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MTWilkinson

The Golf Capital of the World is...
« on: January 16, 2002, 07:44:02 PM »
I visited the greater Palm Springs area for the first time in 5 years and was A M A Z E D at the development in...

LA QUINTA!

PGA West and The Quarry used to be out in the sticks, but no more.

In no chronological order, here's what they have:
1. La Quinta CC
2. La Quinta Hotel (Mountain)
3. La Quinta Hotel (Dunes)
4. La Quinta Hotel (Citrus)
5. Rancho La Quinta (Jones, Jr.)
6. Rancho La Quinta (Pate)
7. The Tradition
8. PGA West (Stadium)
9. PGA West (Nicklaus Resort)
10. PGA West (Norman)
11. PGA West (Palmer Private)
12. PGA West (Nicklaus Private)
13. PGA West (Weiskopf)
14. The Plantation
15. The Palms
16. The Quarry
17. CC of the Desert (Dye)
18. CC of the Desert (Clive Clark 9)

Whew!

You may not like all the architecture, and there may not be any 9's or 10's on the Doak scale (I think he gave the Stadium course an "8"), but there are a helluva lot of 6's and 7's here.

The question is, putting aside the 3-4 course all-timers (Pebble Beach, Hamptons), or 5-6 course wonders (Sand Belt, Westchester County) or...even Scottsdale and Palm Beach County (Seminole, then a bunch of flat courses with lots of sand and water):

Is there a better over 10 quality golf course town in the world?

I wouldn't have said this until this week: I haven't seen it.



« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Paul Richards

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Golf Capital of the World is...
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2002, 07:46:13 PM »
MT:

You might think so, but you'd be wrong. :-[

Orland Park, Illinois, is the "Golf Capital of the World." :o

It says so, right on their big, blue water-tower! ::)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
"Something has to change, otherwise the never-ending arms race that benefits only a few manufacturers will continue to lead to longer courses, narrower fairways, smaller greens, more rough, more expensive rounds, and other mechanisms that will leave golf's future in doubt." -  TFOG

John_D._Bernhardt

Re: The Golf Capital of the World is...
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2002, 08:17:10 PM »
For my money it is still St. Andrews and Carmel.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

John_McMillan

Re: The Golf Capital of the World is...
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2002, 08:23:36 PM »
Pinehurst, NC and Saint Andrews, Scotland have to be a top two as far as golf-towns - and far ahead of LaQuinta.  Heck, I'd argue that Traverse City is ahead of LaQuinta - unless you're rating greens fees and not quality of the courses.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

ChrisB (Guest)

Re: The Golf Capital of the World is...
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2002, 08:47:46 PM »
Pinehurst/Southern Pines, NC:

Pinehurst #1
Pinehurst #2
Pinehurst #3
Pinehurst #4
Pinehurst #5
Pinehurst #6
Pinehurst #7
Pinehurst #8
CCNC (Dogwood)
CCNC (Cardinal)
The Carolina
Forest Creek
Longleaf
Mid Pines
National GC
Pine Needles
Plantation GC
Pinewild (3 courses)
Southern Pines GC
Talamore

There are certainly 10 quality courses in that list.  Throw in the Legacy and The Pit in Aberdeen and Little River Farm in Carthage, and you've got a ton of good golf; Tobacco Road and Woodlake aren't far away either.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

George Bahto

Re: The Golf Capital of the World is...
« Reply #5 on: January 16, 2002, 09:17:49 PM »
8)  GolfClubAtlas.com   8)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

JP Morgan

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Golf Capital of the World is...
« Reply #6 on: January 16, 2002, 09:29:51 PM »
With no unabashed defense of "quality", when one poses the question of "golf capital of the world", it is hard to argue with the Grand Strand of Myrtle Beach.  Like it or not it is a golf nervana at least for the average Joe.  
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Chris Kane

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Golf Capital of the World is...
« Reply #7 on: January 16, 2002, 09:38:26 PM »
Besides GCA.com, which is rightly pointed out as the golf capital of the world, I think the sandbelt and surrounds would have to be right up there.  I disagree with the assessment that it is a 5-6 course wonder.  Sure, not all the courses I've listed are world-class, or would get 6 on the Doak Scale, but nor would all the courses at La Quinta

You'll never get everyone to agree on what courses comprise the sandbelt, as there are many factors to consider, not just geographical.

This is ordered as a ranking, I've just listed them as they come to mind
Royal Melbourne (West)
Royal Melbourne (East)
Kingston Heath
Metropolitan
Commonwealth
Woodlands
Victoria
Huntingdale
Yarra Yarra
Peninsula (north)
Peninsula (South)
Long Island
Spring Valley
Southern
Keysborough

If you drive another 45-60mins south, there is another cluster of great courses!
The Dunes
Portsea
Sorrento
Moonah Links
The National (RTJ)
The National (Ocean)
The National (Moonah)
Cape Schanck
Flinders
Rosebud (North)
Rosebud (South)
Eagle Ridge

Any others that I've missed?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Paul Richards

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Golf Capital of the World is...
« Reply #8 on: January 17, 2002, 04:20:29 AM »
Since no one else has probably ever heard of Orland Park,
Illinois and it's "claim", I'll side with those who vote for
St. Andrews and for Pinehurst! ;)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
"Something has to change, otherwise the never-ending arms race that benefits only a few manufacturers will continue to lead to longer courses, narrower fairways, smaller greens, more rough, more expensive rounds, and other mechanisms that will leave golf's future in doubt." -  TFOG

Paul Richards

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Golf Capital of the World is...
« Reply #9 on: January 17, 2002, 04:51:25 AM »
From today's Chicago Tribune:

CHICAGO NO. 1 IN GOLF
By Ed Sherman
Tribune golf reporter

Chicago is No. 1 when it comes to golf. :)

The area has more golfers and more public courses than any metropolitan location in the U.S., according to a survey conducted by Database of Golf in America.

The findings, detailed in the January issue of Golf World Business, show Chicago has 167,413 "avid" golfers.

The total far outdistanced Detroit (114,822), Los Angeles (108,875) and Philadelphia (107,470). The survey also confirmed that the Chicago area is rich with public courses, ranking first with 143; Detroit is second with 125.

The results come as no surprise to golf officials in Chicago. The trend, they say, dates back to the founding of the Western Golf Association and Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton in the 1890s.

"The history of the game here has been overlooked by the rest of the country," said Robert Markionni, executive director of the Chicago District Golf Association. "Chicago has played a major role in the game growing into what it is today. People love to play here."

The area sports top-line facilities such as Cog Hill, Harborside, Kemper Lakes and the newly opened Glen Club.

"We've all traveled to other cities, and there's not the same level of public golf that there is in Chicago," said Josh Lesnik, general manager of the Glen Club. "It's almost getting to the point where supply is catching up with demand. But the quality of the courses is so high, you have to play them all."


Tap-ins: Former Northwestern stars Luke Donald and Jess Daley were in the money last week in their first tournament as official members of the PGA Tour. Donald made $75,000 for finishing in a tie for 13th at the Sony Open, and Daley earned $8,520 for a tie for 60th. ... Indications are that the new Chicago-area Buy.com event (Chicago Open, which was held at Beverly CC for the past three years) will be held at Kemper Lakes in August.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
"Something has to change, otherwise the never-ending arms race that benefits only a few manufacturers will continue to lead to longer courses, narrower fairways, smaller greens, more rough, more expensive rounds, and other mechanisms that will leave golf's future in doubt." -  TFOG

Gene Greco

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Golf Capital of the World is...
« Reply #10 on: January 17, 2002, 05:06:44 AM »
St. Andrews is the golf capital of the world.

Now go back and reread that statement as many times as it takes for it to be dogma in your minds.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
"...I don't believe it is impossible to build a modern course as good as Pine Valley.  To me, Sand Hills is just as good as Pine Valley..."    TOM DOAK  November 6th, 2010

David Wigler

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Golf Capital of the World is...
« Reply #11 on: January 17, 2002, 05:24:02 AM »
Northern Michigan

Arcadia Bluffs
Bay Harbor (Links / Quarry)
TreeTops Smith
TreeTops Fazio
The Legend
Little Traverse Bay
TreeTops Jones
High Pointe
The Heather
Wuskenwon Players Club
Garlands 4 courses
The Bear
Crystal Downs

Northern Michigan would beat Palm Springs hands down in quantity, cost and quality with a 10 and several courses better than a 6.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
And I took full blame then, and retain such now.  My utter ignorance in not trumpeting a course I have never seen remains inexcusable.
Tom Huckaby 2/24/04

Brian Phillips

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Golf Capital of the World is...
« Reply #12 on: January 17, 2002, 05:32:58 AM »
It all depends by what you mean by Golf Capital of the world.  Isit an area that has more golf courses per square kilometer or how many quality world class courses per square kilometer?

I think it should be quality.... and that to me is Britain & Ireland.  If you want to narrow it down then Scotland is the place and if you want to narrow it down even more then Fife is the place...

However, no matter how you look at it, St. Andrews is still the Mecca of golf, you HAVE to visit at least once in your life.... ;)

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:01 PM by -1 »
Bunkers, if they be good bunkers, and bunkers of strong character, refuse to be disregarded, and insist on asserting themselves; they do not mind being avoided, but they decline to be ignored - John Low Concerning Golf

redanman (Guest)

Re: The Golf Capital of the World is...
« Reply #13 on: January 17, 2002, 05:58:13 AM »
Lon Gisland?

Florida has 1600 courses of ? ? ?  quality?

Westchester?

A couple of islands in the North Sea? The Lothians, maybe.

The next place I am playing? ? ?  :-*

Palm Springs is certainly golfville west, but Golf Capital?  Naaaaah.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Nick (Guest)

Re: The Golf Capital of the World is...
« Reply #14 on: January 17, 2002, 06:24:56 AM »
Won't argue with St Andrews but I'll throw in Surrey, England.
Addington
St Georges Hill
Walton Heath Old+New
Wentworth
Woking
West Hill
Sunningdale Old and New
New Zealand GC
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

RJ_Daley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Golf Capital of the World is...
« Reply #15 on: January 17, 2002, 08:34:25 AM »
MT, perhaps it would have been an easier question to ask;  What is the golf center of the universe!  ;D

To that I might have to say, Ben's Porch above 9 and 18 greens, Sand Hills Golf Club, in the middle of nowhere, NE. :o
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
No actual golf rounds were ruined or delayed, nor golf rules broken, in the taking of any photographs that may be displayed by the above forum user.

Gene Greco

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: The Golf Capital of the World is...
« Reply #16 on: January 17, 2002, 06:11:46 PM »
You'll get no argument from me on that one, RJ. If walking up the 18th fairway of The Old Course isn't the center of the golfing universe then Ben's Porch most assuredly is.

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
"...I don't believe it is impossible to build a modern course as good as Pine Valley.  To me, Sand Hills is just as good as Pine Valley..."    TOM DOAK  November 6th, 2010

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