This was a fun exercise. I played exactly 18 different courses this year; 8 new courses and 10 repeats.
1. Boyne Highlands (Donald Ross Memorial) #1 Par 4 The Course has interesting ‘tribute’ holes. The individual holes were impressive, but as conglomerate the course lacked a cohesive character. For example, #17 is modeled after Wannamoisett with a tiny green surrounded by 3 inch rough next to the green. Then #18 is modeled after Oakland Hills with no rough around the green and much larger green. The hole I chose (#1) is modeled after Seminole #6. At least the tee ball is similar. As an architect junkie, this course was a pleasant surprise.
2. The Loop (Red) #2 Par 4 I wish this green was in my backyard. It is my favorite green I’ve ever played. In 2024 I spent 9 hours at Forrest dunes… 3 hours were on this green. (On 6 visits to the property, I’ve never seen it crowded, on a beautiful Sunday in July I was the only tee time between noon and 5pm.)
3. Links on the Bayou #3 Par 4 (Alexandria, Louisiana) A local Mike Young course with literally no elevation change, this straight away hole has pushed-up, turtle back green that makes for a challenging approach.
4. Greywalls. Par 4. Maybe because I drove 5 hours from Traverse City to play here, but I don’t get the love for Greywalls. The internal green contours are excellent, but not my cup of tea. #4 is a good representation of the entire course. Split fairway with options. Huge green has interesting slopes. I highly doubt that I will ever return here.
5. Charleviox Muni Par 5. A great little golf course by William Watson. Would play here again. Walked in less than an hour.
6. Streamsong Blue. Par 4. I blush over greens that runaway from the player. Interesting optioned filled drive. My favorite hole on the Streamsong property.
7. Belvedere (Charleviox, MI) A reverse alps. A testament to great routing of this property. A hole that plays from the lowest part of the property to the highest, and is one of the better holes on the course. Doubt that’s been achieved on many courses.
8. Crystal Downs. The 2nd shot on par 5’s is often indifferent. I don’t think an architect can master it. After experiencing a handful of great courses, I want heroic or strategic second shots; not penal. I have an appreciation for long par 5s that reward the second shot with an unobstructed view of the green, while punishing poor shots with a blind 3rd shot approach; for example: Lawsonia #9 or Streamsong Blue #17. The 8th at Cyrstal doesn’t do that! It rewards being on the right coming into the green, but she is so womanly that you don’t know what’s about to happen. Not only have I not played a better par 5; I haven’t experienced anything remotely as good. Is there a better uphill hole? (an uphill that forecast everything she has to offer, you can’t see the particulars, but you know exactly what you are supposed to do, but seem incapable of doing it.) On this little list, no hole is within the same realm.
9. Streamsong Red Par 4 Are there short par 4s that the best play is over the green? I am not long enough to play this strategy, but this hole makes me want to go far past ‘pin-high’
10. Country Club at Golden Nugget (Lake Charles, LA) Par4 As a Louisiana native and resident, there are no Doak 6’s in the state and perhaps only 5 Doak 5’s. This isn’t one of them! Nevertheless, it continues to be ranked as one of the top 5 courses in the state. Interesting short par 4 with lots of options off the tee. The Fazio course next door is equal in terms of quality.
11. The Loop (Black) My second favorite green at the Loop. I find it more intriguing approaching from the Red direction, but tremendous fun from the Black too.
12. Tamahka Trails Par 4. My home course. Outside of the cart path crossing the fairway, this is one of the better holes in Louisiana. A severely front to back titling green played from a downhill lie. A joy to play.
13. Mystic Creek (El Dorado, Arkansas) A wannabe ANGC, but in a housing development. Worth a stop if in the area. A surprising Doak 6, with interesting greens set amongst towering pines. Par 4, 13th is a tough hole requiring a towering long iron approach off a hanging lie.
14. Streamsong Black. Short Par 4. Wildest green on a course full of them. I have lots to say about Streamsong Black. Played all three courses, and then spent the next two days playing the Black exclusively, so I am a fan; however, since discovering that the intent of Hanse wasn’t for the greens to be so large (my understanding is that they just began to maintain the surroundings as greens) has complicated my assessment.
15. Oakwing Golf Club (Alexandria, LA) Jim Lipe design. Nothing memorable. Former home course, #15 is #1 Handicap hole and is a design nightmare. 420 yard par 4 that requires a iron layup or 260 yard carry on tee shot. Only on this list because I had to squeeze this course in.
16. Arcadia Bluffs (South Course) Par 3. Northern Michigan has become my summer vacation spot. I have never played a course more enjoyable. I prefer the South Course 10-0 over the Bluffs, and this Par 3 testifies to why. I can’t figure out if is more Minimalistic or Manufactured. It’s just fun so long as you got a yardage book. The South Course has increased my desire to see Chicago.
17. Koasati Pines (Louisiana) Par 4. Uninteresting course with lots of water.
18. Field’s Ranch (East). Par 5. The exact same closing hole as #18 Streamsong Black. Does Gil get a pass on this? Heroic Architecture? I can’t carry a ball 220 yards, but hit both of these 530+ yard holes in two with 7 irons. Playing these huge holes like this makes me think if an entire short course would be better use of the land.