One. #90 Pine Barrens at World Woods (Brooksville Fl.) It's famous for Wonderful World of Golf's televised match between Phil Mickelson and David Toms back in the mid 90's. Played Pine Barrens and it's sister course Rolling Oaks several times. Both are very nice.
I haven't played any of the listed courses. Living in SW Minnesota I'm quite a ways from any of them. The closest one would be The Classic near Brainerd, MN (235 miles). I've played a nice course just up the road and saw The Classic then. I had meetings at a resort nearby and couldn't find the time to play there. The next closest would be the two courses near Valentine, NB which is roughly 335 miles from me. Next closest would be at Stevens Point, WI. (375 miles) and Giants Ridge in NE Minnesota (385 miles). I've often thought about playing the Classic, the Giants Ridge courses and the Sand Hills courses at Valentine, NB but haven't committed to doing so.
7, all in VA and NC. Most were many, many years ago. I think I have 1 in the last 10 years
Kapalua Plantation course was closed for remodeling so we played the Bay course.
I've made it to 35. Some good memories and personal favorites for sure (Pebble, Cascata and Chambers Bay) but also some very overrated courses for the price IMO and other better courses left off the list.
Sneakylong One. #90 Pine Barrens at World Woods (Brooksville Fl.
Says it's #10 on the PGA's list of the world's most beautiful courses. Was it really that nice? Seems like a stretch for any Florida course. Might play that one when I'm down there if it's that nice.
Yeah, both Pine Barrens and Rolling Oaks are very nice courses. Both Tom Fazio designs. Pine Barrens is supposed to be influenced by Pine Valley and Rolling Oaks after Augusta.
The way I understand it the original Japanese owners were going to put some lodging there, but when the real estate market crashed that ended that plan.
The courses are all by themselves out in the boonies. Just take the Suncoast north to the end and turn right and the courses are almost immediately on the left. They are extending the Suncoast highway further north now though.
Sneakylong - the beauty can't be compared to the ocean or mountain views typically associated with 'beautiful courses'. The beauty is in the serenity of the course routing through the tall pines and how the sand was graded and molded to form the layout. The course is an example of natural beauty. Good summary Sneaky.
I've been fortunate to have played 6 of these courses.
The Broadmoor
TPC Sawgrass
The Ocean Course (even got to play the 19th hole used in the Bagger Vance film)
Kings Mill
World Woods
and this year Ozarks National
11 for me. Most of them several times (not-so-humble brag). I'm lucky.
#2 - Pacific Dunes, #3 - Whistling Straits (Straits), #7 - Bandon Dunes, #12 - Old MacDonald, #13 - Bandon Trails, #16 - Blackwolf Run (River), #23 - Kapalua (Plantation), #42 - Torrey Pines (South), #55 - PGA West (Stadium), #85 - Caledonia, #88 - Quintero, #90 - World Woods (Pine Barrens)
In 2022 it will be 13 - adding #15 - Sheep Ranch and #22 - Chambers Bay.
It could grow to 15 if we get in Streamsong.
Hobbit's post reminded me of the eighth course on the list I played: Caledonia.
Pinehurst is now booked for 2022.
Looking at #2, #8, Mid Pines and tbd
