Monterey is one of my favorite areas of the country before you even considering the loads of great golf. Great options for low to high spend golf, lodging and food; and just a beautiful area of the country. Was there this past May with a few friends; a couple of the guys had never seen Bixby Bridge -- that hour drive down and back was spectacular on a sunny day, one of the trip highlights. And, as you mention, easy flights, particularly if you can go straight to Monterey, which is 15 minutes from virtually all of the courses you want to play (and under an hour to Pasatiempo).

I worked at Les Bolstad in college and met my wife there; it is a place that holds a lot of fun memories for us. Its current iteration isn’t a much of an asset to the university, although I would argue that recreational green space in the city for faculty, staff, students, and alumni has value. It is also a place where different university departments can and do run research studies. Regardless, in an age where other schools are investing in their golf courses (especially fellow B1G and border school, Iowa) it’s a shame The U isn’t willing to follow suit. I remember seeing plans about a decade ago of a Tom Lehman redesign that would’ve made the course a worthy test for a D1 golf team. It was 7000+ yards, par 70, if I’m remembering correctly.

Walnut Creek is severely underrated. Best in town outside of Commonground

Great summary, Lukas! I chatted about this at more length with Harley as well.

Great summary, Lukas! I chatted about this at kore length with Harley as well.

Yea I realized after asking the question that it won’t apply to many people but I’m always curious if certain courses from these designers turn people off. It’s often very difficult for me to find strong critiques of CC and Doak designs so I’m interested in differing opinions.

Riverdale Dunes for sure. I also like Murphy Creek, and I was pleasantly surprised by Spring Valley in Elizabeth. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Wellshire since it is where I learned the game.

Whoa! Thanks for sharing. Must try.

I’m also in atlanta. PDC is a beautiful piece of property. The course whipped me the time I played it. Public golfer here, love going to The Fields, sneaking a round in at Bobby, or finding time to play a new course. The atlanta golf scene is tough since the best courses are private and the public courses largely are forgettable at best.

How did you like it? I keep trying to convince my friends to take a winter trip there without luck.