Your State's Hidden Gems

[Jim Voss]

I think every state has many, many great hidden gems. My favorite in Texas is Brackenridge Park. In Colorado it is Patty Jewett.

Here's a recent story:

http://www.golftexas.com/departments/features/texas-hidden-jewels.htm

Also found one for Colorado on www.coloradoavidgolfer.com:

Go to the "Back Issues" section and click on Hidden Gems of Colorado.

[John Nixon]

To add to Rob's Indiana entry:

West Chase, in Brownsburg (Indianapolis' far west side). Design by Ron Kern, who also designed Purgatory. Very reasonably priced public course. Front nine has primarily water and sand as hazards, and the back nine, routed through a more wooded area, has trees and elevation changes as its primary challenges.

[Chris_Clouser]

I would also add Eagle Creek in Indianapolis to the Rock Hollow recommendation.  It's a very good Dye design that has hosted a USGA championship in the past.  I think it is more fun to play than Crooked Stick.  The 10th is one of the more natural short par 4s in the area.

[Allan Long]

In NC, I would add Ellis Maples' Keith Hills CC at Campbell University in Buies Creek.

[SPDB*]

Blind Brook Club in New York. Mostly executives, but a fun little Raynor course.

[Scott_Burroughs]

Allan,

I guess I don't consider KH to be hidden.  It's been long known as a good stop off of I-95 and ever since GD started the "Places to Play" back in '94-'95, KH received something like 4 or 4.5 stars, giving it (then) rarified air, due to it's high "value for price" rating.

[Jim_H]

One of the finest courses I have ever played is unknown because it is in Iowa--not one of the major golf states!  Wakonda Club in Des Moines is almost always ranked number 1 in the state, but who cares?  It did have the US Amateur in 1963, but has not been heard of since.
Great terrain--rolling hills, big old trees (well placed), the best turf (with the unequaled Iowa topsoil).  Strategic design, been around since early 1900's, unremembered architect.
A real gem.  Wish it were where I could play it every day.

[JohnV]

Since most of you guys who claim to list the Pennsylvania courses seem never to have gotten west of Harrisburgh, I figured I'd chime in.  While I have yet to see any of the following, I've heard very good reports from the folks here in the western part of PA:

Butler CC
Kahkwa Club - Ross
New Castle - Tillie

There are bunch more older clubs around that I also want to check out as I've heard good things.  I can't wait for spring.

[Michael Dugger]

There are enough contributors from Oregon to probably chime in with their two-bits here.  For my money there are a few places not known to many that I would recommend to a good friend.  It must be remembered, however, like Doak said in the 'Guide', that most courses in Oregon are inferior to those on the east coast.  Bandon and Pacific aside, we have few truly wonderful designs.  Considering all the pub Pumpkin Ridge gets, it is only in the 5-6 range.

That said...I'd recommended everyone visit Heron Lakes Great Blue at least once.  A Robert Trent Jones Jr. design, I've yet to make it all the way around with the same ball.  Not that that is a good measuring stick, but the Great Blue has a lot of strategic options and is a wild ride.  Lots of water and sand.

The Cedars in Brush Prairie, Washington has a very fun nine holes.  Slag Bandoon could comment here.

The back nine at Eastmoreland has some fine holes.  

I like a course near Pumpkin Ridge called Forest Hills.  A good, fair test.

For pure scenery and nice turf, the Resort at the Mt. is a good one hours drive from Portland.  

If you are coming from a ways away, don't bother with any of these.  Go to Bandon.  Don't even think twice, go to Bandon.

Of course these two golf courses are not hidden gems.  We all know about them.

[Keith Williams]

I have heard really great things about the Meadow Links course at George T. Bagby State Park in  tucked away in southwest Georgia.  It is a state park course designed by Willard Byrd.  It appears to be a very neat and fun layout for under $30.

Keith.

[Chris_Blakely]

Ohio

Elks CC McDermott (Ross)
Granville CC (Ross)
Manakiki GC Cleveland (Ross)

New York

Island's End GC (Herbert Strong)
Grossinger CC Little G course
Shawangunk CC
Mohonk Mountain House GC (These are two little 9hole courses around New Paltz that have interesting routings, some great elevation changes and were a lot of fun to play)
Rip Van Winkle CC (Ross)

Not sure which state to call home just yet.

[Scott_Burroughs]

New York was my home state growing up, so I'll add more to Mr. Nut's list:

haven't played:
Monroe (Ross)
Teugega (Ross)

have played:
Soaring Eagles (muni, Pete Craig)
Mark Twain (muni Ross)
Whippoorwill (Banks)

[Mike_Cirba]

Golfnut;

Perhaps you can help me with Island's End.  I know that an Island's End Country Club is listed in C&W's "Architects of Golf" with Herbert Strong as the designer in 1914, but the present course out on the end of the North fork claims to have been built in the early 1960's, designed by two unknowns.

Any thoughts?

[Stan Dodd]

mdugger,
Will be at Bandon next Sunday and Monday.  Are you close enough to get together for a round?
Stan Dodd

[Rob Hallford]

Chris Clouser--

Have you been to Eagle Creek since they split the original 18 up?  For shame, for shame.  This was one of the best public tracks in Indy and now....  Sad, really.  All sacrificed for the sake of doing more "outings".  

rob

[Craig Rokke]

John V.-
Are any of the three publics?

[ted janeczek]

it's difficult not to include moselem springs gc as a pennsylvania gem. a 1965 george fazio (site of the '68 women's us open) , that may be the only legitimate exposure it has ever had. it's polite,  without pretentions, golf only , and although pretty representative of '60's golf architecture, a challenge and an experience one never tires of. the greens are among the most legitimately difficult one will ever encounter.

[Chris_Blakely]

Mike C,

I played Island's End G&CC last February (yes that was not a typo).  Anyways, I played both Montauk Downs and IEGCC on the same day.  Unfortunately, I played this course before I became more obsessed with photographing green complexes, bunkers, and holes that I liked.  I do remeber photographing the 15th and 16th holes as the 15th hole was a 330ish par 4 that played straight away to an elevated green with two large bunkers fronting the green that sloped from back to front.  The 16th hole was a 215 ish yard par 3 that played completely along the North long Island sound (the water was 50 feet below).  The hole played slighly down hill over a gully (appears to be a dried up creek) to a green that had some significant undulation to it and had 4 or five bunkers to the right of the green between the sound and the green all alignedto run along the green.  I photographed this hole extensively.

However, as to me knowing Strong's green complexes and or routings and being able to pick them out, I would  not be able to even attempt to do this as this would be the only course of his I have played.  I have not played Engineers GC, Inwood CC or Canterbury GC which are very very good examples of his work.  If you are interested, I can convert my photos to JPG's and post them on the site (with some help) or email them to you.  I will also see if I have any other photos of the course (I believe I took some other pics).

I also have "The Architects of Golf" by Cornish and Whitten and saw that Island's End CC was attributed to Strong.  I also know that Golf Digest's issue previewing the US Open as Bethpage in their golf destinatinos section listed Island's End as a recomended stop and listed herbert Strong as the designer.

I hope this helps?

[Tony Petersen]

Before my move to CO, I lived in OR before the opening of Bandon... We used to play Salem GC occassionally, and in hindsight, it seems to be somewhat of a "hidden gem." Old CC feel with BIG oaks, medium sized greens, apple orchards (for that snack!) and a beautiful, vintage clubhouse. A classic parkland layout, built in the 30's, actually reminds me alot of Columbine CC in Lakewood, CO.

In Minnesota, I would have to include North Oaks GC, Minnewaska GC, Alexandria GC, Detroit CC and Greystone GC. I'm planning on spending more time in MN this summer, so hopefully I will have a chance to discover some more "hidden gems" amongst the 400+ courses that the state offers. Oh, and let us not forget Keller GC and Theodore Worth. All of public, but for the exception of North Oaks GC, and all offer a fun time with interesting green complexes, routings and strategies galore.

[Andy Hodson]

Just got back from Kerrville, Texas and here's one: I don't know how hidden it is, but it surely is a gem:

Comanche Trace ...Tom Kite signatures on it, but I think Currie and Bechtol were the work behind it.
18 holes and not a bad one in the bunch. Great collection of short and long holes with absolutely the best greens I have ever putted on. Bent in perfect shape.

[Tony Petersen]

I would be curious if anyone has any opinions on Grapevine GC in Dallas, next to the Cowboys club. I played the course in Oct. and the pro mentioned the course was a Byron Nelson design... We had a blast playing the course!

[ian]

Ontario:

Lookout Point (travis)
St. Thomas (thompson/robinson)
Maple Downs (mitchell)
Lakeview Municipal (strong)-public
Kawartha (thompson)-semi private

Quebec

Islesmere (park jr.)
Elm Ridge (gordons)

[Mike_Cirba]

Ted Janeczek;

Very good pick with Moselem Springs.  The greens are certainly among the largest and most challenging I've seen, and they play strategically because getting to the right section of the greens takes some real thought back to the tee on many holes.  Not to mention, it's just peaceful and gorgeous as hell out there!  

Heading anywhere interesting this winter?

Golfnut;

Thanks for the additional information about Islands End.  I would guess the Golf Digest article during the Bethpage Open probably just used the C&W tome as their research vehicle.

Dr. Bill Quirin's book, "Golf Clubs of the MGA" is fairly authoritative as far as architectural research, and generally more indepth than C&W.  They list Islands End as being built in 1961 and list the architects as G. Heron & C. Martin.

I'd love to see the pics you have, and generally would love to see them posted on this site if you have that ability.  My guess is that we could get a pretty good idea from the shaping, features, etc. how much of Strong might be there versus the listed amateur architects that others (including the course) suggest.

One possibility, of course, is that Strong's original course was altered to a great degree, possibly as the club became a public course under new ownership.  I've seen many cases where an original course's altering led the new owners to claim the architectural attribution now belongs to them.  Could be the case at Island's End.

As far as your February golf day, you certainly live up to your moniker.  I'm less impressed that you were able to get in 36 holes on two different courses in a single day than I am that you made it from Montauk to Greenport in the middle of it.

Are the police in the Hamptons still looking for you?

[Chris_Clouser]

Rob,

I guess not.  I haven't been out there for a few years.  I know they had a third nine the last time I was out there, but didn't know about the split.

What exactly did they do?  You can e-mail me the specifics so it doesn't tie up the thread.  

chris.clouser@aimco.com

[mike_malone]

Since no one has spoken for tiny Delaware,i always thought Three Little Bakers  was a gem. This course is outside Newark.That is "new ark" not "newerk".It has some interesting holes and has a stretch of 3 or 4 holes that are very challenging.
 Both Back Creek and Frog Hollow,near Middletown,are also fun.They have a deal to play both in one day.Someday i want to do that.