Courses & Travel

Text Size:: Small Text; Medium Text; Large Text

Print E-Mail Feeds Share

The Complete History of Best New Courses

Take a look back at all the annual winners, dating back to 1983

2002 (appeared in the Jan., 2003 issue): Best New Affordable Public Courses
1. Rustic Canyon G. Cse., Moorpark, Calif., Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner and Geoff Shackelford
2. Devil's Thumb G.C., Delta, Colo., Rick Phelps
3. Hunting Hawk G.C., Glen Allen, Va., Bill Love
4. Wasioto Winds G. Cse. Pineville, Ky., Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry
5. The G.C. at Fleming Island, Orange Park, Fla., Bobby Weed
6. Grande G.C., Jackson, Mich., Ray Hearn
7. Iron Horse G.C., Ashland, Neb., Gene Bates
8. The Summit G.C., Cannon Falls, Minn., William Whitworth, Marty Benson Jr. and Greg Wencl
9. Cherry Blossom G. & C.C., Georgetown, Ky. Clyde Johnston
10. Prairie Highlands G. Cse., Olathe, Kan., Craig Schreiner

Best New Upscale Public Courses
1. Tullymore G.C., Stanwood, Mich., Jim Engh
2. Branton Woods G.C., Hopewell Junction, N.Y., Eric Bergstol
3. The Ranch G.C., Southwick, Mass., Damian Pascuzzo
4. Belterra G.C., Florence, Ind., Tom Fazio
5. Shell Landing G.C., Gautier, Miss., Davis Love III
6. Pine Dunes Resort & G.C., Frankston, Tex., Jay Morrish and Carter Morrish
7. The Glen C., Glenview, Ill., Tom Fazio
8. The Oconee at Reynolds Plantation, Greensboro, Ga., Rees Jones
9. Bay Creek G.C., Cape Charles, Va., Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay and Vicki Martz.
10. Legends C., Prior Lake, Minn., Garrett Gill and Paul Miller.

Best New Private Courses
1. The G.C. at Briar's Creek, Johns Island, S.C., Rees Jones
2. Shark's Tooth G.C., Lake Powell, Fla., Greg Norman
3. The C. at Carlton Woods, The Woodlands, Tex., Jack Nicklaus
4. Briggs Ranch G.C., San Antonio, Tex., Tom Fazio.
5. Mayacama G.C., Santa Rosa, Calif., Jack Nicklaus.
6. Calusa Pines G.C., Naples, Fla., Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry
7. Sage Valley G.C., Graniteville, S.C., Tom Fazio
8. The International (The Oaks Cse.), Bolton, Mass., Tom Fazio
9. TPC at River's Bend, Maineville, Ohio, Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay, Harrison Minchew
10. Old Chatham G.C., Durham, N.C., Rees Jones

Best New Canadian Courses
1. Bigwin Island G.C., Lake of Bays, Ont., Doug Carrick,
2. Angus Glen G.C. (The North Cse.), Markham, Ont., Doug Carrick and Jay Morrish
3. Le Maître de Mont-Tremblant, Saint Jovite, Que., (private). Graham Cooke, Darrell Huxham, Gene Bates and Fred Couples

2003 (appeared in the Jan. 2004 issue): Best New Affordable Public Courses
1. Black Mesa G.C., La Mesilla, N.M., Baxter Spann.
2. Fossil Trace G.C., Golden, Colo., Jim Engh.
3. DarkHorse G.C., Auburn, Calif., Keith Foster.
4. Texarkana G. Ranch, Texarkana, Tex., Jim Fazio Jr. and Hank Haney.
5. Packsaddle Ridge G.C., Keezletown, Va., Russell Breeden and Jeff Forbes.
6. Hemlock G.C., Ludington, Mich., Raymond Hearn.
7. ArborLinks G. Cse., Nebraska City, Neb., Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay, Erik Larsen.
8. Point Roberts G. Cse., Point Roberts, Wash., Graham Cooke and Wayne Carleton.
9. The Links at Firestone Farms, Columbiana, Ohio., Brian Huntley.
10. The Legacy G.C., Norwalk, Iowa., Jeffrey D. Brauer.

Best New Upscale Public Courses
1. Forest Dunes G.C., Roscommon, Mich., Tom Weiskopf.
2. The Palmer Cse. at Stonewall Resort, Roanoke, W.Va., Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay and Erik Larsen.
3. SouthWood G.C., Tallahassee, Fla., Gene Bates and Fred Couples.
4. Rock Barn G. & Spa (Robert Trent Jones Jr. Cse.), Conover, N.C., Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Ty Butler.
5. Ravenwood G.C., Victor, N.Y., Robin Nelson.
6. Rio Grande Club, South Fork, Colo., Ric Buckton and Jay Benson.
7. Koasati Pines at Coushatta, Kinder, La., Kevin Tucker.
8. Boulder Creek G.C., Streetsboro, Ohio., Joseph Salemi.
9. The Falls G.C., Henderson, Nev., Tom Weiskopf.
10. Shore Gate G.C., Ocean View, N.J., David Dale and Ronald Fream.

Best New Private Courses
1. The Club at Black Rock, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Jim Engh.
2. Dallas National G.C., Dallas, Tom Fazio.
3. Friar's Head G.C., Baiting Hollow, N.Y., Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.
4. Spanish Oaks G.C., Bee Cave, Tex., Bobby Weed.
5. Squire Creek C.C., Choudrant, La., Tom Fazio.
6. The Ridge at Back Brook, Ringoes, N.J., Tom Fazio.
7. The C. at Seven Canyons, Sedona, Ariz., Tom Weiskopf.
8. The Dalhousie G.C., Cape Girardeau, Mo., Gary Nicklaus.
9. Baker Hill G.C., Newbury, N.H., Rees Jones.
10. The Reserve Club at Woodside Plantation, Aiken, S.C., Steve Nicklaus.

Best New Canadian Courses
1. Lynx at Kingswood Park, Fredericton, N.B., Graham Cooke and Darrell Huxham.
2. Sun Rivers Golf Resort, Kamloops, B.C., Graham Cooke and Wayne Carleton.
3. Taboo Resort, Golf and Conference Centre, Gravenhurst, Ont., Ron Garl.

2004 (appeared in Jan. 2005 issue): Best New Affordable Public
1. Copper Mill G.C., Zachary, La., Max Maxwell and Nathan Crace.
2. The Rawls Cse., Lubbock, Tex., Tom Doak.
3. Cannon Ridge G.C. (The Beman Cse.) Fredericksburg, Va., Bobby Weed and Deane Beman.
4. Hidden Cove G. Cse. at Grayson Lake State Park, Olive Hill, Ky., Brian Ault.
5. The Oaks G. Cse., Cottage Grove, Wis., Greg Martin.
6. Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park G. Cse., Burkesville, Ky., Brian Ault.
7. Indian Creek G.C. (The Creek Cse.) Carrollton, Tex., Jeff Brauer.
8. Sleepy Hole G. Cse., Suffolk, Va., Tom Clark.
9. Twin Bridges G.C., Gadsden, Ala., Gene Bates.
10. ShadowGlen G.C., Manor, Tex., Roy Bechtol and Randy Russell.

Best New Upscale Public
1. The Quarry at Giants Ridge, Biwabik, Minn., Jeff Brauer.
2. The Bull at Pinehurst Farms, Sheboygan Falls, Wis., Jack Nicklaus.
3. Kaluhyat G.C., Verona, N.Y., Robert Trent Jones Jr.
4. TPC of Louisiana, Avondale, La., Pete Dye with Steve Elkington and Kelly Gibson.
5. Eagle Eye G.C., East Lansing, Mich., Chris Lutzke.
6. Snowmass Club, Snowmass Village, Colo., Jim Engh.
7. Circling Raven G.C., Worley, Idaho, Gene Bates.
8. Granite Links G.C. at Quarry Hills, Quincy, Mass., John Sanford.
9. Tournament C. of Iowa, Polk City, Iowa, Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay and Erik Larsen.
10. The Ritz-Carlton G.C. at Grande Lakes, Orlando, Greg Norman.

Best New Private
1. Sutton Bay G.C., Agar, S.D., Graham Marsh, designer
2. The Pronghorn C. (Jack Nicklaus Cse.) Bend, Ore., Jack Nicklaus.
3. The Greenbrier Sporting Club (The Snead) White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., Tom Fazio.
4. Windsong Farm G.C., Independence, Minn., John Fought and Tom Lehman.
5. Diamond Creek G.C., Banner Elk, N.C., Tom Fazio.
6. Kuki'o G. and Beach C., Kailua Kona, Hawaii, Tom Fazio.
7. The Golf Club Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Dick Bailey and Jay Morrish.
8. Lake Winnipesaukee G.C., New Durham, N.H., Clive Clark.
9. Atlanta Athletic C. (Riverside Cse.) Duluth, Ga., Rees Jones.
10. The Sagamore C., Noblesville, Ind., Jack Nicklaus.

Best New Canadian
1. The Rock G.C., Minett, Ont., David Moote, Brit Stenson and Nick Faldo, designers.
2. Blackhawk G.C., Spruce Grove, Alta., Rod Whitman.
3. Wildfire G.C., Lakefield, Ont., Thomas McBroom.

2005 (appeared in Jan. 2006 issue): Best New Affordable Public
1. Bully Pulpit G. Cse., Medora, N.D., Michael Hurdzan.
2. Arrowhead Pointe at Richard B. Russell, Elberton, Ga., Bob Walker.
3. Eagle Ridge G. Cse. at Yatesville Lake State Park, Louisa, Ky., Arthur Hills and Steve Walker
4. The Shoals G.C. (Fighting Joe Cse.) Muscle Shoals, Ala., Roger Rulewich and Bobby Vaughan
5. Highland Meadows G. Cse., Windsor, Colo., Art Schaupeter.
6. Angels Crossing G.C., Vicksburg, Mich., W. Bruce Matthews III.
T-7. The G.C. at Stonelick Hills, Batavia, Ohio, Jeff Osterfeld.
T-7. Big Fish G.C., Hayward, Wis., Pete Dye and Tim Liddy.
9. Soldier Hollow G. Cse. (Gold Cse.) Midway, Utah, Gene Bates.
10. Grey Hawk G.C., Lagrange, Ohio, Robert von Hagge and Mike Smelek.

Best New Upscale Public
1. The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower, Minn., Jeff Brauer.
2. Mattaponi Springs G.C., Ruther Glen, Va., Bob Lohmann and Mike Benkusky.
3. Marquette G.C. (Greywalls Cse.) Marquette, Mich., Mike DeVries.
4. Old Greenwood, Truckee, Calif., Jack Nicklaus.
5. Lakota Canyon Ranch G.C., New Castle, Colo., Jim Engh.
6. May River G.C., Bluffton, S.C., Jack Nicklaus.
7. Lake of Isles G.C. (North Cse.) North Stonington, Conn., Rees Jones.
8. Poplar Grove G.C., Amherst, Va., Ed Carton, with Sam Snead
9. Laughlin Ranch G.C., Bullhead City, Ariz., David Druzisky.
10. Reunion Resort & C., (Independence Cse.) Reunion, Fla., Tom Watson and Bob Gibbons.

Best New Private
1. The Alotian Club, Roland, Ark., Tom Fazio.
2. Canyata G.C., Marshall, Ill., Bob Lohmann and Mike Benkusky.
3. Boston G.C., Hingham, Mass., Gil Hanse.
4. Old Sandwich G.C., Plymouth, Mass., Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.
5. Trump National G.C., Bedminster, N.J., Tom Fazio.
6. Blessings, Johnson, Ark., Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Bruce Charlton.
7. Hualalai G.C. (Weiskopf Cse.) Kaupulehu-Kona, Hawaii, Tom Weiskopf.
8. Somerby G.C., Byron, Minn., John Fought and Tom Lehman.
9. The Pine Canyon C., Flagstaff, Ariz., Jay Morrish.
10. Montcalm G.C., Enfield, N.H., Phil Wogan and George Sargent.

Best New Remodel
1. Brookside C.C., Canton, Ohio, Brian Silva.
2. Monterey Peninsula C.C. (Shore Cse.) Pebble Beach, Calif., Mike Strantz.
3. Colleton River Plantation Club (Nicklaus Cse.), Bluffton, S.C., Jack Nicklaus.
4. The Country Club, Pepper Pike, Ohio, Brit Stenson.
5. The C.C. of Virginia (James River Cse.), Richmond, Va., Lester George.
6. Pine Needles Lodge & G.C., Southern Pines, N.C., John Fought.
7. Belle Meade C.C., Nashville, Rees Jones.
8. The Loxahatchee Club, Jupiter, Fla., Jack Nicklaus.
9. Druid Hills G.C., Atlanta, Bob Cupp.
10. Bear Lakes C.C. (Lakes Cse.), West Palm Beach, Jack Nicklaus.

Best New Canadian
1. Dakota Dunes G. Links, Saskatoon, Sask., Graham Cooke and Wayne Carleto.
2. Georgian Bay Club, Collingswood, Ont., Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry and Jason Straka.
3. Eagles Nest G.C., Maple, Ont., Doug Carrick and Cam Tyers.

Comments: We finally got around to establishing a Best New Remodel category where all remodeled courses could compete solely among one another instead of against high-budget new courses. In it, Brian Silva won for the first time since his first design prevailed back in 1985. (Silva's Brookside beat out sentimental favorite Monterey Peninsula CC, the last work of Mike Strantz, who died of cancer that year.) Mike Hurdzan won in the Affordable category, his first triumph since he took the first two Canadian awards in the early 90s. Jeff Brauer won for the second year in the row in the same category (first time since Strantz did so in 1996-1997), and Tom Fazio broke a five year drought with Alotian, his 11th Best New winner.

2006 (appeared in Jan. 2007 issue): Best New Public Course Under $75 of 2006
1. King Carter G.C., Irvington, Va.,Joel Weiman.
2. Blue Heron G.C. (Highland/Lakes), Medina, Ohio, John Robinson.
3. Sundance at A-Ga-Ming Resort, Kewadin, Mich., Jerry Matthews
4. The Shoals (Schoolmaster), Muscle Shoals, Ala., Roger Rulewich & Bobby Vaughan.
5. The Atchafalaya G.Cse., Patterson, La., Robert von Hagge and Rick Baril.
6. Juniper G. Cse., Redmond, Ore., John Harbottle.
7. Bergamont G.C., Oregon, Wis., Andy North.
8. The Jewel G.C., Lake City, Minn., Hale Irwin and Stan Gentry.
9. Callippe Preserve G. Cse., Pleasanton, Calif., Brian Costello.
10. Mines G. Cse., Grand Rapids, Mich., Mike DeVries.

Best New Public Course $75 and Over
1. Osprey Meadows, Donnelly, Idaho, Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Bruce Charlton.
2. Bandon Trails, Bandon, Ore., Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.
3. Bay Creek Resort & C. (Nicklaus), Cape Charles, Va., Jack Nicklaus.
4. Northern Bay G. Resort, Arkdale, Wis., Dave Relford and Matt Mootz.
5. Classic C., Palm Desert, Calif., Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay and Vicki Martz.
6. Sunday River G.C., Newry, Me., Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Ty Butler.
7. The Prospector at Suncadia, Cle Elum, Wash., Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay and Erik Larson.
8. Bayside Resort G.C., Selbyville, Del., Jack Nicklaus.
9. Redstone G.C. (Tournament Cse., Humble, Tex., Rees Jones.
10. The Meadows at Mystic Lake., Prior Lake, Minn., Garrett Gill & Paul Miller.

Best New Private Courses
1. The Concession G.C., Bradenton, Fla., Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin.
2. Forest Creek G.C. (North Cse.), Pinehurst, N.C., Tom Fazio.
3. The C. at Carlton Woods (Fazio), The Woodlands, Tex., Tom Fazio.
4. Champions Retreat G.C. (Bluff & Island), Evans, Ga., JackNicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay and Harrison Minchew.
5. 3 Creek Ranch G.C., Jackson, Wyo., Rees Jones.
6. Ballyneal, Holyoke, Colo., Tom Doak.
7. Tumble Creek G. Cse at Suncadia, Cle Elum, Wash., Tom Doak.
8. Daniel Island C. (Ralston Creek Cse.), Daniel Island, S.C., Rees Jones.
9. Stone Eagle C., Palm Desert, Calif., Tom Doak.
10. Tuhaye G. Cse., Tuhaye, Utah, Mark O'Meara and Brit Stenson.

Best New Canadian Courses
1. The Ridge at Manitou, McKellar, Ont., Tom McBroom.
2. The Club at Bond Head (South Cse.), Beeton, Ont., Mike Hurdzan, Dana Fry & Jason Straka.
3. Black Bear Ridge G. Cse., Belleville, Ont., Brian Magee.

Best New Remodel
1. The Stanwich C., Greenwich, Conn., Tom Fazio.
2. The C.C. of Rochester, Rochester, N.Y., Gil Hanse.
3. Kingsmill Resort & Spa (River), Williamsburg, Va., Pete Dye.
4. Pete Dye River Cse. at Va. Tech, Radford, Va., Pete Dye.
5. Hermitage C.C. (Manakin Cse.), Manakin-Sabot, Va., Keith Foster.

COMMENTS: Inflation finally caught up with us, and we raised the green fee dividing line in our Public categories from $50 to $75. Newcomer Joel Weiman won the inaugural Best Public Under $75, while Robert Trent Jones Jr. (with design partner Bruce Charlton) won his fifth Best New in the $75 and Over category, in an upset over the third 18 at Bandon Dunes resort, Bandon Trails. Nicklaus won for the sixth time with The Concession, a co-design with former Ryder Cup opponent Tony Jacklin (to whom Jack made that famous concession at the 1969 Ryder Cup). Elsewhere, the rich got richer. Tom McBroom won his fifth Canadian Best New and Tom Fazio his 12th, with the remodeled Stanwich.; View entire article >>