Golf Club Atlas

GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: Anthony Gray on September 21, 2011, 04:52:32 PM

Title: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Anthony Gray on September 21, 2011, 04:52:32 PM

  ?

Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Mark Chaplin on September 21, 2011, 04:54:50 PM
Of member clubs I'd say Chicago Golf Club.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Charlie Goerges on September 21, 2011, 04:55:30 PM
Foul(e) Point(e)?
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Jud_T on September 21, 2011, 05:09:18 PM
Wolf Point
Wildflower
Dean Estate
Domaine LaForest
Redtail
Dee's Place
Three Ponds Farm
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Mark Saltzman on September 21, 2011, 05:19:03 PM
Even though it seems like many on this board have played many of these courses, in my mind...

ANGC
NGLA
CPC
Camargo
SLCC
Seminole
Shoreacres
Shinny
GCGC
Chicago


And in Canada...

Redtail
Oviinbyrd
Domaine LaForest
Mt. Bruno


And ROW...

Morofontaine
Ellerston
Queensland? (the one in England)
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Will MacEwen on September 21, 2011, 05:21:42 PM
Jud I don't think Redtail is that that hard to get on.

Memphremagog and James Island would be similar to Domaine in Canada.

Edit:  I do think that Redtail has at least some members.  Private playgrounds are on a completely different scale.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Michael George on September 21, 2011, 05:24:31 PM
If you define access as being granted an invitation to play, I would go with Augusta National or Seminole.

If you define access as overall difficulty of getting to play the course (with no criteria for your desire to play it), I would go with this one:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/15/world/asia/15afghan.html
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Gary Slatter on September 21, 2011, 05:26:03 PM
of public courses, I'd say Canouan Golf Club is the Holy Grail of Accessi.     Bill Gates can be a guest, others are turned away at the dock.

My choice for private is Cypress Point, followed by Seminole.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Peter Pallotta on September 21, 2011, 05:35:00 PM
If someone figures this out, can he/she get me on? I'm a high handicapper with a lousy attitude and bad manners, if that makes a difference. I can't reciprocate, or actually, I won't - but believe me, you're not missing anything.  PM me with suggested dates and I'll get back to you with what works best, but don't hassle me if you don't hear back for a few days -- I don't check in very often anymore, as I think this site's gone downhill fast in recent months.

Peter 
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Mark Chaplin on September 21, 2011, 05:58:14 PM
Mark you mean Queenwood in Surrey, it is tough to access but the course isn't top 100 & arguably not even top 10 in Surrey.

Michael ANGC is a strange one as I know dozens of people who've played there. At dinner a couple of weeks ago only my third of the party hadn't!
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Scott Warren on September 21, 2011, 06:02:24 PM
Prince de Provance.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Michael George on September 21, 2011, 06:08:03 PM

Mark:  Sounds like you have some good friends.  However, there is little consistency on who has played there - it seems to be random luck.  How about Kabul Golf Club - anyone at your dinner play there?
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Dan Kelly on September 21, 2011, 06:12:34 PM
If someone figures this out, can he/she get me on?

Peter --

"He/she"? That's rich!

Dan

P.S. Is that women-only club up your way still in business?
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Chris Shaida on September 21, 2011, 06:23:39 PM
Lido
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Ben Sims on September 21, 2011, 06:44:51 PM
I have more friends that have played Kabul GC than friends that have played ANGC.  For them, it was Augusta. 

Some others that come to mind:  Myopia, Chicago, SFGC, Nanea, Burning Tree.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Sean Leary on September 21, 2011, 06:47:53 PM
For 99.99% of the world its Augusta National.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Morgan Clawson on September 21, 2011, 06:55:49 PM
Augusta National.

There is no substitute...
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Mac Plumart on September 21, 2011, 07:05:58 PM
Morfontaine
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Dan Herrmann on September 21, 2011, 07:35:12 PM
Sheridan Park, Tonawanda NY
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Tim Bert on September 21, 2011, 07:37:42 PM
Kingsley Club

Why beat myself up over unattainable goals?
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Tim Martin on September 21, 2011, 07:43:17 PM
ANGC
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Mac Plumart on September 21, 2011, 07:45:53 PM
Kingsley Club

Why beat myself up over unattainable goals?

Tim...I LOVE that post!!  Love it!!  Congrats!!
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Ron Csigo on September 21, 2011, 07:51:14 PM
Morfontaine

Parce que mes techniques prostituent ne sont pas aussi bons en France ;)
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Matt Day on September 21, 2011, 07:54:09 PM
Elllerston would be one for the aussies
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: jeffwarne on September 21, 2011, 07:55:11 PM
Abenakee.
I can't get anyone to pick up the phone......
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: John Foley on September 21, 2011, 08:07:28 PM
The two that come to mind that I do not recall anyone from here bringing up that they have played are

Domaine LaForest & Memphremagog

Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: cary lichtenstein on September 21, 2011, 08:51:40 PM
There are better courses, but the toughest invite is Augusta
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Philippe Binette on September 21, 2011, 09:14:31 PM
Toughest invite:

the Monarque Club, a private course lost in the woods in Quebec... getting there is an adventure
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Mark Chaplin on September 22, 2011, 02:30:53 AM
Matt one of my fellow members has his own course barely three miles from where I live I've never played there but do not count it as like Ellerston it's private. Member clubs are very different.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Philippe Binette on September 22, 2011, 07:43:44 AM
Had a friend who worked at Memphremagog for a few summers...

among its duties:
- taking care of the pro-shop (that's standard)
- driving porsche, lotus, mercedes etc... around the parking lot
- caddying for former canadian prime minister

a really busy day was 12 players out on the course, not at the same time, that is for the entire day
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: J Sadowsky on September 22, 2011, 09:20:37 AM
I always thought from reading GCA that it was the reverse Jans.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Jud_T on September 22, 2011, 09:59:56 AM
High Pointe  :-\
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Geoffrey_Walsh on September 22, 2011, 10:18:05 AM
Abenakee.
I can't get anyone to pick up the phone......

Great response.  I'll never forget looking for the club parking lot there...
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Tim Leahy on September 22, 2011, 01:09:37 PM
The Institute
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Sam Morrow on September 22, 2011, 02:26:26 PM
It's funny, I asked 2 GCA'ers this question at dinner the other night. They both said Augusta.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Phil McDade on September 22, 2011, 02:37:13 PM
A friend always suggests: "Generalize wildly from your own experiences."

Just from being on this board for several years, and doing little (from what I can tell) beyond posting a lot, I've had unsolicited invitations to play, or promises to arrange a round at, many of the courses mentioned here. (For which I'm truly grateful; that I've taken up so very few of them speaks more to my slacking ways than the generosity of others here...)

But never Augusta National. So that's my pick.

Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Tim Gavrich on September 22, 2011, 02:54:00 PM
Where would Morefar in NY or Cherokee Plantation in SC stack up?
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Lester George on September 22, 2011, 04:00:41 PM
Kanawha Club

Lester
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Steve Okula on September 22, 2011, 04:26:40 PM
Morfontaine

Parce que mes techniques prostituent ne sont pas aussi bons en France ;)

Comme?

J'ai accès à Morfontaine, mais on doit parler bien français.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Bruce Wellmon on September 22, 2011, 04:30:30 PM
Kanawha Club

Lester
I like the sound of that.

Also, a tough one to get on is Cherokee Plantation in SC. Rumor is they have 25 or so members.
How about Wade Hampton in NC?
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Lester George on September 22, 2011, 04:33:54 PM
Wade Hampton has never really impressed me as being that tough to get on.  The owner of Kanawha is a member of Wade, maybe thats why.

Lester
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Ron Csigo on September 22, 2011, 04:52:46 PM
Morfontaine

Parce que mes techniques prostituent ne sont pas aussi bons en France ;)

Comme?

J'ai accès à Morfontaine, mais on doit parler bien français.

Alors je suis vissé, malheureusement. Peut-être un cours avancé dans la Pierre de Rosetta pourrait aider ?

Vous remercier Steve.  ;)
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Jud_T on September 22, 2011, 07:12:52 PM
Ladies Golf Club.  On Ladies Day...
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Carl Johnson on September 22, 2011, 07:18:14 PM
I'm not a relilgious guy, so there's no Holy Grail for me, but, without a doubt, Augusta National is what I hear most often from golfing friends and acquaintenances.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Mike Hendren on September 22, 2011, 08:41:37 PM
I doubt few if any of you are even aware the Lightning Bug Golf Course at Solitude has added four news holes to the original five.  I hope to revisit and provide a review next month.

Bogey
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Jud_T on September 23, 2011, 08:42:37 AM
the ultimate access whore story-  I have a friend who's dad 1) gave up his Pine Valley membership because he thought there was too much gambling and drinking there (he was AA) and he knew he could get out whenever he wanted anyway from friends or family members and 2) turned down membership at Augusta because he felt he'd never use the club.   Must be overrated..... 8)
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Tim Martin on September 23, 2011, 09:05:47 AM
the ultimate access whore story-  I have a friend who's dad 1) gave up his Pine Valley membership because he thought there was too much gambling and drinking there (he was AA) and he knew he could get out whenever he wanted anyway from friends or family members and 2) turned down membership at Augusta because he felt he'd never use the club.   Must be overrated..... 8)

I have just now been able to respond to this post after being balled up in the fetal position crying uncontrollably for the last ten minutes. :'( :'(
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Trevor on September 23, 2011, 09:28:09 AM
Gotta be the course in North Korea where Kim Jong Il plays
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Ulrich Mayring on September 23, 2011, 11:10:22 AM
ANGC is too expensive anyway, most of us couldn't afford it, even when invited to join. The real Holy Grail would be a place that you and I could easily afford to be a member of, but just don't get in - such as any of the clubs in St Andrews :)

Ulrich
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Mark Chaplin on September 23, 2011, 12:11:44 PM
Ullrich I bet ANGC is cheaper than the average CC in the USA, they are not exactly short on revenue streams.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Kalen Braley on September 23, 2011, 12:14:18 PM
Honestly...

The course that intrigues me the most at the moment is NGLA.  Sure Augusta would be nice and all, but from what I've seen of pics, NGLA seems to be in its own category.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Phil McDade on September 23, 2011, 12:19:57 PM
Kalen:

I'd probably take NGLA 7 rounds to 3 over Augusta National, purely as a matter of golf. But even I've been invited, in a roundabout way, to play NGLA through proper manners and procedure and all that. I don't even know anyone who's been invited to play Augusta National, aside of the few folks who have posted about it here.

Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Kalen Braley on September 23, 2011, 12:21:25 PM
Kalen:

I'd probably take NGLA 7 rounds to 3 over Augusta National, purely as a matter of golf. But even I've been invited, in a roundabout way, to play NGLA through proper ettique and procedure and all that. I don't even know anyone who's been invited to play Augusta National, aside of the few folks who have posted about it here.



Phil,

Its good to be you my man!!   ;D

As a reference point, I've only played 1 course East of the Mississippi River....unless you go far east to India!!
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Dave Falkner on September 23, 2011, 12:57:08 PM
I would have to agree  being asked to join one of the clubs at St Andrews  would be the shit 
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Rick Shefchik on September 23, 2011, 02:09:49 PM
When I saw the title of this thread, I almost didn't bother to read it, because I assumed Pine Valley would be mentioned in almost every post. Not so.

I guess anyone can get on there.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Sean Leary on September 23, 2011, 02:16:40 PM
When I saw the title of this thread, I almost didn't bother to read it, because I assumed Pine Valley would be mentioned in almost every post. Not so.

I guess anyone can get on there.

I was shocked when I found out how many members they have (over 1200 as of a few years ago). Mostly non local members that bring a group with them when they go, so there is at least a bigger number to start with from an invite perspective.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Mark Saltzman on September 23, 2011, 02:20:47 PM
When I saw the title of this thread, I almost didn't bother to read it, because I assumed Pine Valley would be mentioned in almost every post. Not so.

I guess anyone can get on there.

If you look at the Top 25 Courses played thread, it seems like PV is on at least half of them.  I was/am amazed.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Jim Jackson on September 23, 2011, 02:48:21 PM
Besides the ones already mentioned, Peachtree anyone?
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: George Pazin on September 23, 2011, 03:12:01 PM
No golf course is.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Tim Pitner on September 23, 2011, 03:36:29 PM
What about Fishers Island or Newport?
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Keith OHalloran on September 23, 2011, 03:43:44 PM
Jim,
I have always been intirigued by Peachtree. I know people in Atlanta that have either  never heard of it, or don't know where it is.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Mark Chaplin on September 23, 2011, 04:25:35 PM
I think the reason so many people have played PV is the members are playing golfers and they are encouraged to bring guests.

ANGC is strange as I must know a dozen Deal members who've played there and probably the same again who aren't members. As far as I'm aware we do not have a member in our ranks.

Brits who've played Chicago, Seminole, CPC and National are harder to find.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Robert Thompson on September 23, 2011, 04:48:12 PM
I've played Magog.

And I found a ball last year at Goodwood near Toronto with the Domaine logo. At that point Goodwood, which still has no members and is invite only, had 500 rounds played over three years.


The two that come to mind that I do not recall anyone from here bringing up that they have played are

Domaine LaForest & Memphremagog


Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Dan Herrmann on September 23, 2011, 09:41:20 PM
What's cool is that I get older, I care less and less about access.  Today, at 51,  it's all about the people I play with - I don't care if it the worldl-class Merion East or your typical local muni.   
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: jeffwarne on September 23, 2011, 10:48:13 PM
What's cool is that I get older, I care less and less about access.  Today, at 51,  it's all about the people I play with - I don't care if it the worldl-class Merion East or your typical local muni.   

Agreed,
and to take it a step farther, the best places to play are places where access isn't even a consideration.
Sadly, with many who play golf, ACCESS is the main consideration.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Jud_T on September 24, 2011, 09:03:36 AM
Kingsley Club

Why beat myself up over unattainable goals?

Tim has a fine point.  Thanks to the past 20 years of GCA and the crap economy there's loads of good to great public and private golf that's accessible.  There's really only a tiny percentage of courses that are truly inaccessible to many of us.  I may make a few more notches in my bedpost before I'm done, but I'm not losing any sleep counting 'em...
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Bill Shamleffer on September 27, 2011, 10:39:05 AM
How about the golf course on the Balmoral Estate in Scotland.  They allow one charity a year to use the course for one day.  That may be the only day of the year the course is accessible without a connection to the Royal Family.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Jim_Kennedy on September 27, 2011, 10:49:11 AM
The putting green at The White House.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Bill Seitz on September 27, 2011, 10:55:09 AM
Ullrich I bet ANGC is cheaper than the average CC in the USA, they are not exactly short on revenue streams.

Something tells me that if you're one of the lucky few who are extended invitations to join ANGC, then the fees really isn't a consideration.  Which is to say, I doubt many people have rejected an invitation to ANGC because the fees were too high.  They aren't asking too many people who can't afford it.
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Mark_Rowlinson on September 28, 2011, 02:33:36 PM
Thank goodness I live in the UK where almost every course is available for visitor play, even if there may be restrictions. Some are even available at weekends.

But as you mention Holy Grails, should we nominate Temple, Quaker Ridge, Vicar's Cross, Bishop Auckland, St George's, St Enodoc and every other saint from St Nom to San Cugat, not to mention pilgrimages to Rome, Canterbury, York, Lincoln....(don't think there's a course at Santiago de Compostella). And then there are those saints unique to Wales such as St Mellon and St Deiniol.... Plenty of scope for a very long list. 
Title: Re: What course is The Holy Grail of access?
Post by: Kevin Pallier on September 29, 2011, 12:10:08 AM
Isn't the old saying when trying to specifically write letters of introduction - that when it comes to ANGC "dont waste your stationery".

The same cannot be said for a lot of other private clubs throughout the World.