and fun as my first visit.


Most improved - Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin).  Used to be dull, dull to look at and too hard.  Now just too hard.  Massively improved over what I remembered (amazing how removing trees can cause scores to go up!) but too hard to really enjoy, still.


Worst course played - Woodhall Spa (Bracken).  Every bit as nonsensically bad as I remembered.  Standing on the second tee was a @WTF?@ moment of the worst sort.

Course I'd happily play every day for the rest of my life - Elie.  And one day maybe I will.....

I want to play Gogs. Its on the back of my mind list

Merry Christmas

[Richard Fisher]

Sean you’d be very welcome at the Gogs any time. Just let me know.

[Adam Lawrence]

I really like the Old course at the Gogs. But I wish the club would be brave enough to clear out all the rubbish vegetation from the big chalk pits. It would be super-dramatic.

[Ben Stephens]

Sean you’d be very welcome at the Gogs any time. Just let me know.

Hi Richard,


Robin has always wanted to play the Wandlebury as he had a bit of design involvement but has never played the course!! It has been a while since I have played the Wandlebury as have already played the Old a few times.


Cheers
Ben

[Sean_A]

Sean you’d be very welcome at the Gogs any time. Just let me know.

Very fine!

Merry Christmas

[Stewart Abramson]

The best, best new and my favorites of 2022 were Royal Dornoch and Cruden Bay


Most Surprising were Nairn and Country Club of Florida. I booked Nairn with low expectations as compared to the others I played in Aberdeen and the Highlands, and loved everything about Nairn. I knew nothing about CC of FL when I received the invitation to play, and was very pleasantly surprised.


Best affordable - Deltona Club (FL) Green fee is around $35 most of the year. In Winter it can still be played any time of day under $50.


Favorite courses to play day after day:


Southern Dunes, Haines City, FL - Other than Streamsong, which is too expensive to play on a regular basis, and Mountain Lake which I can't get on, this is my course of choice within 50 miles of my FL home. It ticks off a lot of boxes: excellent greens, angles and options, hard to lose a ball, but an interesting challenge play after play, elevation changes rare to the area and a great value. With the local card I can play most of the year at prime tee times for $65 or less. Even during the prime tourist season I can play mid day for $69 and twilight for $55


In the summer when in New Jersey, it's River Vale Country Club. For anyone in the NY/NJ metro area who hasn't played there in the last 2 or 3 years, you should visit. They've removed hundreds of trees and opened up the site lines across the course. They renovated several of the bunkers and moved two or three for strategic purposes. It's on an excellent rolling piece of land and has a great variety of holes and some quirk.