Golfweek's Best: Municipal Courses (2014)

Has this been posted?

Golfweek has just released their best Municipal Courses of 2014.

Good to see Sharp Park sneak into the Top 50. The back 9 is one of my favorite's.

http://golfweek.com/...ks-best-travel/

Location

Opened, Architect(s), Avg. rating

1. (1) Bethpage State Park (Black)

Farmingdale, N.Y.

1935, A.W. Tillinghast, 8.04

2. (2) Chambers Bay

University Place, Wash.

2007, Robert Trent Jones Jr., Bruce Charlton, 7.64

3. (3) Butterfield Trail

El Paso, Texas

2007, Tom Fazio, 6.44

4. (4) Torrey Pines (South)

La Jolla, Calif.

1957, William F. Bell, 6.42

5. (5) TPC Scottsdale (Stadium)

Scottsdale, Ariz.

1987, Jay Morrish, Tom Weiskopf, 6.17

6. (6) Arrowhead Pointe

Elberton, Ga.

2003, Robert Walker, 6.11

7. (8) Pinon Hills

Farmington, N.M.

1990, Ken Dye, 6.09

8. (7) Highlands of Elgin

Elgin, Ill.

2010, Keith Foster, Art Schaupeter, 6.09

9. (10) Indian Wells Golf Resort (Players)

Indian Wells, Calif.

2007, John Fought, 5.97

10. (9) Gold Mountain (Olympic)

Bremerton, Wash.

1996, John Harbottle, 5.89

11. (11) Wintonbury Hills

Bloomfield, Conn.

2003, Pete Dye, Tim Liddy, 5.81

12. (14) Soldier Hollow (Gold)

Midway, Utah

2004, Gene Bates, 5.80

13. (25) Harborside International (Starboard)

Chicago

1996, Dick Nugent, 5.79

14. (15) Sleepy Hollow

Brecksville, Ohio

1925, Stanley Thompson, 5.79

15. (21) Laurel Hill

Lorton, Va.

2005, Bill Love, 5.78

16. (27) Bethpage State Park (Red)

Farmingdale, N.Y.

1935, A.W. Tillinghast, 5.78

17. (12) TPC Harding Park

San Francisco

1925, Willie Watson, 5.76

18. (NR) Stevens Park*

Dallas

2011, John Colligan, 5.76

19. (16) Presidio

San Francisco

1921, Herbert Fowler, Tom Simpson, 5.75

20. (13) Bowes Creek

Elgin, Ill.

2009, Rick Jacobson, 5.73

21. (26) SilverRock

La Quinta, Calif.

2005, Arnold Palmer, 5.72

22. (23) Indian Wells Golf Resort (Celebrity)

Indian Wells, Calif.

2006, Clive Clark, 5.72

23. (17) Torrey Pines (North)

La Jolla, Calif.

1957, William F. Bell, 5.71

24. (32) ThunderHawk

Beach Park, Ill.

1999, Robert Trent Jones Jr., 5.70

25. (34) Breckenridge

Breckenridge, Colo.

1987, Jack Nicklaus, 5.69

26. (36) Chaska Town Course

Chaska, Minn.

1997, Arthur Hills, 5.68

27. (37) George Wright Municipal

Boston

1935, Donald Ross, 5.66

28. (43) Murphy Creek

Aurora, Colo.

2000, Ken Kavanaugh, 5.64

29. (33) Desert Willow (Firecliff)

Palm Desert, Calif.

1997, Michael Hurdzan, 5.63

30. (30) Crandon Park

Key Biscayne, Fla.

1972, Bruce Devlin, Robert von Hagge, 5.62

31. (31) Neshanic Valley

Neshanic Station, N.J.

2004, Michael Hurdzan, 5.61

32. (19) Olivas Links

Ventura, Calif.

2007, Forrest Richardson, 5.60

33. (24) Washington County GC

Hartford, Wis.

1997, Arthur Hills, 5.60

34. (NR) Knoll (West)*

Boonton, N.J.

1929, Charles Banks, 5.59

35. (22) Pacific Grove Golf Links

Pacific Grove, Calif.

1932, H. Chandler Egan, 5.57

36. (NR) Triggs Memorial*

Providence, R.I.

1930, Donald Ross, 5.56

37. (28) Hideout

Monticello, Utah

2002, Forrest Richardson, 5.52

38. (18) Brackenridge Park

San Antonio

1915, A.W. Tillinghast, 5.51

39. (20) Memorial Park

Houston

1936, John Bredemus, Baxter Spann, 5.51

40. (38) North Palm Beach CC

North Palm Beach, Fla.

2006, Charles Banks, Jack Nicklaus, Seth Raynor, 5.50

41. (40) Max A. Mandel Municipal GC

Laredo, Texas

2012, Robert Trent Jones Jr., 5.50

42. (50) Lassing Pointe

Union, Ky.

1994, Michael Hurdzan, 5.48

43. (NR) Eastmoreland*

Portland, Ore.

1921, H. Chandler Egan, 5.46

44. (42) Montauk Downs State Park

Montauk Point, N.Y.

1968, Rees Jones, 5.46

45. (39) Fossil Trace

Golden, Colo.

2003, Jim Engh, 5.41

46. (49) Papago Municipal

Phoenix

1964, William F. Bell, 5.40

47. (NR) Harborside International (Port)

Chicago

1995, Dick Nugent, 5.39

48. (35) Soule Park

Ojai, Calif.

1962, Robert Baldock, William F. Bell, Gil Hanse, 5.33

49. (46) Indian Canyon

Spokane, Wash.

1935, H. Chandler Egan, 5.33

50. (NR) Sharp Park*

Pacifica, Calif.

1931, Alister MacKenzie, Jack Fleming, 5.32

* new to list returns to list

Nice to see Gold Mountain up so high.

I play #9, #21, and #22 regularly. The Palm Springs area has some pretty good muni's....LOL

The best thing is that I can play these muni's at true "muni" rates all summer long. I'm playing Indian Wells (Player) which is ranked #9 on Saturday at 9am for $19!

What the heck?!
I didn't realise Indian Wells was a 'muni'? That massive hotel complex beside it obviously confused me.
Players course makes for a very entertaining round of golf

I'm still bummed that SilverRock was under construction when I was in Palm Springs.

I'm a member at #15. WooHooo....

There are a number of nice course in the Bay Area, but Sharp Park is definitely not one of them. It may have a long history, but the course is in horrible condition! Last time I almost had to swim across a few holes!

8 and 20 are probably about 5 miles from each other. Good for Elgin

Indian Canyon and Eastmoreland do not belong on that list.

They're likely only on their because of their course history and past sites of USGA events.

Nice to see so many quality municpal/county courses available to the public, and I definitiely I agree with the Knoll West CC and Neshanic Valley in NJ. I would also nominate two other NJ county courses - Flanders Valley Red/Gold (Morris), and Heron Glen (Hunterdon) be added to the list.

Laurel HIlls in VA is a surprise. I don't think it is the best muni in the county much less the country

[quote name='tekin112000' timestamp='1403897941' post='9591897']
Laurel HIlls in VA is a surprise. I don't think it is the best muni in the county much less the country
[/quote]

Let me guess, a Westfields patron?

Nice to see both Bethpage Black and Red. Green, Blue and Yellow are also very good.

Why did I move farther away from Long Island again? The westchester county area muni scene is pretty abysmal. *sigh*

I played Piñon Hills once about 20 years ago. Just happened upon it after a fishigpng guide stood us up leaving us a free day. I'd forgotten the name, but it's great to see it on this list. Though not typically the style I prefer, it was a really fun course.

[quote name='titushem' timestamp='1403896813' post='9591781']
There are a number of nice course in the Bay Area, but Sharp Park is definitely not one of them. It may have a long history, but the course is in horrible condition! Last time I almost had to swim across a few holes!
[/quote]

Agreed on it not being in the best shape for the obvious reasons, but I think it is an excellent layout with interesting holes and a good routing. I can put up with the crab grass and less than ideal greens are enjoy playing it

Soldier Hollow being in front of Bethpage Red and Torrey North is an absolute joke. What a crappy golf course.

[quote name='slim16er' timestamp='1403897336' post='9591831']
8 and 20 are probably about 5 miles from each other. Good for Elgin
[/quote]

been saying for a while that the two Elgin "muni's" have to be considered one of the best sets of municipal courses anywhere...while I really love Highlands of Elgin and have played it 30 times or so I'm a little surprised to see it so high in the rankings...Chicagoland muni's well represented on that list. All five courses are great courses...

Playing Wintonbury Hills on the 4th of July it should be pretty nice. 8AM tee time, we have room for one(possibly 2) if anyone would like to join my father and I, message me we can see if it works out.

[quote name='oregongolf' timestamp='1403897536' post='9591851']
Indian Canyon and Eastmoreland do not belong on that list.

They're likely only on their because of their course history and past sites of USGA events.
[/quote]

I agree. I don't think it's the best muni in the Portland area, let alone one of the top in the entire country. Great Blue is a better muni track locally.

Talked to someone who played Chambers Bay two weeks ago. He said the greens are still a mess.

[quote name='dan360' timestamp='1403861148' post='9588491']
Nice to see Gold Mountain up so high.
[/quote]

It certainly deserves the high praise.

I felt like I stole something after paying only $25 to play it in March. Really great track with a very cool membership.

[quote name='slim16er' timestamp='1403897336' post='9591831']
8 and 20 are probably about 5 miles from each other. Good for Elgin
[/quote]

#13 and #47 are even close to each other

Absolutely shocked they included #18 Stevens Park. I love the course and think its one of the best deals in the DFW area; one that surely has some of the best views of the Dallas skyline. Given how many great courses, it was a pleasant surprise to see two Texas courses amongst the top-20.

Noob question. Municipal means state owned and operated?

[quote name='rbhan12' timestamp='1404099320' post='9605329']
Noob question. Municipal means state owned and operated?
[/quote]

Typically city/county owned, but I think any level of government would count.

I don't know how common it is nationwide, but here in Portland we have six courses owned/run by the city. Eastmoreland is the oldest, but I think Great Blue is a much better track. RedTail is the newest due to a complete redesign. It used to be Progress Downs, which was an $18 per round goat track and where I taught myself how to play (I miss it). Now it has a state of the art multi-Trackman range setup (great!) but I feel like they blew it on the layout of the new course (not great).

I find it pretty laughable that TPC Scottsdale Stadium is on that list. Technically it is a Muni because of city funds, but $200+ peak season rates for locals is hardy muni worthy and the course it self is not even that good. (hopefully will be better with the recent renovations)

[quote name='One_Putt_Blunder' timestamp='1404101745' post='9605497']I find it pretty laughable that TPC Scottsdale Stadium is on that list. Technically it is a Muni because of city funds, but $200+ peak season rates for locals is hardy muni worthy and the course it self is not even that good. (hopefully will be better with the recent renovations)[/quote]
Agree. Not in the top 50 courses in the area. Maybe not in the top 100. I generally enjoy Weiskopf-Morrish courses but this is a significant exception. It is a great place to watch golf but a boring place to play as of now. The changes will hopefully make it better but I am not optimistic. Even Foothills (cheap but well thought out) is much better if you want to play WM course in the area. Compared to Silverleaf (which Tom did himself) only a few miles away it is hard to believe anyone was involved in both.

Hmm. I didn't like Crandon Park and it made #20. Probably because of the location.

I thought Hominy Hill in Monmouth County, NJ would make a list like this. I'm in the SF Bay Area (my parents are in NJ) and if course conditions are given any weight at all, it's sad if only 49 munis in the nation are better than Sharp Park. I'd select Callippe Preserve as my favorite muni here (though I understand Harding's high ranking).

[quote name='DFinch' timestamp='1403980307' post='9597345'][quote name='oregongolf' timestamp='1403897536' post='9591851']
Indian Canyon and Eastmoreland do not belong on that list.

They're likely only on their because of their course history and past sites of USGA events.
[/quote]

I agree. I don't think it's the best muni in the Portland area, let alone one of the top in the entire country. Great Blue is a better muni track locally.

Talked to someone who played Chambers Bay two weeks ago. He said the greens are still a mess.[/quote]
I agree, Great Blue is a way better design and always in better shape. East Moreland is only there because they still play the city championship there and it has some history.

[quote name='taywig' timestamp='1404098370' post='9605247']
Absolutely shocked they included #18 Stevens Park. I love the course and think its one of the best deals in the DFW area; one that surely has some of the best views of the Dallas skyline. Given how many great courses, it was a pleasant surprise to see two Texas courses amongst the top-20.
[/quote]

Disclaimer; I have not played Stevens Park in Dallas. We have a local magazine (Avid Golfer) that ranks both private and public courses in the DFW area. In the latest public course rankings Stevens Park is ranked #36 in the DFW area. Yet Golf Week has them ranked as the #18 rank municipal course in the United States. Interesting.