First Peek: Stoatin Brae
By Graylyn Loomis The newest course at a Michigan resort is a coming-out party for a team of up-and-coming designers When Jon Scott, owner of Gull Lake View Resort in Augusta, Mich., wanted to add a sixth golf course to his family’s property, he turned to Tom Doak, who lives about three hours north in […]
Portstewart Golf Club, a Place Worthy of Praise
By Nick Edmund Too long in the shadow of its northern neighbors, this renovated links has earned another look The country of Northern Ireland is smaller than the state of Connecticut, and yet in recent years has produced three major champions: Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, and, of course, Rory McIlroy. It can also boast […]
Sand Valley – Mike Keiser has Done it Again
By James A. Frank Everything you’ve heard is true: It is possible to build Bandon Dunes in the Midwest. And the fun has just begun. Mike Keiser has done it again. The man who gave us Bandon Dunes—and got us flying off to play great courses in out-of-the-way places—has brought his magic formula to […]
Stoatin Brae – Michigan’s New Course from Renaissance Design
By Tony Dear In his 16 years with Tom Doak’s architectural firm Renaissance Golf, Erik Iverson has worked on numerous incredible sites. He was a design associate and shaper on the jagged, finger cliffs at Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand, the sandy knolls at Barnbougle Dunes in Australia, the beautiful Long Island coastline at […]
Mayacama: Wine and Golf at their Best
“Are we a wine club with golf or a golf club with wine programs? That’s what people always ask,” says Jonathan Wilhelm, managing partner of Mayacama, the 675-acre community in the hills of northern Sonoma County, Calif., an hour north of San Francisco. “We look at ourselves as a guest house in wine country for […]
Osprey Cove Golf Club
Following the first rule of real estate—location, location, location—will bring the savvy real-estate consumer to Osprey Cove, the 1,100-acre community in south Georgia that is both close enough and far enough way. “We have the tideland, marshes, and the unique feel of the Lowcountry,” explains Mike Nolen, general manager of the golf club, “while […]
Shenendoah Golf Course at Turning Stone
Why don’t more golf instructors design courses? Teachers understand how real golfers play, which should make them good at building to complement our games. But I can name only one prominent teaching pro who is also an architect: Rick Smith. As a teacher, Smith has worked with countless amateurs as well as Tour pros including […]
Graylyn Goes to Pinehurst
I have great memories of visiting the Pinehurst area as a young golfer. Most summers my dad and I made the three-hour drive from our home in Asheville for junior tournaments, and occasionally short father-son trips. The excitement for my Pinehurst trips was, and still is, rooted in the amount of good golf throughout the Sandhills […]
Graylyn Goes To Streamsong Black
By Graylyn Loomis Few architects are hotter at the moment than Gil Hanse, and none of his upcoming designs are more anticipated than the Black Course at Streamsong Golf Resort in central Florida. I was fortunate to visit Streamsong recently to take a tour of the Black Course ahead of its scheduled opening in late September […]
The Donald Ross Course at French Lick Resort
It’s safe to say that living to a hundred is far easier on a golf course than it is on a golfer. The Donald Ross Course at French Lick just hit that hallowed number—but doesn’t look a day over 18. Restored by Lee Schmidt in 2005 to its fabled designer’s 1917 specs, the DRC balances […]
