McCordG

I had high expectations for University Ridge, and my expectations were surpassed. UW has great chipping and putting facilities, and the range is great. While the front 9 and back 9 are completely different, it Ian easy to see why UR is the 3rd ranked college course in the nation. While obviously not on a Winged Foot level, I gave UR 5 stars because I was excited to play, and I still cannot wait to play it again. I also want to go play around on the practice area again. The amount of creativity you can use to practice can really make improving fun.

Winged Foot West is my first 5-star golf course I have reviewed, and it is easy to see why. Winged Foot is consistently ranked as one of the greatest golf courses in America. This A.W. Tillinghast design has insane green complexes, a fun variety of holes, and insanely difficult chipping areas. It is easy to see also why Winged Foot is also ranked as one of the most difficult course. At 3.5 inches when I played it, getting up and down on firm and fast greens was virtually impossible, and I can’t imagine playing in 5.5 inches of rough for the 2020 US Open. Off the golf course, Winged Foot hasn’t my new favorite clubhouse. The history inside is something that die hard golfers could look at for hours. The locker rooms are also very cool and famous. The original lockers from 1923 are still in place, and the showers are unbelievable. It shows how Winged Foot does a great job of not being the most fancy, but instead gives you what is necessary. Also, the logo is A+.

AAC is my home course, and it never gets old playing Highlands. The host of 3 PGAs, the 1976 US Open, and the 2014 US Am, Highlands is a difficult but fair test of your game. With strategically placed bunkers and water all throughout the golf course, you have to constantly be focused. There are no ‘easy’ birdies, and pars can sometimes feel just as good as a birdie. The conditions are as good as anywhere in the US. The greens are firm and fast year round, and the fairways are pure. In my opinion, Highlands is the 2nd best course in Georgia behind Augusta National. Off the course, the practice facilities are world-class, especially with the new chipping greens on the north tee. 2 fantastic courses and great ways to improve. I’m very lucky to be able to spend everyday here.

Quail Creek is unfortunately a course that has been forgotten about due to the advancements in technology. With not really anymore room to add length, that won’t change. However, QC has great conditions, especially with the bent grass greens, that made it very enjoyable to play. I play 3 total rounds during the AJGA event there and enjoyed plotting my way around. Some of the quirky holes, like 6, were super difficult but fair. And the greens were Pebble Beach-esk with their size. Certainly would recommend to anyone in the area, but wouldn’t travel out of state to go play. Cool track!

Oak Marsh constantly reminds me how much i enjoy marsh golf. While the marsh is only in play on 5 holes, the other 13 are decent holes. However, the 5 marsh holes stand out as the clear best 5. On almost every hole, there are hazards or OB on each side of the fairway. There are also well placed bunkers and lots of variety. Certainly would recommend to anyone at Amelia, but be ready for difficult pars.

Long Point is certainly the best golf course on Amelia and is what I consider to be my 2nd home course. While the golf course has fantastic conditions, there are a few members that didn’t like having me and another player walking the course. However, besides that, I have always enjoyed practicing and playing at LP. The front 9 has some good views and is much easier to walk. However, the back 9 has 2 oceanside par 3s, which are always a treat. Even though the back 9 is tougher to walk, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17 are all fantastic golf holes and I always get excited thinking about playing them. I also think the 12th tee box is my favorite spot on Amelia Island. While it’s a bit pricey, it’s tough to beat anywhere in north Florida.

I can't explain why, but I can't describe how much I loved Watertown. The long willow trees to tucked par-4s truly made this course a joy. Playing in my first USGA event, I still found a way to enjoy the railroad tracks and running creek. It was one of the few courses where I truly found myself lost in nature in the middle of Wisconsin. Loved it!