Upcoming Course Openings You Are Excited About

« **on:** March 27, 2002, 12:56:22 PM »

I was interested to hear about what's coming online around the country. If you can think of any, please share some details about courses opening in the next 18 months.

I'll start. WINDSONG is a course in Maple Plain, MN near Timber Creek and Pioneer Creek (and not too far past Spring Hill) that should open Spring 2004. Tom Lehman and John Fought are the architects, and Jim Lehman is behind the membership drive.

I've walked the site. It looks like it will be a modern tournament course, something Minneapolis doesn't have much of besides Hazeltine.

The early strength appears to be in the par 3s, and the character of the rest of it looks like it will be expansive and wind-swept.

I believe they would like to host high level tournaments at this club.

« **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2002, 01:04:11 PM »

We had a thread similar to this a little while ago talking about possible courses for 2002 "Best New" lists.

How about:

Friar's Head
Rustic Canyon

(aren't these two enough?)

Hidden Creek
Prairie Sands (in sand hills of Neb)
Bulle Rock II
Barnbougle Dunes
Texas Tech
Black Sheep

« **Reply #2 on:** March 27, 2002, 01:05:46 PM »

John - apropos of your last post - what did you think of Lake Jovita by the same design crew. I can hardly remember it, which may (or more likely may not) say something about its architecture.

« **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2002, 01:07:07 PM »

i'm interested to see Steele's course on Martha's Vineyard (also the subject of another post).

« **Reply #4 on:** March 27, 2002, 01:14:27 PM »

Scott:

Best New courses for 2002 are probably open already. I was looking a little out. I'm thinking that you'll see an easier list to work with because there has likely been a slow down in starts.

Spiderbite:

Lake Jovita was designed by a guy named Kurt Sandness, with a signature from Tom Lehman. I don't think John Fought was involved at all, but I could be wrong. Ironically, I played junior golf against Kurt.

I really like it. #1 is an unusual starting hole because of the narrow fairway and forced carry over wetlands. #16 is pretty bad and #17 is worse, but other than that... I think it is a great course. I like the transition to and from open holes. My favorites are #6, #8, #10 (only played there twice and don't know how to get it in play!), #11 (of course), and #15. #18 is an awfully good modern finishing hole.

Both:

What is it that excites you about courses listed? Obviously Friar's Head is special, but about the others? Hearing that you are excited about Prairie Sands doesn't make me excited about it. A few words about the scope of the project or character of the course.

Toss in a few words, and I'll probably be excited too. As if my list isn't long enough already.

« **Reply #5 on:** March 27, 2002, 01:15:14 PM »

Besides the MAKING ME DROOL, CAN'T WAIT TO SEE, REALISTICALLY WILL SEE THE SECOND IT'S OPEN, Rustic Canyon... interesting you should post this. Here in San Jose we have the LONG-awaited opening on 4/1 of the first muni opened here in many decades. It's a par 68 called Los Lagos, featuring 9 par 3's, 5 par 5's, 4 par 4's. I've mentioned it in here before. Seems quirky to the max to me. It was INCREDIBLY over-budget, and is seemingly quite overpriced. Nevertheless, I have a tee time on Monday afternoon. I have to see it.

TH

« **Reply #6 on:** March 27, 2002, 01:25:29 PM »

I really enjoyed Steele's work at Carnegie Abbey, and others seem to have really like Redtail. I know nothing of the property, but i like Farm Neck and kind of like Nantucket GC to Sankaty, this is an area that is in dire need of a second option.

« **Reply #7 on:** March 27, 2002, 01:27:20 PM »

About being eligible for 2002 Best New categories, as many as four of the one I listed should/could be open by the June GD cutoff date: Friar (eco-terrorist hold-up), Rustic, Black Sheep, and not sure about when Hidden Creek is to open this year.

Hidden Creek - C&C in the sandy low country of New Jersey

Prairie Sands - location. And has a chance to be real good if Hale Irwin's crew doesn't screw up an "ideal" location in sand hills.

Barnbougle Dunes - can we call this Pacific Dunes Australia? Doak on coastal linksland in Australia.

Texas Tech - Doak given "free reign" on otherwise flat prairie property. See Rustic Canyon.

Bulle Rock II - Dye on great rolling mostly open land.

Black Sheep - I've read description and seen aerial during construction. Wide open, pure golf, lots of apparently good bunkering, with apparent strategy everywhere.

« **Reply #8 on:** March 27, 2002, 03:57:30 PM »

Stone Creek Golf Course - Oregon City, OR.

A new muni! Don't know how good Jacobsen and Hardy are, but I'm excited to find out. Looked good in my... trespassing field trip.

Anyone familiar with their work at BlackHorse, outside Houston?

« **Reply #9 on:** March 27, 2002, 04:00:28 PM »

Tom Huckaby- How was the opening. Tells us, did it live up to your expectations? How much was it? What was your impression of the architecture?

« **Reply #10 on:** March 27, 2002, 04:13:26 PM »

The Bridge in Bridgehamton, NY, site of former classic car raceway with beautiful views of Peconic Bay similar to NGLA. However it is at least a half mile from the water. Rees Jones is the architect. Opened for 'preview play" in the fall, and I have an invitation to play in April, and will hopefully post some pictures. Private course with a membership fee that you would expect in The Hamptons.

Also understand a new course in South Jersey "Shore Gate" www.shoregategolfclub.com is opening soon.

« **Reply #11 on:** March 27, 2002, 04:42:34 PM »

Mike S:

I've already played The Bridge and absolutely loved it. Of course -- there have been people on GCA who bridle at my high opinion of the course, but have never played it themselves. Figure that out if you can

I believe it's one of the top five I've played on Long Island although I have not played Friar's Head to see how that layout compares when the two are matched for comparison purposes. I would be interested in getting your feedback especially if you have played a wide assortment of courses on the Island.

Like yourself I am also looking forward to seeing Shore Gate and one other to mention is the new Stepen Kay course called Emerald Golf Links in Egg Harbor. From what I've been told it may be his finest work yet. We shall see.

I also can't wait to see Rustic Canyon in my next venture to the left coast. For those who are Gil Hanse fans I think you'll enjoy his effort at Tallgrass which opened last year on Eastern LI.

Scott B mentioned already the opening this year in Hidden Creek. Like Friar's Head, Hidden Creek is a Crenshaw & Coore design. Will be most interesting to see how people assess both of these layouts.

I would also mention Branton Woods in Hopewell Junction -- about 60-70 miles north of Manhattan (NYC). Played the Eric Bergstol design which will be open to the public last October and it has plenty of quality to it. Will be interesting to see the layout matures since my first visit was somewhat early before all the grow-in had been completed. For those not in the know Bergstol previously did the design at Pine Barrens, an upscale layout halfway between NYC and AC in Jersey and one of the better public courses in the Garden State.

« **Reply #12 on:** March 27, 2002, 05:29:57 PM »

http://www.ngf.org/courses/ALLUC.html

I just found this link which list all courses that were under construction as of December 31, 2001.

« **Reply #13 on:** March 27, 2002, 05:57:26 PM »

Here's an interesting one going up on the Pacific Coast of Washington State in Ilwaco - just a smidge north of the confluence of the Columbia River.

  It's a great area for resort golf and is in need of something special. They have golf but not really worth the trip on their own merit (but I always play when I go.)

  They got an upbeat report from a local golf periodical that asked the question... "will it be the next Bandon Dunes?"
I can't imagine so as they are making a village and condos and the typisch tripe of resort trappings. But, I may be wrong and really hope I am. It must be exciting for the developers/dreamers.

  Here's a link... http://www.thetimesharebeat.com/classifieds/ilwaco4.htm

« **Reply #14 on:** March 27, 2002, 06:17:26 PM »

Hokuli'a, Big Island of Hawaii.
Architect: Jack Nicklaus
In the dirt, better than Cabo del Sol. Grassing has begun. For some pictures: www.hokulia.com

« **Reply #15 on:** March 27, 2002, 07:16:11 PM »

Mike Sweeney --

Please do post photos of The Bridge -- just no pictures of the mounds to the left of the ninth green, OK?

Thanks.

« **Reply #16 on:** March 27, 2002, 07:35:33 PM »

I'll second DK's request - please no photos of the mounds on the 9th.

« **Reply #17 on:** March 27, 2002, 07:51:03 PM »

Barnbougle Dunes in Tasmania
Ranfurlie - Mike Clayton's new course at Amstel GC in Melbourne. I believe it has just opened.

« **Reply #18 on:** March 28, 2002, 05:42:18 AM »

I'm looking forward to the Fazio/Eger course being built north of Atlanta for the Capital City Club. The course is called Crabapple and should open in May or June.

The early photos are promising.

Ideally the course will have the best of Fazio landscaping and Eger's instincts for strategy/shot values.

Conversely - to paraphrase Albert Einstein's response to the beautiful blond that wanted to have his children - the course might end up with Fazio strategy and Eger landscaping.

At any rate, I can't wait to see it.

Bob

« **Reply #19 on:** March 28, 2002, 05:47:54 AM »

I can't wait to see Jeff Brauer's new Giant's Ridge course. It's big, bold, and wild. Just what I would expect from a Texan with the heart of Chicago.

« **Reply #20 on:** March 28, 2002, 06:12:14 AM »

Quote

Tom Huckaby- How was the opening. Tells us, did it live up to your expectations? How much was it? What was your impression of the architecture?

Adam - I assume you mean our new quirky San Jose muni course...I go there Monday 4/1. The buzz so far is this course is way overpriced - $29 M-Th, $42 Fri-Sun. That's a lot for a course with 9 par 3's - basically the same price as all the other full size munis around. I've seen the course from outside the fence and it looks pretty neat, though. I will report after I play it.

TH

« **Reply #21 on:** March 28, 2002, 06:16:52 AM »

I purposefully didn't mention The Bridge because I assumed it was already open, what with several people here having played it last year.

« **Reply #22 on:** March 28, 2002, 06:27:51 AM »

Tom,

How can you consider $29 over priced for the San Jose/Francisco area. When golf is cheaper than a pair of socks I consider it a deal.

« **Reply #23 on:** March 28, 2002, 06:33:43 AM »

JakaB - it's all relative. Please remember a few things about this new course:

1. It's par 68, which on the surface seems ok, but NINE par 3's? That's screams "executive course" to a lot of people. Me, I think it's gonna be fun but I am curious to see what the distances of the five "par 5's". In any case I also want a price break in light of...

2. San Jose Muni, Sunnyvale Muni, Santa Clara Muni, Santa Teresa - the four muni courses closest to this - are all the same price OR LOWER...

3. The new one offers NO TWILIGHT fees, no deals, no 9-hole rate, no nothing.

This has people up in arms. The golf columnist for the SJ Mercury was downright irate.

Relative to the privately-owned public courses around, oh yes, it is a good deal... But as a "short" course, don't you think it ought to be?

TH

« **Reply #24 on:** March 28, 2002, 06:39:05 AM »

Baxter Spann of Finger, (Ken) Dye, Spann has been working on a great site for some time now.

http://fingerdyespann.com/blackmesa.html

Very close to Ken's Paa-Ko which will have another 9 in the near future.

More than enough reason to visit the land of enchantment.

mike

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