Green Blueprints: A Talk With Top Golf Course Designer Jim Engh

         Jim Engh burst onto the scene as a top tier golf course architect 20 years ago with his first US design, The Sanctuary, a highly acclaimed, physically radical, and ultra-private course on the edges of Denver, CO. The Sanctuary has no members, and is owned by ReMax real estate co-founder and Chairman Dave Liniger, who originally bought the land for his beloved Arabian stallions. But the site proved...

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Punch Shots: Best PGA TOUR Venue to Play This Year

 With the PGA Tour kicking off this week at CordeValle, we asked our travel experts which public-access course on the 2013-14 schedule is the best. Jason Deegan: CordeValle Golf Club It’s too bad that the CordeValle drops off the PGA TOUR calendar next year. The 7,360-yard course has hosted the Frys.com Open since 2010, but the event will move to the Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa in 2014. Be sure to check out this year’s telecast...

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In the Bronx, New Golf Course Trumps a Dump

The story of the new golf course in Ferry Point Park is beset with a complex history that includes lengthy delays and exorbitant costs—hurdles familiar to any New Yorker with a big plan. Now, 12 years, several contractors, and more than $100 million after the course was initially scheduled to open, the construction of all 18 holes is finally complete thanks to the unlikely partnership of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Donald Trump and Jack Nicklaus. On...

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Whether in San Diego for Work or Play, There are Plenty of Options for a Quickie Golf Fix

                                                 Torrey Pines Golf Course  A destination for business and pleasure travelers alike, San Diego is a mecca for the active outdoor aficionado who, especially,...

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Mystic Rock and Links Golf Courses at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Southwestern Pennsylvania: Scenery, drama and a Pete Dye challenge

Combine the name of dastardly designer Pete Dye  with these daunting numbers -- 7,526 (yards), 77.0 (course rating) and 147 (slope) -- and it's easy to see why players might be intimidated by the Mystic Rock Course at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa.          But those with a realistic view of their ability have no reason to fear. Play from the appropriate tees, and a round at...

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Public Golf - in All its Forms -- The Real Star of Diverse Virginia Beach, Virginia

In the heavily populated Hampton Roads, Virginia area, it's often difficult to figure out who's who and what's what. Few regions have such a plentiful mix of vacationers and residents, civilians and military, worker bees and retirees, and transients and locals. The diverse population adds up to a large demand for public golf in an array of forms. From spectacular and pricey Bay Creek Resort on the pristine Eastern Shore; to affordable...

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Stroll Down Golf's Memory Lane at the Historic Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield, New Jersey

NORTHFIELD, N.J. -- The Atlantic CityCountry Club has "it." You know what "it" is, right? It's that cool factor that can't easily be defined or described. All the great ones have "it" -- thatstar quality shared only by the supermodels, the quarterbacks, the actors. Count the Atlantic City Country Club among the cool crowd blessed with "it." This place exudes an elegant country club vibe few public courses can replicate. It all traces back...

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Accuracy is Key at Los Lagos Golf Club Just South of Laughlin, Nevada

MOHAVE VALLEY, Ariz. -- Los Lagos Golf Club is golf at its simplest -- a straightforward layout that is player friendly. The course, located 90 minutes south of Las Vegas in Laughlin, is a Ted Robinson Sr. layout that stretches to 6,804 yards from the tips. But with several elevated -- and large -- greens, it's still a solid test for all players. "It's all laid out right in front of you," said Daniel Hegney, the head golf professional...

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Feel like golf royalty in Scotland: Choose from Gleneagles' three great courses

ERTHSHIRE, Scotland -- The green fee at glorious Gleneagles varies from $115 to $280 according to the time of the year and whether or not you're staying in the magnificent hotel, but it matters not which course you play -- King's, Queen's or PGA Centenary.Very unusually for a resort with three courses -- possibly uniquely -- there's no stand-out, this is the one-you-brag-to-your-friends-you've-played course. A good case can be made for each that,...

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Wild Pigs Ravage Golf Course, Neighborhood

Hogging the golf course may not be proper etiquette, but the pigs around Almaden Country Club in San Jose, Calif., have no use for protocol, and it has the community squealing. The feral pigs are tearing up the grass and digging holes in search of food and water. According to the county club, the cluster of pigs is extracting water from the grass, roots, insects in the ground, and anywhere else they find it on the golf course. “It is not a new...

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Sikta Golf Course Ground Skeeper Charged with Attempting to Poison Bears

Wildlife Trooper Jake Abbott says the investigation shows golf course employee, Kevin Taranoff, placed food laced with anti-freeze coolant near the Sea Mountain Restaurant. The poisonous food could be what killed two dogs that visited the area last week. A month ago, the bears tore holes in the golf course. At Taranoff’s request, the Department of Fish and Game set a bear trap, but Abbott says Taranoff ended up taking matters into his own hands. “At that time the grounds keeper had made some comments along the lines of ‘if you don’t deal with...

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Naperville Park District considering upgrades to golf course clubhouses

By Melissa Jenco, Chicago Tribune Reporter 6:14 p.m CDT, October 25, 2013  The Naperville Park District's two golf course clubhouses may be getting upgrades they hope will bring them up to par. Park officials are exploring several options for the facilities constructed more than 20 years ago and say they hope the changes will entice golfers to stick around after they play. "The focus groups, they say I don't see anything...

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