Notable Public Access Course List

[Wyatt Halliday]

Sean,

That's the rub. I thought this would also be an interesting experiment to see the ratio of courses added to courses dropped. So far it is heavily leaning into the courses added. Part of me thought that most people on this board would want to pare it down a bit.... Maybe argue the merits of some courses being listed and others not, or demanding that some courses be taken off similar to Trump LA.

I think we are all familiar with the courses on this list that are worth traveling to play. It's tough to get a hidden gem past this group, much less a public hidden gem.

Please suggest away. 

[Wyatt Halliday]

One more note:

I'm hoping that what's already on the original list doesn't necessarily dictate what is added. Subtractions are fine too. In fact, I would rather delete courses from the original list than have it spawn additional mediocrity.

It could dovetail into the argument that if you take course "x" off, than course "y" doesn't deserve to be there either. That is fine by me, I'm simply looking to spark additional discussion.

[astavrides]

The Architects Club is actually in NJ, not PA as listed, although it is on the PA border (nowhere near Beaver Falls though. :-)).  Pretty near Easton, PA--not near any real NJ towns as far as I know.

[Chris DeNigris]

I would 2nd Stonehouse in Williamsburg (can't omit a Strantz course!) as well as Hershey Links in PA.

Also in PA (Peach Bottom) Pilgrims Oak, Hurdzan.

In MD, PB Dye Club (not sure of the arch)

In PA, Iron Valley (PB Dye)

In Phoenix area (Maricopa) Southern Dunes, Schmidt and Curley.

Minor correction- Architect's club is in NJ not PA.

[Alex Miller]

I also notice the Turtle Bay Palmer course is absent in Hawaii. I think it deserves a spot.

[Michael Blake]

Wyatt,

I noticed two mistakes for Pennsylvania.  One, you have Architects GC in Phillipsburgs listed.  But the course is in New Jersey.
And two, for Jeffersonville GC you spelled an architect's name incorrectly.  It's Prichard.  No t.


Whoops. Just noticed Alex's post re: Architects. Nevermind.

[Sam Morrow]

Wyatt I will work on the Texas/Oklahoma list for you.

[Tony Weiler]

Wyatt, as far as removal, I'd suggest SunRidge Canyon in Phx. area.  Not a very good design, the layout is lacking, and the condition wasn't very good.  I'd also take out Heart River in ND.  Not really "listworthy."  I would add Raven at So. Mt, in Phx. area.  I'd also add Prairie Green in Sioux Fallls, SD, a Dick Nugent course.   I also would not travel very far to play the course in Spearfish, SD.  Great travel list, however, and good idea.   

[Tim Bert]

Wyatt - A couple notes for Tennessee

Legends Club - neither course is open to the public any longer, so I would remove.

Greystone - Located in Dickson, TN I think this is a worthy addition to the greater Nashville area.  Better than the other publics on your list in the area.

You have Bear Trace Ross Creek Landing on there twice - there's only one course in Clifton.
 
I would add the original course at Hermitage (General's Retreat) since you have the President's Reserve.  They are very different style courses, but I prefer the original, even if it is a bit claustrophobic in places.

[Jimmy Chandler]

Wyatt --

Maryland: I would add Glenn Dale in the Washington, DC area and move Lake Presidential from the Virginia list since it's located in MD.

Virginia: I would add Laurel Hill in Lorton, Shenandoah Valley Golf Club in Front Royal, Westfields in Clifton, and Devil's Knob at Wintergreen.  I would not include Stoney Creek, and I'd remove Augustine and Stonewall if you're looking to keep the list pared to the best/most notable (these courses are fine, but not as good as the others IMHO).

[Doug Ralston]

And of course, Tim, just north of Tennessee, the entire Kentucky Parks Trail, including the three best publics in the state, are left out. What's new?

BTW, Greystone is a great fun course ..... and I like The Tennessean, even in sad condition, hell of a layout.

Doug

[Trey Kemp]

Wyatt,

Great list, thanks! One minor thing I noticed was that you misspelled Richard Jacobson, the architect for Augustine, Spirit Hollow and Bear Trap Dunes.

[Jon Spaulding]

You should remove Pelican Hill South. It's quite awful.

I'd actually recommend a round on the North or a futile, 5 hour attempt at cougar chasing at Javier's.

Arroyo Trabuco is a better golf course should you feel the need for two Orange County courses.

Also, I think Escena is closed.

[Rob Rigg]

Wyatt,

For Mighty Oregon you can add:

Juniper - Harbottle - Redmond, OR ($40ish)
Pronghorn-Nicklaus - Bend, OR ($175ish)

Tetherow has a spelling error as an FYI.

Great list.

[Alex Miller]

A trio of Santa Barbara area courses worth a play:

Sandpiper GC
Rancho San Marcos
La Purisima

[Ben Sims]

Big Tex,

You forgot Newport Dunes in Port Aransas, TX.  A buddy of mine played it and said the papsalum combined with wide open dunescape was like "Bandon in Corpus Christi".

...or something to that effect

[Garland Bayley]

Wyatt,

It would appear that your list greatly favors the moderns. For example, in Oregon and Washington, Egan did three courses that I believe have hosted a total of 5 USGA Pub Links championships. Yet they are not mentioned. They are West Seattle, Indian Canyon Spokane, and Eastmoreland Portland. If you want people to see what heavy equipment can do, then send them to Pumpkin Ridge to see magical streams that spring out of nowhere and defy all sense of natural geography. If you want people to see lay of the land courses, then send them to some of the old places.

[Jonathan Cummings]

In MD, PB Dye Club (not sure of the arch)

Ahhhh - just one guess.....

[Sam Morrow]

Big Tex,

You forgot Newport Dunes in Port Aransas, TX.  A buddy of mine played it and said the papsalum combined with wide open dunescape was like "Bandon in Corpus Christi".

...or something to that effect

I still need to play Newport Dunes but the idea of "Bandon in Corpus Christi" is one of the funniest things I think I have ever read.

[Chris_Blakely]

Chris,

I've found some info claiming that Stanley Thompson is the GCA of Sleepy Hollow (Ohio). Is this the same Stanley Thompson that I think it is?

Paging Ian Andrew.

Wyatt,

No page needed of Ian Andrew.  Sleepy Hollow is public/owned by Cleveland Metroparks and is Stanley Thompson.

Another Stanley Thompson public in the Cleveland Metroparks is Big Met GC.

Additionally, Avalon G & CC - Squaw Creek is also an old Stanley Thompson course that allowed some public play as of a couple of years ago.  I was considering having you add this one to the list, but hesitated.  Very fun course with some solid holes.  I know the course has been renovated at least once.

Chris

[Tom Huckaby]

Wyatt:

What's the standard for inclusion?  That is, is it courses worth seeking out?  Great courses?  I ask because your CA list seems to have no rhyme or reason.. if you include Pacific Grove Muni for example, that opens up a LOT of others which are just as good if not better, all things considered.  You also include Harding in SF, which of course hosts pro tourneys, but really has little else going for it... some of the Palm Desert choices are equally confusing.... do you aim to be all-inclusive here?  Any public course in CA worth seeking out?  Or just the best of the best, for any particular reason (ie PG Muni must be considered if cost is a factor, but not otherwise)....

One more thing:  Monterrey is in Mexico, Monterey is near Pebble Beach.

 

[Jason Topp]

Wyatt - it looks like you have captured most of the high end courses.  Not sure what you are looking to capture with the list but I'll give you some commentary on the states on which I have the most knowledge:


Iowa

Harvester, Rhodes Best in state by large margin - worth a trip to see 
Veenker Memorial, Ames  About 1/2 Maxwell and 1/2 from the 60's.  Maxwell holes are interesting although overgrown with trees with shrunken greens.  Modern holes are miserable.
Spirit Hollow, Burlington  never played
Amana Colonies, Amana  not loved by those on this site due to shaping and repetitive nature of tees up high, fairway low and greens up high.  I think it is underrated.  "Repetitive" formula worked for Ross.  I find the greens very interesting and the par threes/fives are very good although a bit awkward.
Hunters Ridge, Marion  Never played
Legacy, Norwalk  Not great visually but interesting greens


Others to consider

Waveland, Des Moines Terrific, if somewhat neglected tee to green layout.  Greens are generally big flat saucers.  Better in the spring before summer heat burns out the poa annua greens

Finkbine, Iowa City - well conditioned very enjoyable course that follows the Rober Bruce Harris formula.

Blue Top Ridge at Riverside New Rees Jones.  I am not a big fan

TPC Iowa seems like a wet target course.  I have not played - tepid reviews by word of mouth

Spencer CC Well conditioned but relatively boring 1960's layout

Grandview, Des Moines 5300 yards, 6 driveable par fours.  Fun if you like a change of pace.

[Jason Topp]

Arizona Architect Area
Laughlin Ranch, Bullhead City David Druzisky Las Vegas, NV
Apache Stronghold, Globe Tom Doak Phoenix
Estrella Mountain Ranch, Phoenix Jack Nicklaus II Phoenix
Estrella Mountain, Phoenix  Red Lawrence Phoenix
Grayhawk (Raptor), Scottsdale Tom Fazio Phoenix
Grayhawk (Talon), Scottsdale Graham/Panks Phoenix
Longbow, Mesa Ken Kavanaugh Phoenix
Sunridge Canyon, Fountain Hills Keith Foster Phoenix
Talking Stick (North), Scottsdale Coore/Crenshaw Phoenix
Talking Stick (South), Scottsdale Coore/Crenshaw Phoenix
The Boulders (South), Carefree Jay Morrish Phoenix
The Gallery (North), Dove Mountain Fought/Lehman Phoenix
The Gallery (South), Dove Mountain John Fought Phoenix
TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale Weiskopf/Morrish Phoenix
Troon North (Monument), Scottsdale  Weiskopf/Morrish Phoenix
Troon North (Pinnacle), Scottsdale Tom Weiskopf  Phoenix
Vista Verde, Rio Verde Ken Kavanaugh Phoenix
We-Ko-Pa (Cholla), Fountain Hills  Scott Miller Phoenix
We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro), Fountain Hills  Coore/Crenshaw Phoenix
Wigwam (Gold), Scottsdale RTJ Sr./Richardson Phoenix
Ventana Canyon (Canyon), Tucson Tom Fazio Tucson
Ventana Canyon (Mountain), Tucson  Tom Fazio Tucson


I would add:

Arizona National - Tucson - in my view the best in Tucson
Rio Rico - Nogales
Southern Dunes - might be my favorite in the state
Vistoso - Tucson
Papago - Phoenix
The course where they hold the match play - (Dove Mountain?)

[Jason Topp]

Minnesota Architect Area
Deacon's Lodge, Brainerd Arnold Palmer Brainerd Beautiful land.  A couple of awkward holes.
The Classic at Madden's Lake, Brainerd Scott Hoffman Brainerd GCA'ers will cringe at cart path and eye candy.  Ignore those distractions and enjoy a terrific very challenging course
The Pines at Grand View Lodge, Nisswa Joel Goldstrand Brainerd Lakes/Woods.  Marsh is not as good as the others
Chaska Town Course, Chaska Arthur Hills Minneapolis/St. Paul Best Arthur Hills I have played
Legends Club, Prior Lake Gill/Miller Minneapolis/St. Paul I am not a fan but others are
Rush Creek, Maple Grove Fought/Cupp Minneapolis/St. Paul I would eliminate but was the site for the US Publinks a couple years ago
StoneRidge, St. Paul Robert Weed Minneapolis/St. Paul best in Twin Cities
The Wilds, Prior Lake Weiskopf/Morrish Minneapolis/St. Paul All of the typical Weiskopf/Morrish holes.  I think it is worthwhile to see the innovations they made more popular.
Dacotah Ridge, Morton Rees Jones Redwood Falls Pretty fun Rees Jones course although on heavy soil
Giants Ridge (Legend), Biwabik Jeff Brauer Virginia Beautiful course with some terrific holes.  Interesting contrast to the Quarry worth one round on a trip
Giants Ridge (Quarry), Biwabik Jeff Brauer Virginia my vote for best in state but the Classic and Wilderness at Fortune Bay are close
Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower Jeff Brauer Virginia I have only played once and want to play it more.  Initial comments were a bit tepid due to wild greens but reputation grows as people get to know the course better.


I would add:

The Preserve, Nisswa area Underrated course in Brainerd area.  One goofy hole, a few mundane holes but most of the course is terrific

Keller, St. Paul Good bargain if you can get tee time.  Hosted St. Paul Open and has interesting history. 

Links at Northfork, Ramsey Fake links course but several interesting holes and usually fast and firm.  Ironically, the best holes are in trees.

Bunker Hills, Coon Rapids Best land for golf in the Twin cities - sandy fast draining.  Pretty boring 60's design on original 18.  9 added holes (split between North and East 9's alternate between brilliant (North 2, 3, 5, 7; East 2, 4) and horrible (East 3, North 4).  Land around North 4 tee and 6 green looks like it could have been the site of incredible Doak minimalis course.

Willingers, Northfield.  Quirky modern course great for match play.

Northfield CC - Many unique holes and very difficult greens.  A bit choppy in feel due to additional holes added in last 10 years.

Edinburgh, Brooklyn Center RTJ II prototype housing course.  Florida golf with bentgrass lumpy greens.  Love it or hate it.

[Jud_T]

Illinois, continued:

Personally I'd drop both Harborside courses...Fake links on a dump without enough fairway width to provide much strategy or relief from Lake Michigan winds...

I'd Add Annbriar in Waterloo by Hurdzan...Haven't played it personally but have heard really good things about it and it looks great....