What courses that have never sniffed a major tournament deserve consideration?

[Sean_A]

Paul

1-2 hard to tell (probably more to do with mood than anything else)
3-4 solid golf, but not special
5 is above average, a good course
6 is a better course than 5
7 worth driving 2-3 hours if in the area, very strong course
8 great course
9 world class
10 all universe

Or something to this effect.

Ciao

Sean

[Paul Carey]

Old Town Club for the Women's Open but it will never happen.

[Evan Fleisher]

MikeC,

I'm glad that Paul jumped in a gave you the low-down on the water situation...truly only in play on a couple of holes, but it does provide framing on a few others.  One other water hole I can think of is the 2nd or 3rd hole which is a medium-length par-3 to a green surrounded on 2-3 sides by water.

Paul is correct though that what makes the course are the greens, and I also believe that the par-and-a-half holes adds much fun and strategy to the round.

You can stay right on the grounds in condos making the stay and play a nice option, or you can stay over in Ames, IA (about 30-40 minutes away) and play Veenker, see the Iowa State campus, or eat BBQ at the Hickory Park BBq Company...yummers!

Seriously though...I've played three Foster courses (Harvester, Gateway National, and The Quarry) and this one is surely the most superior design of that group...and I liked all three.  Give it a try sometime, but be sure to let me know...it's only about a 3 hour drive from Dubuque and I might be inclined to join you!!!

[Jason Topp]

Mike - I give it an 8 on the Doak scale

I go there 1-2 times per year (3-1/2 hour drive) and have probably played it 25-30 times.  If you ever make the trip, send me a message.  



 

[Mike_Cirba]

Evan/Jason,

Thanks for the additional info.

I'm hopeful that I'll get out there again (Sioux Falls) in the spring so I'll shoot both of you a note at that time.

Hope we can get together!
Mike

[Evan Fleisher]

Evan/Jason,

Thanks for the additional info.

I'm hopeful that I'll get out there again (Sioux Falls) in the spring so I'll shoot both of you a note at that time.

Hope we can get together!
Mike

Would love the chance to meet up and play!

[Rick Shefchik]

Hey, guys -- put Dan Kelly and me on your invite list for a springtime Harvester outing. Sounds like a trip worth making.

[Doug Siebert]

I'd say the Harvester is a solid 8 as well.  Dunno if it will play like an 8 in the spring, but as it'll surely be a 7+ in any conditions, which implies I believe it is easily worth the 90 mile drive from here so count me in if you guys decide to do an outing there!

[Evan Fleisher]

This is looking like a pretty interesting possible gathering!  Hope we can somehow pull it off.

Could be the FIRST EVER "unofficial" GCA outing in the state of Iowa!

[Paul Payne]

Count me in if there is a plan afoot. I'm in the area quite often and play there whenever I can. It would be a great opportunity to meet some of you guys.

[Jay Flemma]

Good grief they wanna send the women's open to Bethpage Red?  That'll bring in the viewers...to NYcentric and too boring and flavorless a golf course.  WAY too little personality.

I'd say Bandon/Pacific Dunes is my call.  Followed by National.

I hear very good things about the harvester.