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

[wsmorrison]

In terms of architecture first, but also ability to hold a major event like the US Open, PGA or US Amateur please offer some courses that do not seem to be under any consideration but ought to be.

My first thought is Huntingdon Valley CC for its architecture and maintenance process.  It would drive the pros a bit nutty but I bet amateurs would accept it much more readily.  The undulating fairways, shot demands and conditioning would be a test of any player.  If the 2nd and 3rd greens were restored properly, I think the A and B nines would suffice.  No doubt the C nine would throw the pros into fits.

[Kyle Harris]

Rolling Green for another Women's Open or Amateur. (Mid Am?)

Schuylkill CC was offered the Women's Open around the time it was at Rolling Green, with Jim's work there, it'd be great to see that.

Bethpage Red/Black would be ideal for a US Am.

Chicago GC just hosted a rather successful Walker Cup, why not a US Am?

HVCC would be an amazing Open Venue, though I'd be torn on which nines to actually use. My ideal order would be C-B, what a great opener and closer!

[Patrick_Mucci]

Wayne,

Today, practically none.

If the question were posed in the year 1975 I could think of innumerable sites, but, today, with high tech and the distance issue, what course, architecturally, can challenge the greatest players in the world, be they professional or amateurs.

MeadowBrook certainly comes to mind.
As did Pine Tree and Boca Rio.

But, today, I don't think there are many.

High Tech is narrowing the eligible candidates as we speak.

[wsmorrison]

Kyle,

Stick to courses that have never sniffed a major tournament.  

That leaves out Rolling Green.  I think it would be a nice course for women today.  Back in 1976, it was too difficult for women.  Today, I think a national junior tournament would be a nice event.

It also leaves out Bethpage Black and Chicago GC.

As for HVCC C-B nines, I like that idea as well but there'd be a lot of complaining, especially among pros.  All the nines are excellent and any national event on any combination of nines would be quite good.  But I like A-B followed by your idea of C-B, especially with a tee a bit farther back on B-9.

[wsmorrison]

Good point, Pat as regards older courses.  But what of courses built in the last ten or so years?  It doesn't just have to be US Open and PGA and US Amateur that we're considering.  There's also the Walker Cup and Women's Open.

[Kyle Harris]

Wayne,

I was more pulling for Bethpage Red (never considered until very recently) as the means to an end for a US Am.

In the case of having never sniffed a major, I would have to agree with Pat.

If Whitemarsh were *really* restored, that could be a contender. Same with Philly Cricket.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Wayne,

I'd have to go with windy sites.

The courses at Bandon.

I think that they could be set up, depending upon the "conditions of the day" to present a reasonable challenge to the field.

[Scott Cannon]

LA North andQuaker Ridge. They probably haven't sniffed a major because they don't want one. Just a guess. .

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Bethpage Red is trying to get a Women's Open. Does that count?

For a course to break into the PGA/US Open rota, certain things must fall into place. I'm sure that by the end of the 21st century,given the hype that Erin Hills has generated without having opened, this course will host a US Open. It's public and long  and in the mid-west. Huntingdon Valley has not hosted a US Am yet. Perhaps the PGA will consider it as their pro was president of the PGA but they may go to Aronimink, if they go to Philadelphia at all.

[Scott Cannon]

Also Baltimore Country Club, I think it had a PGA way back, but it's awesome.

[Michael Robin]

I'm sure the membership is not really interested, but San Francisco GC would be an awesome match play site. Walker Cup maybe?

[DTaylor18]

Also Baltimore Country Club, I think it had a PGA way back, but it's awesome.

Scott, I agree with you on the course.  However, BCC held the following events:

1899: US Open (not held at Five Farms)
1928: PGA Championship
1932: US Amateur
1965: Walker Cup
1988: Women's US Open

[Rick Shefchik]

Patrick makes a great point about the wind. It is a crucial factor if a course is going to be able to defend itself against the best fields in golf.

And while you can't order up 25 mph breezes anywhere, there are sites where the chances of wind are pretty good. The courses at Bandon are a good suggestion. Sand Hills seems like the ultimate to me. The wind howls there most of the time, and the architecture would open the eyes of the golfing public, as well as a lot of the pros.

And while we're talking about windy sites (that will probably never be considered because of their remoteness and lack of accommodations), I think Sutton Bay would be a great course to hold a major.

[Wayne_Kozun]

How about Royal Dornoch and all of the great courses in Ireland (both North and South), Canada and Australia.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Rick,

I forgot about Sand Hills, as I would have included it.

The other problem with the wind is ..... green speeds.

You can't get them U.S. Open fast.

[Ian Andrew]

I would like to see the pros play Huntingdon Valley too. Just to watch them deal with the slopes (and I think some different pros would shine there).

A PGA at Bandon Dunes might be fun too.

[Jordan Wall]

I would love to see a PGA at Spyglass!!

[Wayne_Kozun]

I would like to see the pros play Huntingdon Valley too. Just to watch them deal with the slopes (and I think some different pros would shine there).

A PGA at Bandon Dunes might be fun too.

You don't think St. George's is worthy?  What are the rules for where the R&A can hold The Open Championship?  Is there something that specifically states that it has to be in England or Scotland, or even the United Kingdom?  What about the former colonies?   After all the R&A does have dominion over the whole golf world other than the US and Mexico.

[Ian Andrew]

Wayne,

Being privy to a facinating conversation.

1. where will they practice
2. where will they park

Course would hold up fine otherwise.

[Wayne_Kozun]

Wayne,

Being privy to a facinating conversation.

1. where will they practice
2. where will they park

Course would hold up fine otherwise.

The range is a bit small and Bubba would wreak havoc.  What did the Seniors do a few years back when they held the AT&T Canadian Seniors event?

[Jordan Wall]

Could Bubba drive the 4th and the 11th at HVGC??

[Kyle Harris]

Probably neither, the angles aren't there.

[Mike_Cirba]

Somehow, I think I'd bet on Corey Pavin at HVGC

[Jordan Wall]

How bout this...

'What players that havent sniffed a major in a while would you like to see win again??'

How about John Daly, and to answer the original question, how about John Daly at a PGA Championship at the Crosswater Course at Sunriver (which BTW has a par-5 Bubba couldnt reach!!)

[Sean_A]

Rick,


The other problem with the wind is ..... green speeds.

You can't get them U.S. Open fast.

Patrick

This comment intrigues me.  Could you elaborate further?

Ciao

Sean