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Tom_Doak

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A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« on: July 11, 2012, 02:43:45 PM »
After my trip to the Dakotas last week, I have reviews of courses in 43 states for the next edition of The Confidential Guide.  Before publication -- two years away at the earliest -- I'm determined to include at least one course worth reviewing in every state, except Alaska, unless someone convinces me there is a course there that deserves a special trip.

The other states I am missing are New Hampshire, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Wyoming, and Utah.

If I am going to review just one or two courses in those states, which would be of most interest to readers?  The only one I've got a good list for is Utah -- courtesy of Matt Ward! -- where I hope to see Red Ledges, Promontory, Glenwild, and/or Sand Hollow.

I will ask for similar help for overseas destinations another day.  For now, please keep your recommendations to the six states I've listed.  Thanks for your help.
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Wayne Wiggins, Jr.

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2012, 02:47:56 PM »
How about The (Salt Lake City) Country Club?  As one of the oldest clubs west of the Mississippi that would seem to be interesting.  Willie Watson was involved in original design/layout (according to their website) w/ recent work done by Harbottle.
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Will MacEwen

Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2012, 02:49:46 PM »
The Balsams in NH?
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Bill Hyde

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #3 on: July 11, 2012, 02:52:59 PM »
Bald Peak (Ross) in NH. Make it a family vacation.
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Howard Riefs

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2012, 02:54:58 PM »
Arkansas
Alotian Club

Louisiana
Metairie (Raynor)
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"Golf combines two favorite American pastimes: Taking long walks and hitting things with a stick."  ~P.J. O'Rourke

Carl Nichols

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2012, 02:57:47 PM »
I agree with Bill on Bald Peak Colony in NH. In addition, I have heard (haven't seen it yet post-reno) that Brian Silva's restoration of Ross's design of the Bretton Woods (Mount Washington) course is great.  Both places are also incredibly nice places to take a family vacation. 
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Tom_Doak

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2012, 02:58:55 PM »
Quote from: Howard Riefs on July 11, 2012, 02:54:58 PM
Arkansas
Alotian Club


I've heard that The Alotian Club asks visitors to sign something saying they will not rate the golf course.  If so, that would kind of defeat the purpose of a visit ... but they will definitely get a "mention" in The Confidential Guide if that's really their policy.
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PThomas

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2012, 02:59:12 PM »
probably Fallen Oak in MS Tom

I also just played the course at the Omni Resort in NH , a Ross worked on by Silva...greens were VERY/TOO slow, however...and Carl is right, the hotel there is fabulous
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197 played, only 3 to go!!

Phil McDade

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #8 on: July 11, 2012, 02:59:47 PM »
Texarkana CC in Arkansas, a Langford/Moreau where Byron Nelson once served as the head pro. Has had some renovation work done, and not sure how much of Langford/Moreau's style remains, but I believe the original routing is still intact.

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Tom_Doak

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #9 on: July 11, 2012, 03:01:49 PM »
Quote from: Bill Hyde on July 11, 2012, 02:52:59 PM
Bald Peak (Ross) in NH. Make it a family vacation.

That sounds nice, but my next two family vacations are likely to be at Rock Creek (Montana) and Banff.  Plus we live in Traverse City.
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George Pazin

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #10 on: July 11, 2012, 03:06:23 PM »
Rochelle Ranch in Wyoming.

There were a few threads awhile back that looked compelling. Architect's name rings a bell...
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Carl Nichols

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #11 on: July 11, 2012, 03:07:06 PM »
Quote from: Tom_Doak on July 11, 2012, 03:01:49 PM
Quote from: Bill Hyde on July 11, 2012, 02:52:59 PM
Bald Peak (Ross) in NH. Make it a family vacation.

That sounds nice, but my next two family vacations are likely to be at Rock Creek (Montana) and Banff.  Plus we live in Traverse City.

So if it's just you, fly into Boston or Manchester, NH; drive up to Bald Peak (on Lake Winnipesaukee); drive to Bretton Woods/Mount Washington; then back to Manchester/Boston.  
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Howard Riefs

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #12 on: July 11, 2012, 03:07:12 PM »
Quote from: Tom_Doak on July 11, 2012, 02:58:55 PM
Quote from: Howard Riefs on July 11, 2012, 02:54:58 PM
Arkansas
Alotian Club


I've heard that The Alotian Club asks visitors to sign something saying they will not rate the golf course.  If so, that would kind of defeat the purpose of a visit ... but they will definitely get a "mention" in The Confidential Guide if that's really their policy.

Interesting. Then there are at least 45 offenders and/or members that helped the club secure its #14 ranking in Golf Digest.

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"Golf combines two favorite American pastimes: Taking long walks and hitting things with a stick."  ~P.J. O'Rourke

K. Krahenbuhl

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #13 on: July 11, 2012, 03:08:14 PM »
Squier Creek CC is the course in Louisiana.  If you'd like more info or an introduction send me a PM.
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Dan Kelly

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #14 on: July 11, 2012, 03:14:46 PM »
How about Hanover CC (the Dartmouth course)? Sounds like a distinctive one, inspiring divided views.

From the Website (http://golf.dartmouth.edu/course/map/index.html:

Hanover Country Club is an 18 hole championship course that underwent a major renovation in 2001. The course was lengthened to 6500 yards, four new holes were added, and all 18 greens were reconstructed with distinctive Donald Ross style features under the design and direction of golf architect, Ron Prichard. It is the home of the Men's and Women's Dartmouth golf teams and the Hanover High School State Champion team. We are a semi-private club and welcome public play.
« Last Edit: July 11, 2012, 03:22:06 PM by Dan Kelly »
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"There's no money in doing less." -- Joe Hancock, 11/25/2010
"Rankings are silly and subjective..." -- Tom Doak, 3/12/2016

Chris_Blakely

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #15 on: July 11, 2012, 03:15:19 PM »
If you are looking for a course in New Hampshire, I recommend The Balsam Resort - Panorama Course.  Donald Ross course circa 1912 - 1915.  Although, the resort is closed until 2013 for renovations - not sure if the golf course is open or not?

Chris

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Jim Johnson

Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #16 on: July 11, 2012, 03:16:50 PM »
Tom, I'm curious which courses you saw/played in the Dakotas during your trip last week.
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Mark Saltzman

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #17 on: July 11, 2012, 03:17:34 PM »
Tom, in UT please don't miss The Country Club in Salt Lake. I'd also be interested in seeing a rating of Victory Ranch (especially if you would make a comment about how well or not Rees Jones used the property).

In Wyoming be sure to visit Shooting Star. Of the 40ish Tom Fazio designs I've seen I think it may be his best. Certainly among his top-5. If in the Jackson area already to see SS, it would make sense to see Huntsman Springs (just over the mountain in Idaho), 3 Creek Ranch, and Teton Pines.
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Carl Nichols

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #18 on: July 11, 2012, 03:21:57 PM »
Quote from: Dan Kelly on July 11, 2012, 03:14:46 PM
How about Hanover CC (the Dartmouth course)? Sounds like a distinctive one, inspiring divided views.

Have played it many times, both before and after a substantial renovation that added several new holes.  It's a better course now, but the old version had a lot more quirk (it still certainly has some).  I wouldn't go out of my way to play it. 
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Mike Nuzzo

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #19 on: July 11, 2012, 03:22:49 PM »
Quote from: Kyle Krahenbuhl on July 11, 2012, 03:08:14 PM
Squier Creek CC is the course in Louisiana.  If you'd like more info or an introduction send me a PM.

Kyle,
Is that better than The Bluffs on Thompson Creek - if it is still open? - I saw it in 2000
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JMEvensky

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #20 on: July 11, 2012, 03:22:54 PM »
Also in Mississippi--Old Waverley and the 2 courses in Philadelphia (Pearl River Casino).

In Arkansas,Michael Wharton-Palmer would be the guy to ask.
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Jud_T

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #21 on: July 11, 2012, 03:24:23 PM »
Kingswood in Moultonboro, NH is a Ross worth seeing if you're in the area.  Very old school with some surprising elevation changes used to good effect.  Probably not the one course to see in the state (Bald Peak, the Balsams?), but I was pleasantly surprised when I played it a couple years ago.  
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Golf is a game. We play it. Somewhere along the way we took the fun out of it and charged a premium to be punished.- - Ron Sirak

Dan Kelly

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #22 on: July 11, 2012, 03:25:31 PM »
Quote from: Carl Nichols on July 11, 2012, 03:21:57 PM
Quote from: Dan Kelly on July 11, 2012, 03:14:46 PM
How about Hanover CC (the Dartmouth course)? Sounds like a distinctive one, inspiring divided views.

Have played it many times, both before and after a substantial renovation that added several new holes.  It's a better course now, but the old version had a lot more quirk (it still certainly has some).  I wouldn't go out of my way to play it. 

Thanks. But isn't that exactly the sort of guidance one wants from The Confidential Guide?

(Besides, if you're in New Hampshire, you don't have to go out of your way! [Emoticon omitted.])
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"There's no money in doing less." -- Joe Hancock, 11/25/2010
"Rankings are silly and subjective..." -- Tom Doak, 3/12/2016

K. Krahenbuhl

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #23 on: July 11, 2012, 03:29:46 PM »
Quote from: Mike Nuzzo on July 11, 2012, 03:22:49 PM
Quote from: Kyle Krahenbuhl on July 11, 2012, 03:08:14 PM
Squier Creek CC is the course in Louisiana.  If you'd like more info or an introduction send me a PM.

Kyle,
Is that better than The Bluffs on Thompson Creek - if it is still open? - I saw it in 2000

I've only played The Bluffs once, but that was enough to absolutely favor Squier Creek.
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Michael Dugger

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Re: A Little Help for The Confidential Guide
« Reply #24 on: July 11, 2012, 03:30:39 PM »
From my home state of Oregon, I'd be curious for Tom's input on a lot of the newer Central Oregon courses.

He may very well have checked some of them out during construction of the now defunct Wicked Pony.

But I'm curious for his take on both Pronghorns, Tetherow, Juniper, Aspen Lakes, and Brasada.
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What does it matter if the poor player can putt all the way from tee to green, provided that he has to zigzag so frequently that he takes six or seven putts to reach it?     --Alistair Mackenzie--
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