24 Architects’ Choice Top 100 Golf Courses TPC Sawgrass (Stadium) Florida, USA Pete Dye, Alice Dye, 1980 Constructed specifically for tournament play, TPC Sawgrass was the first ‘stadium’ design. Initially receiving quite a critical reception, with the help of subsequent tweaks by Dye, the course has become widely admired and – thanks to its famous seventeenth island par three – universally recognised. Mike Hurdzan says: “Off the charts creative, great visuals, demanding shot values, fun to play or watch, ground breaking”. Prairie Dunes Kansas, USA Perry Maxwell, Press Maxwell, 1937 When Emerson Carey commissioned architect Perry Maxwell to design a course in 480 acres of rolling Kansas hills, he replied: “There are 118 holes here, and all I have to do is eliminate 100”. Nine holes were opened in 1937 and a further nine designed by Maxwell’s son Press completed the eighteen in 1957. Kiawah Island (Ocean) South Carolina, USA Pete Dye, Alice Dye, 1991 Originally designed to sit behind the dunes, Alice Dye suggested raising the entire course to provide views of the Atlantic. This also means that golfers are more exposed to the unpredictable winds, making a difficult course even tougher. Crystal Downs Michigan, USA Alister MacKenzie, Perry Maxwell, 1929 Mike DeVries says: “I grew up working and playing there and even after thousands of days on the property, I still learn something about golf architecture every time I am there. The variety and intricacies of the layout and the green complexes make it worthy of consideration with the best courses.” Arthur Hills says: “So delightful, a wonderful venue and amazing fit with the ground.” ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #35 ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #34 ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #33 ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #32 ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #34 ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #33 ARCHITECTS’ CHOICE #26
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