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20 U.S.
GOLF COURSES
As well-known golfer and musician Neil Young put it, rust never sleeps, and that’s why golf courses are subject to endless tweaking, tinkering, and fine-tuning to maintain their sparkle. Our Platinum List winners clearly know the formula; many of the courses here have held steady for five straight years for good reason. Our Editors’ Choices part the curtain to show a few others working hard just offstage. — THOMAS BEDELL
1 PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS, CALIFORNIA
This seaside gem is our readers’ clear favorite once again, and it has made or is planning changes to no fewer than 10 holes — albeit with an eye toward 2010, when the U.S. Open returns for the fifth time. It may take an eagle-eyed reader to notice such details as three new fairway bunkers along the right side of the third hole, but the reader is forgiven for losing the details in the overall splendor of course and resort. (800) 654-9300 or (831) 622-8723, www.pebblebeach.com
2 TORREY PINES SOUTH COURSE, LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA
This coastal muni leapfrogged into second place this year, perhaps because of double-dipping — the 2008 U.S. Open, June 9 to 15, and January 2009’s Buick Invitational. Tiger Woods has won four consecutive Buick Invitationals; can he win again? Overnight guests can retire to the Lodge at Torrey Pines (800-656-0087, www.lodgetorreypines.com), located on the 18th fairway. (800) 985- 4653 or (858) 452-3226, www.torreypinesgolfcourse.com
3 PINEHURST NO. 2, NORTH CAROLINA
We noted in the winter CL the incredible 30-day Pinehurst Golf Sabbatical, a run-of-the-resort deal for a bargain $29,500. Also available is the tidy 10-day Pinehurst Immersion package ($11,500). The U.S. Amateur will immerse itself here August 18 to 24. (800) 487-4653 or (910) 235-8507, www.pinehurst.com
4 MAUNA KEA GOLF COURSE, KOHALA COAST, HAWAII
As post-2006 earthquake hotel renovation continued, a course makeover seemed apt, too. Readers bumped Mauna Kea up a notch even though it’s been closed since last May. Rees Jones’ upgrade of papa Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s design will debut late 2008. (888) 977-4623, www.princeresortshawaii.com
5 HARBOUR TOWN GOLF LINKS, HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA
Almost 40 years after his famed Harbour Town opened, Pete Dye returned to The Sea Pines Resort to create the new Heron Point by Pete Dye, unveiled in September. (800) 732-7463 or (843) 785-3333, www.seapines.com
6 SPYGLASS HILL GOLF COURSE, PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA
One tough cookie from Robert Trent Jones Sr. And if the improved drainage isn’t alluring, it invisibly makes the round at Spyglass a more enchanting affair. (800) 654-9300 or (831) 625-8563, www.pebblebeach.com
7 BLACKWOLF RUN (RIVER COURSE), KOHLER, WISCONSIN
It’s anniversary year at Destination Kohler — the 20th for Blackwolf Run, the 10th for Whistling Straits (No. 10, below), and the 90th for the posh American Club. (800) 344-2838 or (920) 457-8000, www.destinationkohler.com
8 THE PLANTATION COURSE, MAUI, HAWAII
Golf-rich Kapalua Resort is spreading the wealth among the pros this year. The PGA Tour January season opener is always at The Plantation Course, but in October the LPGA will attack The Bay Course. (877) 527-2582 or (808) 665-9198, www.kapalua.com
9 COG HILL NO. 4, LEMONT, ILLINOIS
Can Rees Jones and Greg Muirhead improve on Dubsdread? The answer will come this fall or next spring after a major reconstruction of Cog Hill’s most famous course. Meanwhile, No. 2, the Ravines, is no slouch. (866) 264-4455, www.coghillgolf.com
10 WHISTLING STRAITS (STRAITS COURSE), KOHLER, WISCONSIN
Readers bumped the Straits Course into the top 10, perhaps noting the looming tournament schedule — the 2010 and 2015 PGA Championships and the 2020 Ryder Cup. (800) 344- 2838 or (920) 457-8000, www.destinationkohler.com
 11 TROON NORTH GOLF CLUB, SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA
The most dramatic renovation of the lot, since Tom Weiskopf spent two years blending and reconfiguring the Monument and Pinnacle courses, essentially creating two new layouts. (888) 876-6687 or (480) 585-7700, www.troonnorthgolf.com
12 ARNOLD PALMER’S BAY HILL CLUB & LODGE, ORLANDO, FLORIDA
Tiger Woods’ electrifying victory here in March tied him with Ben Hogan in career wins. Visitors will happily find playing conditions have eased up. (888) 422-9445 or (407) 876-2429, www.bayhill.com
13 PRINCE COURSE, KAUAI, HAWAII
Princeville Hotel is closing in September to reemerge as The St. Regis Resort, Princeville, in April 2009. The Prince Course will remain open for play. (800) 826-1105 or (808) 826-9644, www.princeville.com
14 THE OCEAN COURSE, KIAWAH ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA
The Ocean Course moved up three spots this year, and both The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island and the Sanctuary Spa garnered Mobil Five Star Awards in January. (800) 654-2924 or (843) 768-6000, www.kiawahresort.com
15 THE PLAYERS STADIUM COURSE AT SAWGRASS, PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA
For a taste of the pro life, try a Tour Player Experience, complete with gifts, locker privileges, individual caddies, instruction, meals, and more. (800) 766-7939, www.tpc.com/sawgrass
16 BANDON DUNES, BANDON, OREGON
The 39-room Inn at Bandon Dunes opens this summer near the finishing hole at David McLay Kidd’s course. The fourth course at the resort will open in 2010. (888) 345-6008 or (541) 347-4380, www.bandondunesgolf.com
17 BETHPAGE STATE PARK BLACK COURSE, FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK
The U.S. Open was a great success at this walking-only course in 2002, so it’s returning next year. (516) 249-4040, www.nysparks.state.ny.us/golf
18 MONARCH BEACH GOLF LINKS, DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA
Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed the course at this bejeweled St. Regis property, a Platinum List favorite. (888) 876-6687 or 949-234-3200, www.stregismb.com
19 THE CHALLENGE AT MANELE BAY, LANAI, HAWAII
Aptly named, since this Jack Nicklaus bear works along rugged lava cliffs. A major renovation just ended, resurfacing greens and re-sanding bunkers. (800) 819-5053 or (808) 565-2000, www.fourseasons.com/manelebay
20 THE DUNES GOLF AND BEACH CLUB, MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA
Waterloo, the 13th hole, is the most likely spot for gators and bogeys at this Robert Trent Jones Sr. Myrtle Beach archetype, freshened up by son, Rees. (843) 449-5236, www.thedunesclub.net
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20 INTERNATIONAL
GOLF COURSES
1 ST ANDREWS (OLD COURSE), SCOTLAND
The
women’s British Open was contested here for the first time last year,
to winner Lorena Ochoa’s delight. This May 30 to June 1, the amateurs
will have their first shot in the 35th Curtis Cup. The Men’s Open
Championship returns in 2010. The golfing grounds may be ancient, but
they’re lively, and there’s plenty of other action in the auld grey
toon. On June 28 the long-anticipated Castle Course opens for play. A
wedge shot away, the Fairmont St Andrews (www.fairmont.com/standrews) is finishing up a major renovation. 011-44- 133-446-6666, www.standrews.org.uk
2 CARNOUSTIE (CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE), SCOTLAND
Padraig
Harrington’s roller coaster ride to victory in the 2007 Open
Championship showed Carnoustie arguably remains the toughest course in
the rota. “Credit to Carnoustie,” he said, “it’s one of the best in the
world.” Readers agree, moving it up a full three spots to second place.
011- 44-124-180-2270, www.carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk
3 BALLYBUNION (OLD COURSE), IRELAND
It’s
becoming almost as difficult to get on Ballybunion’s Old Course as St
Andrews’, but don’t give up. This classic Irish seaside links course
will test your accuracy and your patience through unforgiving greens
and plenty of uphill, downhill, and sidehill shots. 011-353-68- 27146, www.ballybuniongolfclub.ie
4 CABO DEL SOL OCEAN COURSE, LOS CABOS, MEXICO
The
golf offerings in Los Cabos are many, varied, and all enticing. The
Nicklaus Ocean Course sets the standard, long considered the best track
in Mexico. (877) 703-4394 or (213) 891-6385, www.cabodelsol.com
5 THE FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS GOLF COURSE, CANADA
Launching
shots into the vast Canadian Rockies backdrop quickly produces the apt
one-word description for Stanley Thompson’s 1928 masterpiece: majestic.
Add rounds at Thompson’s equally splendid Jasper Park course with the
“Cabins & Castles” package. (866) 540- 4406 or (403) 762-2211, www.fairmont.com/banffsprings
6 GLENEAGLES’ KING’S COURSE, SCOTLAND
The
84-year-old grande dame resort’s $31-million-plus rebirth was complete
in March with the opening of the Spa at Gleneagles. Rest up for the
round on the 90-year-old King’s Course (doing just fine, thank you) in
the sumptuous Spirit Suites. (866) 463-8734, www.gleneagles.com
7 FAIRMONT CHATEAU WHISTLER GOLF CLUB, CANADA
Book
the Heli-va-Game package, for the ultimate in buddy golf. For around
$6,500, your foursome takes a chopper roundtrip from Vancouver to
Whistler, has a four-hour lesson at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy,
an hour massage, eight rounds of golf, and more. (800) 606-8244 or
(604) 938-8000, www.fairmont.com/whistler
8 OCEAN CLUB GOLF COURSE, BAHAMAS
Annual
site for the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational, this Tom Weiskopf
routing is frequently so close to the ocean’s lapping waves that it’s
tempting to add a fishing rod to the bag. (800) 321-3000 or (242)
363-2501, www.oneandonlyresorts.com
9 LA CANA GOLF COURSE, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
P.B.
Dye’s moonscape design jumped three spots to become readers’ top dog in
the DR. More flights and more courses are making the country a prime
golfing temptation. (888)442-2262 or (809) 959-2262, www.puntacana.com
10 THE K CLUB (PALMER COURSE), IRELAND
Both
courses at the stately K Club are Palmer designs. The K Club hosted the
European Open from 1995 to 2007, and the Palmer course hosted the 2006
Ryder Cup. 011-353-1601-7200, www.kclub.ie
 11 TEETH OF THE DOG, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Pete
Dye’s refurbished Dog is barking again, and golfers who survive the
test will want to book the Sport Therapeutic Deep Tissue Massage at
Casa de Campo’s new Cygalle Healing Spa. (800) 877-3643 or (305)
856-5405, www.casadecampo.com.do
12 DUNDONALD LINKS, SCOTLAND (TIE)
Californian
course designer Kyle Phillips has become quite the Old World
specialist, with expert work at Kingsbarns in Scotland (see below) and
The Grove in England. The Dundonald Links in Ayrshire is the third
jewel in the crown. 011-44-1294-314000, www.dundonaldlinks.com
12 TURNBERRY (AILSA COURSE), SCOTLAND (TIE)
Lovely,
with teeth: The Ailsa links has been lengthened to 7,224 yards and
newly bunkered to 85 total. It’s ready for both next year’s Open
Championship and this year’s Amateur Championship (June 16 to 21).
011-44-1655-331000, www.turnberry.co.uk
14 MUIRFIELD LINKS, SCOTLAND
Plan
well in advance to secure a Tuesday or Thursday tee time at the home of
the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. Adjacent Greywalls (www.greywalls.co.uk) is now open to groups of 20-plus, or two foursomes in the four-bedroom Colonel’s House lodge. 011-44-1620-842123, www.muirfield.org.uk
15 VALDERRAMA GOLF CLUB, SPAIN
Regular
site of the PGA European Tour’s Volvo Masters Championship. Justin Rose
will defend his title at this classic Robert Trent Jones Sr. track
beginning October 30. 011-34-956-791-200, www.valderrama.com
16 THE GREEN MONKEY, BARBADOS (TIE)
After
a frontal assault on Tom Fazio’s eye-opening Green Monkey course at
Sandy Lane, golfers could ease into the resort’s new spa sequence of
Thai and Swedish massage. (866) 444-4080 or (246) 444-2000, www.sandylane.com
16 KAURI CLIFFS, NEW ZEALAND (TIE)
Opt
for a stay in the Owner’s Cottage for around $5,500 a night. David
Harman’s course design is worth the long trip but, having made it, look
into a round at the sister Cape Kidnappers course. 011-64-9-407-0010; www.kauricliffs.com
18 DOONBEG GOLF CLUB, IRELAND
Greg
Norman rose to the occasion when handed this gorgeous piece of
linksland on the southwest Irish coast, around a long crescent of
Doughmore Bay. The luxury accommodations have risen just as agreeably.
011-353-65-905-5602, www.doonbeggolfclub.com
19 CRUDEN BAY (MAIN COURSE), SCOTLAND
Readers
have clearly discovered the joys of links golf, and this gem well north
in Aberdeenshire is an unfolding wonder in the dunes and shaggy hills,
well worth the journey. 011-44-1779-812285, www.crudenbaygolfclub.co.uk
20 ROYAL COUNTY DOWN, IRELAND
Readers
put this Northern Ireland coastal beauty on the list for the first
time. Old Tom Morris visited in 1889 to stake out 18 holes, tinkered
with since by Harrys Vardon and Colt. 011-44-28-4372-3314; www.royalcountydown.org
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8 EDITORS' CHOICE
GOLF COURSES
Celebrated Living editors also recognize these outstanding golf courses.
U.S.
CALEDONIA GOLF & FISH CLUB, PAWLEYS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA
The
first solo design by the late Mike Stranz beguilingly sustains a Deep
South, antebellum feel throughout, to the wow finish over water of the
home hole. (800) 483-6800 or (843) 237-3675, www.fishclub.com
 TRUMP NATIONAL GOLF CLUB, LOS ANGELES
Actually
about 30 minutes south of Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes, this
dramatic routing was designed by Pete Dye and The Donald himself. (310)
265-5000, www.trumpnational.com
BAY HARBOR GOLF CLUB, MICHIGAN
Lake
Michigan, forest, dramatic rock formations ... the 27 Arthur Hills
holes have it all at this lakeside promontory, but the Links/Quarry is
the preferred routing when there’s only time for 18. (800) 462-6963 or
(231) 439-4085, www.bayharborgolf.com
RED SKY GOLF CLUB (GREG NORMAN COURSE), WOLCOTT, COLORADO
Vail
resorts guests can play this Greg Norman course one day while the
private club members play the agreeable Tom Fazio Course. The next day
it’s just the reverse. (888) 50 0 - 5170 or (866) 873-3759, www.redskygolfclub.com
INTERNATIONAL
SUNNINGDALE GOLF CLUB (OLD COURSE), ENGLAND
A
great unsung designer, Harry Colt fashioned Sunningdale’s New Course
(in 1923) and had a hand in altering some of Willie Park Jr.’s Old
Course design. It worked; this is a perfect golf course, hole after
hole. 011-44-1344-621681, www.sunningdale-golfclub.co.uk
ROYAL PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND
Narrow
fairways, deep rough, cunningly placed pot bunkers, and a spectacular
seaside setting combine in Colt’s Northern Ireland masterpiece.
011-44-28-7082-2311, www.royalportrushgolfclub.com
ROYAL MELBOURNE GOLF CLUB (COMPOSITE COURSE), AUSTRALIA
Credit
Alister MacKensie with the West Course, Alex Russell the East, and both
(12 from the West, six from the East) for the Composite Course, used
only in tournament play. Then book two rounds. 011-61-3-9598-6755, www.royalmelbourne.com.au
KINGSBARNS GOLF LINKS, SCOTLAND
Kyle
Phillips’ links design debuted in 2000, but is already ranked by the
company it keeps each fall in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The other two courses in the tournament? Carnoustie and St Andrews Old.
011-44-1334- 460860, www.kingsbarns.com
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