by Joe Passov
Contributing Writer, GOLF MAGAZINE
However this month's experiment at Whistling Straits plays out, the
PGA of America deserves credit for taking its main event off the beaten
track. But the PGA Championship's upcoming schedule is a list of the
usual suspects.
Why not open things up? Here are nine other courses that could add
some major jolt. (We'll leave it to the PGA to sort out logistics,
parking and the other hard stuff.)
Crystal Downs
Frankfort, Michigan
What would the pros blame for over-par scores on this brilliant little
6,518-yard par 70? With its fiendishly contoured greens on a superbly
varied layout by Alister Mackenzie, the place plays like a northern
Augusta -- plus thick native rough.
Cypress Point
Pebble Beach, California
The "Sistine Chapel of golf" hosted a PGA Tour event for 44 years,
but a PGA is probably out of the question. As Bob Hope said of the
club's insularity, "Cypress had a successful membership drive last
month -- they drove out 40 members."
Grand National (Links)
Opelika, Alabama
Alabama and the PGA last met at Shoal Creek. Let's bury that painful
memory with the best course on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
Its sister, the Lake, has hosted LPGA, Nationwide and NCAA events,
but the 7,311-yard Links is even better.
Merion
Ardmore, Pennsylvania
This is where Jones clinched his Slam, Hogan hit his 1-iron and Trevino
tossed a rubber snake at Nicklaus. Everyone wants to go back to Merion.
So do it. It's too short? Bring up the rough, firm up the greens and
let's see what happens. If 25-under wins, so be it.
Montauk Downs State Park
Montauk, New York
Bethpage Black had the "People's Open"; let's bring a People's PGA
to this Long Island public course known as "the poor man's Shinnecock
Hills." The 1968 Robert Trent Jones redesign features many meaty par
4s -- like Bethpage, but here you can taste the sea spray.
Pacific Dunes
Bandon, Oregon
No other U.S. course matches Tom Doak's one-two punch of mind-blowing
aesthetics and imaginative design. The back alone has three par 5s
and four par 3s. No airport access, no
Holiday Inns, no worries -- as with Sand Hills (below), we'll be
glued to the TV.
Sand Hills
Mullen, Nebraska
Many call Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore's prairie masterpiece the best
new course of the past 50 years. It's PGA of America CEO Jim Awtrey's
fantasy pick. "Sand Hills would be fun," says Awtrey. "It's more than
200 miles from any major airport, but Crenshaw and Coore did a wonderful
job."
Shadow Creek
North Las Vegas
Nevada in August? Heat didn't stop previous PGA scorchers at Congressional,
Shoal Creek and Southern Hills. Tom Fazio's mirage of Carolina in
the desert deserves a major. And we hear there's lots to do in the
host city.
Trump National Los Angeles,
5th hole Ken May/Rolling Greens Photography |
Trump National Golf Club
Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Known as Ocean Trails back when its 18th hole fell into the Pacific,
resurrected by Donald Trump, this glorious, daily-fee Pete Dye design
boasts brilliant ocean views and exacting shot values. Stick The Donald
in the TV booth and broadcast in prime time for huge ratings.
The Real Deal
Our fantasies aside, here's where the PGA Championship is headed
in the next few years:
| Year |
Course |
Location |
| 2005 |
Baltusrol Golf Club (Lower) |
Springfield, NJ |
| 2006 |
Medinah Country Club (No. 3) |
Medinah, IL |
| 2007 |
Southern Hills Country Club |
Tulsa, OK |
| 2008 |
Oakland Hills Country Club (South) |
Bloomfield Hills, MI |
| 2009 |
Hazeltine National Golf Club |
Chaska, MN |
| 2010 |
Sahalee Country Club |
Redmond, WA |
