Alex Elias Although C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor are most associated with template holes, famed golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast pioneered "Great Hazard," a massive expanse of waste area which typically comes into play on a player’s second shot on a Par-5. Chris Gabriele, Lead Assistant Golf Professional at Quaker Ridge Golf Club (Pictured Above), said, "It [Great Hazard] definitely puts a ton of pressure on the drive, in order to play the Par-5 as you wish." Gabriele continued, "It is an amazing template that stands the test of time." Baltimore Country Club (East) - No. 14 - 607 The Great Hazard at Baltimore Country Club (East) encompasses the entire fairway, 225 yards from the green and spans over 150 feet. If carried, players will be rewarded with a downslope, resulting in a wedge third shot. Baltusrol Golf Club - No. 17 - 655 Magnificently restored by Gil Hanse in 2020, the Great Hazard at Baltusrol Golf Club is known as the "Sahara". The bunker spans the width of the fairway and has been re-fashioned to include grassy church pews. Bethpage State Park: Black - No. 4 - 517 Often considered A.W. Tillinghast's greatest Par 5, No. 4 is double dogleg over a diagonal Great Hazard. Fenway Golf Club - No. 7 - 636 Notably, the Great Hazard at Fenway Golf Club doesn’t stretch across the fairway. Even so, it is an incredibly daunting second shot, as those who want to play safe to the left side have to beware of OB left. Pine Valley Golf Club - No. 7 - 636 The first Great Hazard ever built is No. 7 at Pine Valley Golf Club, as A.W. Tillinghast convinced course architect George Crump. Known as Hell’s Half Acre, the Great Hazard covers 100 yards and puts immense pressure on the tee shot. Philadelphia Cricket Club - No. 7 - 553 As Philadelphia Cricket Club, Tillinghast's home club and the site of where is ashes were scattered, is known for its superb bunkers, the Great Hazard on the Par-5 7th is the most famed. One must find the fairway with their drive, in order to take the Great Hazard out of play on their second shot. Ridgewood Country Club - No. 4 (West) - 606
Rather than a massive expanse of waste area, Ridgewood Country Club features "a series of moguls covered with deep rough," named "Muckle."
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Alex Elias Originally designed in 1899 at Biarritz Le Phare by Willie Dunn Jr., the Par-3 3rd no longer exists, but the design lives on through C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor. The defining characteristic of the Biarritz template is the massive green that stretches up to 60-80 yards, bisected by a prominent swale three to five feet deep, and is flanked by narrow bunkers on both sides of the green. As the green stretches 60-80 yards, the distance of the hole can differ by 60-80 yards on a given day. For example, at Dedham, No. 14 (Pictured Above) can play anywhere from 170 yards to 240 yards. Brad McCluski, Director of Golf at Dedham Country & Polo Club, said, "I think what makes a Biarritz so tough is that they can play like two different holes. They can be very narrow and have bunkers on both sides so it doesn’t give you an option to bail out. Then, the most difficult part is distance control with your approach shot as they run long with a huge swale that can be very difficult to navigate if you are on the short side." Piping Rock Club - No. 9 - Par 3 - 227 C.B. Macdonald The Par-3 9th at Piping Rock Club is the first Biarritz ever built by C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor. Notably, one unique difference of the Biarritz at Piping Rock Club is the front section is maintained as fairway and guarded by a front bunker. Camargo Club - No. 8 - Par 3 - 227 Seth Raynor/(R) Tom Doak Considered by many to be Seth Raynor's greatest set of Par 3s, the Biarritz might be the best among Camargo Club's collection. Chicago Golf Club - No. 3 - Par 3 - 256 C.B. Macdonald Designed by C.B. Macdonald in 1894, the Biarritz at Chicago Golf Club was added by Seth Raynor during his renovation in 1925. The green is flanked by narrow bunkers on both sides of the green as well in front and back. Fishers Island Club - No. 5 - Par 3 - 229 Seth Raynor Similarly to Piping Rock Club, the front section of the Biarritz (No. 5) at Fishers Island Club is maintained as fairway. Fox Chapel Golf Club - No. 17 - Par 3 - 231 Seth Raynor It is believed Fox Chapel Golf Club features the deepest swale (roughly 5’) of any Biarritz. Mid-Ocean Club - No. 13 - Par 3 - 238 C.B. Macdonald Like Piping Rock Club and Fishers Island Club, the front section of the Biarritz at Mid-Ocean Club is maintained as fairway. Notably, Mid-Ocean Club features one of the only downhill Biarritz holes. Mountain Lake - No. 5 - Par 3 - 210 Seth Raynor/(R) Brian M. Silva Fishers Island Club is often considered Seth Raynor's greatest design, but it is a direct result of Mountain Lake. The founders of Fishers Island Club hired Seth Raynor with the intention of modeling the club after Mountain Lake. Shoreacres - No. 6 - Par 3 - 211 Seth Raynor Although the swale isn’t as severe as those at other Raynor designs, the green is approximately 250 feet from front to back, allowing the hole to be played as originally intended, with a low shot that runs through the swale to the back portion of the green. Somerset Hills Country Club - No. 13 - Par 4 - 415 A.W. Tillinghast Designed by neither C.B. Macdonald nor Seth Raynor, A.W. Tillinghast implemented a Biarritz at Somerset Hills Country Club on the Par-4 13th. Notably, No. 13 is one of only a few Par-4 Biarritz holes. Southampton Golf Club - No. 14 - Par 3 - 189 Seth Raynor Although Southampton Golf Club is often overshadowed by its neighbors, Seth Raynor was a founding member of Southampton Golf Club, and therefore the Biarritz is an instant classic. St. Louis Country Club - No. 2 - Par 3 - 225 C.B. Macdonald At St. Louis Country Club, the green is flanked by two bunkers on the left and one on the right. The latter is particularly deep and is referred to by members as "the bunker of death." The Creek - No. 11 - Par 3 - 195 Seth Raynor/C.B. Macdonald No. 11 at The Creek isn't just a Biarritz, but an island Biarritz. Westhampton Country Club - No. 17 - Par 3 - 214 Seth Raynor The green at Westhampton Country Club is not only flanked by narrow bunkers on both sides but ones that wrap around the front and back. Yale Golf Course - No. 9 - Par 3 - 209
C.B. Macdonald The 1926 C.B. Macdonald design features a 200+ yard forced carry over water. Alex Elias BEST NEW COURSE The Lido Rome, Wisconsin The Lido Golf Club was designed by C.B. Macdonald on the shores of Long Island in 1914 and featured many of Macdonald's famed templates such as the Alps, Redan, and Edan. It was considered one of the best in the country and in the same company as Pine Valley and National Golf Links of America. Falling into disrepair, beginning with the crash of 1929, the United States Navy eventually acquired the property and destroyed the course to construct a naval base, in 1942, during World War II. Now, thanks to the Keiser brothers, Michael and Chris, and architects Tom Doak and Brian Schneider, The Lido has been resurrected at Sand Valley, 1,000 miles from it's original location. BEST NEW RESTORATION Lookout Mountain Club
Lookout Mountain, Georgia Designed by renowned architect Seth Raynor in 1925, Raynor's design was never finished because of his death in 1926 before construction began and budget constraints. For decades, Lookout Mountain has been viewed as one of the most anticipated restorations. Restored by architects Tyler Rae and Kyle Franz, Raynor's vision and templates have finally come to fruition. Alex Elias 1. New York - 4. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, 7. National Golf Links of America (Pictured Above), 9. Fishers Island Club, 11. Winged Foot Golf Club (West), 15. Friar's Head Golf Club, 22. Oak Hill Country Club (East), 39. Bethpage State Park (Black), 43. Sebonack Golf Club, 52. Maidstone Club, 59. Sleepy Hollow Country Club, 61. Winged Foot Golf Club (East), 64. Garden City Golf Club, 81. Quaker Ridge Golf Club, 88. Hudson National Golf Club, 97. Piping Rock Club New York holding the top spot shouldn't come as a surprise, as Long Island alone could be ranked in the Top 3. In total, New York is home to fifteen courses ranked in Golf Digest's America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses. Notably, five New York courses are ranked in the Top 20. Outside The Top 100, The Creek, Atlantic Golf Club, and Wykagyl Country Club are a few of the many courses that greater bolster New York's resume. 2. California - 3. Cypress Point Club, 12. Pebble Beach Golf Links, 16. Los Angeles Country Club, 18. Riviera Country Club, 33. San Fransisco Golf Club, 35. The Olympic Club (Lake), 62. Monterey Peninsula Country Club (Shore), 67. Spyglass Hill Golf Club, 76. The Valley Club of Montecito, 79. Monterey Peninsula Country Club (Dunes), 91. The Quarry at La Quinta, 96. Pasatiempo Golf Club If there was any debate for another state to be ranked No. 1, then California was the answer. Similarly to New York as Shinnecock, NGLA, and Sebonack are located nearby in Southhampton, No. 3 Cypress Point Club and No. 12 Pebble Beach Golf Links are 1.8 miles apart, No. 16 Los Angeles Country Club and No. 18 Riviera Country Club are separated by 5.9 miles, and No. 33 San Francisco Golf Club and No. 35 The Olympic Club are within 2.9 miles of one another, and 8.2 miles away from California Golf Club. Also similar to New York, California has a number of notable clubs outside Golf Digest's Top 100 including California Golf Club of San Fransisco (Pictured Above) and Bel-Air Country Club, which would handedly rank inside the Top 5, or even possibly the Top 3, in a number of states. 3. New Jersey - 1. Pine Valley Golf Club (Pictured Above), 45. Baltusrol Golf Club (Lower), 57. Somerset Hills Country Club, 80. Baltusrol Golf Club (Upper), 82. Plainfield Country Club With New York and California ranked 1st and 2nd, The Garden State rounds out the Top 3. As New Jersey is home to the No. 1 course in the country, four other NJ courses rank in the Top 100. New Jersey truly separates itself as a result of its depth one through fifteen. For example, the 8th ranked course in New Jersey is Hollywood Golf Club, which Jon Cavalier recently said, "New Jersey is an extremely golf-rich state surrounded by extremely golf-rich states, and as a result, it's full of unsung and underrated gems. By my count, the Walter Travis-designed Hollywood Golf Club would be the best course in at least half the states in the country." Interestedly enough, while Golf Digest ranks Hollywood Golf Club outside their Top 200, Golf.com ranked Hollywood 89th in the U.S.. 4. Pennsylvania - 5. Oakmont Country Club, 6. Merion Golf Club (Pictured Above), 94. Aronimink Golf Club Although Pennsylvania is home to only three Top 100 courses, Pennsylvania's 1-2 punch of Oakmont-Merion is as strong as it gets. In the Philadelphia area, Merion is joined Aronimink, Philadelphia Cricket Club, Gulph Mills, and many more, while Oakmont is joined in the Pittsburgh area by Fox Chapel and Longue Vue. While Oakmont, Merion, and Aronimink receive the credit they rightfully deserve, there are a number of underrated courses in Pennsylvania as well. In my opinion, Gulph Mills and Stonewall are two that are not talked about nearly enough. 5. Massachusetts - 19. The Country Club, 50. Myopia Hunt Club, 63. Old Sandwich Golf Club, 78. Essex County Club (Pictured Above), 89. Kittansett Club, 90. Boston Golf Club As a state home to tremendous American history, Massachusetts is also home to superb golf course architectural history. In fact, almost every historic golf course architect has left his mark on Massachusetts. The Country Club - Willie Campbell (1895) / Alex Campbell (1902), Gil Hanse (2018) Old Sandwich Golf Club - Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw Myopia Hunt Club - Herbert (H.C.) Leeds Kittansett Club - William Flynn & Frederic Hood Essex Country Club - Donald Ross Boston Golf Club - Gil Hanse Eastward Ho! Country Club - Herbert Fowler Sankaty Head Golf Club - Emerson Armstrong Hyannisport Club - Alexander Findlay & Donald Ross Dedham Country & Polo Club - Seth Raynor In addition to the vast designs, Massachusetts golf displays courses stretching from Boston to Cape Cod to the Islands, truly making each round feel memorable in its own unique way. 6. Florida - 10. Seminole Golf Club (Pictured Above), 41. TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium), 69. Calusa Pines Golf Club Although only three Florida courses are ranked in The Top 100, McArthur, Mountain Lake, Naples National, and Indian Creek are respectively ranked 10th, 13th, 17th, and 25th in the state of Florida. As a result, it would be deliberately obtuse to not recognize the exceptional depth of courses in The Sunshine State. In fact, the case can certainly be made for Florida to be ranked in the Top 5, and soon may be, as a result of The Florida Golf Boom. 7. Illinois - 13. Chicago Golf Club (Pictured Above), 55. Shoreacres Golf Club, 75. Butler National Golf Club, 85. Canyata Golf Club, 93. Medinah Country Club, 99. Olympia Fields Country Club (North) Although many would consider Shinnecock-NGLA to be the best 36 hole day in golf, Chicago Golf Club-Shoreacres is a close second. In addition to the C.B. Macdonald designed Chicago Golf Club and Seth Raynor designed Shoreacres, Illinois is home to four other courses ranked in The Top 100, as well as superb courses outside the Top 100 such as Old Elm Club, Beverly Country Club, and many more. 8. Ohio - 17. Muirfield Village Golf Club, 44. The Golf Club, 47. Camargo Golf Club, 58. Inverness Club (Pictured Above), 60. Scioto Golf Club Although the top Ohio courses may not always receive the same recognition as the top courses in other states, Ohio is a golf enthusiasts dream. Inverness Club, an excellent Donald Ross design, was recently superbly restored by Andrew Green, The Golf Club is arguably Pete Dye's greatest work, and Camargo features Raynor's templates. 9. Wisconsin - 26. Whistling Straights: Straights Course, 48. Erin Hills Golf Course, 86. Milwaukee Country Club (Pictured Above) The consensus #1 Public Golf Course State, Wisconsin is additionally home to many superb private clubs, including Milwaukee Country Club, Blue Mound Golf & Country Club, and the recently opened The Lido, a restoration of the 1917 C.B. Macdonald design. In regard to the public courses, Whistling Straights and Erin Hills are routed across two of the more phenomenal and distinctive layouts in the country. 10. South Carolina - 24. Kiawah Island Golf Resort: The Ocean Course, 42. Congaree Golf Club
In somewhat of a coin toss between the Carolinas, South Carolina has a slight edge over North Carolina. Although North Carolina has more Top 100 Courses, South Carolina boasts some of the greatest depth in the country. While Yeamans Hall ranks 104th on Golf Digest, Golf.com ranks the Raynor designed course 44th. Nearby, another Raynor Gem, Country Club of Charleston (Pictured Above) is one of the many underrated South Carolina courses, including Checcessee Creek Club and Colleton River Club. Alex Elias Apogee Club - Hobe Sound Envisioned by Michael Pascucci, founder of Sebonack Golf Club, and Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins, Apogee Club is projected to open at the end of 2025. Located on a 1,200-acre site with frontage along the St. Lucie Canal, Apogee Club will include three courses: The West Course designed by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, The South Course by Tom Fazio II and Mike Davis, and The North Course by Kyle Phillips. Cabot Citrus Farms - Brooksville Previously known as World Woods Golf Club, and located just 50 miles from downtown Tampa, Cabot Citrus Farms is set open in the Spring of 2024. A 1,200-acre property, Cabot Citrus Farms will feature two 18-hole golf courses, Cabot Barrens designed Kyle Franz, and Cabot Oaks by Ran Morrissett, as well as a 21-hole short course. Kinsale Golf Club - Naples Founded by Detroit native and long-time southwest Florida businessman Anthony Soave, Kinsale Golf Club is set to open in the Fall of 2024. Designed by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, Kinsale Golf Club will pay tribute to Golden Age architects Seth Raynor and C.B. Macdonald, featuring many famed "template" holes. The Back Yard at McArthur Golf Club - Hobe Sound The Back Yard, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, is the second course at McArthur Golf Club and opened on November 4th. McArthur Golf Club, designed by Tom Fazio and Nick Price, ranks 10th in Florida. Panther National - Palm Beach Gardens Designed by Jack Nicklaus and Justin Thomas, Panther National is set to be the centerpiece of a new upscale golf community. The course features "features steep elevation changes and dramatic vistas." The Park West Palm - West Palm Beach
The Park West Palm, designed by Gil Hanse, opened in March of 2023. In a public-private partnership with the City of West Palm Beach, the West Palm Golf Park Trust resurrected the former Dick Wilson-designed West Palm Beach Golf Course. West Palm Golf Community Trust President Seth Waugh said, "The West Palm Golf Park presented a unique opportunity for an innovative public/private partnership to come to life as a model for the golf industry and communities around the county." Alex Elias With the right topography and architecture, many sub-6,500-yard courses provide a challenging, yet enjoyable test of golf - one that tests every club in the bag. Shoreacres - Lake Bluff, Illinois A Par 71, Shoreacres' listed yardage is 6,327. Designed by Seth Raynor, the famed architect's strategic use of the topography demands accuracy rather than length. Utilizing the topography, template holes including No. 3 (Leven), No. 6 (Biarritz), No. 7 (Double Plateau), No. 8 (Eden), No. 10 (Road) and No. 14 (Redan) play along a dramatic ravine. Eastward Ho! - Chatham, Massachusetts A Par 71, Eastward Ho!'s listed yardage is 6,437. Designed by Herbert Folwer, Folwer's highly impressive use of the topography poses a challenges in stance, lie and depth perception. If one comes upon a flat lie at Eastward Ho!, it's likely a tee box. White Bear Yacht Club - White Bear Lake, Minnesota A Par 72, White Bear Yacht Club's listed yardage is 6,471. Designed by Donald Ross on rolling topography, White Bear Yacht Club is one of the true hidden gems in the United States. St. George's Golf and Country Club - Setauket, New York A Par 70, St. George's Golf and Country Club's listed yardage is 6,408. Designed by Devereux Emmet and restored by Gil Hanse, St. George's Golf and Country Club is perhaps the most underrated course on Long Island. Hyannisport Club - Hyannisport, Massachusetts A Par 71, Hyannisport Club's listed yardage is 6,443. Designed by Donald Ross, the layout weaves around the tidal marshes of the Nantucket Sound, boasting some of the most beautiful holes and scenic views in the country. Dedham Country and Polo Club - Dedham, Massachusetts A Par 70, Dedham Country and Polo Club's listed yardage is 6,235. Designed by Seth Raynor, DCPC features Raynor's famed template holes such as Redan, Alps, Punchbowl, Eden, Short, and Biarritz, among others. Sakonnet Golf Club - Little Compton, Rhode Island A Par 70, Sakonnet Golf Club's listed yardage is 6,320. Designed by Donald Ross and restored by Gil Hanse, what Sakonnet lacks in length, the Rhode Island gem makes up for in beauty, as the opening fives holes are set against the backdrop of Church Cove. Wianno Club - Osterville, Massachusetts
A Par 70, Wianno Club's listed yardage is 6,042. Designed by Donald Ross and restored by Gil Hanse, what Wianno lacks in length, the Cape Cod gem makes up for in character. Although Wianno is often overshadowed by the other Cape Cod courses, Wianno may feature the best green contours and bunker designs on Cape Cod. Alex Elias Brad McCluski, Director of Golf at Dedham Country & Polo Club: The most popular items for us this year have been the Holderness & Bourne Betts Pullover and Ward Sweater. We’ve had a tough time keeping them in stock! Katie Wiedmar, Golf Shop Manager & First Assistant Golf Professional at Winged Foot Golf Club: I think our best seller thus far has been the Holderness & Bourne Sullivan Pullover. Excellent price point and great piece for the fall/winter! Jessica Cavolina, Buyer & Merchandiser at Medinah Country Club: This Christmas I am really loving the Ellsworth + Ivey Custom Knits. You can design just about anything you can dream of. It is a unique gift that anybody would love. A little something for that special lady golfer in your life! Joe Merlin, Head Golf Professional at Monroe Golf Club For the male golfer in the family, I really like the new FC Weekender Duffle from Jones Sports Co. It’s the perfect duffle for long weekends, daily gym bags, and days at the club. It has multiple compartments to separate clothes, accessories, toiletries, and shoes. The beauty of it, when traveling it turns into a back pack so it’s easy to carry through the airport. For the female golfer in the family, we’ve had success partnering the Candle Vessels from Cappai Designs with custom scented votive candles from Out of Bounds. The acrylic vessel is logoed with our club logo and different designs for the season. The team at Out of Bounds does a great job mixing up scents allowing us to create custom offerings for our membership. Matt Alwin, Head Golf Professional at Sakonnet Golf Club Holderness & Bourne sweaters have been a home run for us. They’re fabrication is unique and comfortable and styles are on-point! Keith Clawson, Head Golf Professional at East Hampton Golf Club Holiday Gift Guide must have for this year in my opinion are G/fore shoes. They were one of the hottest sellers in the shop this year. I am typically a FJ guy but I do enjoy G/fore. Sold them 2 to 1 compared to FJ. Nice blend of traditional style and unique and exciting design features. There are color options for everyone (conservative or flashy). Finally and most importantly they are comfortable and functional. Insoles are top notch. Alex Socinski, Senior Assistant Golf Professional at Dedham Country & Polo Club One of the coolest Christmas ideas is a custom headcover. Unfortunately, not all Golf Shops are going to have these but for those that do, like ours at Dedham Country & Polo Club, pick up a unique headcover for your loved one. It will stand out and it’s something you will get more use out of than a sweater. Andrew Blatnik, Director of Retail Operations at Oak Hill Country Club Over the past few years, we have developed a great relationship with the Buffalo Bills. A very well-received result of this relationship has been cobranded Bills x Oak Hill apparel in the Golf Shop. The demand for this merchandise has been incredible, with individual drops during the season selling out within 48-72 hours! This holiday season, we have loaded up on cobranded Peter Millar, lululemon, Zero Restriction and Greyson for men, ladies, and youth so that there is plenty of Bills merch to go around for the gifting season, and I expect it to be a great hit! Hannah Marcusse, Retail & Golf Shop Manager Wingman Speaker! Versatile for all ages, activities, and use. The GPS makes it a great piece for the golf cart, the speaker can be used anywhere, and it’s the perfect portable size. Alex Elias Recently, I published Signature Cocktails at Noteworthy Clubs. Below are a few signature food items at noteworthy clubs:
The Olympic Club In 1950, The Olympic Club invited Hot Dog Bills, created by Bill and Billie Parrish, to occupy a permanent location near the 10th green of the storied Lake Course. Synonymous with The Olympic Club, the "Burgerdog" (Pictured Above) is a long rectangular beef patty, served with fresh condiments on a toasted hotdog bun. "The Burgerdog is truly one of a kind. The shacks around the course are incredibly special," said a member of The Olympic Club. Fishers Island Club & Mountain Lake A staple at Fishers Island Club and Mountain Lake, members and guests are just as eager to try the Peanut Butter, Jelly, and Bacon Sandwich as they are to play Raynor's templates. "I must admit I was a little perplexed as to how a sandwich could be so famous, but until you've tried it, you can't fully comprehend the experience of walking the fairways of Fishers Island," said a guest of Fishers Island Club. Alex Elias Other than an ace, there may not be a better feeling in golf than knowing a cocktail is waiting for you on the patio after a round with friends and family. Even more so, when it's a signature cocktail. Host of the 1913 U.S. Open, won by Francis Ouimet, and the 1999 Ryder Cup, where the U.S. recaptured the Ryder Cup, thanks to a 45-foot birdie putt by Justin Leonard on the 17th hole, The Country Club’s standing as an iconic American golf course is well-deserved. While TCC's history is extremely well-known, so is TCC's signature drink, a rum-based concoction, fittingly named “The Fernando”, after longtime bartender Fernando Figueroa. Lyman Bullard, the club's president, told the New York Times, "So many guests who have never been to the Country Club have heard about the Fernando. They want one as soon as they get off the course — or they don’t even wait that long."
A Member at TCC said, "A round at Brookline is a joy but it is not complete without counting the score and settling any wagers with a few Fernandos in the locker room bar overlooking 18 green. These rum based delights are served best by the friendly creator himself. The first is yummy. Those that may follow are even better." A Guest of TCC said, "There is nothing quite like finishing a late afternoon round at TCC, heading to the locker room to grab a Fernando and sitting outside watching others hit their approach shot on 18." In New York, many clubs pride themselves on their version of a Southside. A signature drink at National Golf Links of America, Shinnecock Hills, Maidstone, Winged Foot, Bedford Golf & Tennis, and Round Hill Club, a member at NGLA confidently said, "National has the best one around." Another Member at NGLA said, "The perfect ending to a round at National is to enjoy a Southside on the patio overlooking the sunset over the water." A Member at Bedford Golf & Tennis said, "The Southside at Bedford is the taste of summer - finely chopped mint, sweet limeade and dark rum are the perfect combination for the most refreshing cocktail. Also known to help with first tee jitters if you order the floater on top." Although Chechessee Creek Club doesn't have the history of TCC or NGLA, Chechessee Creek's Creek Tea has quickly become extremely well-known. A Guest of Chechessee Creek described the club and signature drink, saying, "Incredible vibe and experience in an ideal low country setting that's made even better with a deliciously refreshing signature cocktail." As for other notable clubs, Pine Valley, Merion, and Gulph Mills have the Pine Valley, Seminole has the Honeysuckle, Old Town Club has the Old Town Ted and Erin Hills has the Fescue Rescue. While its origin is truly unknown, some believe the transfusion began at Oakmont. Alex Elias Designed by Donald Ross, world-renowned golf course architect Gil Hanse oversaw the restoration of Monroe Golf Club in 2008. Recently, Hanse said, "With this history, tradition, and a chance to study some of the finest golf course architecture on the planet, The Monroe Invitational is an an opportunity that no amateur golfer should pass up." Ahead of The Monroe Invitational, Monroe Golf Club Head Golf Professional Joe Merlin said, "The Invitational means a lot to me both professional and personally. Personally, I love the purity of the amateur game and having an opportunity to share some time with the world’s best amateurs is just so exciting. I love getting to know each of them as best I can because they all come from different backgrounds with different stories, but they all have something I share with them, a passion for the game and competing at the highest level. Professionally, I just love to give back and to provide memories for people through the game of golf so working at a club that opens its doors sharing its unique culture, championship level course, and first-class membership with a group of this caliber on an annual basis is something I’m very proud of. Few clubs host an event of this magnitude on an annual basis and I feel very fortunate to play a small role in perpetuating this great tradition that Monroe has celebrated since 1937!" As The Monroe Invitational has a historic history, with notable champions such as Fred Ridley (1976), Dustin Johnson (2007), Thomas Pieters (2012), and many more, it has also affected countless others. For example, Dedham Country & Polo Club Director of Golf Brad McCluski reflected on how the invitational affected his amateur career saying, "The Monroe was huge in my golf life. We used to house college players from schools like SMU & Georgia every year for probably 7/8 years and had two champions. Just being around them taught me so much about competitive golf. I always played better after the week with them and trying to be just like them. One of my best memories is playing with the 3 kids we housed from Georgia one year after they just one the national championship and I was in high school and playing in the tournament too." McCluski continued, with a laugh, "We played a practice round together in which I shot 66 and beat all of them. Didn’t go that way in the event though." As The Monroe Invitational continues to earn immense recognition, Monroe Golf Club does as well, and rightfully so. Celebrating it's 100th anniversary, Tom Doak said, "It's the best piece of ground for golf in Rochester." Subsequently, Brian Silva said, "[Monroe] is surely one of the greatest Ross courses I have ever seen."
Speaking to Ross' superb design and stern test, Merlin said, "The beauty of Monroe is that you get this sense of safety off the tee with generous fairways, but with our sandy loam soil the course generally plays super firm and fast so it’s easy to find yourself out of position off the tee leaving you a difficult angle into our traditional Ross green complexes. Having a poor angle or the wrong distance into the tricky pins that players will face will lead to short sides misses. Being short sided to a tucked Ross pin out of thick rough or sand will leave these guys struggling to get up and down." Boasting one of the strongest fields in amateur golf, Merlin said, "I’ve been lucky enough to be around players of this level on a regular basis since 2015 and early on it was just simply one thing, how far these guys hit it. However, over the last 8 years, the mindset to me is becoming the most important factor they share. The players build a summer schedule for themselves that is very similar to what they will see on the PGA or Korn Ferry Tours and they treat this schedule just the same. These guys work out, train, practice, maintain routines, and carry themselves just like the guys on tour do, and after doing this for a number of years through high school or college, they are walk out on tour with a mindset that they can win. I saw it first hand with Collin Morikawa when he won the Northeast Amateur in 2017, but now every top tier guy that comes through Monroe has a similar mindset where they don’t just hope to be on tour, they expect to be there. Not only do they expect to be there, they expect to win. It’s that mindset that allows them to remain positive and are always one swing away from turning it on. Most amateurs see the trouble on the course and become consumed by it, these guys are able to see the trouble, deal with it, and move forward so they can hit each shot with confidence." |
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