GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS ON THREE CONTINENTS HAIL THE CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE
Photo: Matthew Harris
ROYAL Dornoch’s Championship Course is no stranger to lists compiled in the UK and the USA of the greatest golfing experiences.
The latest rankings, unveiled by the American-based LINKS Magazine, have been compiled for the first time with input from members of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), the European Institute of Golf Course Architects (GCA), and the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects (SAGCA).
“The LINKS 100” lays claim to be “the most authoritative tabulation of golf’s most elite layouts,” with 400 courses from around the globe under consideration.
“So why do another ranking of the world’s top courses?” posed the LINKS Magazine team.
“For starters, rankings are fun. It’s the ultimate grill room debate: Which course is better?
“Rankings certainly illuminate the most famous courses, but they also throw glare on overrated layouts and occasionally shine a light on lesser-known gems from faraway places.
“One may question whether architects can be fair about evaluating the work of fellow designers, but our take is this: Who better to judge the comparative merits of golf courses than the men and women who design them for a living?
“We learned, perhaps not surprisingly, that Society architects prefer sand-based, seaside golf courses. Nearly 60 of the top 100 courses are either classic, low-lying links, clifftop layouts above the sea, or inland spreads draped atop sandy subsoil.
“In contrast to some other rankings, there were no set-in-stone criteria that the architects were required to follow when evaluating a golf course.
“As a guideline, the architects were encouraged to weigh six factors in arriving at their assessments:
· How well the course tests the full range of skills
· Design rhythm – the flow and balance of a course
· Variety – both of the terrain and individual holes
· Skill of routing, navigability
· Beauty, setting, and course conditioning
· Imaginative (or admirably restrained) use of the given land.”
So, with Augusta National at 12 and Pebble Beach in 15th spot, where in “The “LINKS 100” did Royal Dornoch feature?
Our Championship Course comes in at number 10, on a list topped by Cypress Point.
Pine Valley, Royal County Down and the National Golf Links of America figure ahead of The Old Course at St Andrews, followed by Shinnecock Hills, Sand Hills, Royal Melbourne West and Royal Portrush.
Not surprisingly, The Old Course and Royal Dornoch aren’t the only courses from “The Home of Golf” to warrant inclusion.
Muirfield is at number 20, followed by North Berwick West (21), Trump Turnberry Ailsa (25), Carnoustie (43), Royal Troon (49), Cruden Bay (56), Machrihanish (64), Prestwick (68), Kingsbarns (76), Royal Aberdeen (81) and Western Gailes (87).
“No ranking is perfect, but we hope that our expertise, experience, and passion make The LINKS 100 a vehicle to advance awareness of great design, foster discussion, and inspire us all to design courses that golfers will continue to enjoy for generations to come,” explained Brian Costello, ASGCA President, Caspar Grauballe, EIGCA President and Paul Mogford, SAGCA President.
You can view the full list on the following link – The LINKS 100.