Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Sean_A on December 19, 2022, 09:02:40 AM
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2022 has been a good year for golf. I think I played about 20 new courses including five bucket listers. Four of these made my ever changing Nifty 50. I also had some enjoyable revisits.
Most Surprising New Play Course: This has to go Beverley. I have wanted to see this course for some years based on one report. Nobody else mentioned to me that Beverley is a cool course and it proved to be the case. A day combined with the Minster won't soon be forgotten. Makes my Nifty 50.
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71127.0.html (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71127.0.html)
The runner-up is Meadowbrook near Detroit. A completely redesigned course ostensibly using the influence of Park Jr, but in reality early 20th century architecture is more accurate. Makes my Happy 100.
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71322.msg1715515.html#msg1715515 (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71322.msg1715515.html#msg1715515)
Most Disappointing New Play Course: Malone....with some thoughtful tree work and continued work on the greens this course would be massively improved.
Best New Play Inland Course: Chicago GC. Its a tough course, the sort which is too difficult for me, but the use of templates over the low rolling hills is very well done. The greens are outstanding!
The runner-up is The Loop. I have praised this course enough. Go see it. Makes my Happy 100.
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71448.msg1718255.html#msg1718255 (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71448.msg1718255.html#msg1718255)
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71451.0.html (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71451.0.html)
Best New Play Links: St Pat's....Not even close. Makes my Nifty 50.
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71512.0.html (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71512.0.html)
Most Surprising Repeat Play Course: This one will sound strange...Welcombe Hotel. This course is close to where I live and I hadn't played it in years. I played a few twilight games there this year and was pleasantly surprised despite some stupid shit going on. Some wild ride holes that make for thrilling golf and poor walks.
Favourite New Play Links: I don't buy Otway as a links so its out. I also am not sure I can include Seaton Carew Micklem? The default is St Pat's.
Favourite New Play Inland Course: This was a close call between Eagle Springs and Culver Academies, but given its cool vibe I will go with Eagle Springs. A down to earth resort 9 holer that made me smile. Makes my Nifty 50.
Best Affordable (no deals, under £40/$55) Course Played This Year: This is the second year since 1998 that I haven't played Kington. Cavendish went over £40 this year. Step up Cleeve Hill. Although, I suspect the green fee will go over £40 next year. The increased media attention and improved greens comes at a price. Makes my Nifty 50.
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49796.0.html (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49796.0.html)
Best Moderately Priced (no deals, under £60/$80) Played This Year: Culver Academies. Extremely well put together course with lovely greens. Makes my Nifty 50.
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71502.0.html (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71502.0.html)
Best Course Played This Year: This will be a surprise for many...Porthcawl. These last few visits have really turned my head. I am all in.
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,45933.0.html (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,45933.0.html)
Favourite Course Played This Year: The improved greens make me point at Cleeve Hill. Cavendish & Eagle Springs are right behind.
Its been a good year when places like Muirfield, North Berwick, Crystal Downs and Shoreacres don't get mentioned. Although, Shoreacres is the type of course I could play on a weekly basis.
Forget the Doak score stuff. Lets see a varied list from you lot.
2021
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,70487.msg1694555.html#msg1694555 (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,70487.msg1694555.html#msg1694555)
2019
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,67817.msg1622270.html#msg1622270 (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,67817.msg1622270.html#msg1622270)
2017
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,65278.msg1556508.html#msg1556508 (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,65278.msg1556508.html#msg1556508)
2016
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,63868.msg1520525.html#msg1520525 (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,63868.msg1520525.html#msg1520525)
2015
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,62208.msg1478295.html#msg1478295 (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,62208.msg1478295.html#msg1478295)
2014
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,60104.msg1420510.html#msg1420510 (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,60104.msg1420510.html#msg1420510)
2013
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,57517.0.html (https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,57517.0.html)
Ciao
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I only have one category:
“Course that most exceeded expectations”.
Not even close, it goes to The Loop.
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I only have one category:
“Course that most exceeded expectations”.
Not even close, it goes to The Loop.
I had high expectations!
Ciao
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COURSE I WAS REALLY GLAD THAT I PLAYED.
US. Quaker Ridge
I played it twice and enjoyed the gently rolling ground and the routing.
England
West Lancashire
On a trip with two Open courses and other interesting courses this one stood out for me as the most enjoyable.
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Course that delighted and surprised me in 2022 - Brautarholt Golf in Iceland a 12 hole course with some of the most stunning views https://gbr.is/ (https://gbr.is/) designed by Edwin Roald who I was able to meet a great guy who has developed a company called carbon par - https://www.carbonpar.org/ (https://www.carbonpar.org/). The course was full of surprises and large challenging greens - they are adding 6 new holes which was under construction. Runner up - Kellir Golf also in Iceland - A course of two halves with the front nine like a moonscape with large volcanic outcrops and back nine with lots of holes by the water edge - the Back nine is currently being redone by Tom Mackenzie and should be fully in play next year or 2024.
Best course that I haven't played before in UK - Stoneham a Wille Park Junior course in Southampton England which has been beautifully looked after by Matt Plested and the location of the most bizarre golf shot I played this year (Robin can tell that story)
Course that made me feel flat - Isle of Purbeck one of the most stunning views of any golf course i have played in the UK however the design of the course underwhelmed me and I look forward to the improvements by Tim Lobb over the next few years as the potential is there.
Best experience - playing midnight golf in Iceland at the end of June - what an experience!.
Biggest beef - top golf clubs hiking up their green fees a lot post Covid (not 3 par 3 holes on the same compass point!!) - really surprised that Cavendish is now £40 or plus! when we played a Am-AM a few years ago Sean it was £60 for a four ball plus a meal.
Course i have started enjoying playing more on - Rutland Water GC its still £25 a round in midweek and £30 weekends - One opponent i played against in Scratch league said he couldn't believe the green fee and he would pay more than £50 to play it. Plus my playing handicap has gone down this year. Sean get over here and I will take you around it.
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Biggest beef - top golf clubs hiking up their green fees a lot post Covid (not 3 par 3 holes on the same compass point!!) - really surprised that Cavendish is now £40 or plus! when we played a Am-AM a few years ago Sean it was £60 for a four ball plus a meal.
Ben,
None of us likes paying more than we used to for anything, but the simple fact is that three years ago Cavendish were charging an average of £17 per round and losing money hand over fist.
The average visitor fee is now £35 and the club is making a modest profit for the first time in years. What business should be expected to operate at a loss?
Cavendish is ranked among the top 100 courses in England. Only Kington and Cleeve Hill have a lower green fee. All three offer some of the best value golf around.
I can think of far better examples of clubs hiking green fees to unrealistic levels post covid.
Ultimately though, prices are a function of supply and demand. A club decides how many visitors they want and then sets the price at the maximum level the market will bear.
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Biggest beef - top golf clubs hiking up their green fees a lot post Covid (not 3 par 3 holes on the same compass point!!) - really surprised that Cavendish is now £40 or plus! when we played a Am-AM a few years ago Sean it was £60 for a four ball plus a meal.
Ben,
None of us likes paying more than we used to for anything, but the simple fact is that three years ago Cavendish were charging an average of £17 per round and losing money hand over fist.
The average visitor fee is now £35 and the club is making a modest profit for the first time in years. What business should be expected to operate at a loss?
Cavendish is ranked among the top 100 courses in England. Only Kington and Cleeve Hill have a lower green fee. All three offer some of the best value golf around.
I can think of far better examples of clubs hiking green fees to unrealistic levels post covid.
Ultimately though, prices are a function of supply and demand. A club decides how many visitors they want and then sets the price at the maximum level the market will bear.
Its good to know that Cavendish is doing better these days - they may be pricing the people out who helped them in the dark days we don't live in a perfect world. The worse thing they did was selling green fees on a golf green fees website for a lot cheaper. Hope the higher green fees and profits will reflect on the golf course over the next few years.
Running a club is not easy a mate of mine is a Director of Golf and the prices are going up everywhere some of them crazy and its getting the right balance all round which can be difficult and you can't please everyone the majority of golf clubs are raising their green fees higher than they normally would. Staff wages, maintenance, fuel costs, energy costs, material costs etc it will be interesting to see what happens over the next two years when inflation comes down and Labour probably in power then (music to your ears!!)
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Course that most exceeded my expectations: Rosses Point. I've read in a few places that it is overrated, and as a result I've skipped it on previous trips to Ireland. This year I decided to give it a shot and absolutely loved it.
Best affordable: Bretwood Golf Course in Keene, NH. Two courses, actually ... the North and South. Both are good and very fun, and less than $50.
Most Overshadowed: Ballyliffin Old. While I was there, Glasheedy was booked solid. Meanwhile, I had no problem getting in 36-hole days on the Old. I think Glasheedy is outstanding, but the Old is just as good, in my opinion.
Best 9-hole course: Cruit Island likely holds this title in perpetuity.
Favorite hole: the 13th at Newport Country Club
Best walk from clubhouse to first tee: Old Sandwich, where it feels like you are walking on water.
Best clubhouse: St. Patrick's. I hope they don't replace it with something bigger. Maybe just add a small bar and leave it at that.
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It was not a good year for new plays:
So Sleepy Hollow in a romp over Sheep Ranch.
It was a good year for second or more plays:
Best course: Yale by a nose over Bandon Trails and Pac Dunes.
Favorite course: Yale by a length over Mid Pines.
Best Place for a Drink: the Mickle Patio at Mid Pines. Not even close.
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Best courses I played: tie Pacific Dunes Friars Head, Lofoten Links
Most fun on a golf course: Fishers Island
Most surprising: Landman ( I fully expected not to like it because Sweetens is not a favorite). It is very good. The scale is enormous, but it fits in with the prairie.
Course, very few go to play: Caesarea GC in Israel.
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Best clubhouse: St. Patrick's. I hope they don't replace it with something bigger. Maybe just add a small bar and leave it at that.
I've gotta ask . . . what was there when you were there? I thought the tent they put up for the Renaissance Cup did the job pretty well, but you were not there for that. The topic is a bone of contention for some of the investors so I am curious for feedback on what you'd like to see.
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Not certain that everyone has the financial means, nor the free time, to make up such a list. I'm glad that some are able to enjoy such liberties.
No matter how someone frames it, this type of thread is a flat-out brag. It ends up being who you know and how much you got.
Some of us ain't got much, and know even fewer.
Back to Munis and Monsters on Instagram for me.
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Merry Christmas Ronald!
Course that delighted and surprised me in 2022 - Brautarholt Golf in Iceland a 12 hole course with some of the most stunning views https://gbr.is/ (https://gbr.is/) designed by Edwin Roald who I was able to meet a great guy who has developed a company called carbon par - https://www.carbonpar.org/ (https://www.carbonpar.org/). The course was full of surprises and large challenging greens - they are adding 6 new holes which was under construction. Runner up - Kellir Golf also in Iceland - A course of two halves with the front nine like a moonscape with large volcanic outcrops and back nine with lots of holes by the water edge - the Back nine is currently being redone by Tom Mackenzie and should be fully in play next year or 2024.
Best course that I haven't played before in UK - Stoneham a Wille Park Junior course in Southampton England which has been beautifully looked after by Matt Plested and the location of the most bizarre golf shot I played this year (Robin can tell that story)
Course that made me feel flat - Isle of Purbeck one of the most stunning views of any golf course i have played in the UK however the design of the course underwhelmed me and I look forward to the improvements by Tim Lobb over the next few years as the potential is there.
Best experience - playing midnight golf in Iceland at the end of June - what an experience!.
Biggest beef - top golf clubs hiking up their green fees a lot post Covid (not 3 par 3 holes on the same compass point!!) - really surprised that Cavendish is now £40 or plus! when we played a Am-AM a few years ago Sean it was £60 for a four ball plus a meal.
Course i have started enjoying playing more on - Rutland Water GC its still £25 a round in midweek and £30 weekends - One opponent i played against in Scratch league said he couldn't believe the green fee and he would pay more than £50 to play it. Plus my playing handicap has gone down this year. Sean get over here and I will take you around it.
I have always liked Stoneham and the new work makes it easier to do so. Did you play Hockley? I haven't been in years.
Is Rutland the course you designed?
Ciao
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Merry Christmas Ronald!
Course that delighted and surprised me in 2022 - Brautarholt Golf in Iceland a 12 hole course with some of the most stunning views https://gbr.is/ (https://gbr.is/) designed by Edwin Roald who I was able to meet a great guy who has developed a company called carbon par - https://www.carbonpar.org/ (https://www.carbonpar.org/). The course was full of surprises and large challenging greens - they are adding 6 new holes which was under construction. Runner up - Kellir Golf also in Iceland - A course of two halves with the front nine like a moonscape with large volcanic outcrops and back nine with lots of holes by the water edge - the Back nine is currently being redone by Tom Mackenzie and should be fully in play next year or 2024.
Best course that I haven't played before in UK - Stoneham a Wille Park Junior course in Southampton England which has been beautifully looked after by Matt Plested and the location of the most bizarre golf shot I played this year (Robin can tell that story)
Course that made me feel flat - Isle of Purbeck one of the most stunning views of any golf course i have played in the UK however the design of the course underwhelmed me and I look forward to the improvements by Tim Lobb over the next few years as the potential is there.
Best experience - playing midnight golf in Iceland at the end of June - what an experience!.
Biggest beef - top golf clubs hiking up their green fees a lot post Covid (not 3 par 3 holes on the same compass point!!) - really surprised that Cavendish is now £40 or plus! when we played a Am-AM a few years ago Sean it was £60 for a four ball plus a meal.
Course i have started enjoying playing more on - Rutland Water GC its still £25 a round in midweek and £30 weekends - One opponent i played against in Scratch league said he couldn't believe the green fee and he would pay more than £50 to play it. Plus my playing handicap has gone down this year. Sean get over here and I will take you around it.
I have always liked Stoneham and the new work makes it easier to do so. Did you play Hockley? I haven't been in years.
Is Rutland the course you designed?
Ciao
No I haven't played Hockley its my understanding that James Edwards is doing some work there. He is also re-jigging Boundary Lakes as well.
Other than Stoneham I have played Romsey in Southampton which is more hilly than Stoneham and feels like a course to two halves. Have heard that Southampton Municipal by JH Taylor has good bones.
Yes Rutland is the course I designed was back in 2002-7 its mostly there even with lots of tree planting, filling in a number of bunkers plus flattening some part of two greens in house rather than extending them for more pin positions. It has matured over the years with a growing membership now one of the best bargains under £30 IMO.
The reason I am enjoying playing there more are the people I play with (more of a pub atmosphere absolute characters from different background - one is Andrew Slane who has joined GCA as well he would like to meet you as well), playing more golf had lessons earlier in the year which has sorted out a lot of swing issues and now I am hitting it much straighter which means I am keeping the ball in play and enjoying the course more than I have in the last 10 years (I sort of fell out of love with playing the game)
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I played 35 new courses this year. A couple were in the US; most were in England, Scotland, NI, Donegal Co Ireland.
These are the courses I would most like to play again. That is my only category.
Macrihanish (old), Cruit Island (9 holes), Cleeve Hill, Alwoodley.
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Best course that I haven't played before in UK - Stoneham a Wille Park Junior course in Southampton England which has been beautifully looked after by Matt Plested and the location of the most bizarre golf shot I played this year (Robin can tell that story)
Matt and the guys at Stoneham discovered earlier in the year that Colt had redesigned the course quite extensively in 1929. They found his original greens drawings.
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Best course that I haven't played before in UK - Stoneham a Wille Park Junior course in Southampton England which has been beautifully looked after by Matt Plested and the location of the most bizarre golf shot I played this year (Robin can tell that story)
Matt and the guys at Stoneham discovered earlier in the year that Colt had redesigned the course quite extensively in 1929. They found his original greens drawings.
Did Colt create the circular 9s similar to Muirfield?
Ciao
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Best course that I haven't played before in UK - Stoneham a Wille Park Junior course in Southampton England which has been beautifully looked after by Matt Plested and the location of the most bizarre golf shot I played this year (Robin can tell that story)
Matt and the guys at Stoneham discovered earlier in the year that Colt had redesigned the course quite extensively in 1929. They found his original greens drawings.
Did Colt create the circular 9s similar to Muirfield?
Ciao
Not clear.
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Best course that I haven't played before in UK - Stoneham a Wille Park Junior course in Southampton England which has been beautifully looked after by Matt Plested and the location of the most bizarre golf shot I played this year (Robin can tell that story)
Matt and the guys at Stoneham discovered earlier in the year that Colt had redesigned the course quite extensively in 1929. They found his original greens drawings.
Interesting as to me there are some similarities/feel at Stoneham to Sunningdale Old (by both Park and Colt). The new look 17th is similar to the 11th at Merion which Robin said first.
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Forget the Doak score stuff. Lets see a varied list from you lot.
Sean,
As always, genuine appreciation for your thoughtful post. Wow, what a year. I did have an eclectic year and will try to post when I reach Florida.
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Not certain that everyone has the financial means, nor the free time, to make up such a list. I'm glad that some are able to enjoy such liberties.
No matter how someone frames it, this type of thread is a flat-out brag. It ends up being who you know and how much you got.
Some of us ain't got much, and know even fewer.
Back to Munis and Monsters on Instagram for me.
I find it odd that bitterness would be a reaction to this thread. Shouldn’t we be interested in and rooting for our GCA brethren to travel and see as many new courses as possible? #BuffaloGrinch
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Not certain that everyone has the financial means, nor the free time, to make up such a list. I'm glad that some are able to enjoy such liberties.
No matter how someone frames it, this type of thread is a flat-out brag. It ends up being who you know and how much you got.
Some of us ain't got much, and know even fewer.
Back to Munis and Monsters on Instagram for me.
Sean's write-ups and travels are a highlight of this site. He's as much of a cost-conscious golfer as I've seen and amongst the least swayed by the off course or conditioning aspects of the game.
There's plenty of belt notching on this site -- this ain't it.
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Couldn't agree more with the sentiment Tim and Buck expressed.
Sean and Mike C have set the gold standard with meaningful end of year course review and discussion, just terrific stuff.
P.S. I've only got one course to mention here. Gamble Sands...and it was certainly worth the effort to get there.
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The ___ Congeniality award goes to the LA golf scene.
I have reflected on every round I played over my two month visit. I did not meet a single person at any club who appeared to wish they were somewhere else. Or to wish I was.
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No matter how someone frames it, this type of thread is a flat-out brag. It ends up being who you know and how much you got.
What a pathetic take.
Sean Arble has been sharing lists like this for years. 2022 is a bit of an outlier, as he was traveling in the US with a couple of architect friends and managed to see a few non-public courses. But he's more than paid his dues, regularly highlighting great AFFORDABLE golf that anyone could play. Is mentioning places like Kington, Cleeve Hill, & Alnmouth Village considered bragging? If so, hopefully he continues it.
Back in 2017, you did your own awards, crediting Sean with the inspiration to share your year.
Funny story two: The trip to NGLA, for obvious reasons, was the centerpiece of our August venture. The problem was, I could not make anything happen around it, in terms of club access. Our plan B was to find some other place, and NJ ended up being a brilliant lode. As soon as we had locked in our dates for NJ, clubs on Long Island returned emails and phone calls, telling me that they would love to have us out. Funny, huh? I thought so.
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,65281.msg1556544.html#msg1556544
Compare this to Sean's 2017. Who was bragging??
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,65278.0.html
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Don’t step on the cape of a nom de plume.
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I've gotta ask . . . what was there when you were there? I thought the tent they put up for the Renaissance Cup did the job pretty well, but you were not there for that. The topic is a bone of contention for some of the investors so I am curious for feedback on what you'd like to see.
I was there in late July, and it was just the low-profile wood structure that I know is intended to be temporary. Back in 2019 when I met you there, I remember there being some discussion about a big clubhouse sitting up on a dune versus something low that blends in with the surroundings. I think what is there currently sends the message that you are there for golf. I get that some people want the luxury country club vibe, especially at such a lauded course, but that's not my jam. And I realize it's entirely a subjective thing. But they've got a big clubhouse over at Sandy Hills which is plenty in my book. If what is currently at St. Pat's was extended to add a nice bar and maybe couches and a fireplace where you could relax and warm up on a cold day, it would be just about perfect.
Ireland is my favorite place on Earth, but if I'm being brutally honest, I'm not sure I could point to a single clubhouse over there I would describe as attractive, at least from the outside. And I'd be worried at St. Patrick's that a big facility might end up detracting aesthetically from an otherwise spectacular setting.
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I've gotta ask . . . what was there when you were there? I thought the tent they put up for the Renaissance Cup did the job pretty well, but you were not there for that. The topic is a bone of contention for some of the investors so I am curious for feedback on what you'd like to see.
I was there in late July, and it was just the low-profile wood structure that I know is intended to be temporary. Back in 2019 when I met you there, I remember there being some discussion about a big clubhouse sitting up on a dune versus something low that blends in with the surroundings. I think what is there currently sends the message that you are there for golf. I get that some people want the luxury country club vibe, especially at such a lauded course, but that's not my jam. And I realize it's entirely a subjective thing. But they've got a big clubhouse over at Sandy Hills which is plenty in my book. If what is currently at St. Pat's was extended to add a nice bar and maybe couches and a fireplace where you could relax and warm up on a cold day, it would be just about perfect.
Ireland is my favorite place on Earth, but if I'm being brutally honest, I'm not sure I could point to a single clubhouse over there I would describe as attractive, at least from the outside. And I'd be worried at St. Patrick's that a big facility might end up detracting aesthetically from an otherwise spectacular setting.
Dan, that’s just a temporary portacabin / starters hut though.
The location identified for a clubhouse (overlooking the 9th green) is superb but it should be low lying and made of natural materials to blend with the landscape. One story lounge / bar with glass frontage with perhaps a sunken basement at the back for very small changing facilities and showers.
Then move the car park further round (near the current portacabin) to remove it from behind the 11th green and closer to the 1st tee. 11 approach has its backdrop compromised currently.
Best Irish clubhouse example is at Killeen Castle: Bigger than the St Pats version needs to be and interiors not the ideal set-up but the external architecture hides in the landscape very well.
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I've gotta ask . . . what was there when you were there? I thought the tent they put up for the Renaissance Cup did the job pretty well, but you were not there for that. The topic is a bone of contention for some of the investors so I am curious for feedback on what you'd like to see.
I was there in late July, and it was just the low-profile wood structure that I know is intended to be temporary. Back in 2019 when I met you there, I remember there being some discussion about a big clubhouse sitting up on a dune versus something low that blends in with the surroundings. I think what is there currently sends the message that you are there for golf. I get that some people want the luxury country club vibe, especially at such a lauded course, but that's not my jam. And I realize it's entirely a subjective thing. But they've got a big clubhouse over at Sandy Hills which is plenty in my book. If what is currently at St. Pat's was extended to add a nice bar and maybe couches and a fireplace where you could relax and warm up on a cold day, it would be just about perfect.
Ireland is my favorite place on Earth, but if I'm being brutally honest, I'm not sure I could point to a single clubhouse over there I would describe as attractive, at least from the outside. And I'd be worried at St. Patrick's that a big facility might end up detracting aesthetically from an otherwise spectacular setting.
Dan, that’s just a temporary portacabin / starters hut though.
The location identified for a clubhouse (overlooking the 9th green) is superb but it should be low lying and made of natural materials to blend with the landscape. One story lounge / bar with glass frontage with perhaps a sunken basement at the back for very small changing facilities and showers.
Then move the car park further round (near the current portacabin) to remove it from behind the 11th green and closer to the 1st tee. 11 approach has its backdrop compromised currently.
Best Irish clubhouse example is at Killeen Castle: Bigger than the St Pats version needs to be and interiors not the ideal set-up but the external architecture hides in the landscape very well.
Well said Ally 👍
Ciao
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COURSE I WAS REALLY GLAD THAT I PLAYED.
US. Quaker Ridge
I played it twice and enjoyed the gently rolling ground and the routing.
England
West Lancashire
On a trip with two Open courses and other interesting courses this one stood out for me as the most enjoyable.
I have a Formby/West Lancs trip planned in April. Should be good. I haven't seen W Lancs in at least 15 years. It isn't a looker, but it was tough...totally cookie brown. I know Formby much better and it's a course for which I have a lot of time.
I need to find a theme for a NE US trip. Travis and Emmet have always appealed to me. Never seen anything by these ODGs.
Ciao
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Dan, that’s just a temporary portacabin / starters hut though.
The location identified for a clubhouse (overlooking the 9th green) is superb but it should be low lying and made of natural materials to blend with the landscape. One story lounge / bar with glass frontage with perhaps a sunken basement at the back for very small changing facilities and showers.
I realize what is there now was never intended to be the permanent clubhouse. However, I very much appreciate the understated look of it as compared to a behemoth that draws attention to itself. And I know people like their views, which then requires a clubhouse on an elevated vantage point. I am not one of those people, at least not in this case.
Right now, St. Pat's feels to me like it is all about the golf course. An expanded building nestled in the dunes (rather than on top of the dunes) would be my preference. I don't disagree with your point about moving the parking so it isn't behind 11 green. And resituating the clubhouse so it is more in your path from 9 green to 10 tee would make sense. I'm sure I'm in the minority on this, which is fine. And if the owners have data showing that a big clubhouse that can host events will be a profit center, they will go with that. I'm just saying I dig the subtlety of the set up as it existed last summer.
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Dan, that’s just a temporary portacabin / starters hut though.
The location identified for a clubhouse (overlooking the 9th green) is superb but it should be low lying and made of natural materials to blend with the landscape. One story lounge / bar with glass frontage with perhaps a sunken basement at the back for very small changing facilities and showers.
I realize what is there now was never intended to be the permanent clubhouse. However, I very much appreciate the understated look of it as compared to a behemoth that draws attention to itself. And I know people like their views, which then requires a clubhouse on an elevated vantage point. I am not one of those people, at least not in this case.
Right now, St. Pat's feels to me like it is all about the golf course. An expanded building nestled in the dunes (rather than on top of the dunes) would be my preference. I don't disagree with your point about moving the parking so it isn't behind 11 green. And resituating the clubhouse so it is more in your path from 9 green to 10 tee would make sense. I'm sure I'm in the minority on this, which is fine. And if the owners have data showing that a big clubhouse that can host events will be a profit center, they will go with that. I'm just saying I dig the subtlety of the set up as it existed last summer.
I wonder if the gin palace serving two courses is a profit centre. I have a suspicion something small, efficient and functional will be built as Ally suggests. They should get the archie who built the Castle Stuart house to have a look.
Ciao
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I wonder if the gin palace serving two courses is a profit centre. I have a suspicion something small, efficient and functional will be built as Ally suggests. They should get the archie who built the Castle Stuart house to have a look.
The bigger issue to me is how early they stop serving food in Ireland. This is true at almost every course (and many restaurants). I mean, if it's light until after 10 pm, I'll definitely be playing a second round. And then you come in and discover there's not a morsel to be had anywhere. I live on protein bars when I'm over there. But that's a separate topic ...
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Dan,
I'm curious as a reference point as I've never been to Ireland and such, so hard to compare.
Would the clubhouse setup at Pac Dunes be too much in your book? Because to me its just about perfect in size and location, (and yes of course those terrific views don't hurt...)
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Kalen,
It totally depends on the place. For example, Shinnecock's clubhouse is about as noticeable as it gets, and it is one of my favorites. On that site, it is perfect. I also think Eastward Ho and Ekwanok have aesthetically perfect clubhouses, given where they are. Same is true with Tobacco Road, which has a very different look from what you find in the Northeast, but fits perfectly to that area. The ruggedness of Donegal and the size of the surrounding dunes at St. Pat's to my eye screams for a clubhouse that doesn't stand out. Also, I'm not sure you could boost up a clubhouse at St. Pat's high enough to get water views, given where the first tee is (I could be wrong about this). So I'd rather just embrace the magnitude of the dunes and make them the focal point instead. But again, that's just me.
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Dan,
The position that they have pinpointed for a clubhouse has spectacular views of the ocean (back down 9) yet will sit nestled between two small dunes and not stand proud, if they keep it as one level to the front.
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Dan, that’s just a temporary portacabin / starters hut though.
The location identified for a clubhouse (overlooking the 9th green) is superb but it should be low lying and made of natural materials to blend with the landscape. One story lounge / bar with glass frontage with perhaps a sunken basement at the back for very small changing facilities and showers.
I realize what is there now was never intended to be the permanent clubhouse. However, I very much appreciate the understated look of it as compared to a behemoth that draws attention to itself. And I know people like their views, which then requires a clubhouse on an elevated vantage point. I am not one of those people, at least not in this case.
Right now, St. Pat's feels to me like it is all about the golf course. An expanded building nestled in the dunes (rather than on top of the dunes) would be my preference. I don't disagree with your point about moving the parking so it isn't behind 11 green. And resituating the clubhouse so it is more in your path from 9 green to 10 tee would make sense. I'm sure I'm in the minority on this, which is fine. And if the owners have data showing that a big clubhouse that can host events will be a profit center, they will go with that. I'm just saying I dig the subtlety of the set up as it existed last summer.
I wonder if the gin palace serving two courses is a profit centre. I have a suspicion something small, efficient and functional will be built as Ally suggests. They should get the archie who built the Castle Stuart house to have a look.
Ciao
Although I love the design of the clubhouse at Castle Stuart -- the Art Deco look is so appropriate for something close to the sea -- the scale and operation of the clubhouse is entirely down to Mark Parsinen. Mark thought about golf courses more deeply than most; the bar at CS is just large enough to accommodate an hour's worth of tee times because his research showed that golfer rarely stay in the bar for longer than an hour after their round. And the gents' loo has a little window over the urinals with a fantastic view of the links, so you have something nice to look at while you pee!
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I wonder if the gin palace serving two courses is a profit centre. I have a suspicion something small, efficient and functional will be built as Ally suggests. They should get the archie who built the Castle Stuart house to have a look.
The bigger issue to me is how early they stop serving food in Ireland. This is true at almost every course (and many restaurants). I mean, if it's light until after 10 pm, I'll definitely be playing a second round. And then you come in and discover there's not a morsel to be had anywhere. I live on protein bars when I'm over there. But that's a separate topic ...
If ya wanna play golf til 10 then Indian and Chinese takeaway is your friend.
Ciao
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Now that this thread has diverted for the time being to clubhouses, my view is that the best of them match the context of the course.
Kilspindie
Southern Pines
St.George’s Hill
Lahinch
Dooks
Cog Hill
But nothing comes close to Woking.
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Getting back to Tom and the investors..
Is there any reason not to simply encourage players to return to the main Rosapena Clubhouse?
Is anyone skipping a round at St Pat's because they lack a clubhouse?
Can't think of a good reason to build one-surely no one thinks the clubhouse is a profit center, especially when you back out the low hanging fruit available anyway(Guinness in the fridge ;D ;) [size=78%])[/size]
Those same dollars can be captured at the existing common clubhouse with minimal additional overhead.
-
Getting back to Tom and the investors..
Is there any reason not to simply encourage players to return to the main Rosapena Clubhouse?
Is anyone skipping a round at St Pat's because they lack a clubhouse?
Can't think of a good reason to build one-surely no one thinks the clubhouse is a profit center, especially when you back out the low hanging fruit available anyway(Guinness in the fridge ;D ;) [size=78%])[/size]
Those same dollars can be captured at the existing common clubhouse with minimal additional overhead.
If there is no compelling reason to stop in the big clubhouse after playing St Pat's I would kick on and not bother. Once folks are in the car there is a high risk of losing their wallet. If you just played St Pat's, are you driving to the clubhouse or a place in town etc? It's a bit like an online shop, ya don't provide a link for the customer to leave your site.
Ciao
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Could a clubhouse fit in the dunes like this house in Wales by Future Systems? - http://ideasgn.com/house-in-wales-future-systems/ (http://ideasgn.com/house-in-wales-future-systems/)
Best clubhouse this year for me was a simple rectangular building at Brautarholt Golf it was perfect for it it was unassuming and stood back that it wasn't standing out with small pro shop toilets and a small bar - https://www.500daysoffun.com/blog/brautarholt-golf-course-iceland-59 (https://www.500daysoffun.com/blog/brautarholt-golf-course-iceland-59)
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A summary of our beloved Sean Arble's Yank Awards. Note *= Nifty Fifty addition and + = Happy 100 addition. Welcome any corrections.
Most Surprising New Course - winner/runner up - 2022 - Beverly GC (East Yorkshire, England) / Meadowbrook GC + (Detroit, Mi)
- 2021 - Harewood Downs GC (Chilterns, England) / Covesea Links (Covesea, Scotland)
- 2019 - Seahouses GC back 9 (Seahouses, England) / Wimereux GC (Wimereux, France)
- 2017 - Corballis Links GC + (Dublin, Ire.) / Reigate Heath GC (Reigate, England)
- 2016 - Royal Wimbledon GC (London, England) / Birmingham CC (Birmingham, MI)
- 2015 - Orchard Lake CC (Orchard Lake, MI) / Leckford GC, Old (Stockbridge, England)
- 2014 - Cumberwell Park GC, Orange (Wiltshire, England) / Walton Heath GC, New (Tadworth, England)
- 2013 - Royal Worlington & Newmarket (Worlington, England) / Carnoustie GC, Burnside (Carnoustie, Scotland)
Most Disappointing New Play - winner/runner up- 2022 - Malone GC (Belfast, N. Ire.)
- 2021 - Cullen Links GC (Cullen, Scotland)
- 2019 - Touquet La Mer (Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, France)
- 2017 - None all lived up to expectations.
- 2016 - Luffenham Heath (South Luffenham, England)
- 2015 - Western Gailes GC (Irvine, Scotland) / Canterbury GC (Canterbury, England)
- 2014 - Royal Zoute GC (Knokke-Heist, Belgium) / Tenby GC (Tenby, Wales)
- 2013 - Royal Ashdown Forest GC (Forest Row, England) / Trump International GL Aberdeen (Aberdeen, Scotland)
Best New Play- 2015 - Castle Stuart GC (Petty, Scotland) / Orchard Lake CC (Orchard Lake, MI)
- 2014 - Renaissance GC (North Berwick, Scotland) / Rosapenna GC, OTM links (Donegal, Ireland)
- 2013 - Walton Heath GC, Old (Tadworth, England) / Dormie Club (West End, NC)
Best New Play Inland Course- 2022 - Chicago GC (Wheaton, Ill.) / Forest Dunes - The Loop + (Roscommon, Mi.)
- 2021 - JCB Golf & CC (Staffordshire, England) / Aldeburgh GC (Suffolk, England) / Berkshire GC Red (Ascot, England)
- 2019 - Hardelot GC, Pines (Hardelot, France) / Hardelot GC, Dunes (Hardelot GC, France
- 2017 - Barton Hills CC (Ann Arbor, Mi) / Reigate Heath GC (Reigate, England)
- 2016 - Gleneagles GC, Kings (Auchterarder, Scotland) / Palmetto GC (Aiken, SC)
- 2015, 14, 13 - not noted
Best New Play Links;
- 2022 - St. Patrick's Links * (Donegal, Ireland)
- 2021 - Moray GC Old (Lossiemouth, Scotland)
- 2019 - Castlerock GC, Bann (Coleraine, N. Ire)
- 2017 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England) / Corballis Links GC + (Dublin, Ire.)
- 2016 - Kingsbarns GC (Fife, Scotland) / Elie Golf House Club (Fife. Scotland)
- 2015, 14, 13 - Not noted
Most Surprising Repeat Play- 2022 - Welcombe Hotel GC (Warwickshire, England)
- 2021 - Swinley Forest GC (Ascot, England)
- 2019 - Alnmouth Village GC (Northumberland, England)
- 2017 - Minchinhampton GC, Old (Cotswolds, England)
- 2016 - Worplesdon GC (Brookwood, England)
- 2015 - Royal Dornoch GC (Dornoch, Scotland) / Notts GC (Nottingham, England)
- 2014 - North Berwick West Links (East Lothian, Scotland) / Perranporth GC (Perranporth, England)
- 2013 - Alwoodley GC (Leeds, England) / Old Town Club (Winston Salem, NC) / Mid Pines GC (Southern Pines, NC) / Royal Cinque Ports GC (Deal, England)
Favorite Inland Course- 2014 - Cleeve Hill GC (Cleeve Hill, England)
- 2013 - Kington GC (Kington, England) / Old Town Club (Winston Salem, NC)
Favorite Links Course- 2014 - St. Endoc GC (Wadebridge, England)
- 2013 - Perranporth GC (Perranporth, England)
Favorite New Play Inland Course - 2022 - Eagle Springs Golf Resort * (Eagle, WI.)
- 2021 - Harewood Downs GC (Chilterns, England)
- 2019 - Llandrindod Wells GC (Llandrindod Wells, Wales)
- 2017 - Reigate Heath GC (Reigate, England)
- 2016 - (tie) Palmetto GC (Aiken, SC) / Welshpool GC (Welshpool, England)
- 2015 - Leckford GC, Old (Stockbridge, England)
Favorite New Play Links- 2022 - not noted
- 2021 - Seaton Carew GC New (Seaton Carew, England)
- 2019 - Castlerock GC, Bann (Coleraine, N. Ire)
- 2017 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England)
- 2016 - Elie Golf House Club (Fife. Scotland)
- 2015 - Castle Stuart GC (Petty, Scotland)
Best Moderately Priced Played this Year (under $80)
- 2022 - Culver Academies * (Culver, IN.)
- 2021 - Cavendish GC (Buxton, England)
- 2019 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England)
- 2017 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England)
- 2016 - St. Andrews Links, The Eden (Fife, Scotland)
- 2015 - Royal Worlington & Newmarket (Worlington, England)
- 2014 - Kington GC (Kington, England) / Perranporth GC (Perranporth, England)
- 2013 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
Best Affordable (under $55)- 2022 - not noted
- 2021 - none (Kington not played)
- 2019 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2017 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2016 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2015 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2014 - Cleeve Hill GC (Cleeve Hill, England)
- 2013 - Reddish Vale GC (Stockport, England) / Cleeve Hill GC (Cleeve Hill, England)
Best Course Played This Year- 2022 - Royal Porthcawl GC (Porthcawl, Wales)
- 2021 - North Berwick GC (East Lothian, Scotland)
- 2019 - Royal Cinque Ports GC (Deal, England)
- 2017 - Pinehurst #2 (Pinehurst, NC)
- 2016 - North Berwick GC (East Lothian, Scotland)
- 2015 - Royal St. George's GC (Sandwich, England) / Castle Stuart GC (Petty, Scotland)
- 2014 - North Berwick GC (East Lothian, Scotland) / St. Endoc GC (Wadebridge, England)
- 2013 - Royal Cinque Ports GC (Deal, England) / Alwoodley GC (Leeds, England)
Favorite Course Played This Year- 2022 - Cleeve Hill GC * (Cleeve Hill, England)
- 2021 - Cavendish GC (Buxton, England)
- 2019 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2017 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2016 -Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2015 - not noted
- 2014 - not noted
- 2013 - not noted
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I think Sean meant Beverley in East Yorkshire, England, rather than Chicago, Illinois!
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Getting back to Tom and the investors..
Is there any reason not to simply encourage players to return to the main Rosapena Clubhouse?
Is anyone skipping a round at St Pat's because they lack a clubhouse?
Can't think of a good reason to build one-surely no one thinks the clubhouse is a profit center, especially when you back out the low hanging fruit available anyway(Guinness in the fridge ;D ;) [size=78%])[/size]
Those same dollars can be captured at the existing common clubhouse with minimal additional overhead.
If there is no compelling reason to stop in the big clubhouse after playing St Pat's I would kick on and not bother. Once folks are in the car there is a high risk of losing their wallet. If you just played St Pat's, are you driving to the clubhouse or a place in town etc? It's a bit like an online shop, ya don't provide a link for the customer to leave your site.
Ciao
There is a segment that's headed for the car either way
There is a segment that once in the car, will go to town (but this won't include those staying AT the resort)
There is of course a segemnet who would prefer to stay right at St Pats, if given that option.
There's a also a segment that love activity back at the main ski lodge, comparing stories about their runs(courses in this case)
At the end of the day, you've already laid out extensive capital for a restaurant bar at the main resort.
Why operate both at far less than capacity for most of the year?
I've been to Rosapena in every month but July and August. It's a large facility and I've rarely seen it packed for post apres golf drinks.I'm sure they rock in summer.
Overhead makes many facilities slaves to it. Pretty soon the cart is put before the horse.
At the end of the day are the investors willing to take on the expense of an additional restaurant, with such a desired destination course?
And conversely, is the main resort willing to part with the revenue lost at the main hotel going to St Pats?
A tricky arrangement
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I don't think a St Pat's house needs food beyond snacks etc, unless it's perhaps just a food van or outdoor grill set up for known busy times. Just a small house with a small bar and shop, but IMO it does need it. If done right, most of the time one person can operate the set up I envision. Honestly, no more staff than it would to provide decent service for what exists now. Rosapenna is meant to be an Irish resort with some character, not a cheap, no service muni.
Ciao
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I don't think a St Pat's house needs food beyond snacks etc, unless it's perhaps just a food van or outdoor grill set up for known busy times. Just a small house with a small bar and shop, but IMO it does need it. If done right, most of the time one person can operate the set up I envision. Honestly, no more staff than it would to provide decent service for what exists now. Rosapenna is meant to be a resort, not a cheap, no service muni.
Ciao
I’d be in line with this. Generally I want a shower and a drink looking out over the course.
Only thing I would note is that St. Pats would also still need a Starter’s Hut for green fees, given the location of the proposed clubhouse and first tee. If the nines had been left as originally planned - and I for one am glad they were flipped - then the clubhouse could have served both functions.
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Why not pay the fee in the would be new house? There is no starter now? I didn't find that to be an issue.
Ciao
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Well, that's probably more input than my partners really wanted, but thanks everyone for their interest.
There is no way we are going to build a "big" clubhouse on site . . . it's not necessary there. And we wouldn't get permission for that even if we wanted to.
But for St. Patrick's to have its own identity, which is a key concern of some of the founders, it needs a place to have a drink and/or escape the elements for a while. And having such a place would make it easier for players to go back out again. There is a perfect place behind the 9th green for that, and I hope to see it happen.
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Why not pay the fee in the would be new house? There is no starter now? I didn't find that to be an issue.
Ciao
Because you have to walk 100 yards past the first tee to get to the clubhouse. It is different than having to walk 100 yards past the clubhouse to get to the first tee.
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and the list goes on......
;D ;)
I of course have my own list but the tiny shop fulfilled it-in spades.
I equate it to the back bowls of Vail where you have to time your return back to the main area.
The point is it's tricky business when you have different ownership of different parts of a resort, and it just doesn't seem broken
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Updated post 42, Sean please review.
A summary of our beloved Sean Arble's Yank Awards. Note *= Nifty Fifty addition and + = Happy 100 addition.Welcome any corrections.Most Surprising New Course - winner/runner up - 2022 - Beverly GC (East Yorkshire, England) / Meadowbrook GC + (Detroit, Mi)
- 2021 - Harewood Downs GC (Chilterns, England) / Covesea Links (Covesea, Scotland)
- 2019 - Seahouses GC back 9 (Seahouses, England) / Wimereux GC (Wimereux, France)
- 2017 - Corballis Links GC + (Dublin, Ire.) / Reigate Heath GC (Reigate, England)
- 2016 - Royal Wimbledon GC (London, England) / Birmingham CC (Birmingham, MI)
- 2015 - Orchard Lake CC (Orchard Lake, MI) / Leckford GC, Old (Stockbridge, England)
- 2014 - Cumberwell Park GC, Orange (Wiltshire, England) / Walton Heath GC, New (Tadworth, England)
- 2013 - Royal Worlington & Newmarket (Worlington, England) / Carnoustie GC, Burnside (Carnoustie, Scotland)
Most Disappointing New Play - winner/runner up- 2022 - Malone GC (Belfast, N. Ire.)
- 2021 - Cullen Links GC (Cullen, Scotland)
- 2019 - Touquet La Mer (Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, France)
- 2017 - None all lived up to expectations.
- 2016 - Luffenham Heath (South Luffenham, England)
- 2015 - Western Gailes GC (Irvine, Scotland) / Canterbury GC (Canterbury, England)
- 2014 - Royal Zoute GC (Knokke-Heist, Belgium) / Tenby GC (Tenby, Wales)
- 2013 - Royal Ashdown Forest GC (Forest Row, England) / Trump International GL Aberdeen (Aberdeen, Scotland)
Best New Play- 2015 - Castle Stuart GC (Petty, Scotland) / Orchard Lake CC (Orchard Lake, MI)
- 2014 - Renaissance GC (North Berwick, Scotland) / Rosapenna GC, OTM links (Donegal, Ireland)
- 2013 - Walton Heath GC, Old (Tadworth, England) / Dormie Club (West End, NC)
Best New Play Inland Course- 2022 - Chicago GC (Wheaton, Ill.) / Forest Dunes - The Loop + (Roscommon, Mi.)
- 2021 - JCB Golf & CC (Staffordshire, England) / Aldeburgh GC (Suffolk, England) / Berkshire GC Red (Ascot, England)
- 2019 - Hardelot GC, Pines (Hardelot, France) / Hardelot GC, Dunes (Hardelot GC, France
- 2017 - Barton Hills CC (Ann Arbor, Mi) / Reigate Heath GC (Reigate, England)
- 2016 - Gleneagles GC, Kings (Auchterarder, Scotland) / Palmetto GC (Aiken, SC)
- 2015, 14, 13 - not noted
Best New Play Links;
- 2022 - St. Patrick's Links * (Donegal, Ireland)
- 2021 - Moray GC Old (Lossiemouth, Scotland)
- 2019 - Castlerock GC, Bann (Coleraine, N. Ire)
- 2017 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England) / Corballis Links GC + (Dublin, Ire.)
- 2016 - Kingsbarns GC (Fife, Scotland) / Elie Golf House Club (Fife. Scotland)
- 2015, 14, 13 - Not noted
Most Surprising Repeat Play- 2022 - Welcombe Hotel GC (Warwickshire, England)
- 2021 - Swinley Forest GC (Ascot, England)
- 2019 - Alnmouth Village GC (Northumberland, England)
- 2017 - Minchinhampton GC, Old (Cotswolds, England)
- 2016 - Worplesdon GC (Brookwood, England)
- 2015 - Royal Dornoch GC (Dornoch, Scotland) / Notts GC (Nottingham, England)
- 2014 - North Berwick West Links (East Lothian, Scotland) / Perranporth GC (Perranporth, England)
- 2013 - Alwoodley GC (Leeds, England) / Old Town Club (Winston Salem, NC) / Mid Pines GC (Southern Pines, NC) / Royal Cinque Ports GC (Deal, England)
Favorite New Play Inland Course - 2022 - Eagle Springs Golf Resort * (Eagle, WI.)
- 2021 - Harewood Downs GC (Chilterns, England)
- 2019 - Llandrindod Wells GC (Llandrindod Wells, Wales)
- 2017 - Reigate Heath GC (Reigate, England)
- 2016 - (tie) Palmetto GC (Aiken, SC) / Welshpool GC (Welshpool, England)
- 2015 - Leckford GC, Old (Stockbridge, England)
- 2014 - Cleeve Hill GC (Cleeve Hill, England)
- 2013 - Kington GC (Kington, England) / Old Town Club (Winston Salem, NC)
Favorite New Play Links- 2022 - not noted
- 2021 - Seaton Carew GC New (Seaton Carew, England)
- 2019 - Castlerock GC, Bann (Coleraine, N. Ire)
- 2017 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England)
- 2016 - Elie Golf House Club (Fife. Scotland)
- 2015 - Castle Stuart GC (Petty, Scotland)
- 2014 - St. Endoc GC (Wadebridge, England)
- 2013 - Perranporth GC (Perranporth, England)
Best Moderately Priced Played this Year (under $80)
- 2022 - Culver Academies * (Culver, IN.)
- 2021 - Cavendish GC (Buxton, England)
- 2019 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England)
- 2017 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England)
- 2016 - St. Andrews Links, The Eden (Fife, Scotland)
- 2015 - Royal Worlington & Newmarket (Worlington, England)
- 2014 - Kington GC (Kington, England) / Perranporth GC (Perranporth, England)
- 2013 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
Best Affordable (under $55)- 2022 - not noted
- 2021 - none (Kington not played)
- 2019 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2017 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2016 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2015 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2014 - Cleeve Hill GC (Cleeve Hill, England)
- 2013 - Reddish Vale GC (Stockport, England) / Cleeve Hill GC (Cleeve Hill, England)
Best Course Played This Year- 2022 - Royal Porthcawl GC (Porthcawl, Wales)
- 2021 - North Berwick GC (East Lothian, Scotland)
- 2019 - Royal Cinque Ports GC (Deal, England)
- 2017 - Pinehurst #2 (Pinehurst, NC)
- 2016 - North Berwick GC (East Lothian, Scotland)
- 2015 - Royal St. George's GC (Sandwich, England) / Castle Stuart GC (Petty, Scotland)
- 2014 - North Berwick GC (East Lothian, Scotland) / St. Endoc GC (Wadebridge, England)
- 2013 - Royal Cinque Ports GC (Deal, England) / Alwoodley GC (Leeds, England)
Favorite Course Played This Year- 2022 - Cleeve Hill GC * (Cleeve Hill, England)
- 2021 - Cavendish GC (Buxton, England)
- 2019 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2017 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2016 -Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2015 - not noted
- 2014 - not noted
- 2013 - not noted
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Updated post 42, Sean please review.
A summary of our beloved Sean Arble's Yank Awards. Note *= Nifty Fifty addition and + = Happy 100 addition.Welcome any corrections.Most Surprising New Course - winner/runner up - 2022 - Beverly GC (East Yorkshire, England) / Meadowbrook GC + (Detroit, Mi)
- 2021 - Harewood Downs GC (Chilterns, England) / Covesea Links (Covesea, Scotland)
- 2019 - Seahouses GC back 9 (Seahouses, England) / Wimereux GC (Wimereux, France)
- 2017 - Corballis Links GC + (Dublin, Ire.) / Reigate Heath GC (Reigate, England)
- 2016 - Royal Wimbledon GC (London, England) / Birmingham CC (Birmingham, MI)
- 2015 - Orchard Lake CC (Orchard Lake, MI) / Leckford GC, Old (Stockbridge, England)
- 2014 - Cumberwell Park GC, Orange (Wiltshire, England) / Walton Heath GC, New (Tadworth, England)
- 2013 - Royal Worlington & Newmarket (Worlington, England) / Carnoustie GC, Burnside (Carnoustie, Scotland)
Most Disappointing New Play - winner/runner up- 2022 - Malone GC (Belfast, N. Ire.)
- 2021 - Cullen Links GC (Cullen, Scotland)
- 2019 - Touquet La Mer (Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, France)
- 2017 - None all lived up to expectations.
- 2016 - Luffenham Heath (South Luffenham, England)
- 2015 - Western Gailes GC (Irvine, Scotland) / Canterbury GC (Canterbury, England)
- 2014 - Royal Zoute GC (Knokke-Heist, Belgium) / Tenby GC (Tenby, Wales)
- 2013 - Royal Ashdown Forest GC (Forest Row, England) / Trump International GL Aberdeen (Aberdeen, Scotland)
Best New Play- 2015 - Castle Stuart GC (Petty, Scotland) / Orchard Lake CC (Orchard Lake, MI)
- 2014 - Renaissance GC (North Berwick, Scotland) / Rosapenna GC, OTM links (Donegal, Ireland)
- 2013 - Walton Heath GC, Old (Tadworth, England) / Dormie Club (West End, NC)
Best New Play Inland Course- 2022 - Chicago GC (Wheaton, Ill.) / Forest Dunes - The Loop + (Roscommon, Mi.)
- 2021 - JCB Golf & CC (Staffordshire, England) / Aldeburgh GC (Suffolk, England) / Berkshire GC Red (Ascot, England)
- 2019 - Hardelot GC, Pines (Hardelot, France) / Hardelot GC, Dunes (Hardelot GC, France
- 2017 - Barton Hills CC (Ann Arbor, Mi) / Reigate Heath GC (Reigate, England)
- 2016 - Gleneagles GC, Kings (Auchterarder, Scotland) / Palmetto GC (Aiken, SC)
- 2015, 14, 13 - not noted
Best New Play Links;
- 2022 - St. Patrick's Links * (Donegal, Ireland)
- 2021 - Moray GC Old (Lossiemouth, Scotland)
- 2019 - Castlerock GC, Bann (Coleraine, N. Ire)
- 2017 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England) / Corballis Links GC + (Dublin, Ire.)
- 2016 - Kingsbarns GC (Fife, Scotland) / Elie Golf House Club (Fife. Scotland)
- 2015, 14, 13 - Not noted
Most Surprising Repeat Play- 2022 - Welcombe Hotel GC (Warwickshire, England)
- 2021 - Swinley Forest GC (Ascot, England)
- 2019 - Alnmouth Village GC (Northumberland, England)
- 2017 - Minchinhampton GC, Old (Cotswolds, England)
- 2016 - Worplesdon GC (Brookwood, England)
- 2015 - Royal Dornoch GC (Dornoch, Scotland) / Notts GC (Nottingham, England)
- 2014 - North Berwick West Links (East Lothian, Scotland) / Perranporth GC (Perranporth, England)
- 2013 - Alwoodley GC (Leeds, England) / Old Town Club (Winston Salem, NC) / Mid Pines GC (Southern Pines, NC) / Royal Cinque Ports GC (Deal, England)
Favorite New Play Inland Course - 2022 - Eagle Springs Golf Resort * (Eagle, WI.)
- 2021 - Harewood Downs GC (Chilterns, England)
- 2019 - Llandrindod Wells GC (Llandrindod Wells, Wales)
- 2017 - Reigate Heath GC (Reigate, England)
- 2016 - (tie) Palmetto GC (Aiken, SC) / Welshpool GC (Welshpool, England)
- 2015 - Leckford GC, Old (Stockbridge, England)
- 2014 - Cleeve Hill GC (Cleeve Hill, England)
- 2013 - Kington GC (Kington, England) / Old Town Club (Winston Salem, NC)
Favorite New Play Links- 2022 - not noted
- 2021 - Seaton Carew GC New (Seaton Carew, England)
- 2019 - Castlerock GC, Bann (Coleraine, N. Ire)
- 2017 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England)
- 2016 - Elie Golf House Club (Fife. Scotland)
- 2015 - Castle Stuart GC (Petty, Scotland)
- 2014 - St. Endoc GC (Wadebridge, England)
- 2013 - Perranporth GC (Perranporth, England)
Best Moderately Priced Played this Year (under $80)
- 2022 - Culver Academies * (Culver, IN.)
- 2021 - Cavendish GC (Buxton, England)
- 2019 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England)
- 2017 - Goswick GC (Goswick, England)
- 2016 - St. Andrews Links, The Eden (Fife, Scotland)
- 2015 - Royal Worlington & Newmarket (Worlington, England)
- 2014 - Kington GC (Kington, England) / Perranporth GC (Perranporth, England)
- 2013 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
Best Affordable (under $55)- 2022 - not noted
- 2021 - none (Kington not played)
- 2019 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2017 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2016 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2015 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2014 - Cleeve Hill GC (Cleeve Hill, England)
- 2013 - Reddish Vale GC (Stockport, England) / Cleeve Hill GC (Cleeve Hill, England)
Best Course Played This Year- 2022 - Royal Porthcawl GC (Porthcawl, Wales)
- 2021 - North Berwick GC (East Lothian, Scotland)
- 2019 - Royal Cinque Ports GC (Deal, England)
- 2017 - Pinehurst #2 (Pinehurst, NC)
- 2016 - North Berwick GC (East Lothian, Scotland)
- 2015 - Royal St. George's GC (Sandwich, England) / Castle Stuart GC (Petty, Scotland)
- 2014 - North Berwick GC (East Lothian, Scotland) / St. Endoc GC (Wadebridge, England)
- 2013 - Royal Cinque Ports GC (Deal, England) / Alwoodley GC (Leeds, England)
Favorite Course Played This Year- 2022 - Cleeve Hill GC * (Cleeve Hill, England)
- 2021 - Cavendish GC (Buxton, England)
- 2019 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2017 - Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2016 -Kington GC (Kington, England)
- 2015 - not noted
- 2014 - not noted
- 2013 - not noted
Jeff
I am not sure what you are asking?
Ciao
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Are there any mistakes in course names or locations?
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Best course that I haven't played before in UK - Stoneham a Wille Park Junior course in Southampton England which has been beautifully looked after by Matt Plested and the location of the most bizarre golf shot I played this year (Robin can tell that story)
Matt and the guys at Stoneham discovered earlier in the year that Colt had redesigned the course quite extensively in 1929. They found his original greens drawings.
Did Colt create the circular 9s similar to Muirfield?
Ciao
Not clear.
Is this a subject for future research?
Ciao
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Sean,
I played Porthcawl in Oct 2021 and was astounded by the improvements it has made - there is no artificial walkways anymore and they have widened it with grass which connects to the fairways seamlessly. The small irrigation pop ups at 45 degs were very interesting to see. 12th is slightly improved however 12th and 17th both par 5s in a similar direction are the weakest link of what is a great links course IMO.
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Sean,
I played Porthcawl in Oct 2021 and was astounded by the improvements it has made - there is no artificial walkways anymore and they have widened it with grass which connects to the fairways seamlessly. The small irrigation pop ups at 45 degs were very interesting to see. 12th is slightly improved however 12th and 17th both par 5s in a similar direction are the weakest link of what is a great links course IMO.
I concur. Like you suggest, its the par 5s which are the only serious letdown, but I am hard to please in that regard.
Jeff
At first glance, favourite new play inland course for 2013 & 2014 don't look right. I knew both Kington and Cleeve before that.
Is there a reason you want me to review? I am slightly confused as to the end goal.
Ciao
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Best New Play Course 2022
West Hill, unquestionably
Most pleasant Surprise
Thorndon Park
Most disappointing moment on a great course
The bonkers walk routing from the 'ordinary' club tees to play the new Hoylake short hole (and I still prefer the old Rushes 13th)
Best Return after a While Away
Wallasey
V glad Sean approves of all the work that has been done at Porthcawl, and there are plans afoot to do something with the 17th: completely agree that the 12th and 17th are relatively uninspiring, compared to everything else! Elsewhere in Wales Harlech irrigation system now bedding in, and the fairways etc should be pretty good for 2023, even if the dormy expansion project is caught up in National Park stuffage. RStD does need I think to tighten up one or two greens (e.g. 2nd, 8th, 9th) that have lost bunkers over the years, as the water table has risen.
Happy Christmas to one and all!
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Best course that I haven't played before in UK - Stoneham a Wille Park Junior course in Southampton England which has been beautifully looked after by Matt Plested and the location of the most bizarre golf shot I played this year (Robin can tell that story)
Matt and the guys at Stoneham discovered earlier in the year that Colt had redesigned the course quite extensively in 1929. They found his original greens drawings.
Did Colt create the circular 9s similar to Muirfield?
Ciao
Not clear.
Is this a subject for future research?
Ciao
If something turns up then sure, but as the club has gone nearly a century and only found the Colt stuff by accident (and I had nothing about it before that) then I doubt there is anything extant that would prove it either way.
Now that said, I don't think, from what I have read of the correspondence between Colt and the club, that he rerouted the course -- it seemed to be (extensive) changes to individual holes, the creation of new greens, etc. But I can't prove it.
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Sean,
I played Porthcawl in Oct 2021 and was astounded by the improvements it has made - there is no artificial walkways anymore and they have widened it with grass which connects to the fairways seamlessly. The small irrigation pop ups at 45 degs were very interesting to see. 12th is slightly improved however 12th and 17th both par 5s in a similar direction are the weakest link of what is a great links course IMO.
I concur. Like you suggest, its the par 5s which are the only serious letdown, but I am hard to please in that regard.
Jeff
At first glance, favourite new play inland course for 2013 & 2014 don't look right. I knew both Kington and Cleeve before that.
Is there a reason you want me to review? I am slightly confused as to the end goal.
Ciao
Yes in those years you labeled the results as Favorite play inland and favorite play links, not new.
You don't have locations so I just looked up the courses locations myself. Also Beverely was already corrected from Chicago to the UK. Want it to be accurate as your yank awards are a good reference for those on this site.
Also to have an updated nifty fifty and happy 100 list.
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V glad Sean approves of all the work that has been done at Porthcawl, and there are plans afoot to do something with the 17th: completely agree that the 12th and 17th are relatively uninspiring, compared to everything else! Elsewhere in Wales Harlech irrigation system now bedding in, and the fairways etc should be pretty good for 2023, even if the dormy expansion project is caught up in National Park stuffage. RStD does need I think to tighten up one or two greens (e.g. 2nd, 8th, 9th) that have lost bunkers over the years, as the water table has risen.
Happy Christmas to one and all!
Will 18 again be played as 1 for the upcoming Sr. Open at RP?
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Yes.
One sad consequence of which is that many competitors never sample the lovely old clubhouse right by the sea.
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Will 18 again be played as 1 for the upcoming Sr. Open at RP?
WTF? Why do they do that?
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Back in the day, the highest & best F&B profit margins had were in the offseason/winter when the golf professional also dealt with food at the turn.
It was $5 for a fountain soda & a large hot dog on a Portuguese roll - total food & drink costs, including paper goods & cups was less than $1. Chips/crackers & pretzels were also available for $1 per bag. The golf professional also collected the greens/cart fees. Maintenance stall was limited to salaried employees.
Provided there were a few good weather days in the month, operations broke even, including debt service. With more than 5-6 decent days, a monthly profit was turned.
Archie recalls this well.
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Back in the day, the highest & best F&B profit margins had were in the offseason/winter when the golf professional also dealt with food at the turn.
It was $5 for a fountain soda & a large hot dog on a Portuguese roll - total food & drink costs, including paper goods & cups was less than $1. Chips/crackers & pretzels were also available for $1 per bag. The golf professional also collected the greens/cart fees. Maintenance stall was limited to salaried employees.
Provided there were a few good weather days in the month, operations broke even, including debt service. With more than 5-6 decent days, a monthly profit was turned.
Archie recalls this well.
Now the rubes go to Costco.
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Best new course: Te Arai South. Everything about the course and club is top drawer.
Most pleasant surprise: Tieke golf estate. Situated not far from Hamilton. Used to be Lochiel golf club. Just about a new course. Nice to see a regular club make a massive upgrade.
Favourite new play inland: Royal Auckland. Two clubs have combined ( Royal Auckland and The Grange ) have combined to produce this 27 hole complex.
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Best new course: Te Arai South. Everything about the course and club is top drawer.
Most pleasant surprise: Tieke golf estate. Situated not far from Hamilton. Used to be Lochiel golf club. Just about a new course. Nice to see a regular club make a massive upgrade.
Favourite new play inland: Royal Auckland. Two clubs have combined ( Royal Auckland and The Grange ) have combined to produce this 27 hole complex.
Didn't the former NZ prime minister have a hole in one at an event at Royal Auckland?
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Yes Ben you are correct. Former PM John Key had a hole in one at a charity event at Royal Auckland. Various celebrities played a few holes with Ryan Fox. It was shown on the news.
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Best New Course played - Gog Magog. Not a lot of golf this year, as I was training on my bike most of the season but this was far from the flat, dull experience I expected. Really very good. Also, therefore, wins unexpected (pleasant) surprise.
Best links and best golf course played - Muirfield. As I expect it will always be until I no longer get games there....
Best budget - Kinghorn. As wild, whacky and fun as my first visit.
Most improved - Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin). Used to be dull, dull to look at and too hard. Now just too hard. Massively improved over what I remembered (amazing how removing trees can cause scores to go up!) but too hard to really enjoy, still.
Worst course played - Woodhall Spa (Bracken). Every bit as nonsensically bad as I remembered. Standing on the second tee was a @WTF?@ moment of the worst sort.
Course I'd happily play every day for the rest of my life - Elie. And one day maybe I will.....
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Best New Course played - Gog Magog. Not a lot of golf this year, as I was training on my bike most of the season but this was far from the flat, dull experience I expected. Really very good. Also, therefore, wins unexpected (pleasant) surprise.
Best links and best golf course played - Muirfield. As I expect it will always be until I no longer get games there....
Best budget - Kinghorn. As wild, whacky and fun as my first visit.
Most improved - Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin). Used to be dull, dull to look at and too hard. Now just too hard. Massively improved over what I remembered (amazing how removing trees can cause scores to go up!) but too hard to really enjoy, still.
Worst course played - Woodhall Spa (Bracken). Every bit as nonsensically bad as I remembered. Standing on the second tee was a @WTF?@ moment of the worst sort.
Course I'd happily play every day for the rest of my life - Elie. And one day maybe I will.....
I want to play Gogs. Its on the back of my mind list
Merry Christmas
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Sean you’d be very welcome at the Gogs any time. Just let me know.
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I really like the Old course at the Gogs. But I wish the club would be brave enough to clear out all the rubbish vegetation from the big chalk pits. It would be super-dramatic.
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Sean you’d be very welcome at the Gogs any time. Just let me know.
Hi Richard,
Robin has always wanted to play the Wandlebury as he had a bit of design involvement but has never played the course!! It has been a while since I have played the Wandlebury as have already played the Old a few times.
Cheers
Ben
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Sean you’d be very welcome at the Gogs any time. Just let me know.
Very fine!
Merry Christmas
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The best, best new and my favorites of 2022 were Royal Dornoch and Cruden Bay
Most Surprising were Nairn and Country Club of Florida. I booked Nairn with low expectations as compared to the others I played in Aberdeen and the Highlands, and loved everything about Nairn. I knew nothing about CC of FL when I received the invitation to play, and was very pleasantly surprised.
Best affordable - Deltona Club (FL) Green fee is around $35 most of the year. In Winter it can still be played any time of day under $50.
Favorite courses to play day after day:
Southern Dunes, Haines City, FL - Other than Streamsong, which is too expensive to play on a regular basis, and Mountain Lake which I can't get on, this is my course of choice within 50 miles of my FL home. It ticks off a lot of boxes: excellent greens, angles and options, hard to lose a ball, but an interesting challenge play after play, elevation changes rare to the area and a great value. With the local card I can play most of the year at prime tee times for $65 or less. Even during the prime tourist season I can play mid day for $69 and twilight for $55
In the summer when in New Jersey, it's River Vale Country Club. For anyone in the NY/NJ metro area who hasn't played there in the last 2 or 3 years, you should visit. They've removed hundreds of trees and opened up the site lines across the course. They renovated several of the bunkers and moved two or three for strategic purposes. It's on an excellent rolling piece of land and has a great variety of holes and some quirk.
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Best New Play Course 2022
West Hill, unquestionably
Most pleasant Surprise
Thorndon Park
Most disappointing moment on a great course
The bonkers walk routing from the 'ordinary' club tees to play the new Hoylake short hole (and I still prefer the old Rushes 13th)
Best Return after a While Away
Wallasey
V glad Sean approves of all the work that has been done at Porthcawl, and there are plans afoot to do something with the 17th: completely agree that the 12th and 17th are relatively uninspiring, compared to everything else! Elsewhere in Wales Harlech irrigation system now bedding in, and the fairways etc should be pretty good for 2023, even if the dormy expansion project is caught up in National Park stuffage. RStD does need I think to tighten up one or two greens (e.g. 2nd, 8th, 9th) that have lost bunkers over the years, as the water table has risen.
Happy Christmas to one and all!
This is the first time I have heard of the harsh walk for Hoylake's new short hole. This is not music to my ears. I guess the drone footage is pretty though 😁.
Merry Christmas
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The walk to the new Hoylake short hole makes sense if you are playing the surrounding 600-yard par fives from the Open tees...but for ordinary member play it is a long way round.
The Gogs has had Martin Ebert working on both courses, with a major bunker programme on the Wandlebury (which has never been as good, or as popular with the membership, as perhaps it should have been). Would be super to host a trio of GCA friends there, on either of the courses at some point in 2023.
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The walk to the new Hoylake short hole makes sense if you are playing the surrounding 600-yard par fives from the Open tees...but for ordinary member play it is a long way round.
The Gogs has had Martin Ebert working on both courses, with a major bunker programme on the Wandlebury (which has never been as good, or as popular with the membership, as perhaps it should have been). Would be super to host a trio of GCA friends there, on either of the courses at some point in 2023.
Richard
Do you know Rhod Thomas?
Ciao
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Yes!
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Yes!
I have played with Rhod a handful of times. Good lad.
Ciao
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The walk to the new Hoylake short hole makes sense if you are playing the surrounding 600-yard par fives from the Open tees...but for ordinary member play it is a long way round.
The Gogs has had Martin Ebert working on both courses, with a major bunker programme on the Wandlebury (which has never been as good, or as popular with the membership, as perhaps it should have been). Would be super to host a trio of GCA friends there, on either of the courses at some point in 2023.
I'd be very keen to revisit and can always find an excuse to work from our Cambridge office.....
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Best New Play Course 2022
West Hill, unquestionably
Most pleasant Surprise
Thorndon Park
Most disappointing moment on a great course
The bonkers walk routing from the 'ordinary' club tees to play the new Hoylake short hole (and I still prefer the old Rushes 13th)
Best Return after a While Away
Wallasey
V glad Sean approves of all the work that has been done at Porthcawl, and there are plans afoot to do something with the 17th: completely agree that the 12th and 17th are relatively uninspiring, compared to everything else! Elsewhere in Wales Harlech irrigation system now bedding in, and the fairways etc should be pretty good for 2023, even if the dormy expansion project is caught up in National Park stuffage. RStD does need I think to tighten up one or two greens (e.g. 2nd, 8th, 9th) that have lost bunkers over the years, as the water table has risen.
Happy Christmas to one and all!
I like the 17th, though it is a tough hole for shorter hitters. I have more an issue with the final holes having breaks in the fairways. There is an element of redundancy.
Happy New Year
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Best Course Played This Year: This will be a surprise for many...Porthcawl. These last few visits have really turned my head. I am all in.
High praise indeed. I've always been a fan of Porthcawl.
Excited to see the Senior Open there again on a great true links.
2022 was an unusual year for me on the course list.
I played zero links courses, despite making one trip overseas to the UK.
My awards were:
Most surprising repeat play -Aiken GC-every time I return I am amazed-the greens!! untainted by the ugly quest for green speed-diabolical slope.
I played 15 feet of break on a 10 foot putt. Not even explainable to someone who plays vapid greens(or hole locations) designed for everyday speeds of 12.
Favorite affordable not named Aiken GC
Shennecossett
Best New Play-Tree Farm
Note -Old Barnwell has only 7 holes shaped and grassed
Best New play 9 Holes-Fenwick
Honorable mention Best New play Worcester CC, Hollywood GC
Favorite Rounds on a new play course
Blairgowrie Rosemont-watching my son beat me for the first time in a practice round, then finding a little magic myself in the event proper
Runnerup-Pitlochry
Best Course spectated at in a major-(in order)
TOC
TCC
ANGC
Gleneagles Kings
Best Course played where a major was played that year
ANGC
Best Course played in a major
Gleneagles Kings
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I like Jeff Warne’s categories and added two more.
Most Surprising Repeat Play-I got my third trip around Eastward Ho after the last play in 2016. I forgot just how compelling the golf course is until back out there-WOW!!!!
Favorite Lucky Seven Repeat Plays - Yale, Essex County Club, Salem CC, Shuttle Meadow CC, Mid Pines, Pine Needles, Southern Pines
Favorite Affordable-Keney Park with a nod to East Mountain GC
Best New Play-Jump Ball between Manasquan River and Rutland CC
Best New 9 holer-Acoaxcet Club with a runner up
to Highland Links
Best Repeat 9 holer-Pine Orchard Yacht and CC
Honorable Mention Best New Plays-Tedesco CC, Wahconah CC and Ledgemont CC
Favorite Round on a New Course-Cape Cod National with honorable mention to The GC at Equinox
Best Course Spectated in a Major-The Country Club
Played no courses in a Major :P
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2022 Courses Played (in order played, * is new)
Jockey Club Azul*
Rustic Canyon
Soule Park
Wilshire CC
Virginia CC*
Riviera CC
Boston GC*
George Wright*
Chicago GC
Torrey Pines North* post re-do
Rancho Park
Favorite New Course Boston GC
Favorite Affordable New Course George Wright
Best Course Spectated At A Major TCC
GCAers Played With 6
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2022 Courses Played (in order played, * is new)
Jockey Club Azul*
Rustic Canyon
Soule Park
Wilshire CC
Virginia CC*
Riviera CC
Boston GC*
George Wright*
Chicago GC
Torrey Pines North* post re-do
Rancho Park
Favorite New Course Boston GC
Favorite Affordable New Course George Wright
Best Course Spectated At A Major TCC
GCAers Played With 6
There are two courses on your list I am keen to see... Wilshire and G Wright. They could be much further apart in the continental US 😎.
Ciao
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2022 Courses Played (in order played, * is new)
Jockey Club Azul*
Rustic Canyon
Soule Park
Wilshire CC
Virginia CC*
Riviera CC
Boston GC*
George Wright*
Chicago GC
Torrey Pines North* post re-do
Rancho Park
Favorite New Course Boston GC
Favorite Affordable New Course George Wright
Best Course Spectated At A Major TCC
GCAers Played With 6
There are two courses on your list I am keen to see... Wilshire and G Wright. They could be much further apart in the continental US 😎.
Ciao
Sean,
I played George Wright during US Open week and it was in tip top shape. Fun course, rugged, some big movement. A few clunky holes to start and finish. In particular I loved the downhill dogleg right 5th to a punchbowl and the terraced fairway 12th.
Wilshire is one of the great walks in LA. It's near or at the top of the 2nd tier of LA clubs. I'd argue it's my favorite membership of the crop in the city (I haven't played Lakeside yet!) The barranca gets a lot of play and it drains phenomenally well. The par 3s have some of the most unique green shapes you'll ever see.
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2022 Courses Played (in order played, * is new)
Jockey Club Azul*
Rustic Canyon
Soule Park
Wilshire CC
Virginia CC*
Riviera CC
Boston GC*
George Wright*
Chicago GC
Torrey Pines North* post re-do
Rancho Park
Favorite New Course Boston GC
Favorite Affordable New Course George Wright
Best Course Spectated At A Major TCC
GCAers Played With 6
There are two courses on your list I am keen to see... Wilshire and G Wright. They could be much further apart in the continental US 😎.
Ciao
Sean,
I played George Wright during US Open week and it was in tip top shape. Fun course, rugged, some big movement. A few clunky holes to start and finish. In particular I loved the downhill dogleg right 5th to a punchbowl and the terraced fairway 12th.
Wilshire is one of the great walks in LA. It's near or at the top of the 2nd tier of LA clubs. I'd argue it's my favorite membership of the crop in the city (I haven't played Lakeside yet!) The barranca gets a lot of play and it drains phenomenally well. The par 3s have some of the most unique green shapes you'll ever see.
Tal not to put you on the spot by any means, but I have read this numerous times on the site where someone says something similiar about the membership. "Great membership" or "The club's membership is second to none."
What exactly do people mean? Isn't is your host they are referencing, or they are just commenting on how friendly the strangers are who are members? If a club can have a great membership, then others can have bad by comparison I suppose although I'm not sure how. I certainly don't think we are referencing wealth or wouldn't think so, but maybe I'm wrong?
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Jeff, when I think of membership I think of the atmosphere of the club. The people, the staff, the camaraderie, the 'am-I-walking-on-eggshells' of the place.
I'm extremely fortunate to have played Wilshire numerous times with many different hosts and many different members joining us for a round. Every single time it's been beyond welcoming and friendly, they all genuinely interact with you and I've made some lifelong friends on that course. Men, women, people twice my age, kids half mine, and every creed/color.
Contrast that with other prominent clubs in the LA area and you might see/feel something totally different. Some places you're there to experience an incredible golf course and get off the property shortly thereafter. Even when you do grab a drink or a meal afterwards it's not as lively or lighthearted.
Of course this is all down to personal taste and individual experience, your mileage may vary. There's a certain you know it when you see it about 'membership.' It has zero to do with wealth.
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2022 Courses Played (in order played, * is new)
Jockey Club Azul*
Rustic Canyon
Soule Park
Wilshire CC
Virginia CC*
Riviera CC
Boston GC*
George Wright*
Chicago GC
Torrey Pines North* post re-do
Rancho Park
Favorite New Course Boston GC
Favorite Affordable New Course George Wright
Best Course Spectated At A Major TCC
GCAers Played With 6
There are two courses on your list I am keen to see... Wilshire and G Wright. They could be much further apart in the continental US .
Ciao
Sean,
I played George Wright during US Open week and it was in tip top shape. Fun course, rugged, some big movement. A few clunky holes to start and finish. In particular I loved the downhill dogleg right 5th to a punchbowl and the terraced fairway 12th.
Wilshire is one of the great walks in LA. It's near or at the top of the 2nd tier of LA clubs. I'd argue it's my favorite membership of the crop in the city (I haven't played Lakeside yet!) The barranca gets a lot of play and it drains phenomenally well. The par 3s have some of the most unique green shapes you'll ever see.
Thanks Tal. Maybe one day I will make it to California. I always swore I wouldn't visit until I had a game at CPC on the books. Which LACC course had the course within a course concept? That place has a strong pull as well. But Wilshire is right behind these two.
Ciao
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2022 Courses Played (in order played, * is new)
Jockey Club Azul*
Rustic Canyon
Soule Park
Wilshire CC
Virginia CC*
Riviera CC
Boston GC*
George Wright*
Chicago GC
Torrey Pines North* post re-do
Rancho Park
Favorite New Course Boston GC
Favorite Affordable New Course George Wright
Best Course Spectated At A Major TCC
GCAers Played With 6
There are two courses on your list I am keen to see... Wilshire and G Wright. They could be much further apart in the continental US .
Ciao
Sean,
I played George Wright during US Open week and it was in tip top shape. Fun course, rugged, some big movement. A few clunky holes to start and finish. In particular I loved the downhill dogleg right 5th to a punchbowl and the terraced fairway 12th.
Wilshire is one of the great walks in LA. It's near or at the top of the 2nd tier of LA clubs. I'd argue it's my favorite membership of the crop in the city (I haven't played Lakeside yet!) The barranca gets a lot of play and it drains phenomenally well. The par 3s have some of the most unique green shapes you'll ever see.
Thanks Tal. Maybe one day I will make it to California. I always swore I wouldn't visit until I had a game at CPC on the books. Which LACC course had the course within a course concept? That place has a strong pull as well. But Wilshire is right behind these two.
Ciao
Sean, there's so much incredible golf in CA that a trip out here sans Cypress is still well worth the travel. But you already know that!
Not sure RE: LACC course within a course, can you elaborate?