To help kick off the new season, PGA.com rolled out a list, based on Facebook feedback, of the best courses for a weekend golf-and-big game doubleheader.
On PGA.com, Interactive Producer T. J. Auclair presented the results of a poll that asked readers to weigh in on the site’s Facebook page with answers to the question, “If you could complete a doubleheader of golf and college football in one day, which locale would you choose?”
Over 190,000 readers responded, and many suggested courses that could be combined with their favorite college football venues as part of the golf-and-big game pairings.
The final “Top Nine” of the most popular choices, presented in reverse order, included:
9. Willow Creek Golf Club in Knoxville, Tenn., combined with a home game for the University of Tennessee Volunteers. Willow Grove reopened on August 1 with new Champion Ultra Dwarf Bermuda Grass greens, it was noted.
8. Trump National Doral Miami with a University of Miami Hurricanes game. “There’s plenty of great golf to be had in south Florida, but arguably no more famous a resort than Doral,” PGA.com said. “Renovations are underway at the Blue Monster since Donald Trump acquired the resort, but you can still enjoy great golf on the Great White, Jim McLean Signature, and Red and Gold courses.”
7. The University of Michigan Golf Course in Ann Arbor, Mich. or the Classic at Otsego Club and Resort in Gaylord, Mich. with a home game for the University of Michigan Wolverines. The U of M course, it was noted by several Facebook voters, has the added advantage of being directly across the street from “the Big House” where a new all-time attendance record (115,000-plus) for any football game, pro, college or otherwise, was set with this year’s opening night game vs. Notre Dame on September 7.
6. Clemson University’s Walker Course with a home game in “Death Valley” for the Clemson University Tigers.
5. Valhalla Golf Club and a home game for the University of Louisville Cardinals at Papa John Stadium. “You’re going to have to know someone to pull this one off,” PGA.com noted, “but if you can get to Valhalla, site of the first U.S. Ryder Cup win, in 2008, since 1999 [and which will also host the 2014 PGA Championship], you must.”
4. Any of the courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, including the Ross Bridge Golf Resort, Oxmoor Valley or the NorthRiver Yacht Club, before or after going to watch the University of Alabama Crimson Tide roll at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
3. The University of Georgia Golf Course in Athens, Ga., ranked as one of the top 50 public courses in the nation by Golf Digest, before or after going “between the hedges” to watch the University of Georgia Bulldogs in Sanford Stadium. Other area courses that were suggested included Sugarloaf Country Club and the Atlanta Athletic Club.
2. The Scarlet and Grey Courses at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, before or after watching the OSU Buckeyes in the “Horseshoe.” “You’ve got to check out the Scarlet Course,” said PGA.com. “Here’s how it’s described on the OSU website: In 2005 and 2006, the Scarlet Course underwent a major restoration project overseen by former Buckeye legend Jack Nicklaus. Jack concentrated on restoring the course to the way Alister MacKenzie originally intended it to play. The bunkers were redesigned to appear more like the classic MacKenzie designs at his numerous other courses. The course was also lengthened to play more than 7,400 yards, and the par was changed to 71.”
1. Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Okla., combined with a home game for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium. “Hunter Mahan and Rickie Fowler are among the many ‘Pokes on the PGA Tour who honed their skills at Karsten Creek , which opened in 1994 and was immediately named ‘Best New Course’ in the country by Golf Digest,” PGA.com noted.
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.