XXVII Review of "Edgewood Tahoe"

EDGEWOOD TAHOE, Stateline, Nevada: Although not really in play, the cool, serene water of Lake Tahoe seems to permeate the round here. That makes the place a nice antithesis to your fevered casino action nearby. It's, by the way, a great course too. A very fair but tough dreamland rated in the top public courses of America by Golf Digest. It's designed by Tom Fazio's Uncle George. RATINGS: 75.5/144 COST: $140 (weekdays-offseason)-$240 including cart

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XXVI Review of "Bandon Dunes"

BANDON DUNES, Bandon, Oregon: The original Bandon Dunes Resort course was designed by Scotsman David McLay Kidd. It's beautiful, playable, and European. #16 is one of the most eye pleasing holes in existence. The owners of this resort are indeed visionaries. This track is ranked #6 in the top U.S. courses "you can play" by Golf Magazine. Although it is not more than ten years old, it has hosted a a Mid-Amateur Championship. RATINGS: 74.1/143 COST: $100(rainy season)-$275 WALKING ONLY, caddies add'l cost, carts available for the physically challenged.
By the way: When you are in Bandon, Or. playing this great course, slip over to the "Old Bandon Golf Links" and play golf with 1890's clubs and balls. It's a blast and it's difficult.

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XXV Review of "George W. Dunne National"

GEORGE W. DUNNE NATIONAL (Forest Preserve Nat'l), Oak Forest, Illinois: This course is the pride of the Cook County Forest Preserve District and is certified by Audubon International as a "Cooperative Sanctuary". It has been renamed for a former powerful Cook Co. Board president. Chicagoland is blessed with many great courses, and this one is top tier. And it is run governmentally! A phenomena indeed. People used to start lining up at 10 P.M. the night before to play at the "first come, first (tee time) served course". It was worth the trouble. Now it's too easy. They take phone-in tee times. The Ken Killian/Dick Nugent design is a toughie and an outstanding value. RATINGS: 75.4/142 COST: fluctuates at Cook County's whims. approx. $50-65 including cart

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XXIV Review of "Pinon Hills"

PINON HILLS, Farmington, New Mexico: Designed by Ken Dye, this course just may be the best value in the country. A great track (voted #1 muni in the U.S.A. in 2002) for too cheap. That's hard to say but true. I thought too cheap was impossible until I played it. It has a brutal front nine holes. This area of New Mexico is not the prettiest place, however the course is immaculate and not to be missed if you are passing through. RATINGS: 73.9/139 COST: $45-$50 including cart

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XXIII Review of "King's Course"

KING'S COURSE, Waikoloa, Hawaii: The Weiskopf/Moorish Hawaii lava masterpiece this is. It was built amongst the 'a'a (or Pahoehoe) lava fields on the Kohala coast of the big island of Hawaii. Even though the Big Island is constantly forming through volcanic eruptions, you have no worry about getting burned at this beautiful resort. (By the way, don't miss Hawaii Volcanoes Nat'l Park on another part of the island.) Stay in the fairway as balls don't get found in the lava fields-bouncy bounce. If they do get found, they don't play well and are gouged. This side of the island is awesome and dry (Hilo is the wet side) and 80 degrees and sunny. An interesting note: People don't believe there is snow here. There is, but not on this course of course. RATINGS: 135/73.4 COST: $195 including cart

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XXII Review of "Monument"

MONUMENT (at Troon North), Scottsdale, Arizona: The Weiskopf/ Moorish Saguaro masterpiece this is. All Phoenix area golf is beautiful, but this one is a speciality among them. The greatest things about this course: 1) Every hole is suitable for framing. Bring a digital so that you can take 5 pics on each hole. 2) The score don't matter. 3) Wowie-Zowie RATINGS: 72.9/147 COST: $55 (summer)-$170 including cart

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XXI Review of "Cholla"

CHOLLA (at We Ko Pa), Fountain Hills, Arizona: On the Fort McDowell Yavapai reservation there is a gem of a golf course (currently ranked in the top 40 "Courses You Can Play"). It is convenient to Phoenix and designed by Scott Miller.
This was the original We Ko Pa course and it made so much money (it couldn't have been the casino) that Ben Crenshaw & Bill Coore have added a course at the facility. Very good conditioning is a plus at this venue. RATINGS: 73.3/137 COST: $75(summer)-$180 including cart

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