Worst course on the best site

[Scott Warren]

I read this on the Cypress Point review here on GCA:

One of the author's major contentions is that if a great architect is given a great piece of land, then a great course will follow.

It got me wondering what is the worst course on a fantastic site? A course where all signs pointed to a world class creation, but the result was poor?

[Philip Spogard]

I would probably nominate the youngest of the 3 courses at Gleneagles.

[Jeff_Brauer]

While not terrible, Torrey Pines has to be up there.

[Sam Morrow]

While not terrible, Torrey Pines has to be up there.

Both courses?

[James Boon]

I would probably nominate the youngest of the 3 courses at Gleneagles.

I'll second this one! Looking back on it, the PGA Centenary may not be a dreadful course, but it should have been so much more with that land, the history of the club, the setting and views!

Cheers,

James

[Rich Goodale]

Cypress Point.

My grandmother could have build a top-10 course on that site.

While Mackenzie's routing/design is OK, Raynor's would have been awesome, and my grandmother's only slightly less so..... 

[BCrosby]

Cypress is the worst course on the best site??

I nominate Ocean Forest.

Bob

[Rich Goodale]

I'll take you word for it, Bob, as my grandmother never had a chance to play Ocean Forest.

[Peter Wagner]

I'll nominate Sandpiper in Santa Barbara.
Sandpiper management says "we don't need no stinkin grandmothers". 

Don't blame me, just reporting this fast developing story.

[Tom Birkert]

Old Head?

[Garland Bayley]

I thought Sandpines had won this category hands down. Just check the archives.

[David Stamm]

I'll nominate Sandpiper in Santa Barbara.
Sandpiper management says "we don't need no stinkin grandmothers". 

Don't blame me, just reporting this fast developing story.

I ahve to agree w/ Peter. Although Sandpiper is fun, it could have been so much better given how great the site is. Arthur Hills really blew it at Cross Creek, one of the best pieces of property to become available in So Cal in quite some time and while cool in some posts, it's terrible in others. It's a shme because the property has so much potential.



A question. Could more have been gotten out of Spanish Bay?

[David Neveux]

I would nominate Bay Harbor (Links / Quarry).  I really felt underwhelmed, especially on the links 9. 


Nev

[Matt Bosela]

I'd nominate Princeville's Prince Course.

Some very solid holes throughout, especially on the back nine but I find it hard to believe RTJ Jr. couldn't find a better way to utilize the access to the ocean and the cliffs in his routing.

[Dave Givnish]

I nominate DC Ranch in Scottsdale.  This is a great piece of land that got too stretched out to get as many lots as possible.  The holes going up and down the hillside are memorable but not a lot of fun to play.

[Bruce Katona]

When any discussion of worst courses comes up, just on general purposes, I have to say Country Club of the Poconos.....with the amount of land on that tract available to build a course, something better should have resulted.

[Steve Lapper]

Liberty National

[Patrick_Mucci]

Spanish Bay

[George Pazin]

I'm going to nominate every course built in western PA post 1950. We have many wonderful old classic courses (with the obvious headliner Oakmont and the fantastically wonderful duo of Fox Chapel and Field Club, not to mention other less noted yet still terrific courses like Allegheny CC, Long Vue, etc.), yet no one seems to have learned anything from the masterpieces, so we have lots of mediocrity since.

[Jeff_Mingay]

There are a few up here, in Canada. But I should probably keep my mouth shut 

[Joel_Stewart]

Half Moon Bay in California.

[Steve Hyden]

Much was made of the elevation changes available at Lake Jovita, but IMHO the South course is a wasted opportunity on some interesting land north of Tampa.

I might add there are a whole lot of Tampa golfers who disagree.

[Mike_Cirba]

When any discussion of worst courses comes up, just on general purposes, I have to say Country Club of the Poconos.....with the amount of land on that tract available to build a course, something better should have resulted.

Bruce,

It is a gem, isn't it?   12 miles from start to finish and nary a decent golf hole to be found.  

[Mike_Cirba]

I'm going to nominate every course built in western PA post 1950. We have many wonderful old classic courses (with the obvious headliner Oakmont and the fantastically wonderful duo of Fox Chapel and Field Club, not to mention other less noted yet still terrific courses like Allegheny CC, Long Vue, etc.), yet no one seems to have learned anything from the masterpieces, so we have lots of mediocrity since.

George,

Have you played Olde Stonewall?

That one always lists high on the best public courses in the state, but I normally just blame that on too much IC Light flowing in those burbs. 

I haven't played it, but the pics I've seen have me smelling overrated.

What say you, my good man?   

[Tim Leahy]

Edgewood, Tahoe, Trump PV, Pelican Hills, and Sharp Park.