Matt Johnson
A few thoughts -
Resort golf is just that! Resort. The courses, hotels, cottages, bars, Bev carts are all there to make money. You want the golf, it comes with the whole package. I have a unique insight at Pinehurst and have been to many others as well. The problem, which can be ugly, is not as big an issue as some might think.
The biggest cause of the issue is the growth of the game. Just imagine how up in arms folks were when hickory was replaced with steel! I’ve been playing for over 40 years mainly competitive but also recreationally/travel golf too. I LOVE the growth the game is experiencing, I love that young people are coming to the game in droves, and I love the new “golden age” of course design that is exploding to meet the exploding demand!! If I have to see a bunch of knuckleheads drink to excess and act stupidly, honestly I’m ok with that trade off. I don’t care who you are or where the golf is, if you love golf and the course is there, count me in!! I’m having the time of my life….knuckleheads and all.
Last thought - your trip in 2028 should consider Pinehurst as No. 11 will be open and maybe even another short course at the Sandmines!
Link to commentMike Ihm
Would be an insane list if you included "played on" vs Uni specific courses. For my state, Iowa state never plays Veenker, always Harvester and Iowa (pre reno) goes to CRCC for important days.
Link to commentBen Denison
Warren is my happy place. When it was 20 bucks to loop in afternoons, spent too much time there!
Link to commentBen Denison
Would be great if OTC offered a few tee times for WF students regularly
Link to commentBrad Weatherspoon
Yeah, fair point there. I missed the public-ish access blurb...
Then I'll comment on my neck of the woods. Duke has an RTJ Sr. design, if that's your thing. NCSU has a fairly new-ish (2009) Arnold Palmer that offers nice views of downtown Raleigh, but the routing is fairly disjointed. UNC-CH has recently undergone a DL3 renovation, which I haven't seen, but I've heard reports that it's much better now. None of those hold a candle to its other ACC brethren farther west, however.
Link to commentBenjamin Williams
I’d consider that a country club a college team plays on, not a university course
Link to commentBrad Weatherspoon
Surprised not to see a 3 Egger in Old Town Club in Winston-Salem, home of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Perry Maxwell's design over some incredible land with some really great greens renovated by C&C. Garrett's course profile and the FE's YouTube video are really good.
I was fortunate enough to play via FEGC about a year and a half ago and still think about it every other day, if not daily.
Link to commentMarcus Dittmer
I haven't played a ton of campus courses but the Warren Course at Notre Dame is really, really good and very enjoyable to play.
It was re-done by Love Design in 2019/2020 but Birdwood at UVA is really enjoyable and a good test.
Link to commentWesley Domeck
Palouse Ridge in Pullman is a great college course as well. Undulating, exposed, and great views of one of the most underrated landscapes in the country.
Actually, as I type this, I'm beginning to wonder if there is any chance the Palouse region becomes a future boomtown for golf.
Link to commentBen Denison
Indiana college golf course tour is best budget golf trip in country: Warren + Pfau + Both Purdue courses. If could a Culver invite as well then it can't be beat.
Renovated Yale is awesome by the way, just played on friday. Greens massively expanded. 10 is even more diabolical now. I think the price point might keep some away and probably some additional growing needed, but I'd get there ASAP if anywhere close.
Link to commentBen Denison
Better than terrific! Severely underrated (we need the FEGC SVK tour one day!)
Link to commentBen Denison
Pretty sure he has offered, but they'd lose valuable football parking while it was being done - feels like they should be penalized for parking cars on a Mackenzie course in college course rankings
Link to commentBen Denison
As a clemson alum, Walker is fun and is indeed one of the best publics in the area, but sadly that says more about the area than Walker. Many great afternoons spent there!
Link to commentConnor O'Grady
Dan Kochevar who is out at the back of the range at Oak Meadows.
Link to commentWill Knights
Matt saw both! He said the redone AA is pretty awesome. His photos are pretty cool
Link to commentEddie Bajek
Kampen for Purdue, I assume, or did you get the renovated Ackerman-Allen course (which has been redone since my days there, which is why I am a bit curious)
Link to commentNathan Carr
"Bring dispersion patterns back in line with the game board on which the sport is played."
This is a very succinct way to explain the need for a roll back.
Link to commentBenjamin Williams
Would be cool if Devries did a mini reno, the greens and topography seem squarely in his wheelhouse
Link to commentBenjamin Williams
Would be cool if Devries did a mini reno, the greens and topography seem squarely in his wheelhouse
Link to comment