My 2023 Golf year

[Stewart Abramson]

I retired a few years ago and spend most of my time in Florida, but also keep a place in North New Jersey, so play most of my golf in NJ in summer and in the Orlando and Tampa areas the rest of the year. I play lots of different courses, but this is the first year I didn't play many that are new to me. As has been discussed on several threads, green fees have skyrocketed and the retirees I play with in Florida are very cost sensitive in selecting new places to play. Some of the cheap locals' (i.e. non-tourist) courses played for the first time were Cypress Head and Daytona Beach GC (Ross), both near Daytona, and East Bay and Dundein GC (Ross), both near St Pete. Mostly DS 3's, except Dundein, which was better. I understand they will be doing substantial work at Dundein in 2024 and I'll visit again as it has potential to be very good.


The two courses I now play most frequently are Rivervale CC in NJ and Southern Dunes in FL and am very happy with those choices. Anyone near North NJ who hasn't played Rivervale in the last three or four years should play it. It's on a very good parcel for a golf course, really good greens and they've cleared hundreds of trees and refurbished many of the bunkers recently.



River vale #6 approach 10.22.23



Southern Dunes#9


I only took one big golf trip this year and it was a great one. South of England. Half heaths; half links. From Surrey through Hampshire, Sussex and Kent. As is presently being discussed on another thread, SE England is one of the best and under rated golf regions. Many rounds exceeded my expectations... Deal, Rye, Pulborough, Hayling, Liphook and Hindhead, among others. I relive those rounds in my mind frequently.



Rye #7 par 3 140 yards



Royal Cinque Ports #17 978



West Sussex #18



Hayling #11 par 3



Hindhead #4 par 5



Liphook #18


A story from the trip: I arrived at Liphook wearing black shorts, black golf shoes and matching black socks that could barely be seen above my shoes. I was scolded by a staff member who advised that I could either wear long pants or switch to white socks with my shorts. Back to the car park to find white socks in my suitcase and then off to the first tee, perturbed and embarrassed  by my violation of the white socks rule. After the round in the locker room, my playing partner and I are laughing about the socks "incident", as a member approaches us and says, "it's a stupid rule, but a club tradition" and then suddenly does a double take, as he and my playing partner recognize each other as long lost friends. After a big hug and a few minutes reminiscing, we end up on the 19th hole veranda for several hours of drinks and golf stories with members. How fast our perspective of the club changed.


My non-playing highlight was volunteering in the caddy services room and practice range for the week at the LPGA event hosted by Annika Sorenstam at the Pelican Club near St Pete. The LPGA players and their caddies are so personable and fun to see play.





Annika LPGA practice range Gemma Dryburgh #1 Scottish player- from Aberdeen

[Mike Worth]

5. Worst hole:  Reddish Vale 15 (par 5-439
yards). This was the only bad hole I played all year. Having been critical here, I want to say I mostly agree with Ran’s review even as it glosses over the course’s weak points (mostly stemming from the fact it was built in 1912 with no expansion potential) and tends to over romanticize the place.

I really liked RV.  But 15 can't be the worst hole you played all year, unless you walked in before the 18th.

I have no issue #18 at RV. I wouldn’t even say it’s a bad hole 

[Mike Worth]

2 rounds ... tough year to do anything beyond work

1. Oakdale (Canadian Open media day - I was required to play )
2. Osprey Valley (North) played before we started renovation (possible Canadian Open in 2025)

(six more to come very soon)

Ian I drove right by Springdale on Weds — were you there on that day? I’m wondering if I should’ve stopped off to say hello

[Sean_A]

5. Worst hole:  Reddish Vale 15 (par 5-439
yards). This was the only bad hole I played all year. Having been critical here, I want to say I mostly agree with Ran’s review even as it glosses over the course’s weak points (mostly stemming from the fact it was built in 1912 with no expansion potential) and tends to over romanticize the place.

I really liked RV.  But 15 can't be the worst hole you played all year, unless you walked in before the 18th.

I have no issue #18 at RV. I wouldn’t even say it’s a bad hole

For me 18 at Reddish Vale is comfortably the worst hole on the course. That said, the tee shot for 15 is a bit bonkers.

Ciao

[David_Tepper]

Stewart A. -

Those are some great pics. Thanks for posting them.

DT

[Dan Boerger]

A heck of a year for me, considering I'm still employed!


Burning Tree
Fieldstone
St. Davids GC
Aronimink
Lahinch
Tralee
Ballybunion
Waterville
Old Head
Portmarnock
Cuscowilla
The Creek Club
Great Waters
Oconee
Saucon Valley Old
Bel-Air
LACC
Sherwood CC
Thendara
Inlet
Sadaquada

[Jeff Schley]

Had a very enjoyable year as I got some new courses in I have been wanting to play.

• Reynolds’s Lake Oconee (forgot which one)
• Peachtree
• Atlanta Athleic Club
• Wentworth West
• Royal Dornoch
• Castle Stuart
• OFCC
• Maidstone
• Southampton
• Deepdale
• Friars Head
• Somerset Hills
• Merion
• Winged Foot
• Piping Rock
• Fenway
• Abiko
• Kasumageski
• Ono
• Hirono
• Kawana
• Yokohama West
• Tokyo
• Shanqin Bay
• Ballyshear Links

Favorite course - Peachtree, wow greens amazaing and should be rated higher
Biggest Surprise - Ono was very good and loved it
Best experience - Shanqin Bay, best I have ever had.  What a gem of a course and location.
Biggest disappointment - Kasumagaseki, not impressed and certainly not compared to the others I played.

[Ira Fishman]

The highlight of the year is becoming a grandparent for the first time. So less golf for good reason.


But there are some golf highlights:


**Playing TOC for the first time thanks to a generous friend. I did not and probably will never understand the course, but every aspect of the day remains memorable.


**A return visit to Elie. The rain and wind came in as we were heading up number 9. The conditions probably only enhanced how much fun we were having and how much we appreciated the course.


**Making the decision to go to Fraserburgh over some other more “popular” options. What a wonderful course.


**Playing Royal Aberdeen as a one ball as the first visitor “group” off on a glorious weather day.


**Getting paired up at Mid Pines with a couple who has visited there at least once a year for 52 years. And Ran thinks he discovered the area’s  special stature. Far better players than us and so gracious.


**Cocktails with Jay Mickle on the Mickle Patio.


We have much for which to be thankful.


Ira

[Stewart Abramson]

The highlight of the year is becoming a grandparent for the first time. So less golf for good reason.


We have much for which to be thankful.


Ira

Congrats That is a highlight.

[Tom_Doak]

I think I played fewer rounds this year than anytime since I was ten.  The only courses I played that weren't one of my own were Commonwealth in Australia and Crystal Downs, where I only clocked three rounds this year.

However, I did have the rare privilege of playing my debut round at four of my new courses:

Te Arai North
Pinehurst #10
Sedge Valley
High Pointe 2.0 [the nine holes that are ready]

And I also got back to play at The Loop, Lost Dunes, Lido, Ballyneal, Rock Creek, and Pacific Dunes.


Really, though, in years to come, this will be noted as the year that we finished those four courses listed above and also got to work on Cabot Highlands, Rolling Sands (FL) and Childress Hall.  Like Ian, I didn't have much time off!

[Ian Andrew]

Ian I drove right by Springdale on Weds — were you there on that day? I’m wondering if I should’ve stopped off to say hello

If I was there, absolutely. Last day was Tuesday. It's all done.
Just a few weeks to clean up the haul roads and finish sodding.
Will be back in the Spring to look things over and play.

[Connor Lewis]

I didn’t travel very much in 2023 for golf- because I was enjoying our restored Belleair CC West Course.


My trips included:
Pine Valley
Cypress Point
Augusta National
Seminole
Monterey Peninsula Shore
Merion
Garden City
Inverness
Cedar Rapids CC
Landmand
Lancaster


Still may make a trip to LA in December.

[Rob Marshall]

I didn’t travel very much in 2023 for golf- because I was enjoying our restored Belleair CC West Course.


My trips included:
Pine Valley
Cypress Point
Augusta National
Seminole
Monterey Peninsula Shore
Merion
Garden City
Inverness
Cedar Rapids CC
Landmand
Lancaster


Still may make a trip to LA in December.

Pretty good for a slow year!

[Cal Seifert]

The season isn’t over yet! Bethpage Red tomorrow at 8:54. 29 degrees on my weather app. Practice round for my new years in Pinehurst.

[Pete_Pittock]

Reserve Vineyards-Cupp
Reserve Vineyards-Fought
with an average north of $200/round at my home course, turned in papers in late summer. When the courses and myself get firmer next year might give golf another stab.

[Kevin_Reilly]

deleted

[Tommy Williamsen]

I had a very fun last 12 months. It was cut short by hand surgery and a hip injury that put me out of action for five months. I did a lot of travel, however, and played golf in four corners of the North American continent: New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, California, Oregon, Alaska, Nova Scotia, and finally a pleasant trip to Ireland. I enjoyed every course.   

[John Foley]

2023 was a VERY blessed year.


Saw a few new interesting places - Worked at the Open @ LACC - what a spectacular venue. Played Aiken GC lots of fun. The old Raynor @ Mountain Lake was very cool. Old Works in MT.


Realized that some Fazio is not bad at all - Shooting Star & Berkeley Hall.


Revisited a few favorites that I hadn't see in a while - Leatherstocking, Bayonne & Twisted Dune.


Cant wait for 2024 - first trip to Scotland in June!
 

[MCirba]

Let's give this a shot.   I've had a lot of fun this year on a wide mixture of golf courses in several states.   All "first time" courses are marked with an asterisk*, architect(s) of record as best as I could determine, and my Doak Scale rating.   Courses grouped together in 2s and 3s that are bracketed [] were played the same day.  Courses played multiple times are indicated with "nX" where "n" is number of times.   Many of the courses with very low scores were either simple par 3 or executive courses but many were a blast despite their architectural simplicity.   One course (Harris Hill) was only 3 holes with artificial grass greens, but I had a smile on my face the whole time.


Hoping to play a few more before year end around here and in Arizona.  Questions/comments welcomed.


Seaview (Bay) (NJ)
Ed “Porky” Oliver (DE)
Jeffersonville (PA)
Merion (West) (PA)
Reading (PA)
[Salt Pond (DE)*] – Rupert Smith 1992 – 2
[Mulligans Pointe (DE)]* - Ed Ault 1967, Al Janis 1988 – 2.5
Stonewall (North) (PA)
McCall Field (PA)
Galen Hall (PA) (2x)
Golden Oaks (PA)
[Whispering Pines (SC)*] – Gen. Gilbert Meyers 1962, Baxter Spann/Ken Dye 1987 – 3
[Arrowhead (SC)*] – Tom Jackson/Ray Floyd 1994 – 4
[International Club (SC)*] – Willard Byrd 2000 – 2.5
[Legends (Parkland) (SC)]
Wild Wing (Avocet) (SC)
[Aero Club (SC)*] – Ed Ault 1984, Chip Smith 2020 – 2.5
[Glen Dornoch (SC)]
Springdale (NJ)
Waynesborough (PA)
Mountain Valley (Valley) (PA)
Shadowbrook (PA)
Clinton (PA)* - Alex Findlay 1910, Ed Ault 1972, Ault/Clark 1977 - 3.5
Jack Frost (PA)
Berkleigh (PA)(4x)
Metedeconk National (NJ)
Whitford (PA)* - William/David Gordon 1957, Ron Forse/Jim Nagle 2008 – 5.5
Northampton (PA)
[Twaalfskill (NY)*] – Some believe Tillinghast 1902 – 6
[Innes (NY)*] – Hal Purdy 1970/Rob Collins/Tad King 2021 – 5
[Sullivan County (NY)*] – Len Rayner/Maurice McCarthy 1925 – 3.5
Shawnee (PA)
[Susquehanna Valley (PA)*] – William Flynn? 1914?, Dick Dickinson 1927, Wm/David Gordon 1959 Front Nine 5, Back Nine 2 = 3.5
[Kaddy Shack (PA)*] – Don Fisher/Rich & Bill Young 2000 - 1.5
[Sunny Hill (PA)*] – Vance Megargel/Jim Seltzer 1953 – 2
Lancaster (PA)
Manufacturers (PA)
Ravens Claw (PA)
Fox Hill (PA)
Harris Hill (NY)* - J. Arthur Kiefer 1973 – 1.5
Rumson (NJ)* - Travis/Kellogg/Barker/Norton 1910, Ed Crane 1948, Tripp Davis 2014 – 6
Bella Vista (PA)
Homestead (PA)
Catatonk (NY)* - Hal Purdy 1961, Cliff Ulrick 1972, Dennis Ulrick 2006 – 2.5
Corey Creek (PA)* - Herb Peterson/Tom Bonnar 1928, Jack Marsh 1972 – 3
Bethlehem (PA)
Woodloch Springs (PA)
Philadelphia Cricket (Wissahickon)(PA)
Southward Ho (NY)* - A.W. Tillinghast 1925, Al Tull 1961, Stephen Kay 1991, Joel Weiman 2016 – 5
North Jersey (NJ)
Elkview (PA)
Indian Mountain (PA)(2x)
[Presidio (CA)*] - William Robertson 1896, Robert Johnstone/William McEwan 1900-1910, Herbert Fowler 1921,Robert Muir Graves 1964, Desmond Muirhead 1973, Richard Zokol/Armen Suny 2013 – 5.5
[Lincoln Park (CA)*] - Tom Bendelow/Vince Whitney 1912, Wilfred Reid/James Donaldson 1916, Bob Lager 1918, Herbert Fowler/William Watson/Harold Sampson 1922, Jack Fleming 1935 – 2.5
[Pacific Grove (CA)*] - H. Chandler Egan 1932, Jack Neville 1960 – 5
[Del Monte (CA)*] - T.W. Tetley/C Maud 1897, Wm Robertson 1898, C Maud/E Folger/J.A. Folger/T.P. Gower 1903, Wilfred Reid/James Donaldson/Walter Fovargue 1916, Herbert Fowler 1920, Roger Larson 1970 – 4
[Bayonet (CA)*] - General Robert McClure/Lawson Little 1954, Gene Bates 2008 – 5
[Black Horse (CA)*] - General Edwin Carnes/General Robert McClure 1964, Gene Bates 2008 – 4.5
[Peter Hay (CA)*] - Peter Hay/Jack Neville/Gen. Robert McClure/Wm. Moore 1957, Tiger Woods/Beau Welling 2021 – 2.5
[Pebble Beach (CA)*] - Jack Neville/Douglas Grant/W Reid/J Donaldson 1918, H. Fowler 1922, A Mackenzie 1926, H. C. Egan 1929, Jack Neville/Sandy Tatum 1972, Jack Nicklaus 1998, Arnold Palmer 2010 – 9.5
[Spyglass Hill (CA)*] – Robert Trent Jones 1966 – 7
[Sharp Park (CA)*] - Alister Mackenzie/H. Chandler Egan/Robert Hunter, Jr./Jack Fleming 1932, Jack Fleming 1941, Robert Muir Graves 1972 – 4
[Hidden Valley (PA)]
[Hamlin (PA)*] – Tom Reinbold 2012 – 1.5
Rich Maiden (PA)
Blue Shamrock (PA)
Williamsport (PA)* - Walter Travis/Herbert Barker 1911, A.W. Tillinghast 1923, Maurice McCarthy 1930, William Gordon 1964, Ron Forse/Jim Nagle 2001 – 5
Shade Mountain (PA)* - Ed Ault 1969 – 4

[Chris Mavros]

My list is below.  I have not yet gathered my thoughts for this year but at least know that Sand Hills and Crystal Downs crack my top 5. 

2023 Courses (bold are new)

Pacific Dunes - OR
Bandon Dunes
Old Mac
Bandon Trails
Sheep Ranch
Bandon Preserve
Eugene CC
Llanerch - PA
Green Valley
Reading CC
Suneagles - NJ
Tavistock
French Creek
UL Torresdale
White Manor
Old Memorial - FL
Beden’s Brook
St. Martins
Scotland Run
Wykagyl - NY
Little Mill
Madison
Somerset Hills
Applebrook
Southampton
Seawane
Lancaster
Timber Point
Sands Point
Crooked Stick - IN
Saucon Valley - Weyhill
Saucon Valley - Old
Royal Manchester
Philadelphia Cricket - Wissahickon
Springhaven
Kingsley Club - MI
Crystal Downs
Elk Rapids
Belvedere
Ballyneal - CO
Sand Hills - NE
Montclair 2 and 4
Bethpage Black
Fenway
Fields Ranch West - TX
Fields Ranch East
Trinity Forest
Maridoe
LedgeRock
Squires
Talamore
Manasquan River
Militia Hill
Cedarbrook
Wheatley Hills
Harbor Links
The Creek
Metedeconck - 1 - 3, course 2
Knickerbocker
Kennett Square
Merion West
Spy Ring
St. George’s
Phoenixville
Dornick Hills - OK
Brook Hollow

[John Kirk]

I played nine holes three times this year, all within 20 miles of my house.  I  might get to play another nine holes before the year ends.

These achievements stand up quite well when compared to the highlights of our other contributors.
 

[Nigel Islam]

Here are my courses for the year so far; I still have a few to squeeze in when we go to Florida in December. I did not touch a golf club until June 1st this season.


Ottawa Park GC (OH)
Troia (Portugal)
Eagle Eye GC (OH)
American Dunes (MI)
The Mines (MI)
Pilgrim's Run GC (MI)
Arcadia South GC (MI)
GVSU Meadows GC (MI)
Angel's Crossing GC (MI)
Lakeside GC (KY)
UK Wildcat GC (KY)
Pinnacle CC (OH)
Prairie Trace East GC (OH)
Sultan's Run GC (IN)
Huntingburg CC (IN)
Sanctuary GC (OH) NLE 10/15/23
Leatherstocking GC (NY)
Lost Nation GC (OH)
Egwani Farms GC (TN)
Old Union GC (GA)
Butternut Creek GC (GA)
Sequoyah National (NC)
Noble Hawk Links (IN)
Sharon Woods GC (OH) replay
Foresthills GC (GA)
Augusta Municipal "The Patch" (GA)
Eisenhower Lakes GC (GA)


I am hoping to also play these courses in December:


Arcadia Municipal (FL)
Bobby Jones GC (FL)
another TBD

Huntingburg! I love that little nine hole course. Nothing like a dog leg right par three closer that is actually somehow a good golf hole! That made my day Richard!

[Mike Hendren]

I’m no John Kirk but played Painswick, Stranahan, Cleve Hill and Old Minchinhampton.  Sorry belt-notchers but I declare victory.

[Jim Hoak]

Chris--I see a bunch of Dallas-area courses.  Got a favorite?

[JLahrman]

Here are my courses for the year so far; I still have a few to squeeze in when we go to Florida in December. I did not touch a golf club until June 1st this season.

Eagle Eye GC (OH)
American Dunes (MI)
The Mines (MI)
Pilgrim's Run GC (MI)
Arcadia South GC (MI)
GVSU Meadows GC (MI)
Angel's Crossing GC (MI)

Rich is coming closest to my neck of the woods. And I believe Eagle Eye is Michigan, unless there is one in Ohio I don't know about. I'm going to try to play there next year.


This year I played:
Indian Trails (MI)
The Mines (MI)
Diamond Springs (MI)
Pilgrims Run (MI)
Kirtland (OH) - Midwest Mashie
Otter Creek (MI)