Best Golf Course Experience Rankings... A question

[John Goldasich]

Pardon the question, but I seem to remember one of the golf publications (Golf Digest, I think) issuing a "Best Golf Club Experience" ranking several years ago (4-5 years maybe?).

The rankings took into consideration the golf course and its merits, obviously, but also considered guest cottages, food & beverage, and other guest amenities to form a ranking of the best golf club "experiences."

Is anyone familiar with this?  If so, does someone have a copy?  After spending time googling and searching the GCA archives, I haven't come up with anything.  If memory serves me correctly, the ranking scored Pine Valley #1.

Many thanks in advance.

[Jim Colton]

 
Is this it?

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20061017005784/en/Americas-50-Greatest-Golf-Retreats-Ranked-Issue

              The Top 25 Greatest Golf Retreats
RANKING   THE CLUB      SCORE (OUT OF 10)
1.     Augusta National G.C. (Augusta, GA)       9.78 
2.     Pine Valley G.C. (Pine Valley, NJ)       9.53 
3.     The Alotian Club (Roland, AR)       9.48 
4.     Sand Hills G.C. (Mullen, NE)       9.03 
5. 
National Golf Links of America (Southampton, NY)       8.83 
6.     Sage Valley G.C. (Graniteville, S.C.)       8.80 
7.     Kinloch G.C. (Manakin-Sabot, VA)       8.49 
8.     The Olde Farm (Bristol, VA)       8.41 
9.     Oakmont C.C. (Oakmont, PA)       8.37 
10.     Flint Hills National G.C. (Andover, KS)       8.34 
11.     Whispering Pines G.C. (Trinity, TX)       8.33 
12.     Sutton Bay G.C. (Agar, S.D.)       8.31 
T13.    The Honors Course (Ooltewah, TN)       8.28 
T13.    Ocean Forest G.C. (Sea Island, GA)       8.28 
15.     Muirfield Village G.C. (Dublin, OH)       8.27 
16.     The Valley Club of Montecito (Santa Barbara, CA)       8.25 
T17.    Caves Valley G.C. (Owings Mill, MD)       8.21 
T17.    Cherokee Plantation G.C. (Yemassee, SC)       8.21 
19.     Castle Pines G.C. (Castle Rock, CO)       8.17 
20.     Mayacama G.C. (Santa Rosa, CA)       8.14 
T21.    Double Eagle Club (Galena, OH)       8.13 
T21.    Rich Harvest Links (Sugar Grove, IL)       8.13 
T21.    Wade Hampton G.C. (Cashiers, NC)       8.13 
24.     Shoal Creek (Shoal Creek, AL)       8.11 
25.     Victoria National G.C. (Newburgh, IN)       8.10 
Contacts

[John Goldasich]

That is most definitely it.  Thanks Jim!  I couldn't find it anywhere.

Interesting list for discussion, anyone?

[jonathan_becker]

Rock Creek should be on this list.

[Dan Kelly]

I cannot even imagine how spoiled someone would have to be to rank either Sand Hills or Sutton Bay at less than 10.

[Bart Bradley]

I will tell you that I honestly believe that #8 (The Olde Farm) belongs on this list.  The club does everything well:  service, food, hospitality, facilities.  You all should come check it out sometime  ...

Bart

[Sean_A]

Is this list focusing on pampering experience or are there courses listed which are a great experience even though it isn't luxurious?

Ciao

[Mark Pritchett]

As I recall this was first listed in Golf Digest Index and included 50 clubs. 

[Sam Morrow]

I cannot even imagine how spoiled someone would have to be to rank either Sand Hills or Sutton Bay at less than 10.

Was Lavin on the panel?

[Dan Herrmann]

Dismal River should be there too.

[Bruce Wellmon]

Dismal River should be on there 2.

[Sam Morrow]

Let's slow down guys, I love spending time at Dismal but there are other places with facilities just as good if not better.

[Sean Leary]

Let's slow down guys, I love spending time at Dismal but there are other places with facilities just as good if not better.

I would guess that most of the clubs that have onsite lodging for traveling members/guests could be on this list without many complaints...

[Sam Morrow]

Let's slow down guys, I love spending time at Dismal but there are other places with facilities just as good if not better.

I would guess that most of the clubs that have onsite lodging for traveling members/guests could be on this list without many complaints...

That's my exact thought and they all have great accommodations and great food.

[John Kavanaugh]

Let's slow down guys, I love spending time at Dismal but there are other places with facilities just as good if not better.

So, golf troll, which of these top 25 that you have played have better accommodations and food than Dismal.


Here is my new Top 25 after my recent midwest trip.

1. Sand Hills Mullen, NE
2. Prairie Dunes Hutchinson, KS
3. Austin GC Austin
4. Southern Hills Tulsa
5. Dallas National Dallas
6. Fallen Oak Biloxi, MS
7. Whispering Pines Trinity, TX
8. Kiva Dunes Gulf Shores, AL
9. Old American The Colony, TX
10. Pine Dunes Frankston, TX
11. Wild Horse Gothenburg, NE
12. Huntingdon Valley Philadelphia
13. Colonial Ft. Worth
14. Prairie Club- Pines Valentine, NE
15. Miramont Bryan, TX
16. Money Hill Abita Springs, LA
17. Dismal River Mullen, NE
18. Champions Houston
19. Shadow Hawk Richmond, TX
20. Dallas Athletic Club- Blue Dallas
21. Prairie Club- Dunes Valentine, NE
22. Carlton Woods- Fazio The Woodlands, TX
23. Flint Hills National Andover, KS
24. The Woodlands Country Club- Tournament Course (formerly TPC At The Woodlands) The Woodlands, TX
25. Pecan Valley San Antonio (currently closed)

Depending on my mood I could interchange 17-25 in any order and have no problems.

[Sam Morrow]

Let's slow down guys, I love spending time at Dismal but there are other places with facilities just as good if not better.

So, golf troll, which of these top 25 that you have played have better accommodations and food than Dismal.


Here is my new Top 25 after my recent midwest trip.

1. Sand Hills Mullen, NE
2. Prairie Dunes Hutchinson, KS
3. Austin GC Austin
4. Southern Hills Tulsa
5. Dallas National Dallas
6. Fallen Oak Biloxi, MS
7. Whispering Pines Trinity, TX
8. Kiva Dunes Gulf Shores, AL
9. Old American The Colony, TX
10. Pine Dunes Frankston, TX
11. Wild Horse Gothenburg, NE
12. Huntingdon Valley Philadelphia
13. Colonial Ft. Worth
14. Prairie Club- Pines Valentine, NE
15. Miramont Bryan, TX
16. Money Hill Abita Springs, LA
17. Dismal River Mullen, NE
18. Champions Houston
19. Shadow Hawk Richmond, TX
20. Dallas Athletic Club- Blue Dallas
21. Prairie Club- Dunes Valentine, NE
22. Carlton Woods- Fazio The Woodlands, TX
23. Flint Hills National Andover, KS
24. The Woodlands Country Club- Tournament Course (formerly TPC At The Woodlands) The Woodlands, TX
25. Pecan Valley San Antonio (currently closed)

Depending on my mood I could interchange 17-25 in any order and have no problems.

The cabins at Sand Hills are simple but I like them and the food is awesome, like Dismal. All I had was a club sandwich at Prairie Dunes. Austin Golf Club has great casitas and the food is great. I'd take their lodging over even Dismal and the food is on par. I'd put the lodge at Dallas National about with Dismal and I don't think I've eaten anything other than salad there. Fallen Oak is a different animal because the hotel is offsite but Beau Rivage is very nice and the food is good. The cabins at Whispering Pines are fantastic and the menu is like Dismal, small but great. I do like the fact you can grill outside at Whispering Pines. I think Prairie Club is about on par in
both facets and I would put the food and the boutique rooms at Miramont over Dismal.

Like I said Dismal has great facilities and food but there are many clubs just like that.

[Mac Plumart]

You've got me interested in Austin Golf Club...any photos?

[Sam Morrow]

You've got me interested in Austin Golf Club...any photos?

 I don't think so Mac but I have a friend who might have some, let me see what I can do.

[John Kavanaugh]

So what is your point?  Really, the cabins at Sand Hills compare to Dismal?  That is as idiotic as saying the courses are equal. Sand Hills is clearly currently superior.   My God man, Eric kissed you.  Did that mean nothing to you?

[Sam Morrow]

So what is your point?  Really, the cabins at Sand Hills compare to Dismal?  That is as idiotic as saying the courses are equal. Sand Hills is clearly currently superior.   My God man, Eric kissed you.  Did that mean nothing to you?

He didn't call me the next morning. Do you know how that made me feel?

[John Kavanaugh]

So what is your point?  Really, the cabins at Sand Hills compare to Dismal?  That is as idiotic as saying the courses are equal. Sand Hills is clearly currently superior.   My God man, Eric kissed you.  Did that mean nothing to you?

He didn't call me the next morning. Do you know how that made me feel?

I don't have an f'ing clue.

[Sam Morrow]

So what is your point?  Really, the cabins at Sand Hills compare to Dismal?  That is as idiotic as saying the courses are equal. Sand Hills is clearly currently superior.   My God man, Eric kissed you.  Did that mean nothing to you?

He didn't call me the next morning. Do you know how that made me feel?

I don't have an f'ing clue.

Made me feel cheap and used. I usually feel cheap but never used.

[John Kavanaugh]

Me, Eric, Chris and a cowboy sat with a tear in our eye as we toasted your Dad right after he passed. We were alone at the bar at Dismal on closing weekend. A bourbon poured for your Dad alone by an empty chair. The cabins empty, the help sent home, a last drink of the season. Beat that for an experience, bitch.

[Sam Morrow]

Me, Eric, Chris and a cowboy sat with a tear in our eye as we toasted your Dad right after he passed. We were alone at the bar at Dismal on closing weekend. A bourbon poured for your Dad alone by an empty chair. The cabins empty, the help sent home, a last drink of the season. Beat that for an experience, bitch.

I thought Mahaffey was there too!

[John Kavanaugh]

Na, he had to go into Mullen to the ATM to get the money he lost on the golf course.