My 2023 Golf year

[Cory Lewis]

I played a ton of new courses this year.  I also set a new personal record for rounds played.  But numbers aren't important. 


I had two big highlights this year:


1.  My wife and I returned to Sand Hills this year after a 13 year absence.  We spent our honeymoon at Sand Hills in 2010 and were very excited to return.  I didn't think it could be possible, but the place actually got better the 2nd time around.  Sand Hills just somehow captures the soul of golf and every minute spent there is absolute perfection.


2.  My 2nd highlight came very recently and was unexpected.  Since I started working at my current course, I had always wanted to play in the annual Pro-Member.  Our rule is you have to be invited by a member to play and, even though I play with members quite frequently, as the outside operations manager, my name is not really thought of as a possible partner for an event like this.


My club is the type that gets tour pros and pros from top 20 clubs in its Pro-Member so it was more of a dream for somebody like me to be able to play in the tournament.  Through a very unexpected set of circumstances, we had an odd number of teams and the member I play with the most said "let's do it!" 


Day one of the tournament was an absolute dream for me.  I shot 65, including birdies on the final three holes.  We shot 59 as a team and were tied for the lead heading into day two.  I beat a couple of actual touring pros on day one which is something I am really not capable of doing!  We played less stellar on day two but still finished third ahead of some very good professionals. 


It was a dream scenario for me because it's my last year at my current club, and I never thought I would get to experience something like the Pro-Member!  It was doubly satisfying because people in my job, outside operations manager, rarely get to play in things like this because we aren't the guys in the shop that people think of as "golf pros" so I also felt like I was playing for all my friends that work very hard outside every day but don't get to experience this.

[Jason Topp]

Two terrific memories Cory!  I hope our paths cross soon.  It has been too long.

[MLevesque]

I had an joyful season of playing some wonderful classic New England courses this season with Misquamicut being the standout. Here are some of the highlights


Misquamicut(RI)
Hooper(NH)
Marion (MA)
Yale CT)
Keney Park (CT)
Shennecosett (CT)
Hotchkiss School (CT)


Some courses on my wish list for the coming season(s):


Fishers Island (NY)
Eastward Ho! (MA)
Wannamoisett (RI)
Bald Mountain (NH)
Tamarack (CT)

[Tim Martin]

I had an joyful season of playing some wonderful classic New England courses this season with Misquamicut being the standout. Here are some of the highlights


Misquamicut(RI)
Hooper(NH)
Marion (MA)
Yale CT)
Keney Park (CT)
Shennecosett (CT)
Hotchkiss School (CT)


Some courses on my wish list for the coming season(s):


Fishers Island (NY)
Eastward Ho! (MA)
Wannamoisett (RI)
Bald Mountain (NH)

I had a terrific time with Marc at Shennecossett this Fall after meeting through a mutual friend. It’s a personal favorite and a go to course for Winter golf. The atmosphere, location, bar/restaurant and set of holes always provide a great experience. Finally the job that Eric Morrison does as superintendent with a small crew and budget is admirable.

[Andrew Carr]

2023 has been a wonderful year.


Mr. Mavros, thanks for coming out to Wheatley Hills Golf Club this year!  It's a fun Devereux Emmet that is only being made better each year by Ian Andrew.  Thank you Ian!


Anyone on here that would like to come out when on Long Island is more than welcome to reach out.


And Mr. Cirba, it was fun seeing you at Southward Ho.


Mr. Rudovsky, thank you for spending some time together this year, I've enjoyed both days tremendously.


And finally to Mr. Lewis for all that he has done to push the work at Belleair Country Club's West Course.  I was fortunate to be down there at the end of November, and despite all of his hype on Twitter, it still delivered on the upside.  Everyone should run down to see it.


Now to my list, which I'm putting in chronological order:


Meadow Club
San Francisco Golf Club
Green Hills Country Club
Claremont Country Club
Wheatley Hills Golf Club
Baltimore Country Club
Kinloch Golf Club
Sands Point Golf Club
[/size]Country Club of York
Fountainhead Country Club
Ridgewood Country Club
[/size]Mountain Ridge Country Club
[/size]Country Club at Woodloch
[/size]Nassau Country Club
[/size]Mohawk Golf Club
[/size]Metropolis Country Club
[/size]The Bridge
[/size]Applebrook Golf Club
[/size]Philadelphia Cricket Club
[/size]The Country Club
[/size]Boston Golf Club
[/size]Piping Rock Club
[/size]Leatherstocking
[/size]Somerset Hills Country Club
[/size]Southward Ho Country Club
[/size]Baltustrol Golf Club (Lower Course)
[/size]North Jersey Country Club
[/size]Cattail Creek Country Club
[/size]PB Dye Golf Club
[/size]Pelican Golf Club
[/size]Belleair Country Club West
[/size]Belleair Country Club East
[/size]Old Memorial Golf Club
[/size]
My takeaways from a heavy Tillinghast focused year, I struggle to think of a single architect that has built more consistently wonderful par 5s.  I'm going to start a separate thread on that, so as to not cloud this which is focused on year in review.[/size]

[/size]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.  [/color]

[/size]2023 Courses (bold are new)

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

[Paul Jones]

I had my best year ever, not from number of courses or new courses, but quality of courses played.



In alphabetical order, *new courses:
ANGC
Cape Kidnappers*
Cypress Point (x2)
Kauri Cliffs* - completed World Top 100.
NGLA
Old Barnwell*
Peachtree
Royal Abderdeen*
Royal Adelaide*
Royal Melbourne (East/West)
Shinnecock Hills
St Andrews (Old)
St Andrews (New)*
Tara Iti*
Tree Farm*


I did have my greatest week: NGLA, Shinny, Deepdale and ANGC.
Trips to Scotland, Australia and New Zealand where I completed World Top 100.
Finished with 2 days at CPC earlier this month.

[Wayne Wiggins, Jr.]

(Notable) Repeat Plays
·        Olympic Club (Lake) – 8 (Hanse's "restoration" is excellent. Playable and fun are words that probably have never been spoken about the Lake in the past, but definitely are appropriate now. While still tough, the new larger greens shift the overall challenge from the driver to the putter. I would’ve given it a Doak 9 if the 8^th hole had been reworked, but feel that what was built vs. what was planned was not Hanse’s (or the club’s) best effort. Lack of variety in par 3s holds the Lake back from next level.
·        Lake Merced – 8 (excellent renovation/restoration. A must play in the Bay Area)
·        Cal Club – 8 (Arguably the most fun, interesting golf in the Bay Area)
·        Harding Park – 5 (might be time for an update as the architecture is looking dated and tired, especially compared to what’s been going on w/ other courses in the neighborhood)
·        LACC (North) – 9 (Absolutely one of the best courses in the country. A day on the North is unrivalled)
·        Riviera – 9 (a careful, thoughtful restoration/renovation would catapult Riv to a Doak 10 and maybe Top 5 in US. Until then it remains a 9)
·        Aronimink – 8 (recent Hanse work continues to shine and get better. Played it a couple times in June when the firm and fast condition made the course sparkle!)
·        Merion (East) – 10 (tough to be objective when it’s my favorite course. My only complaint is that the guest fee is making it tough to play multiple times in a trip!)
·        Somerset Hills – 9 (An unparalleled mix of solid and quirky golf over amazing terrain. A great day of golf for sure)
·        Old Elm – 9 (Saw it the first time since 2018, and the restoration work has made it an absolute gem. Top 3 in Chicagoland for sure!)
·        Beverly – 8 (Saw it the first time since 2018, and the restoration work has made it an absolute gem. Top 4 in Chicagoland for sure!)
 
First time play
·        Gulph Mills (clear favorite of the year!) – 8 (Why did it take me so long to play GMGC? I know it’s tough to peel away from an AGC/Merion home-n-home, but c’mon… I gotta do better!)
·        Lakeside [CA] – 7.5 (Why did it take me so long to play Lakeside? I know it’s tough to peel away from a Riv/LACC combo, but c’mon… I gotta do better!)
·        Medinah (#1) – 6 (A Doak 6 is “a very good course, definitely worth a game if you’re in town”. Agreed)
·        Calusa Pines – 7 (torn between a 6 and 7, but the fact that I felt like I was in No. Carolina vs. Florida definitely bumps it up a notch)
·        Fisher Island [FL… not NY] – 5 (fun golf course… if you can get on the island! Nine really fun, quintessential Florida golf holes)
·        Silverado (North) – 5 (The 1970’s called and they’d like their tree-lined, narrow fairways back. Could be really fun, but I don’t need to go back)
·        Golden Gate Park – 7 (Yes, the hype is real! Jay Blasi and team took a beaten down, battered, muddy muni on the edge of the continent, and sculpted something worth going out of your way to play.)
·        Sequoyah – 5 (Solid, interesting golf in the Oakland Hills. Could DEFINITELY stand to lose a few trees, but all in all high quality)
·        Yocha Dehe – 5 (a fun standard issue, CCFAD resort golf course in an amazing setting. Worth the drive from SF once a year)
·        Desert Mountain (Outlaw) – 6 (Having only played this Desert Mountain course, I’ve heard it’s most fun with some really interesting greens and quality golf holes. I’d play it again)

[Tommy Williamsen]

I had my best year ever, not from number of courses or new courses, but quality of courses played.



In alphabetical order, *new courses:
ANGC
Cape Kidnappers*
Cypress Point (x2)
Kauri Cliffs* - completed World Top 100.
NGLA
Old Barnwell*
Peachtree
Royal Abderdeen*
Royal Adelaide*
Royal Melbourne (East/West)
Shinnecock Hills
St Andrews (Old)
St Andrews (New)*
Tara Iti*
Tree Farm*


I did have my greatest week: NGLA, Shinny, Deepdale and ANGC.
Trips to Scotland, Australia and New Zealand where I completed World Top 100.
Finished with 2 days at CPC earlier this month.

Congratulations. I thought I get around, but not like you do.

[Tim Martin]

I had my best year ever, not from number of courses or new courses, but quality of courses played.



In alphabetical order, *new courses:
ANGC
Cape Kidnappers*
Cypress Point (x2)
Kauri Cliffs* - completed World Top 100.
NGLA
Old Barnwell*
Peachtree
Royal Abderdeen*
Royal Adelaide*
Royal Melbourne (East/West)
Shinnecock Hills
St Andrews (Old)
St Andrews (New)*
Tara Iti*
Tree Farm*


I did have my greatest week: NGLA, Shinny, Deepdale and ANGC.
Trips to Scotland, Australia and New Zealand where I completed World Top 100.
Finished with 2 days at CPC earlier this month.

Paul-You’re my hero. WOW!

[Carl Johnson]

Still alive at almost-82 and still playing.  That's the best I can report.

[Jonathan Cummings]

Nowhere near as many as I use to play.  My top 5 for 2023 were:


Walking High Pointe with Tom
Machrie
The pair at Les Bordes
Ardfin
Belleair West

[Scott Weersing]

New courses for me in 2023:

Belmont GC (VA)
Kisiack (VA)
Lawsonia Links
Sand Valley
Mammoth Dunes
Club at Lac La Belle
Old Trail (VA)
Ozark National
Branson Hills GC (MO)

My favorite was Lawsonia because of the great walk and unique routing. I have never seen a back nine that went 3-5-3-5-3.

[Jeff Schley]

N
My favorite was Lawsonia because of the great walk and unique routing. I have never seen a back nine that went 3-5-3-5-3.

It is a unique combo.  Innwood Golf Course a municipal in Joliet, Illinois is 3,5,3,5,3 on holes 10-14.  Take care of their greens well, but pretty easy layout as a muni should be.

[Andrew Harvie]

0
Mammoth Dunes

Since nobody else has asked, I will...can you walk us through this one?

0 - A course so contrived and unnatural that it may poison your mind, one I cannot recommend under any circumstances. Reserved for courses that waste ridiculous sums of money in their construction, and probably shouldn't have been built in the first place.

Brian,


I don't find it contrived or unnatural in the stylistic sense because I think the routing is good enough and the shaping is passable, but I find the architecture, and how the golfer plays Mammoth Dunes, to be almost offensive to the spirit of the game, and for that, I don't think it should've been built.


I found the width to be forcibly too wide, to the point where I almost never truly cared about a tee shot (ie, which side I should've ended up on). Holes like the 10th, for example---the short 4---has the high side being the preferred angle into the green complex because you can see it and that's the way the green is facing, but from the low, inside corner, the green bowls, so there's really no thought into where you should lay up or place your shot or whatever. I found this dilemma on multiple holes, where the preferred angle greets you with the open angle into the green, but from the wrong side, the green bowls, so there's actually no strategy at all. In my eyes, Mammoth Dunes is the perfect resort course: brain-dead golf meant to appeal to the Barstool crew who don't really know good vs bad or what a proper strategic hole is.


I know some will disagree with this, but I find it very mush and the obvious 4th best course at the resort

[jeffwarne]

 
Day one of the tournament was an absolute dream for me.  I shot 65, including birdies on the final three holes.  We shot 59 as a team and were tied for the lead heading into day two.  I beat a couple of actual touring pros on day one which is something I am really not capable of doing!  We played less stellar on day two but still finished third ahead of some very good professionals. 


It was a dream scenario for me because it's my last year at my current club, and I never thought I would get to experience something like the Pro-Member!  It was doubly satisfying because people in my job, outside operations manager, rarely get to play in things like this because we aren't the guys in the shop that people think of as "golf pros" so I also felt like I was playing for all my friends that work very hard outside every day but don't get to experience this.

Great story and congrats.
Given what I've seen of your game, you beating "a couple of touring pros" does not surprise me in the least, especially on a given day at a course you know well and play often.
Great round-that would beat plenty of touring pros every day.
All I can say, what took the member/members so long to invite you?

[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

Completed the year and wanted to add ratings for additional new courses since my previous post.  Will add architectural heritage when I get back to reality tomorrow.


Ruggles GC (MD)* - 3.5
Bala GC (PA)
Grand Canyon U GC (AZ)* - 6
Arizona CC (AZ)* - 5.5
Whirlwind (Devils Claw) (AZ)* - 6
Palm Valley (West/North (AZ)* - 3.5
McCormick Ranch (Palm) (AZ)* - 4
Mountain Shadows Short Course (AZ)* - 4

[MCirba]

Just realized my average new course score is about 3.95.


So much for belt notching!   

[Mike Hendren]

Cirbs is the OG.

[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

Completed the year and wanted to add ratings for additional new courses since my previous post.  Will add architectural heritage when I get back to reality tomorrow.


Ruggles GC (MD)* - 3
Bala GC (PA)
Grand Canyon U GC (AZ)* - 5.5
Arizona CC (AZ)* - 5.5
Whirlwind (Devils Claw) (AZ)* - 5.5
Palm Valley (West/North (AZ)* - 3.5
McCormick Ranch (Palm) (AZ)* - 4
Mountain Shadows Short Course (AZ)* - 4

Mike Hendren,


Not sure about OG, but to satisfy my OCD here are the architects involved with the latest batch of newly played courses;


Ruggles - William Gordon/David Gordon 1956, Edmund Ault 1966, Dan Schlegel 2008
Grand Canyon University - William F. Bell 1961, John Fought 2016
Arizona CC - William Watson 1927, Ernest Suggs/Willie Wansa 1946, Joe Finger 1960, Johnny Bulla 1962, Bill Love 1986, Gary Stephenson 1999, Gary Panks 2006, Dave Druzinsky 2008, Andy Staples 2022
Whirlwind (Devil's Claw) - Gary Panks 2000
Palm Valley - Arthur Hills/Keith Foster 1993, Hale Irwin/Brad Bartell 1999, Phil Mickelson/Mike Angus 2019
McCormick Ranch (Palms) - Desmond Muirhead 1972, Tom Fazio 1986
Mountain Shadows (Short) - Arthur "Jack" Snyder 1962, Forrest Richardson 2008
     

[Tommy Williamsen]

Completed the year and wanted to add ratings for additional new courses since my previous post.  Will add architectural heritage when I get back to reality tomorrow.


Ruggles GC (MD)* - 3
Bala GC (PA)
Grand Canyon U GC (AZ)* - 5.5
Arizona CC (AZ)* - 5.5
Whirlwind (Devils Claw) (AZ)* - 5.5
Palm Valley (West/North (AZ)* - 3.5
McCormick Ranch (Palm) (AZ)* - 4
Mountain Shadows Short Course (AZ)* - 4

RUGGLES! When my Dad was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, I played it all the time. I remember it as being difficult. There was an officer's nine-hole course near the O Club that I played most of the time. It was a great spot to be stationed, right on the Chesapeake Bay.

[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

Completed the year and wanted to add ratings for additional new courses since my previous post.  Will add architectural heritage when I get back to reality tomorrow.


Ruggles GC (MD)* - 3
Bala GC (PA)
Grand Canyon U GC (AZ)* - 5.5
Arizona CC (AZ)* - 5.5
Whirlwind (Devils Claw) (AZ)* - 5.5
Palm Valley (West/North (AZ)* - 3.5
McCormick Ranch (Palm) (AZ)* - 4
Mountain Shadows Short Course (AZ)* - 4

After further consideration I'm changing my ratings for Ruggles to a 3.5 (it's a big property without a lot of elevation change but after a really mundane start there is enough good stuff through the remainder to elevate it slightly above average, thanks Tommy Williamson).


Also really, really liked both Grand Canyon University and Whirlwind (Devils Claw) in AZ, each grew in stature upon reflection, and they are definitely both 6's.   I'll go back and change my original post to reflect these changes.

[David_Tepper]

Quote from: Scott Weersing on December 27, 2023, 03:50:57 PM<blockquote>N
My favorite was Lawsonia because of the great walk and unique routing. I have never seen a back nine that went 3-5-3-5-3.
</blockquote>It is a unique combo.  Innwood Golf Course a municipal in Joliet, Illinois is 3,5,3,5,3 on holes 10-14.  Take care of their greens well, but pretty easy layout as a muni should be.

Many years ago the Ocean course at the Olympic Club started 5-3-5-3-5.

[Tom Buggy]

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

Completed the year and wanted to add ratings for additional new courses since my previous post.  Will add architectural heritage when I get back to reality tomorrow.


Ruggles GC (MD)* - 3.5
Bala GC (PA)
Grand Canyon U GC (AZ)* - 6
Arizona CC (AZ)* - 5.5
Whirlwind (Devils Claw) (AZ)* - 6
Palm Valley (West/North (AZ)* - 3.5
McCormick Ranch (Palm) (AZ)* - 4
Mountain Shadows Short Course (AZ)* - 4

Mike, unless I missed it in your list, you missed an interesting course in eastern PA. It's Indian Hills CC in Paxinos PA, near Shamoikin. Its original name was Shamokin Valley CC. The original nine holes (1923) were designed by Alex Findlay, and they are delightful. The course was expanded to 18 holes in the 1970s. The new back nine is far less interesting except for one hole (the 16th) that's the former 4th hole from the original nine (the present pedestrian third hole replaced it). If you get a chance, take a look.

[MCirba]

Tom Buggy,


Thanks...I've played Indian Hills, just not during 2023.  As you mentioned, the 1923 Alex Findlay holes are very cool, but in 1971 the second nine was built "inhouse" and the resulting holes are difficult enough but without a lot of finesse and charm.  I don't think my pal Joe Bausch has played there yet so maybe I'll get him there in 2024.  Thanks, again.

[Frank Sekulic]

I had a fun golf year in 23 playing a mixture of old familiar faces as well as a number of new courses.


Rams Hill (It is how I picture playing golf on the moon, perfectly groomed fairways and greens surrounded by miles and miles of open desert)


Torrey Pines (Great setting, some nice holes, 6 hour rounds, a little overrated in my opinion)


Rustic Canyon ( A great test of golf and worthy of all the praise it receives on this and other sites, I drive 3 hours each way a few times a year through L.A. traffic a few times a year to play if that tells you anything)


Manakiki ( Fun course, terrific bones, could use a little tlc but a great inexpensive way to spend 4 hours)


Mountain Ridge (A great golf course with a terrific set of Ross greens, gets overlooked due to it's location in the NYC Tri-State area but, is borderline top 100.)


Hollywood Golf Club (A true gem and deserved of it's place in the top 100, could play here everyday and not get bored)


Oak Quarry (The single worst course I have played in the past 10 years)


Encinitas Ranch (Such potential, great views, awesome place to have a beer at sunset)


Black Mesa (Nice course, great setting, looks like they are still trying to get the course back in shape after some rough years)


Wild Horse (A great, great golf course, the best value in golf)


Chaska Town Course (Nice course, played it at the height of the summer heat wave so my memory is a bit cloudy as to the individual holes)


Giants Ridge ( great design, great use of land, fun architecture)


Brookside (Rolling terrain, extremely challenging greens, great test of golf, a must play if you are in the area)


Kirtland (Very nice course with an outstanding back 9, plus they have crustables at the turn, great way to spend a couple of days in Oct in n.e.Ohio)


The Meadow Club (Awesome course, very playable in an amazing setting amongst the hills and woods of Marin County)


All in all a very good year for your's truly