What makes a golf course a true classic? For some, it's the scenic beauty a course affords—jaw-dropping expanses of verdant nirvana. Others favor the strategic value presented by each hole, and for that matter, each shot. Finally, there is history: the chance to walk on the fabled fairways where champions fought, and tournaments were decided.1. Pacific Dunes
Tom Doak was given a spectacular palette to work with at Pacific Dunes. The track is perched one hundred feet above an untrammeled Pacific coast beach, and hewn from giant sand dunes and thick fields of gorse, transplanted from Scotland. Though links-like in appearance, Pacific Dunes is much more than meets the eye.
Tom Doak was given a spectacular palette to work with at Pacific Dunes. The track is perched one hundred feet above an untrammeled Pacific coast beach, and hewn from giant sand dunes and thick fields of gorse, transplanted from Scotland. Though links-like in appearance, Pacific Dunes is much more than meets the eye.
2. Bethpage Black
One of five courses at Bethpage State Park, the Black's narrow fairways, high rough, strategically placed bunkers and small greens all combine to make it a incredibly daunting experience. "You don't have water hazards," said John Olenoski, "just really good contouring. And that's enough." Tillinghast was responsible for many fine layouts, including Winged Foot and Baltusrol.
One of five courses at Bethpage State Park, the Black's narrow fairways, high rough, strategically placed bunkers and small greens all combine to make it a incredibly daunting experience. "You don't have water hazards," said John Olenoski, "just really good contouring. And that's enough." Tillinghast was responsible for many fine layouts, including Winged Foot and Baltusrol.
3. Pinehurst #2
No lesser authority than Bobby Jones called the Pinehurst Resort "the St. Andrews of America," and #2 is Pinehurst's crowning glory. The sand hills area of North Carolina purportedly reminded Donald Ross of his Scottish home. Though he would design over four hundred courses in his lifetime, Pinehurst was his first love.
No lesser authority than Bobby Jones called the Pinehurst Resort "the St. Andrews of America," and #2 is Pinehurst's crowning glory. The sand hills area of North Carolina purportedly reminded Donald Ross of his Scottish home. Though he would design over four hundred courses in his lifetime, Pinehurst was his first love.
4. Pebble Beach
Thanks to years of televised final round coverage of the AT&T Pro-Am and a smattering of U.S. Open Championships - not to mention countless coffee table tomes - the links of Pebble Beach are indelibly stamped on the collective golf consciousness. "Not all eighteen holes are truly great," said Damian Pascuzzo, "but the stretch from four through ten and then sixteen through eighteen are amazing. One seldom gets a chance to play golf in that kind of setting."
Thanks to years of televised final round coverage of the AT&T Pro-Am and a smattering of U.S. Open Championships - not to mention countless coffee table tomes - the links of Pebble Beach are indelibly stamped on the collective golf consciousness. "Not all eighteen holes are truly great," said Damian Pascuzzo, "but the stretch from four through ten and then sixteen through eighteen are amazing. One seldom gets a chance to play golf in that kind of setting."
5. TPC Sawgrass
One of Pete and Alice Dye's most recognizable designs, TPC Sawgrass near Jacksonville, Florida was the first course built to accommodate spectators. "You think of Sawgrass, you think of the seventeenth (island) hole," said John Olenoski. "Everyone wants a shot at it." "TPC is of great architectural significance," added Damian Pascuzzo. "It's a very man-made environment, and started a whole new design trend."
One of Pete and Alice Dye's most recognizable designs, TPC Sawgrass near Jacksonville, Florida was the first course built to accommodate spectators. "You think of Sawgrass, you think of the seventeenth (island) hole," said John Olenoski. "Everyone wants a shot at it." "TPC is of great architectural significance," added Damian Pascuzzo. "It's a very man-made environment, and started a whole new design trend."
6. Harbour Town
Another Pete Dye Classic, Harbour Town is the course that made Hilton Head Island a golf mecca. "Mr. Dye took a flat site and made a course that is full of interest, by leaving great old live oaks in strategic spots, by creating interesting bunkers and hazard edges, and by giving the course a set of tiny greens that demand precise iron play," said Tom Doak. "Harbour Town proved that resort golfers prefer interesting features to long and challenging courses ... a lesson that I took to heart."
Another Pete Dye Classic, Harbour Town is the course that made Hilton Head Island a golf mecca. "Mr. Dye took a flat site and made a course that is full of interest, by leaving great old live oaks in strategic spots, by creating interesting bunkers and hazard edges, and by giving the course a set of tiny greens that demand precise iron play," said Tom Doak. "Harbour Town proved that resort golfers prefer interesting features to long and challenging courses ... a lesson that I took to heart."
7. Whistling Straits (Straits Course)
Step to the tee at the Straits course and you may think that you've arrived at a storied links course on the west coast of Ireland. Unfolding along the shores of Lake Michigan in Kohler, Wisconsin, Pete's Dye's Whistling Straits is a truly "dyeabolical" layout, with upwards of five hundred bunkers. It's become an instant classic, having already hosted the 2004 PGA Championship, and is slated to host the U.S. Senior Open in 2007.
Step to the tee at the Straits course and you may think that you've arrived at a storied links course on the west coast of Ireland. Unfolding along the shores of Lake Michigan in Kohler, Wisconsin, Pete's Dye's Whistling Straits is a truly "dyeabolical" layout, with upwards of five hundred bunkers. It's become an instant classic, having already hosted the 2004 PGA Championship, and is slated to host the U.S. Senior Open in 2007.
8. Broadmoor (East)
The opulent Broadmoor Resort rests at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado Springs, and is celebrated for its three tracks - especially the East course, designed by Donald Ross in 1918. "Broadmoor East offers sweeping views of the Rockies," said John Fought. "It's a treat to play with its mix of holes, and will be even better when it is restored to its original Donald Ross vintage."
The opulent Broadmoor Resort rests at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado Springs, and is celebrated for its three tracks - especially the East course, designed by Donald Ross in 1918. "Broadmoor East offers sweeping views of the Rockies," said John Fought. "It's a treat to play with its mix of holes, and will be even better when it is restored to its original Donald Ross vintage."
9. Wildhorse
Situated in Nebraska's Sand Hills region, Wildhorse mirrors the wild, dune-ridden links land of the Scottish coast - without the ocean. "Wildhorse rivals the quality of the courses at Bandon Dunes, though on a somewhat smaller scale," said Bill Coore. "It's a pure dunes land experience."
Situated in Nebraska's Sand Hills region, Wildhorse mirrors the wild, dune-ridden links land of the Scottish coast - without the ocean. "Wildhorse rivals the quality of the courses at Bandon Dunes, though on a somewhat smaller scale," said Bill Coore. "It's a pure dunes land experience."
10. Black Mesa Golf Club
Black Mesa rests on a rugged piece of land north of Santa Fe. "Black Mesa features the kind of scenery you might find in an old western movie," said Tom Doak. "It's a difficult test of golf for good players, but everyone will enjoy the fact that they've kept it affordable and accessible. I think it's the best course in New Mexico."
Get free gift cards to the following golf resorts:
Black Mesa rests on a rugged piece of land north of Santa Fe. "Black Mesa features the kind of scenery you might find in an old western movie," said Tom Doak. "It's a difficult test of golf for good players, but everyone will enjoy the fact that they've kept it affordable and accessible. I think it's the best course in New Mexico."
Get free gift cards to the following golf resorts:
Source
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment