#872 Southern Oaks GC 11/21/21

Southern Oaks GC is the latest 18 hole championship course in The Villages and brings a total of 711 holes, of which 324 are championship.(For a complete ranking of all Championship golf please go to the 12/27/17 post) Of these 13 courses, this is one of the most mundane designs by the Clifton Group, which from the tips plays at 6512 yds. 8 holes are situated alongside of the Florida Turnpike with inadequate berms to eliminate the view of vehicles, reduce the traffic noise, or the aroma of fast food from the Okahumpka service plaza.

There are an equal number of par 3-4-5's which I found only 10 somewhat interesting. The six-one shot holes are the better group and all have water in play which brings in some risk compared to most of the other holes. There are a couple stretches of good golf on each nine, #4-6 and #11-13.

The better championship golf in TV is north of 466A as the farther south you go the flatter the ground is. Clifton Group have designed almost all the holes in The Villages. They are a regional Central Florida shop who have never designed any courses of note. Unfortunately, this area is where I have lived for the past several years and I have played probably 80 of their designs. Why the Villages won't diversify their portfolio with a few top notch architects,(Doak, Fazio, Coore/Crenshaw, Hanse, DeVries) who could produce 3 or 4 noteworthy courses has got to be $$$. Championship golf in The Villages is like going to an all you can eat buffet, lots of food to eat but not very tasty. Don't be fooled by the millions of rounds per year played here, it is not because of the quality but the active retired residents needing to play golf. As many of them have taken up golf since they have arrived in The Villages they have no idea what a really good course is.

The par five #13 has the highest berm that obscures most of the Okahumpka Service Plaza, which one of my buddies managed to hit between the berm and the Turnpike. His subsequent shot may have put him in the record books as the first ball landing on the highway. He was out of sight for so long we thought he had gone over to the KFC for a bite to eat. The finishing hole at 429 yds is the longest par 4 and along with the dogleg #8 the two most difficult. Several greens are tiered and contoured also adding some difficulty. As you can see from the photo's it needed more time to grow in. This is your typical resort style golf course, whose main goal is to keep the golfers moving along. Gold- rated.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Cb5vHW64pSEX81WX7

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"When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new."- Dali Lama

Sometimes you have to risk it all for a vision no one can see but you.

#871 Colbert Hills GC 10/8/21

Colbert Hills GC in Manhattan, KS, which is the home course of Kansas State, was the last course I played on my Fall trip and was one of the most refreshing and enjoyable. This top 10 in state 2000 Jeff Brauer and Jim Colbert design had all the elements that lights my fire: forced carries, risk/reward, rolling terrain, defined fairways that requires accuracy of the tee, aesthetic bunkering, demanding shotmaking, water hazards, and very well conditioned. Today's architects are producing a similar look of huge undefined fairways, lack of forced carries, minimal chance of losing your golf ball, and huge undulating greens. Not that I don't appreciate these new links style courses but I really like the challenge of standing over shots knowing that one little miscue your $5 ball maybe going to golfball heaven. Pressure is what makes me really focus and produce exciting shots that I will always remember.

In 2006, on my only trip to Pebble Beach I came to the blind eighth tee shot and had no idea where the drive would end up. How exciting it was to see it in the FW and 192 yds from the hole. I pulled out my 4 hybrid, which I still have in my bag but now only hit 170 yds, and nearly holed it to the dangerous right pin location (see Pebble Beach Slideshow} for a tap in birdie. I will never forget that shot and will always enjoy courses like Colbert Hills where there is some element of risk. This is one that I could play regularly. Blue rated

The world class display of monster Bucks are from my old classmates trophy room. All taken with bow from his Kansas farm. The next day we enjoyed a come from behind Michigan Wolverine victory over the Huskers. What a wild gameday experience we had.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/RZXy1EcHbDzsety59

#870 Branson Hills GC 10/6/21

After checking out of the upscale Angular's Inn at Big Cedar I headed north and stopped by Branson Hills GC, a 2009 Chuck Smith and Bobby Clampett design in Branson. After 3 days of great weather today was a dreary day with rain probable. When I arrived and was told it was $199 instead of the $139 I had been quoted, I almost got back in my SUV. I decided to play and hope I would beat the rain. I made it to hole 15 before the rain came and took the photo's of the last holes from my cart. With the ability to edit my photo's I added lots of light and they appear as it was a much brighter day. The course is challenging with lots of variety, rolling terrain, and average conditiong but it is overpriced. Blue

https://photos.app.goo.gl/5wrziAjC6VjbEVbB6

#869 Mountain Top Short Course (13) 10/5/21

Mountain Top is a 13 hole non-tradtional short course at Big Cedar Lodge that was designed by Gary Player in 2017. Unlike Top Of the Rock, you can walk and are not restricted to a concrete cart path. The elevation changes, quirkyness of some of the holes, scenic views, and rolling greens are what I look for in today's short courses. For half the price you will have more fun right here at the main lodge. I would skip Top of the Rock. Gold rated.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/CVES9xHY8xsgVaeP8

#868 Payne's Valley 10/5/21

Payne's Valley, 2020, is Tiger Woods first public design in Hollister, MO. It is a resort style course with wide fairways, very playable, and large greens. Lots of eye candy here: aesthetic bunkering, waterfalls, and the backdrop of a large limestone shelf with the clubhouse overlooking the entire complex. A fantastic looking practice area was being sculpted out of the limestone. Apparently, Johnny Morris has no budget in creating one of the top golf resorts in the world at Big Cedar Lodge. Black**

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zYEuUs6MKhLaJwtBA

#867 Top of the Rock (9) 10/4/21

Top of the Rock is a 9 hole short course designed by Jack Nicklaus in 1996. It is located about a 15 minute drive from Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, MO with great views from the highest point in the county. The holes here are a very traditional design, contained inside of concrete cart paths with curbs which limit you from leaving the path. It is like going to a kiddy amusement park where your car is attached to rails underneath it. The holes are very aesthetic, well conditioned, and I would guess this is the most expensive 9 hole short course ever built.

Short courses are all the craze now and I have played several of them. My expectation is that when I play one I want to see some really wild and crazy non-tradtional stuff. Ballyneal Mulligan and Bandon Preserve are two that I had a fun time trying to negotiate challenging green contours and elevation drops. Top of the Rock at $165 is to tame and expensive for me to come back and play again. There is a nice restaurant with scenic views, ancient museum, and cave tour you could partake in here. Blue rated

https://photos.app.goo.gl/CTm47b7nprzfmDxCA

#866 Ozarks National 10/4/21

Ozarks National, near Branson, MO, is a 2019 design of Coore and Crenshaw at Red Cedar Lodge resort. CC are one of my top 5 modern architects and I have played 10 of their courses to date. Very minimal earth movement is their trademark. Talking Stick North was my first exposure of the duo and my first impression was "This course is flat as a pancake and about as minimal as you could ever play." I was underwhelmed. With time I have come to appreciate the subtleness of their genius.

After playing the visually stimulating Buffalo Ridge course the day before, I was again a bit underwhelmed on the first tee here. When I got to #4 with its infinity green, that was the first hole I really liked and one my favorites on the F9. As you may have noticed, I love most short 4's and #5 is one of the better ones I have played. #8 is the best par 3 IMO and #9 is a nice finish to the F9. The B9 has a nice variety of holes with two ballbusters at the 254 yd #12 and 480 yd #13. At the long, uphill, dogleg left thirteenth, I hit my two best shots and still was short. Par 4 #15 incorporates a blind tee shot and finishes next to the halfway house which allowed me to grap another couple bags of the delicious Bass Pro steak jerky.

The weather was perfect my day at Ozarks National and I place it in the middle of all the CC courses I have played. All three championship courses at Big Cedar Lodge rank as low Black** with Ozark at the top. I am very much impressed with the assortment of golf, variety of activities in the area, and quality of everything associated with the resort.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TzGE3MEhyrX7FvYH6

#865 Buffalo Ridge 10/3/21

Buffalo Ridge is part of The Big Cedar Lodge resort in Hollister, MO. Originally, the 1999 Tom Fazio design was called Branson Creek but Johnny Morris bought it and re-imagined it in 2014.

I have played almost 40 of Tom Fasio's designs and he is one of my top 5 architects. His courses are always very playable with aesthetic bunkering and a couple of good short par 4's. I really thought the front 9 here was one of his better ones I've played, great variety and all holes memorable. The best holes on the back are 14, 15, 17, and 18 which reminded me of his finishing hole at Tree Tops. Of the three Championship courses here I thought this was a close second to Ozark National. Black** rated

https://photos.app.goo.gl/x21RZ9UXAPhtRCqC7

"There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less."- G.K. Chesterton

#864- Ozaukee CC 10/1/21

The green complexes of this 1922 Langford and Moreau design, in Mequon, WI, are very muted compared to most of their others I have played. Maybe there has been a redesign in the past, but it seemed like most of the tops of the greens have been chopped off. No dramatic deep bunkers here, which was somewhat disappointing even though this is a very upscale country club. Conditions were great with a nice, interesting, variety of holes. If you can play here I would jump at the chance but the greens here are different than the architects other 7 designs I've played. Blue rated

https://photos.app.goo.gl/YwAb14e62zcjyRjs8

The Fortress GC 9/27/21

The Fortress GC is located in the peaceful Bavarian styled community of Frankenmuth, Michigan. It is renowned for its homestyle German dinners and Bronners Christmas store. It also has a very good golf course that was designed by Dick Nugent in 1992. I had played the course in 2004 and rated it a Gold but have upgraded it to a BLUE after my visit. Unfortunately, it had rained the night before and it was "Cart path Only" plus we had to start on the back 9. I would much rather walk than do the cart path routine of walking back and forth to your cart and taking three clubs with you.To say the least the rough was very lush and the course in excellant condition when we played.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zpwKYDFUSFcHiZSZ7

#863 Diamond Springs GC 9/24/21

Diamond Springs GC, in Hamilton MI, was designed in 2002 by Chris Shumaker and Mike DeVries. This is my 4th DeVries course and along with the Clifton Group (75 courses), these are the two architects whose courses I have played the most rounds of golf on along my golf journey. Coincidentally, I lived on a Clifton course for 11 years and then moved to The Villages where there are almost 700 Clifton holes.

The routing at Diamond Springs is very much the opposite of DeVries fine Greywalls design in Marquette, Michigan. The big issue I had with Greywalls was the most memorable holes and one of the worlds best par 4's (#9), with a Lake Superior view, are on the front nine. Holes #1 and #2 are both potential round wreckers while #10 is the widest FW on the course, number #18 is one of the easiest par 5 holes (should be a long par 4) I have ever played. In my younger days I would hit driver and PW into this tumbling, downhill, finishing hole. The only positive thing I can say is one time I eagled it to shoot 69. The Solution, flip the 9's to make the Greywalls experience even more enjoyable and memorable!

At Diamond Springs you start out with a nice handshake and then have a few interesting holes on the front nine. My favorites are #2, the #5 green which I 3-putted, and #9 which gives you a preview as to what is to come on the back. Starting on the 14th this is one of the most memorable finishing stretches I have played as the ravine/creek is brought back into play. #14 is a short one shot hole with a deep, narrow green along the ravine. I love short 4's and #15 brings in all the risk you want to ever bite off. 10 years ago I would have gone for it but today I layed up with a hybrid and made par. The 3 shot #16 is by far the best 5 at DS, a serpentine type hole that brings you back to the edge of the ravine. Probably not a good idea to try and go for this one in two. #17 is the longest par 3 which again brings the ravine in play to a huge green. I like a strong finishing hole that has a good amount of risk/reward. The 18th here, with your approach bringing the ravine into play, is what I needed to leave Diamond Springs with memories of these last 5 holes that will last a life time. Blue rated.

These last two courses are some of the best valued rounds you will ever play. Langford and DeVries, two of my favorite architects, for under $40! If you play the 36 hole Marquette GC you can experience both of them for under $200.
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https://photos.app.goo.gl/ToDiZs8p7QXbANog8

#862- Harrison Hills GC 9/23/21

William Langford, in 1924, designed the original 9 holes here in Attica, Indiana. In 1995 Tim Liddy restored and added another 10 holes (#3-12), the original #3 was eliminated. I am a big fan of Langford designs with his elevated greens and deep bunkers. This parcel, with the exception of #5-7, is a great piece of land with lots of rolls. Liddy's stretch from #8-12 is a nice run of holes. He sculpted two par 4's around a small pond to produce a difficult, long #10 and then the easy short four #11 coming back.The uphill 195 yd #12 is a challenge. All the 3's here are real good.

I really like all the remaining 8 Langford holes with #15 one of the best 4's you will ever play. If you are ever within a 100 miles this is a course you want to experience. Conditions are very good and the variety of holes will keep your attention. At $38 with cart this is a steal. Blue+

https://photos.app.goo.gl/RSYJMGEGZux6xgGV9

#861 John James Audubon (9) 9/20/21

After returning from Oregon I took 36 hours to repack and head north in my vintage SUV to the Midwest. My second day I didn't have time for 18 so I searched for a low priced 9 hole track. I was very fortunate to come across this Larry Packard, 1973 design, in Henderson, KY for $12.50 with cart. Little did I know that it had a wonderful museum about John James Audubon adjacent to the course which is free to Seniors on Mondays. There is a theater that you can view two different presentations about Audubons interesting life. His intricate drawings of wildlife was the result of him killing all the wildlife and returning to his study and closely examining them.

The course is owned/operated by the State Park system and is well maintained. Every hole with the exception of the two fine par 3's has lots of elevation change. You will definitely want to take a cart here. This was a very enyoyable afternoon and I had the course to myself. Cabins are available to rent if you need accomodations. Gold rated.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/j49GJBgePNx6ywe57

"Happiness depends on being free, and freedom depends on being courageous."- Pericles

Pacific Dunes revisited 9/15/21

Nestled along the Pacific Ocean in Oregon BDR is my favorite golf resort in the world, followed by St. Andrews. This was my 4th trip here and my 10th round played on the True links Pacfic Dunes course. The variety that Tom Doak created on Pacific is what makes me coming back. Three great ocean holes here at #4, #11 and #13 along with many very interesting others. There is not one hole that I dislike and it is one of the funniest courses you will ever play. Conditions are always superb on all the courses, which play firm and fast. If I only had one course to play, this is it.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TxFmkyyrYrkXdMka8

#860-Bandon Preserve & Punchbowl 9/15/21

Located between the Bandon Dunes and Bandon Trails courses is one of the finest short courses you will ever play. These 13 True Links holes were designed by Coore/Crenshaw in 2012. It is very popular now for resorts to build short courses by famous architects to add to the days enjoyment. This is by far the most FUN and spectacular, with its view of the Pacific and gusts over 40 mph.
On my previous trips to BDGR I would always do 36 a day but now, at $100 a round, The Preserve makes a nice afternoon compliment to playing one of the other championship courses at BDGR. The free 36 hole Punchbowl putting course, located in front of the Pacific Dunes restaurant, will fill another couple of hours of your day.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vhyQXQbrEpLC8C8p6

#859 Sheep Ranch 9/14/21

After 10 years I finally made it back to my favorite golf resort, Bandon Dunes (BDGR). Since my last visit they have added a putting course, a short course and the Sheep Ranch. On my previous three trips here I had tried to get on the original Sheep Ranch short course, but for various reasons never made it. There are eight greens that bring the Pacific ocean into play, which are more than Bandon and Pacific Dunes courses combined. Holes #6 and #16 (my favorite shot) you must play your tee shot over the beach below. Coore and Crenshaw did an excellent job of routing on this small parcel which plays 6636 yards, par 72, from the tips.

With the strong winds coming off the ocean one of the issues has been keeping sand in the bunkers. The resort would water the bunkers to help hold the sand in them. They solved that problem by having only grass bunkers here. The par three #3 and #16 share a huge double green that ends on the edge of the ocean. I played two rounds at the TRUE LINKS Sheep Ranch on this trip and it is the most player friendly with the best ocean views of all the five championsip courses. Black** rated.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/AzTYRAAhDpDAL1bV7
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2021 Fall Golf Trip

My first really big trip since 2019. I flew out to Bandon for four days and when I returned hopped in my SUV and drove north for three weeks. Besides golf I took in a couple of Michigan football game victories. Great month!! Be on the watch for 2,000 new photo's.

Sheep Ranch-
Bandon Preserve (13)-
Pacific Dunes-
Audubon State Park (9)-
Harrison Hills-
Diamond Springs-
The Fortress-
Ozaukee CC-
Buffalo Ridge-
Ozarks National-
Top of the Rock (9)-
Payne's Valley-
Mountain Top Course (13)-
Branson Hills-
Colbert Hills

"Time is how you spend your love."- Nick Laird

"To make an end is to make a beginning. / The end is where we start from."- T.S. Eliot

"Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship."- Buddha

#857 Gamble Sands 7/15/21

Gamble Sands is the 4th David McLay Kidd course I have played. The St Andrews Castle Course I had NO fun at all and Bandon Dunes was pretty good but my least favorite of the 5 courses there. I played Mammouth Dunes a couple years ago and really enjoyed it. Gamble Sands is a similar design with firm/fast conditions, generous FW's and large undulating greens. It appears he has changed his philosophy to a more playable, fun experience which I am all for at my age.

As mentioned before, the weather was sizzling hot and the fires produced alot of smoke when I arrived the morning of my round. Luckly the winds shifted and I had a great day of golf. I had planned to play the Quicksands Short course in the PM but the heat would have killed me having to walk it. I also had Wine Valley on my list for this trip, but it would have been a PM tee time and having already suffered the heat at Circling Raven I bowed out. I love short par 4's and Kidd gives you three here. #2 overlooking the Columbia River is one of the best I have played with all kinds of options. I took the direct line and watched my 3 wood drive slowly funnel into the front bunker, I was able to get up and down for a birdie. 5-7 is a wonderful stretch of holes as are holes 14 and 16. I have played several exeptional courses in Washington, Gamble Sands is a close second for me to Chambers Bay. Black rated

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