Let it begin...GD Best New Announced

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

Let the conjecture, discussion, and argueing begin.  Golf Digest has just released the new ratings for Best New Courses in 2002.

www.golfdigest.com/courses/bestnew/index.ssf?/courses/bestnew/gd200301bestnew.ht
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I will post seperately more information.

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

Here is the text...

By Ron Whitten
Photographs by Stephen Szurlej
Golf Digest


Having never done it, we can't be sure that there's more than one way to skin a cat, but we can state that there's more than one way to build a golf course. Golf Digest's survey of America's Best New Courses of 2002 proves that. Rustic Canyon Golf Course, voted Best New Affordable Public Course (maximum green fee of $50 or less), is a minimalist design, sitting lightly upon its barren Southern California locale. In contrast, Tullymore Golf Club, America's Best New Upscale Public Course (green fee in excess of $50), is extreme architecture, with features recessed deep into the Michigan terrain.

The flip side is America's Best New Private Course, The Golf Club at Briar's Creek, where every hole is elevated above marshland outside Charleston, S.C. Finally, Bigwin Island Golf Club in Ontario, 2002's Best New Canadian Course, is a combination of all three styles -- some holes riding the contours of granite, others blasted from wooded hillsides and a few perched on man-made mounds. That four such diverse courses win in the same year can only mean that the prevailing trend in course design these days is variety, and plenty of it.



Best New Upscale Public
* Walking anytime

1. Tullymore G.C. Stanwood, Mich. 7,148 yards, par 72, $60-$70.
Jim Engh, designer. 800-972-4837. www.tullymoregolf.com

2. Branton Woods G.C.* Hopewell Junction, N.Y. 7,100 yards, par 72, $70-$95. Eric Bergstol. 845-223-1600. www.brantonwoodsgolf.com

3. The Ranch G.C.* Southwick, Mass. 7,174 yards, par 72, $100.
Damian Pascuzzo. 413-569-9333. www.theranchgolfclub.com

4. Belterra G.C.* Florence, Ind. 6,910 yards, par 71, $75-$90.
Tom Fazio.800-594-5833. www.belterracasino.com

5. Shell Landing G.C. Gautier, Miss. 6,978 yards, par 72, $60-$89.
Davis Love III. 228-497-5683. www.shelllanding.com

6. Pine Dunes Resort & G.C.* Frankston, Tex. 7,117 yards, par 72, $45-$60. Jay Morrish and Carter Morrish. 903-876-4336.

7. The Glen C.* Glenview, Ill. 7,149 yards, par 72, $110-$135.
Tom Fazio. 847-724-7272. www.theglenclub.com

8. The Oconee at Reynolds Plantation* Greensboro, Ga. 7,029 yards, par 72, $115-$250. Rees Jones. 706-467-1200. www.reynoldsplantation.com

9. Bay Creek G.C. Cape Charles, Va. 7,204 yards, par 72, $35-$65.
Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay and Vicki Martz. 757-331-9000.

10. Legends C.* Prior Lake, Minn. 6,906 yards, par 72, $70.
Garrett Gill and Paul Miller. 952-226-4777. www.legendsgc.com

 

Best New Affordable Public
* Walking anytime

1. Rustic Canyon G. Cse.* Moorpark, Calif. 6,906 yards, par 72, $30-$45.
Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner and Geoff Shackelford, designers. 805-530-0221.

2. Devil's Thumb G.C.* Delta, Colo. 7,176 yards, par 72, $28-$30.
Rick Phelps. 970-874-6262. www.deltagolf.org

3. Hunting Hawk G.C.* Glen Allen, Va. 6,832 yards, par 72, $42-$50.
Bill Love. 804-749-1900. www.huntinghawkgolf.com

4. Wasioto Winds G. Cse. Pineville, Ky. 7,037 yards, par 72, $25-$30.
Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry. 800-814-8002. www.kystateparks.com

5. The G.C. at Fleming Island Orange Park, Fla. 6,801 yards, par 71, $40-$50. Bobby Weed. 904-269-1440. www.flemingislandgolf.com

6. Grande G.C.* Jackson, Mich. 7,156 yards, par 72, $42-$50.
Ray Hearn. 866-472-6333. www.grandegolfclub.com

7. Iron Horse G.C. Ashland, Neb. 6,500 yards, par 71, $39-$49.
Gene Bates. 402-944-9800. www.golfironhorse.com

8. The Summit G.C.* Cannon Falls, Minn. 7,022 yards, par 72, $28-$32.
William Whitworth, Marty Benson Jr. and Greg Wencl. 507-263-4648.
www.summitgolfclub.com

9. Cherry Blossom G. & C.C. Georgetown, Ky. 6,812 yards, par 72, $35-$40. Clyde Johnston. 502-570-9849. www.cherryblossomrealty.com

10. Prairie Highlands G. Cse.* Olathe, Kan. 7,066 yards, par 72, $42-$50.
Craig Schreiner. 913-856-7235. www.prairiehighlands.com



Best New Private
* Walking anytime

1. The G.C. at Briar's Creek* Johns Island, S.C. 7,117 yards, par 72.
Rees Jones, designer. Initiation fee: $110,000. www.briarscreek.com

2. Shark's Tooth G.C.* Lake Powell, Fla. 7,204 yards, par 72.
Greg Norman. Fee: $36,000 (property owners) www.wildheron.com

3. The Club at Carlton Woods* The Woodlands, Tex. 7,385 yards, par 72.
Jack Nicklaus. Fee: $95,000.

4. Briggs Ranch G.C.* San Antonio. 7,206 yards, par 72.
Tom Fazio. Fee: $60,000.

5. Mayacama G.C.* Santa Rosa, Calif. 6,761 yards, par 72.
Jack Nicklaus. Fee: $250,000. www.mayacama.com

6. Calusa Pines G.C.* Naples, Fla.7,215 yards par 72.
Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry. Fee: Not available.

7. Sage Valley G.C.* Graniteville, S.C. 7,331 yards, par 72.
Tom Fazio. Fee: Not available.

8. The International (The Oaks Cse.)* Bolton, Mass. 6,944 yards, par 72. Tom Fazio. Fee: $60,000. www.theinternational.com

9. TPC at River's Bend* Maineville, Ohio. 7,196 yards, par 72.
Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay, Harrison Minchew. Fee: $29,000 (property owners).
www.tpcriversbend.com

10. Old Chatham G.C.* Durham, N.C. 7,066 yards, par 72.
Rees Jones. Fee: $65,000.


Best New Canadian
*Walking anytime

1. Bigwin Island G.C.* Lake of Bays, Ontario. 7,166 yards, par 72, $155-$175 (U.S.). Doug Carrick, designer. 705-635-2582. www.bigwinisland.com

2. Angus Glen G.C. (The North Cse.)* Markham, Ontario. 7,314 yards, par 72, $130-$189. Doug Carrick and Jay Morrish. 905-887-5157. www.angusglen.com

3. Le Maître de Mont-Tremblant Saint Jovite, Quebec. 7,010 yards, par 72 (private). Graham Cooke, Darrell Huxham, Gene Bates and Fred Couples. www.clublink.ca

[THuckaby2]

Thanks for posting this, Turboe.  I knew it was coming out any day now...

My comments are thus:

1. HOORAY for Rustic Canyon getting best new affordable!  Now will they pull a Pasatiempo on us and raise the fees?  Hell, if that means making some money available to put in the trees Geoff wanted hiding the driving range on 18, and making certain other improvements that allow it to be kept firm and fast, then I say bump it to $50.  Given the ridiculous prices of CA golf, anything less than $100 there remains a bargain.  But one way or the other, this is great news for Rustic and great news for all of us, really.  Congrats to Gil and Geoff and all those involved in bringing us that wonderful course!  Like Dan King once said, I never thought I'd ever be envious of the SoCals but Rustic makes me so!

2. Interesting to me that Mayacama "only" got #5 best new private.  That is one hell of a great course.  I wonder how many GD raters made it out there??  I know I did and I absolutely loved it, gave it very high numbers indeed.  I guess that's still a very high number but I was guessing it would go even higher than this.

3. Sadly, these are the only two on those nominated for best new that I got to that made the final rankings...  The ommission of Applebrook GC is curious to me... again I can only guess not enough raters made it out there.  I gave that course ratings as high if not higher than Mayacama....

TH

[Scott_Burroughs]

Congrats to Rustic Canyon!

Also to the little known (except for several mentions here) Pine Dunes in Texas.

I have to admit that I was surprised to have heard of so few of the winners, especially in the upscale public category.  


The Bridge was conspicuously absent from the private category.  Also Hidden Creek and Bull's Bay.

[Mike_Cirba]

I'm really not sure if Hidden Creek was eligible this year...perhaps next.

One tidbit...I had heard a fellow down at Kiawah go to great lengths to tell his dinner companions that "Sage Valley" would be a shoo-in for best new private, comparing it to ANGC in terms of greatness and elegance and claiming it was clearly the best course in South Carolina.  He was talking about it hosting the US Open, etc., and seemed to be offended when anyone offered the least bit of skepticism.    

I thus find it sort of interesting that it got beat by another course in the same state!

[Jim_Kennedy]

Turboe,
It was enjoyable to see two N.East courses in the mix, even if they fall in the upscale category. They need the marketing help as many golfers already are complaining about the fees at both these places.

I am really happy to see that Devil's Thumb came in as high as it did. The course did not reach its projected revenues due mainly to the same pox that has hit the industry in general and the problems Co. has had with fires.
Putting it at #2, affordable public, just may be the marketing help this place needs. Their website shows a very bold and beautiful place.

[Scott_Burroughs]

Mike,

Hidden Creek opened in May, I believe.  Isn't the cutoff end of June?

[Guest]

Friar's must be on Next year's list?

[Paul Turner]

Can't anyone think of a decent name for a golf course these days?  Most of those are generic, silly or banal!

[THuckaby2]

Guest - Friar's Head was not on the nominated list this year.

TH

[Jeff_Lewis]

Very pleased to see Branton Woods' showing. Bergstol had done a lot of construction for Fazio and has just recently started doing his own designs. He has a tremendous amount of potential. Worth a play, for sure, if you are in the NY area next summer.

Have heard many good things about Calusa. Has anybody out there actually played it?

[Mike Vegis @ Kiawah]

Did any of y'all get a chance to play Briar's Creek when you were here in the Lowcountry for GolfWeek's Rater's Cup?  It's right across the river from Kiawah but I haven't had a chance to play it yet (although the PR person for it keeps promising...).

[Ben Cowan-Dewar]

Thanks Turboe.

I am confused about the timeline, #2 and #3 on the Canadian list have been open for two years.

Also surprised to see Mayacama not fair higher, and the absence of the Bear's Club.

Could someone (read Tom H) please explain the timeframe?

[Mike_Cirba]

Tom Huckaby;

Then I assume that Hidden Creek & Applebrook were on the list for consideration?

[Jeff_Lewis]

Hidden Creek was not.

[THuckaby2]

Mike:

Please insert the caveat that I am a newbie this year to all this, and I may not have the most fully-updated list.  That being said, the list of nominated courses for Best New did not include Friar's Head nor Hidden Creek, but did include Applebrook.

TH

[THuckaby2]

Ben:

Again, I am a pretty raw newbie to this.  My take on the timeframe would only be guessing.  Perhaps a long-term panelist will be able to answer this.  I honestly don't know the exact criteria.

TH

[Scott_Burroughs]

Other notes:

A woman, Vicki Martz, is listed as co-designer of Palmer/Seay's Bay Creek in Virginia.  Good for her.

A new feature was added, the initiation fees for the private clubs (except Sage Valley, no surprise there.  Augusta members belong there).  Surprised that the clubs allowed publication of their initiation fees.

[Mike_Cirba]

VERY interesting writeups of the varied design styles of each of the category winners at the following link;

http://www.golfdigest.com/courses/bestnew/index.ssf?/courses/bestnew/gd200301bestnew2.html

[Matt_Ward]

Congrats to Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner and Geoff Schakelford and all those associated with Rustic Canyon. The effort certainly merits recognition and is a MUST play for anyone wanting to understand what public golf needs today.

Congrats also to Rick Phelps on Devil's Thumb. I played the course with Rick this past summer and if a final solution can be implemented regarding turf conditions on a few of the holes at the course I am confident the reputation of Devil's Thumb will only grow and grow. The split fairway #13 is one of the best of its kind you can play anywhere! If you venture to Grand Junction and only stop at Redlands Mesa you are certainly missing out because Delta, where Devil's Thumb is located, is only 45 minutes south and worth seeing indeed!

But --

What happened to the following courses ...

Private -

The Kingsley Club (MI) ?? / *A major league omission!
The Bridge (NY) / A superb Rees Jones effort
The Mirabel Club (AZ) ? / First rate effort by TF

Upscale -

The GC at Bear Dance (CO) ?
Stonewall GC at Lake Manassas (VA) ?
Twisted Dune (NJ) ?
Las Vegas Paiute Resort / Wolf Course (NV) ?

Let the debate begin ...

[THuckaby2]

Matt:

Re ommisions, well... this is never gonna exactly agree with anyone's take.  But would each of those you list as an ommission displace one that's on there?  You've likely seen the most number of these courses of anyone... care to comment specifically on which ones would be replaced?

You have the years of experience in this... isn't it possible that not enough raters got to a course, and that might be the reason for some of your ommissions?  Again, newbie here, just guessing re that.

TH

[Mike_Cirba]

I guess last year's explanation that The Kingsley Club wasn't on the ballot is sort of moot at this point.

I've only seen it from pics but those who've been there have absolutely RAVED about it.  I would have to imagine that most believed it was a strong candidate for Best New Private and to not see it on the top 10 is sort of perplexing.  

I think Lou Duran made it over to Briar's Creek.  I'd be curious to hear his take on it.

From their website, a couple photos;

[Matt_Ward]

Tom:

The issues of rating would take far more time than I can write now. However, someone has to explain to me if "x" number visit one course and "x" number visit an entirely different course how does one have some overlap between then two in order to properly compare?

Also, some areas of the country get far more rating visits which may assist those particular courses.

To be totally candid -- The Kingsley Club should have been considered in '01 when it in fact REALLY opened. Bumping it to the next year was not the right thing to do. The effort by Mike DeVries is stellar -- I mine no words or feelings on that. Ask anyone of any type of competence and they will say likewise.

I played four of the private clubs listed and while they are all very good it is without question to me that none of them have the capability or greatness that The Kingsley Club provides.

As far as the others are concerned they are all first rate efforts. I just finished playing The Mirabel Club in Scottsdale and I salute TF in putting forward a dynamic layout that is far from the pro forma layouts many have rightly decried here on GCA.

The Bridge is one design I am also shocked did not even finish in the top ten. Some on GCA thought I was crazy when I said it's among my five best selections on Long Island. I have not played Briar's Creek, but many have complimented the course. How does Rees get placement for two of his designs, but The Bridge doesn't merit any mention?

Among the upscale courses selected I played four of the eventual selections and while each of them is very good I can easily make a strong case for the others that I believe are more deserving. On the public side I am a big fan of Twisted Dune -- it's Jersey's best public course and I believe many here on GCA would concur.

Bear Dance in Colorado and The Wolf at Pauite Resort are also first rate efforts. Bear Dance is arguably the finest Colorado public course I've played and I've had the opportunity to play a healthy number of the other major contenders. The Wolf is a delicious Pete Dye effort that is easily among the top five courses in the Silver State and is clearly one of his better designs in recent times.

Tom, there is no science in ratings. Opinions are subjective clearly. I am well aware of that. But, I have serious issues with individual rating assessments from people who quite likely really do not traverse our great country to make the kind of cross comparisons that are absolutely critical for the kind of results that should be forthcoming.

[Craig Van Egmond]

Congrats to Rustic Canyon, a well deserved honor.

Also Congrats to Rick Phelps, a truly nice guy making good.  I will have to get out more to see this course.

Some interesting new names in the lists, anybody played these courses?

[Joel_Stewart]

Its always a surprise to see these rankings and hard to argue since many of the courses we haven't played.  Since the rating are done regionally, unless you travel quite a bit you probably didn't see or even heard of some of these golf courses.

To answer someones question, occasionaly a course will pull its name off the list and ask to be included in next years ballots.  The reason is it may have a problem within its opening that needs to be solved.  Example, I went to Reno this year to evaluate a new course and they had lost their greens so they called GD and they where moved to next years list.