XI Review of "The Prince"

THE PRINCE, Princeville, Hawaii: Robert Trent Jones, Jr. is as cruel as his dad. Although the ratings don't support it, this is the most difficult course I've ever played. (And one of the most beautiful) Number 12 is the hole you've dreamt of. Maybe after playing it there will be nightmares. The green can be driven 370 yards from 10 stories above the hole. Unfortunately, it feels like shooting the ball through the eye of a needle! I have a better idea. Take your triple bogey on #1
(after trying for the green in regulation), leave the clubs on the second tee, and just walk the rest of the course. RATINGS: 75.2/145 COST: $125 (after noon)-$200 including cart

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X Review of "Masterpiece"

MASTERPIECE (Treetops Resort), Gaylord, Michigan: This aptly named northern Michigan  golf masterpiece is so diabolically constructed that I am convinced its designer, Robert Trent Jones, Sr., must never have played golf. But what an aesthetic torture chamber! Go when the hardwoods are turning colors in the fall so that you can enjoy looking for your ball. Yikes, there are 45 degree slanted fairways and chutes to tee off through. Is a 144+ slope rating and 75+ stroke rating hard enough? This course is impossible and awesome. COST: $70 (off-season)-$135 including cart

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IX Review of "Cleghorn Plantation"

CLEGHORN PLANTATION, Rutherfordton, North Carolina: George Cobb???? Well he is the course architect and he sure knew what he was doing. This is a lovely course (and mature, being forty years old) nestled in the southern Appalachian foothills. It is heavily wooded, heavily hazarded. The views from every tee are awesome and often any hole, other than the one being played, is not in view. The price is also incredible. That's southern hospitality! This course is highly rated by Golf Digest and Golflink. Some have likened it to Augusta National. While that may be a little far fetched, the similarities are there. RATINGS: 74.6/134 COST: $50 including cart

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VIII Review of "Donald Ross Memorial Course"

DONALD ROSS MEMORIAL COURSE, Harbor Springs, Michigan: The Scottish kid designed about 500 courses (or 9000 golf holes) between 1903 and 1935 and racked up a decent reputation. Well, this course copies his 18 most famous holes and therefore likely his best. Any questions? RATINGS: 73.4/138 COST: $60 (off season)-$109 including cart

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