Merit Club

Libertyville, Illinois

Rankings

Golfweek magazine's Top 100 Public Golf Courses You Can Play in the U.S.

Golfweek magazine's list for the "everyday" man where only public access courses are features. Courses in BOLD have been played by Billy; a total of 89 so far. Courses in italics are scheduled to played this year.

Top 10 Public Courses

  1. PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS (Jack Neville and Douglas Grant 1919/H. Chandler Egan 1929, Pebble Beach, CA)
  2. PACIFIC DUNES GOLF COURSE (Tom Doak 2001, Bandon, OR)
  3. PINEHURST RESORT (NO. 2) (Donald Ross 1907, Pinehurst, N.C.)
  4. OLD MACDONALD (Tom Doak 2010, Bandon, OR)
  5. WHISTLING STRAITS RESORT (STRAITS) (Pete Dye 1998, Haven, WI)
  6. BANDON TRAILS (Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore 2005, Bandon, OR)
  7. BANDON DUNES GOLF COURSE (David McLay Kidd 1999, Bandon, OR)
  8. SHADOW CREEK GOLF CLUB (Tom Fazio 1990, North Las Vegas, NV)
  9. BETHPAGE STATE PARK (BLACK) (A.W. Tillinghast and Joseph H. Burbeck 1936, Farmingdale, NY)
  10. KIAWAH ISLAND (OCEAN) (Pete Dye 1991, Kiawah Island, SC)
6th Hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links
6th Hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links

Courses 11-20

  1. PASATIEMPO GOLF CLUB (Alister MacKenzie 1929, Santa Cruz, CA)
  2. TPC SAWGRASS (STADIUM PLAYERS) (Pete Dye 1981, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL)
  3. SPYGLASS HILL GOLF COURSE (Robert Trent Jones 1966, Pebble Beach, CA)
  4. SHEEP RANCH (Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore 2020, Bandon, OR)
  5. THE LIDO (Tom Doak 2023, Rome, WI)
  6. MANELE GOLF COURSE (Jack Nicklaus 1993, Lanai City, HI)
  7. MAMMOTH DUNES (David McLay Kidd 2018, Nekoosa, WI)
  8. SAND VALLEY (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw 2017, Nekoosa, WI)
  9. STREAMSONG RESORT (RED) (Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw 2013, Streamsong, FL)
  10. LANDMAND GOLF CLUB (Tad King and Rob Collins 2022, Homer, NE)
5th Hole at Bandon Trails
5th Hole at Bandon Trails

Courses 21-30

  1. CHAMBERS BAY GOLF CLUB (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 2007, University Place, WA)
  2. KAPALUA RESORT (PLANTATION) (Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore 1991, Kapalua, Maui, HI)
  3. GAMBLE SANDS (David McLay Kidd 2014, Brewster, WA)
  4. STREAMSONG RESORT (BLUE) (Tom Doak 2013, Streamsong, FL)
  5. LAWSONIA (LINKS) (William Langford and Theodore Moreau 1930, Green Lake, WI)
  6. HARBOUR TOWN GOLF LINKS (Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus 1969, Hilton Head Island, SC)
  7. ERIN HILLS GOLF COURSE (Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry and Ron Whitten 2006, Erin, WI)
  8. STREAMSONG RESORT (BLACK) (Gil Hanse 2017, Streamsong, FL)
  9. SEA ISLAND GOLF CLUB (SEASIDE) (Colt and Alison 1928, St. Simons Island, GA)
  10. The Park (Gil Hanse 2023, West Palm Beach, FL)
11th Hole at Sea Island (Seaside)
11th Hole at Sea Island (Seaside)

Courses 31-40

  1. ARCADIA BLUFFS GOLF CLUB (BLUFFS) (Rick Smith and Warren Henderson 2000, Arcadia, MI)
  2. BLACK DESERT RESORT (Tom Weiskopf & Phil Smith 2023, Ivins, UT)
  3. KARSTEN CREEK (Tom Fazio 1994, Stillwater, OK)
  4. FALLEN OAK GOLF CLUB (Tom Fazio 2006, Saucier, MS)
  5. SWEETENS COVE (Tad King and Rob Collins, South Pittsburg, TN)
  6. PRIMLAND (HIGHLAND) (Donald Steel 2006, Meadows of Dan, VA)
  7. THE PRAIRIE CLUB (DUNES) (Tom Lehman and Chris Brands 2010, Valentine, NE)
  8. OMNI HOMESTEAD (CASCADES) (William Flynn 1923, Hot Springs, VA)
  9. PINEHURST RESORT (NO. 4) (Gil Hanse 2018 remodel, Pinehurst, NC)
  10. MARQUETTE GOLF CLUB (GREYWALLS) (Mike DeVries 2005, Marquette, MI)
12th Hole at Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club
12th Hole at Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club

Courses 41-50

  1. WILD HORSE GOLF CLUB (Dan Proctor and Dave Axland 1999, Gothenburg, NE)
  2. TORREY PINES GOLF COURSE (SOUTH) (William Bell Sr. 1957/Rees Jones 2001, La Jolla, CA)
  3. Mystic Creek (Ken Dye 2013, El Dorado, AR)
  4. GIANTS RIDGE (QUARRY) (Jeff Brauer 2003, Biwabik, MN)
  5. SILVIES VALLEY RANCH (HANKINS) (Dan Hixson 2017, Seneca, OR)
  6. MOSSY OAK (Gil Hanse 2016, West Point, MS)
  7. FOREST DUNES - THE LOOP (RED AND BLACK)(Tom Doak 2016, Roscommon, MI)
  8. WINE VALLEY (Dan Hixson 2009, Walla Walla, WA)
  9. PAA-KO RIDGE GOLF CLUB (Ken Dye 2000, Sandia Park, NM)
  10. Lajitas Golf Resort (Black Jack's Crossing) (Lanny Wadkins 2012, Lajitas, TX)
11th Hole at We-Ko-Pa (Cholla)
11th Hole at We-Ko-Pa (Cholla)

Courses 51-60

  1. BLACKWOLF RUN (RIVER) (Pete Dye 1990, Kohler, WI)
  2. MID PINES INN AND GOLF CLUB (Donald Ross 1921, Southern Pines, NC)
  3. RUSTIC CANYON GOLF COURSE (Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner and Geoff Shackelford 2001, Moorpark, CA)
  4. SAND HOLLOW RESORT (CHAMPIONSHIP) (John Fought 2008, Hurricane, UT)
  5. Yocha Dehe at Cache Creek Casion (Brad Bell 2008, Brooks, CA)
  6. FRENCH LICK RESORT (PETE DYE) (Pete Dye 2009, French Lick, IN)
  7. THE GREENBRIER (OLD WHITE TPC) (C.B. Macdonald 1914, White Sulphur Springs, WV)
  8. OZARKS NATIONAL AT BIG CEDAR LODGE (Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw 2019, Hollister, MO)
  9. MINOT COUNTRY CLUB (Jim Engh 2015, Minot, ND)
  10. SILVIES VALLEY RANCH (CRADDOCK) (Dan Hixson 2017, Seneca, OR)
16th Hole at Golden Horseshoe Resort (Gold)
16th Hole at Golden Horseshoe Resort (Gold)

Courses 61-70

  1. MAUNA KEA GOLF COURSE (Robert Trent Jones Sr. 1964/Rees Jones 2008, Kohala Coast, HI)
  2. MAKAI GOLF CLUB (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1971/2010, Princeville, Kauai, HI)
  3. CALEDONIA GOLF AND FISH CLUB (Mike Strantz 1994, Pawleys Island, SC)
  4. Omni PGA Frisco Resort (Fields Ranch East) (Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner 2023, Frisco, TX)
  5. THE DUNES GOLF AND BEACH CLUB (Myrtle Beach, SC)
  6. GOLDEN HORSESHOE GOLF CLUB (GOLD) (Williamsburg, VA)
  7. PINE NEEDLES LODGE AND GOLF CLUB (Southern Pines, NC)
  8. FOREST DUNES (WEISKOPF) (Tom Weiskopf 2002, Roscommon, MI)
  9. CASCATA GOLF CLUB (Rees Jones 2000, Boulder City, NV)
  10. BUFFALO RIDGE AT BIG CEDAR LODGE (Tom Fazio 2000 as Branson Creek, Hollister, MO)
1st Hole at French Lick Resort (Dye)
1st Hole at French Lick Resort (Dye)

Courses 71-80

  1. Keswick Hall and Golf Club (Full Cry) (Pete Dye 2014, Keswick, VA)
  2. HAWKTREE GOLF CLUB (Jim Engh 1999, Bismarck, ND)
  3. CORDEVALLE GOLF CLUB (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1999, San Martin, CA)
  4. THE LINKS AT SPANISH BAY (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1987, Pebble Beach, CA)
  5. COG HILL GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB (NO. 4 DUBSDREAD) (Lemont, IL)
  6. RAMS HILL GOLF CLUB (Tom Fazio 2007, Borrego Springs, CA)
  7. Leatherstocking Golf Club (Devereux Emmet 1909, Cooperstown, NY)
  8. Firestone Golf Club (South) (Bert Way 1929, renovation by Robert Trent Jones Sr. 1959, Akron, OH)
  9. Bay Hill Club & Lodge (Dick Wilson 1961/Arnold Palmer 2009, Orlando, FL)
  10. WHISTLING STRAITS (IRISH) (Pete Dye 2000, Sheboygan, WI)
16th Hole at SentryWorld
16th Hole at SentryWorld

Courses 81-90

  1. OLD WAVERLY (Jerry Pate and Bob Cupp 1988, West Point, MS)
  2. THE HIDEOUT (Forrest Richardson 2001, Monticello, UT)
  3. PUMPKIN RIDGE GOLF CLUB (GHOST CREEK) (North Plains, OR)
  4. TOBACCO ROAD GOLF CLUB (Mike Strantz 1998, Sanford, NC)
  5. REDLANDS MESA, THE GOLF CLUB AT (Jim Engh 2001, Grand Junction, CO)
  6. LINKS OF NORTH DAKOTA (Stephen Kay 1994, Williston, ND)
  7. ARCADIA BLUFFS (SOUTH) (Dana Fry & Jason Straka 2018, Arcadia, MI)
  8. WE-KO-PA GOLF CLUB (SAGUARO) (Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw 2006, Fort McDowell, AZ)
  9. Cape Cod National (Brian Silva 1998, Brewster, MA)
  10. Reynolds Lake Oconee (Great Waters) (Jack Nicklaus 1992, Eatonton, GA)
17th Hole at Hammock Beach (Ocean)
17th Hole at Hammock Beach (Ocean)

Courses 91-100

  1. BREEZY POINT RESORT (DEACON'S LODGE) (Arnold Palmer 1999, Brainerd, MN)
  2. MADDEN'S ON GULL LAKE (Scott Hoffman 1996, Brainerd, MN)
  3. CROSSWATER GOLF CLUB (Bob Cupp 1995, Sunriver, OR)
  4. BELVEDERE GOLF CLUB (Willie Watson 1927, Charlevoix, MI)
  5. PAYNE'S VALLEY AT BIG CEDAR LODGE (Tiger Woods 2020, Hollister, MO)
  6. RED SKY RANCH AND GOLF CLUB (FAZIO) (Tom Fazio 2002, Wolcott, CO)
  7. THE PRAIRIE CLUB (PINES) (Graham Marsh 2010, Valentine, NE)
  8. PGA NATIONAL (CHAMPION) (Tom Fazio and George Fazio 1981, Jack Nicklaus redesign in 2002 and 2014, Palm Beach Gardens, FL)
  9. FOUR SEASONS RESORT HUALALAI (Jack Nicklaus 1996, Kailua-Kona, HI)
  10. BALLY'S GOLF LINKS AT FERRY POINT (Jack Nicklaus 2015, Bronx, NY)
17th Hole at The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa
17th Hole at The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa

Dropped from the 2019 - 2023 lists

  • WOLF CREEK GOLF CLUB (Dennis and John Rider 2000, Mesquite, NV)
  • Wickenburg Ranch (Bill Brownlee 2015, Wickenburg, AZ)
  • Linville Golf Club (Donald Ross 1928, Linville, NC)
  • WOLF CREEK GOLF CLUB (Dennis and John Rider 2000, Mesquite, NV)
  • JIMMIE AUSTIN GOLF COURSE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA (Perry Maxwell 1951, Bob Cupp remodel 1996, Tripp Davis renovation 2017, Norman, OK)
  • TRUMP NATIONAL DORAL (BLUE MONSTER) (Dick Wilson 1961/Gil Hanse 2014, Miami, FL)
  • QUINTERO GOLF CLUB (Rees Jones 2000, Peoria, AZ)
  • FarmLinks at Pursell Farms (Micahel Hurdzan and Dana Fry 2003, Sylacauga, AL)
  • OMNI BARTON CREEK RESORT (FAZIO CANYONS) (Tom Fazio 1999, Austin, TX)
  • SENTRYWORLD (Robert Trent Jones Jr. 1982, Stevens Point, WI)
  • The Rawls Course at Texas Tech (Tom Doak 2003, Lubbock, TX)
  • May River Golf Club at Palmetto Bluff (Jack Nicklaus 2004, Bluffton, SC)
  • ATLANTIC CITY COUNTRY CLUB (Reid Park Jr. 1897/Tom Doak 1999, Atlantic City, NJ)
  • Eagle Eye Golf Club (Chris Lutzke 2003, Bath, MI)
  • TPC SCOTTSDALE (STADIUM) (Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf 1986, Scottsdale, AZ)
  • THE WILDERNESS AT FORTUNE BAY (Jeff Bauer 2004, Tower, MN)
  • SALISH CLIFFS (Gene Bates 2011, Shelton, WA)
  • Pine Dunes Resort & Golf Club (Jay Morrish 2001, Frankston, TX)
  • DORMIE CLUB (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw 2010, West End, NC)
  • TETHEROW GOLF CLUB (David McLay Kidd in 2008, Bend, OR)
  • PRONGHORN GOLF CLUB (NICKLAUS) (Jack Nicklaus 2004, Bend, OR)
  • Gull Lake View Golf Course and Resort (Stoatin Brae) (Tom Doak 2017, Augusta, MI)
  • Barona Creek (Gary Roger Baird 2001, Lakeside, CA)
  • INNISBROOK RESORT (COPPERHEAD) (Lawrence Packard and Roger Packard 1972, Palm Harbor, FL)
  • NEMACOLIN WOODLANDS (MYSTIC ROCK) (Pete Dye 1995, Farmington, PA)
  • TORREY PINES GOLF COURSE (NORTH) (William Bell Sr. 1957/Tom Weiskopf 2016, La Jolla, CA)
  • OLD WAVERLY GOLF CLUB (Jerry Pate and Bob Cupp 1988, West Point, MS)
  • BULLE ROCK (Pete Dye 1998, Havre de Grace, MD)
  • Black Diamond Ranch (Quarry) (Tom Fazio 1987, Lecanto, FL)
  • THE BROADMOOR GOLF CLUB (EAST) (Donald Ross 1918/Robert Trent Jones Sr. 1952, Colorado Springs, CO)
  • TRUE BLUE GOLF CLUB (Mike Strantz 1998, Pawleys Island, SC)
  • Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain (Saguaro/Tortolita) (Jack Nicklaus and Chet Williams 2009, Marana, AZ)
  • PGA WEST (STADIUM) (Pete Dye 1986, La Quinta, CA)
  • TURNING STONE RESORT (ATUNYOTE) (Tom Fazio 2004, Veona, NY)

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