Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Ronald Montesano on December 02, 2011, 02:22:18 PM
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On this day in 1929 legendary if not somewhat crusty sports reporter and author Dan Jenkins was born. Beyond Goat Hills GC, what if any have Jenkins' contributions to golf course architecture coverage been?
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His 1961(?) Sports Illustrated two-part article on Americas 18 Best Golf Holes may be considered.
Lester
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Good memory, Lester.
The “Best 18 in America” ran in February 1965 – with the front nine in one issue and the back nine in the next issue. And both weeks it was the cover story.
The set-up:
“A great golf hole is a delicate conspiracy of man and nature. It is difficult but fair, ruggedly scenic but well-conditioned, risky but rewarding—and sometimes even privileged and historic. At right and on the following pages are nine such holes, the first nine of America's Best 18. Each hole is in the same position that it occupies on its own course and each, through some combination of the standards cited above, is better than any of its counterparts in the country. The holes, which add up to a dream course, were chosen by Sports Illustrated after consultation with three men who have seen hundreds of U.S. courses: USGA Executive Director Joseph Dey, Professional Byron Nelson and Amateur Charlie Coe. While in the final process of selecting the Best 18, Dan Jenkins, an 8-handicap golfer, played them all. He describes the holes, and tells how—alas—he fared.”
FRONT 9
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1076924/index.htm (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1076924/index.htm)
1 MERION PAR 4 360 YARDS
2 SCIOTO PAR 4 436 YARDS
3 OLYMPIC PAR 3 220 YARDS
4 BALTUSROL PAR 3 183 YARDS
5 COLONIAL PAR 4 459 YARDS
6 SEMINOLE PAR 4 388 YARDS
7 PINE VALLEY PAR 5 570 YARDS
8 PRAIRIE DUNES PAR 4 424 YARDS
9 CHAMPIONS PAR 5 538 YARDS
BACK 9
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1076929/3/index.htm (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1076929/3/index.htm)
10 WINGED FOOT PAR 3 191 YARDS
11 MERION PAR 4 378 YARDS
12 AUGUSTA PAR 3 155 YARDS
13 THE DUNES PAR 5 560 YARDS
14 CHERRY HILLS PAR 4 460 YARDS
15 OAKMONT PAR 4 458 YARDS
16 OAKLAND HILLS PAR 4 405 YARDS
17 QUAIL CREEK PAR 4 459 YARDS
18 PEBBLE BEACH PAR 5 530 YARDS
36-36—72
7,174-yards
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I had a golf board game when I was little that had those 18 holes.. it might have been called "Go For The Green"? Very 70s.
Oddly enough, the Champions hole was the 9th on the other course, not the US Open course.
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Howard,
Yeah, 1961 didn't sound right, just my memory failing me again. I still have those two issues of the magazine. The last time I read the article was about 5 years ago. Interesting.
Lester