Golfweek's Best Municipal Courses: 2014

[Amol Yajnik]

Full ranking listed below, link to original story: http://golfweek.com/news/2014/jun/25/golf-courses-municipal-golfweeks-best-travel/

Number is parentheses is last year's ranking, so not much movement at all in the top 10.  The more interesting changes happen further down the list.  On a personal level, happy to see George Wright here in Boston rise to 27 from 37 last year, the improvements in conditioning without increasing the greens fees there have been a positive development.

1. (1) Bethpage State Park (Black)
Farmingdale, N.Y.
1935, A.W. Tillinghast, 8.04

2. (2) Chambers Bay
University Place, Wash.
2007, Robert Trent Jones Jr., Bruce Charlton, 7.64

3. (3) Butterfield Trail
El Paso, Texas
2007, Tom Fazio, 6.44

4. (4) Torrey Pines (South)
La Jolla, Calif.
1957, William F. Bell, 6.42

5. (5) TPC Scottsdale (Stadium)
Scottsdale, Ariz.
1987, Jay Morrish, Tom Weiskopf, 6.17

6. (6) Arrowhead Pointe
Elberton, Ga.
2003, Robert Walker, 6.11

7. ( Pinon Hills
Farmington, N.M.
1990, Ken Dye, 6.09

8. (7) Highlands of Elgin
Elgin, Ill.
2010, Keith Foster, Art Schaupeter, 6.09

9. (10) Indian Wells Golf Resort (Players)
Indian Wells, Calif.
2007, John Fought, 5.97

10. (9) Gold Mountain (Olympic)
Bremerton, Wash.
1996, John Harbottle, 5.89

11. (11) Wintonbury Hills
Bloomfield, Conn.
2003, Pete Dye, Tim Liddy, 5.81

12. (14) Soldier Hollow (Gold)
Midway, Utah
2004, Gene Bates, 5.80

13. (25) Harborside International (Starboard)
Chicago
1996, Dick Nugent, 5.79

14. (15) Sleepy Hollow
Brecksville, Ohio
1925, Stanley Thompson, 5.79

15. (21) Laurel Hill
Lorton, Va.
2005, Bill Love, 5.78

16. (27) Bethpage State Park (Red)
Farmingdale, N.Y.
1935, A.W. Tillinghast, 5.78

17. (12) TPC Harding Park
San Francisco
1925, Willie Watson, 5.76

18. (NR) Stevens Park*
Dallas
2011, John Colligan, 5.76

19. (16) Presidio
San Francisco
1921, Herbert Fowler, Tom Simpson, 5.75

20. (13) Bowes Creek
Elgin, Ill.
2009, Rick Jacobson, 5.73

21. (26) SilverRock
La Quinta, Calif.
2005, Arnold Palmer, 5.72

22. (23) Indian Wells Golf Resort (Celebrity)
Indian Wells, Calif.
2006, Clive Clark, 5.72

23. (17) Torrey Pines (North)
La Jolla, Calif.
1957, William F. Bell, 5.71

24. (32) ThunderHawk
Beach Park, Ill.
1999, Robert Trent Jones Jr., 5.70

25. (34) Breckenridge
Breckenridge, Colo.
1987, Jack Nicklaus, 5.69

26. (36) Chaska Town Course
Chaska, Minn.
1997, Arthur Hills, 5.68

27. (37) George Wright Municipal
Boston
1935, Donald Ross, 5.66

28. (43) Murphy Creek
Aurora, Colo.
2000, Ken Kavanaugh, 5.64

29. (33) Desert Willow (Firecliff)
Palm Desert, Calif.
1997, Michael Hurdzan, 5.63

30. (30) Crandon Park
Key Biscayne, Fla.
1972, Bruce Devlin, Robert von Hagge, 5.62

31. (31) Neshanic Valley
Neshanic Station, N.J.
2004, Michael Hurdzan, 5.61

32. (19) Olivas Links
Ventura, Calif.
2007, Forrest Richardson, 5.60

33. (24) Washington County GC
Hartford, Wis.
1997, Arthur Hills, 5.60

34. (NR) Knoll (West)*
Boonton, N.J.
1929, Charles Banks, 5.59

35. (22) Pacific Grove Golf Links
Pacific Grove, Calif.
1932, H. Chandler Egan, 5.57

36. (NR) Triggs Memorial*
Providence, R.I.
1930, Donald Ross, 5.56

37. (28) Hideout
Monticello, Utah
2002, Forrest Richardson, 5.52

38. (18) Brackenridge Park
San Antonio
1915, A.W. Tillinghast, 5.51

39. (20) Memorial Park
Houston
1936, John Bredemus, Baxter Spann, 5.51

40. (38) North Palm Beach CC
North Palm Beach, Fla.
2006, Charles Banks, Jack Nicklaus, Seth Raynor, 5.50

41. (40) Max A. Mandel Municipal GC
Laredo, Texas
2012, Robert Trent Jones Jr., 5.50

42. (50) Lassing Pointe
Union, Ky.
1994, Michael Hurdzan, 5.48

43. (NR) Eastmoreland*
Portland, Ore.
1921, H. Chandler Egan, 5.46

44. (42) Montauk Downs State Park
Montauk Point, N.Y.
1968, Rees Jones, 5.46

45. (39) Fossil Trace
Golden, Colo.
2003, Jim Engh, 5.41

46. (49) Papago Municipal
Phoenix
1964, William F. Bell, 5.40

47. (NR) Harborside International (Port)
Chicago
1995, Dick Nugent, 5.39

48. (35) Soule Park
Ojai, Calif.
1962, Robert Baldock, William F. Bell, Gil Hanse, 5.33

49. (46) Indian Canyon
Spokane, Wash.
1935, H. Chandler Egan, 5.33

50. (NR) Sharp Park*
Pacifica, Calif.
1931, Alister MacKenzie, Jack Fleming, 5.32

[Gary Sato]

Good to see Sharp Park appear on the list for the first time.  It could be a real gem if they are able to restore it.

[Cliff Hamm]

I don't understand the rankings of the 3 Donald Ross munis in southern New England.  George Wright is consistently ranked the highest.  If massive tree work was done I would wholeheartedly agree, but until that happens it would rank it third.

Triggs and Shennecossett are an interesting debate.  I'm not sure which is better.  I can argue either way.  One is classic parkland, Triggs, and the other is links like.  Triggs also needs massive tree work.  Yet Triggs is and has been ranked in the past and Shenny never is.  It makes little sense.

I might add that Wintonbury Hills is quite overrated. Gold Mountain is one above it and there is no comparison. I actually enjoyed Gold Mountain more than Chambers Bay, although I won't say it is necessarily the superior course.

[Amol Yajnik]

I don't understand the rankings of the 3 Donald Ross munis in southern New England.  George Wright is consistently ranked the highest.  If massive tree work was done I would wholeheartedly agree, but until that happens it would rank it third.

Triggs and Shennecossett are an interesting debate.  I'm not sure which is better.  I can argue either way.  One is classic parkland, Triggs, and the other is links like.  Triggs also needs massive tree work.  Yet Triggs is and has been ranked in the past and Shenny never is.  It makes little sense.

I might add that Wintonbury Hills is quite overrated. Gold Mountain is one above it and there is no comparison. I actually enjoyed Gold Mountain more than Chambers Bay, although I won't say it is necessarily the superior course.

Not to divert this thread too much, but I'd love to know where you think that "massive tree work" should be done at George Wright.  I don't think that it's overly tight except for a couple of holes and a couple of greens, but I'm not as well-versed in GCA as others on here, that's why I ask.

[Donovan Childers]

I can't believe that Lassing Pointe is on this list, and even more shocked that it moved up. A good reason why I don't give credit to these lists.

[Tom Bacsanyi]

Harborside is a dump!  Well, was a dump.  Literally, a landfill.  Two decent courses.  I wish Highlands of Elgin was around back when I lived in Chicago, that place looks cool.  I really want to see The Hideout in UT, but it's close to about nothing.  

[Jeff_Stettner]

The lack of Ol' Colony on this list is glaring.

[astavrides]

Good to see Sharp Park appear on the list for the first time.  It could be a real gem if they are able to restore it.

Unless and until it is restored, its ranking can only be seen as political. I lived 45 minutes from there for almost 4 years and only played 1 of the 300 rounds I played there.  And it wasn't because it was too expensive.

[Ronald Montesano]

...

[Cliff Hamm]

I don't understand the rankings of the 3 Donald Ross munis in southern New England.  George Wright is consistently ranked the highest.  If massive tree work was done I would wholeheartedly agree, but until that happens it would rank it third.

Triggs and Shennecossett are an interesting debate.  I'm not sure which is better.  I can argue either way.  One is classic parkland, Triggs, and the other is links like.  Triggs also needs massive tree work.  Yet Triggs is and has been ranked in the past and Shenny never is.  It makes little sense.

I might add that Wintonbury Hills is quite overrated. Gold Mountain is one above it and there is no comparison. I actually enjoyed Gold Mountain more than Chambers Bay, although I won't say it is necessarily the superior course.

Not to divert this thread too much, but I'd love to know where you think that "massive tree work" should be done at George Wright.  I don't think that it's overly tight except for a couple of holes and a couple of greens, but I'm not as well-versed in GCA as others on here, that's why I ask.

Here is just one hole that could use massive tree work.  The front is worse than the back by far, but I do believe that GW would benefit from chain saws.  The problem isn't always being "overly tight".  It is bunkers being blocked by trees, trees on the hillsides, trees limiting options, giving the course a more closed than open feeling  etc.



a500dae3c3a74c23840d19792d496c17 by cliff_hamm, on Flickr

IMG_1447(2) by cliff_hamm, on Flickr

[Nigel Islam]

Good to see Sharp Park appear on the list for the first time.  It could be a real gem if they are able to restore it.

Unless and until it is restored, its ranking can only be seen as political. I lived 45 minutes from there for almost 4 years and only played 1 of the 300 rounds I played there.  And it wasn't because it was too expensive.

It looks as if Swope Memorial dropped off and Sharp Park made it. I enjoyed Sharp, but it is not nearly as good as Swope Memorial.

[Ronald Montesano]

Astonishment would be my reaction if this list changes much over the next 25 years. Municipalities have no money to build new courses, nor to bring the current ones up to speed. In addition, I doubt that the GW raters have the appropriate amount of time and money to visit all the courses like Sheridan Park (NY) or Green Lakes State Park (NY) to get a true and complete sense of what may be hidden out there.

[Nigel Islam]

I think I like munis much more than Country Clubs for a Day. I really don't know why, but I do.

[Philip Caccamise]

I can't believe that Lassing Pointe is on this list, and even more shocked that it moved up. A good reason why I don't give credit to these lists.

Seconded. Lassing Pointe isn't even in the top 3 munis in KY, let alone 42nd overall. Decent golf course in consistently terrible condition.

For those that have played it, is Butterfield Trail really that good??

I'm biased, but I'd have Bethpage Red and Montauk MUCH higher.

[John McCarthy]

I think I like munis much more than Country Clubs for a Day. I really don't know why, but I do.

20, Bowes Creek is a muni country club for a day.  I played 38 there yesterday and the course is great, maybe a touch repetitive with the center bunkers but no real complaints.  On balance it may be top five public in Chicagoland but the second best muni in the City of Elgin.

[Adam Warren]

I can't believe that Lassing Pointe is on this list, and even more shocked that it moved up. A good reason why I don't give credit to these lists.

Seconded. Lassing Pointe isn't even in the top 3 munis in KY, let alone 42nd overall. Decent golf course in consistently terrible condition.

For those that have played it, is Butterfield Trail really that good??

I'm biased, but I'd have Bethpage Red and Montauk MUCH higher.

What munis do you put ahead?  I am assuming Dale Hollow and Kearney Hill but what else?

[Jason Thurman]

I can't believe that Lassing Pointe is on this list, and even more shocked that it moved up. A good reason why I don't give credit to these lists.

Seconded. Lassing Pointe isn't even in the top 3 munis in KY, let alone 42nd overall. Decent golf course in consistently terrible condition.

To Lassing's credit, I played two weeks ago and the course is in excellent shape right now. I still just find it to be a mediocre design though. Hidden Cove, Dale Hollow, and Kearney Hill are much better courses. I'd put Gibson Bay ahead of Lassing Pointe as well. Some of those are state parks courses, but so is Bethpage so I would assume they're eligible for this list.

I do feel like most of Lassing's flaws could be corrected by a different maintenance philosophy. In particular, the mowing lines for a lot of the fairways are just stupid.

[Gary Sato]

Good to see Sharp Park appear on the list for the first time.  It could be a real gem if they are able to restore it.

Unless and until it is restored, its ranking can only be seen as political. I lived 45 minutes from there for almost 4 years and only played 1 of the 300 rounds I played there.  And it wasn't because it was too expensive.

Maybe it's political but there is something very special about the rugged nature and crisp air at Sharp.  Its an atmosphere that cannot be purchased or built.

[Michael Felton]

Nice to see Bethpage Red get a good bump up there from 27th to 16th. It's a pretty good example of a very good course that doesn't get its dues because of its bigger brother.

[Ronald Montesano]

Nice to see Bethpage Red get a good bump up there from 27th to 16th. It's a pretty good example of a very good course that doesn't get its dues because of its bigger brother.

Precisely...like the Old and the New at St. Andrews.

[JLahrman]

Good to see Sharp Park appear on the list for the first time.  It could be a real gem if they are able to restore it.

Unless and until it is restored, its ranking can only be seen as political. I lived 45 minutes from there for almost 4 years and only played 1 of the 300 rounds I played there.  And it wasn't because it was too expensive.

Maybe it's political but there is something very special about the rugged nature and crisp air at Sharp.  Its an atmosphere that cannot be purchased or built.

That is true, but the actual course that is there now certainly can't be top 50 in the country. A fun place to play, good bones, and with a renovation that I hope it gets it would be a special place. As of right now though, it's much more a what-could-have-been experience.

[Richard Hetzel]

I just played George Wright GC this past Tuesday and I really liked it. Conditions were great, although I would rate the greens a BIT on the slow side. We played it a day after walking 18 holes at Cape Arundel, which is a VERY tough course to follow. I could see George Wright REALLY growing on me if I could play it a lot. A ton of variety there and it was challenging. I liked it a LOT better than say Wintonbury Hills (#11) and Sleepy Hollow (#14) in Ohio hands down. I was surprised to see Lassing Pointe on here, a really average course design wise and has been falling apart the last 6-7 years. I was surprised to see Knoll West on the list (NJ), decent course. I would have liked to see Manakiki (Ross) in Cleveland on the list, that is a super golf course!

[Philip Caccamise]

I can't believe that Lassing Pointe is on this list, and even more shocked that it moved up. A good reason why I don't give credit to these lists.

Seconded. Lassing Pointe isn't even in the top 3 munis in KY, let alone 42nd overall. Decent golf course in consistently terrible condition.

For those that have played it, is Butterfield Trail really that good??

I'm biased, but I'd have Bethpage Red and Montauk MUCH higher.

What munis do you put ahead?  I am assuming Dale Hollow and Kearney Hill but what else?

Yes, plus Hidden Cove, Wasioto, Eagle Ridge, and even Picadome. And I had a hole in one at Lassing!

[Tim_Weiman]

Richard Hetzel:

Cleveland is fortunate to have both Sleepy Hollow and Manakiki. Played them both many times. Could make a case for either being better, but usually preferred Sleepy Hollow, especially back in the days when Charlie Sifford was the pro and the greens were maintained as well as any area private club.

[Ryan Bass]

Surprised to see Washington County in Wisconsin so high.  I've played it a few times thought it meh with Brown Deer Park being the better of the two (not saying a ton).  Pacific Grove should be ranked higher than it is just for the back nine alone, in my humble opinion.  Hey, to each his own.