A new membership club branded around golf architecture allows members to play nine different public courses in the US for a single yearly fee.

Membership of the ‘Architect’s Nine’ entitles golfers to play courses designed by Donald Ross, Mike Strantz and Gil Hanse, among others.

The initiative is the brainchild of Rob Collins, principal at Kings Collins Golf Course. Collins is the operator and original course designer at Sweetens Cove Golf Club, which is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and one of the courses that comprise The Architect’s Nine. 

Other courses on the list include Tobacco Road – designed by Mike Strantz and located in Pinehurst, North Carolina – and the Donald Ross-designed Southern Pines course, which is also located in Pinehurst. Another Ross design, at Rackham in Detroit, Michigan, also features.

Two courses in Greater Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, feature. Caledonia and True Blue were both originally designed by Mike Strantz.

The other courses on the list are the Gil Hanse-designed Rustic Canyon course in Los Angeles, California, the Dan Hixson-designed Wine Valley in Washington State, and Wild Horse in Nebraska, which was designed by Dave Axland and Dan Proctor.

“If the level of interest in this project is any indication, the Architect’s Nine has the potential to change the way golfers think about golf club memberships and the role it can play in their games,” said Collins. “The expanded, national networking opportunity, the camaraderie, the joy of travel and the top-notch quality of golf are truly unrivaled out there in the marketplace and we’re really excited to see the model grow and enhance the game.”

Membership costs US$210 per month, which is paid annually. The membership includes greens fees, a welcome package with tee gifts, 20 per cent discount off rack rate greens fees for guests of members, and a nationwide members forum.

More information can be found at www.thearchitectsnine.com