Strongest Memories of Courses You've Not Seen in Some Time

[Adam Lawrence]

I was idly thinking about Barnbougle Dunes, which I have only visited once (several go-arounds), twelve years ago. I have a pretty good memory of the course, and I still consider it to be my favourite modern course anywhere, but I realised that the absolute clearest vision of the course in my mind is the walk along the seawall dune from the fourth green to the fifth tee. The fourth and seventh holes are close behind, but still....


There are other interesting memories lurking away deep in my brain. It is perhaps six years since I saw LACC North; my clearest memory of the course is Fowler’s little former seventeenth hole. When I think of Highlands Links, I think of the walk down the riverbank between holes twelve and thirteen. And when I reminisce about Fontainebleau, my first thought is always the lunch I had after playing.


I'm not quite sure what this little selection of reminiscences signifies, but would be interested to hear about other peoples' memories that are not of obvious features of the golf course.

[jeffwarne]

The Valliere Course at Morfontaine-just about every hole was cool and memorable to me(I know some don't like the stretch out near 6-7ish)The rest of our group opted for a looong lunch (instead!) and two of us slipped away after a brief intermission at the bar.I'm sure the lunch was great , but the G in GCA isn't for gourmet(for me).Hardly qualifies though as that was only 2 1/2 years ago.


Mulranny-I first stumbled on it in October 1997, and assumed it would be part of many return trips. I remember it as vividly as any course I've ever played-We climbed up the sheep mown dunes/plateaus and made up our own tees on our second go round.(I guess walking up and backwards is OK when it's your own idea, and you've been introduced to your first ever "honor bar" in the trailer clubhouse)
Sadly, I haven't made it back as it's just not really on the way to anywhere save Carne. One I need to get back to.

[Michael Felton]

I got to play Pine Valley in 1998. Three rounds in two days. Haven't seen it since, but I can remember almost every hole pretty vividly, including how I played most of them. I do see pictures pretty frequently though so that helps keep the memory fresh. There are a couple of courses I played only once back when I was at university (similar timeframe to PV). I remember the ones that good things happened on. I remember Sand Moor pretty well. I played that twice - the second time I finished with four birdies to win the Northern Universities. I also remember Headingley GC pretty well. Played that once and ran the numbers on the par 3s - I got a 1 a 2 a 3 and a 4. Order was 4, 1, 3, 2. Quite pleased about that.

[Jeff_Brauer]

I'' go with Royal Dornoch, which I only played once in 1981.  Architecturally, I recall the walk up the hill between 5 and 6, and the green on the 11th, where the read was impossible - it should have broken towards the water, but it didn't.  I was aware of the famous 14th, and of course the awkward 17th.


Of course, being lucky enough to play with Peter Dobreiner made the day for me. I still wonder why they put him with me.  These days, ASGCA would pair any distinguished guest with one of our more high profile members, but it was a lucky break for me.

[mike_malone]

Combining the passing of time and the indelibility of the memory it has to be Myopia last played in the early 80’s. I don’t recall the hole numbers but loved the short four with the turtle back green and the downhill three with the green sloping front to back. The course was also rugged in the rough.


I hope to return someday.

[Tom_Doak]

I was idly thinking about Barnbougle Dunes, which I have only visited once (several go-arounds), twelve years ago. I have a pretty good memory of the course, and I still consider it to be my favourite modern course anywhere, but I realised that the absolute clearest vision of the course in my mind is the walk along the seawall dune from the fourth green to the fifth tee. The fourth and seventh holes are close behind, but still....

Adam:


That's interesting because a bunch of my best courses have a similar interlude:  the walks from 3 green to 4 tee at Pacific Dunes, and from 15 green to 16 tee at Cape Kidnappers [which was not part of the original plan], being the most well known.


The three courses were built pretty close together in timeline, and in none of the three cases did I put in that walk deliberately to make a memorable pause in the round:  it was all about trying to get the squeeze the last drop of interest out of the holes along the coast, where your options for the next tee are limited by a cliff.  But I have heard from hundreds of people over the years about how much they loved those walks, to the point that when I am routing a course in that setting now, such a routing option would be seen as a positive.


Though I've always built my courses for the people who are out there to enjoy nature, there are lots of golfers who rarely notice because they have their head down focusing on their last putt, or the next tee shot.  A walk like that gets a lot of people to look up and realize how lucky they are to be out there.

[archie_struthers]

As great as Royal County Down and Portrush were Portstewart stands out in my mind.


Can't quite forget the two shots on #2 and the walk thru the Dunes on  #4.

[Adam Lawrence]

I was idly thinking about Barnbougle Dunes, which I have only visited once (several go-arounds), twelve years ago. I have a pretty good memory of the course, and I still consider it to be my favourite modern course anywhere, but I realised that the absolute clearest vision of the course in my mind is the walk along the seawall dune from the fourth green to the fifth tee. The fourth and seventh holes are close behind, but still....

Adam:


That's interesting because a bunch of my best courses have a similar interlude:  the walks from 3 green to 4 tee at Pacific Dunes, and from 15 green to 16 tee at Cape Kidnappers [which was not part of the original plan], being the most well known.


The three courses were built pretty close together in timeline, and in none of the three cases did I put in that walk deliberately to make a memorable pause in the round:  it was all about trying to get the squeeze the last drop of interest out of the holes along the coast, where your options for the next tee are limited by a cliff.  But I have heard from hundreds of people over the years about how much they loved those walks, to the point that when I am routing a course in that setting now, such a routing option would be seen as a positive.


Though I've always built my courses for the people who are out there to enjoy nature, there are lots of golfers who rarely notice because they have their head down focusing on their last putt, or the next tee shot.  A walk like that gets a lot of people to look up and realize how lucky they are to be out there.

Tom


Oddly I have a fairly clear memory of the walk from three to four at PD, and to be honest I found it annoying. I understand why there are a number of crossovers behind holes on the course, it's to get you to and from the coastline, and playing in different directions at that. And I appreciated the coastal holes, of course I did. But the criss-crossing to get to them annoyed me. Obviously it was necessary to make the holes happen, and as such was a good idea. But the flow of Barnbougle, being out and back for both nines, is more natural, and I preferred it.

[Tom_Doak]

Tom

Oddly I have a fairly clear memory of the walk from three to four at PD, and to be honest I found it annoying. I understand why there are a number of crossovers behind holes on the course, it's to get you to and from the coastline, and playing in different directions at that. And I appreciated the coastal holes, of course I did. But the criss-crossing to get to them annoyed me. Obviously it was necessary to make the holes happen, and as such was a good idea. But the flow of Barnbougle, being out and back for both nines, is more natural, and I preferred it.

Another difference is that they stuck a snack bar in there.     At Barnbougle it also helps that the next hole is a par-3 with most of the tees close together, so the walk is the same for everyone, which is also true of Cape Kidnappers, whereas at Pacific Dunes, it's a cool reveal of the back tee, but it's a much longer way to go for the regular tees.

[Ira Fishman]

Two non-course memories that remain vivid:


1. We played Silverado in Napa some 35 years ago. Having drinks on the patio with the sun setting was so relaxing with a stunning view.


2. We played the Bay Course at Seaview 30 years ago. Enjoyed the course, but the indelible memory is seeing my wife so excited to see Dr. J in the breakfast area that she almost followed him into the Men’s Locker Room.


Ira

[Ben Sims]

This is really hard, since it’s been a decade or so since I’ve seen the majority of architecturally significant courses that I’ve seen in total. Two places stick out...


I’ve only ever worked on one golf course during construction, Dismal Red. Never seen the finished product. I want to see what came of so many of the holes that stick out in my mind. Chiefly among those, the fairway for 4 that was sort of on a bench in the side of a dune that had incredible micro-contours, the green site for 7 that still needed to be melted down, and the 12-14 stretch that seemed impossibly creative.

The second isn’t any of the canon that I was lucky enough to see, it’s little old Palmetto. I hope it hasn’t changed a bit since I stupidly resigned my national membership.

I guess the entire resort at Bandon deserves an honorable mention. Made so many great friends there at the Ren Cup in 2011. What a wonderful place.

[Kalen Braley]

I played 36 holes at Rock Creek 10+ years ago with a few GCA'ers and that was a terrific day I wouldn't mind getting stuck in if I had my own personal "Groundhog Day".  As I recall we had the course to ourselves on a perfect summer day and it was simply heaven.

The one thing that really stands out is 14-16.  3 Par 4s near the end of the round, all 3 all-world in my mind, and each one so distinct and not remotely similar to the others, but yet all so tasty and inviting. 

P.S.  I think Shivas is right in his comment he made several years ago.  If you could get on a plane and say take me anywhere for a day, RCCC would have to be right up there.

[Terry Lavin]

Oakmont stands out for me. And one of the first time I played Shoreacres, we had Tom Purtzer for one 9 and Fred Couples for the other. Unforgettable for many reasons but especially because a friend who was dying of cancer played in the foursome and broke 80. He died a month later.

[Tim Martin]

I love Newport Country Club for a variety of reasons and haven’t been for a few years. The holes as a set are compelling with one of the great clubhouses in golf viewable from almost everywhere on the course. Favorite holes are 1,3,4,9 going out and 11,12,14,18 coming in. You are afforded great long views from number one tee and it ramps up the anticipation as you wait to hit the opening tee shot. There is no lack of history as an original founding member of the USGA and plenty of reminders of bygone eras in the clubhouse. Some of the vestiges of the Macdonald Raynor Ocean Links are still there on an adjacent parcel and that always pops into my head as I make my way around the golf course. Gary’s Handy Lunch on Thames St. for breakfast and Iggy’s in Narragansett on the way home for Manhattan Clam Chowder, lobster roll and a bag of Doughboys. Of course every play includes a ride down Ocean Drive to admire the mansions. For me a die and go to heaven day. Finally the last time I was there I ran into a guy from college who I hadn’t seen in almost forty years and he remarked “I wonder what the A students are doing today?”

[Tommy Williamsen]

My first trip to Ireland/Scotland was in 1990. I have not played Royal Dornoch since then. I remember every hole, where the wind was, off my left shoulder going out and every shot I hit. We got there at 7pm and played til dark. Same can be said of Carnoustie and Muirfield, which I have not played since that trip. My wife and I played 22 courses and 27 rounds in 20 days. 2020 is the first year since then that I have not been back to GB&I. I miss it like crazy.

[Peter Pallotta]

Chuckle if you will, but there's a replica course northeast of Toronto called Wooden Sticks, which I played some 25 years ago not long after I took up the game. It's closing hole recreates that 18th (and 1st) at St Andrews -- and I was in awe: I'd never seen a fairway so wide and a green so large, and such a broad expanse of 'flatness'. It struck me as beautiful, and still does; I remember it like it was yesterday.

[John Emerson]

The first links course I played was Prestwick. I can vividly remember all but a one or two holes.  It’s burned into my brain.  The strongest memory of a course are the ones I have worked at, or the course I have played the most.  As a superintendent we know every single little bump, depression, and nuisance of a property. I can remember every little detail of Valhalla GC before the 2008 Ryder Cup renovation and after.

[Pete_Pittock]

Prestwick and North Berwick-West. probably played both about five times from 1975-2005.
Multiple plays - Pacific Dunes, Bandon Dunes and Sagebrush. Consider them home courses but haven't played in at least five years.

[Tim Gallant]

This is going to seem like a humblebrag but...


Driving into Pine Valley. When we crossed the 18th hole, I turned to my left and looked down the hole, and was absolutely floored by the sheer scale of the place. It was unlike any golf course I had ever seen. It felt larger than life. I think back to that first glimpse of the course often.

[Jason Lietaer]

1. Cresting the hill to #4 tee on Ballyneal for the first time and being stunned by what was in front of us
2. the walk between 13 and 14 at Crystal Downs and the walk between 12 and 13 at Highlands Links
3. the first time I smelled pine straw that smelled like that at some crappy course near Wilson, NC -- the smell will always be North Carolina to me now
4. guzzling beers on Dismal Red in a late aft eightsome during Eric Smith's tournaments
5. walking into the long grass with our shoes off when we were about 10 trying to find enough balls to play with and trade at local dog track Delhi Golf and Country Club

[Richard Fisher]

The first time I ever played at Brancaster was with my Dad in about 1972. I didn't go back for well over a decade, but in the interim I could remember every hole very clearly, and fondly. To this day I don't think any course has ever made quite such a strong first-go impression on me, and (now in my early 60s!) I suspect none ever will. Mind you, this may have been in part because we managed to flood our (new) car on the drive back from the links over the causeway...

[Joel Pear]

Since the title of the thread is "Stongest Memories of Courses..." not memories of "Significant" courses, I'm going to take this in a slightly different direction.  When I was a teenager in the 1960's, my brother and our friends used to take the bus (clubs and all) to play the Rock Creek Park Golf Course in Washington, D.C.


Strangely enough, over 50 years later, I still remember many of the holes.  The one that stands out, though, was #13 (I think), a long, tight, uphill, par 4.  As a 14 year-old with a pull cart, I remember huffing and puffing climbing that hill.  The old-timers there called it "Cardiac Hill."  I remember it vividly.


And, for the record, I pulled the Reverse Ira Fishman.  I was born, raised, and spent the first 34 years of my life in D.C. and have lived in the Chicago area since 1985.

[Jeff Schley]

Was playing at Thai Country Club maybe 16-17 years ago as a single and got grouped up with 3 business exec's who play a money game. I joined them in their game and remember two things.

• It was windy and the flag on this short par 4 was whipping and hit a knockdown 7 iron which was tracking right at the hole. It actually hit the very top of the flagstick square and ricocheted back into the fairway back at me 30 yards. I had never seen anything like it and there was water right, so I guess it could have been worse. Can't imagine ever seeing that again in wind whipping like that.
• On hole 18 I press with all three guys (what the hell right?). I was down maybe $250 total to them collectively. It is a slight dogleg right with a lake greenside on the left maybe 380 yards. I am just off the green short right in 2 and chip about 12 feet past. I'm thinking ok now is the time to execute as I'm getting a stroke from 2 of the guys, but need this to win from the higher handicap guy. Also I would have had to use their ATM had I lost, so that made me think about daily withdrawal limits traveling internationally, hmmmm I wonder if I can even withdraw that much?

I dig in and just remember saying hit past the hole (as opposed to saying don't leave it short), and boom sunk it. Squared up the match and walked away happy. Not a great course, but really enjoyed the comfort stations as it was sweaty hot.

[Matt Frey, PGA]

I was fortunate enough to play Somerset Hills in 2008 while I was interning at a club in the Poconos. I was just starting to get into golf course architecture and had considered Bethpage Black to be the best course I had played. I had read a little about Somerset Hills here on GCA prior to my round, but I was blown away with the golf course. The greens at Somerset Hills were unlike any other I had previously seen. Growing up playing public golf, I had no idea greens could be that wild or holes that versatile...and I loved it.

I believe part of the reason I remember the round so well is due to the fact that it was so different from what I was expecting, but the fact that I played with three caddies on a Monday where we had the course to ourselves is likely the main culprit. The caddies, ranging in age from late 20s to early 50s, were very friendly, personable, and took the time to point a lot of things out to me on the golf course that I may not have otherwise noticed on my own. I remember each hole, and green very well...in fact, I remember it better than some courses I've played in the past month!

Honestly, my round there in 2008 is one of the most fun I have played, and that's saying something coming from a relatively shy guy. I hope to be able to visit and play Somerset Hills again sometime in the future as I understand their recent work has improved the course even more.

[Tommy Williamsen]

I was fortunate enough to play Somerset Hills in 2008 while I was interning at a club in the Poconos. I was just starting to get into golf course architecture and had considered Bethpage Black to be the best course I had played. I had read a little about Somerset Hills here on GCA prior to my round, but I was blown away with the golf course. The greens at Somerset Hills were unlike any other I had previously seen. Growing up playing public golf, I had no idea greens could be that wild or holes that versatile...and I loved it.


I believe part of the reason I remember the round so well is due to the fact that it was so different from what I was expecting, but the fact that I played with three caddies on a Monday where we had the course to ourselves is likely the main culprit. The caddies, ranging in age from late 20s to early 50s, were very friendly, personable, and took the time to point a lot of things out to me on the golf course that I may not have otherwise noticed on my own. I remember each hole, and green very well...in fact, I remember it better than some courses I've played in the past month!

Honestly, my round there in 2008 is one of the most fun I have played, and that's saying something coming from a relatively shy guy. I hope to be able to visit and play Somerset Hills again sometime in the future as I understand their recent work has improved the course even more.

I played a little outing there in 1995, shot 74 and came in second to my buddie's 72 (he even doubled the last hole). While I don't remember every hole, I bet I remember 14 of them. The green sites were so good that they are hard to forget. It was also the first time I played a redan correctly.