EAGLE RIDGE RESORT & SPA-63 holes of golf are closed. But one is now open, the simulator hole, located in the General Clubhouse. See the details at EagleRidge.com.
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and connect on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Welcome to Sand Valley Resort in Nekoosa Wisconsin.
Well have you thought ahead to 2023, and where you want to play.
I’m sure you will hit your regular courses, and maybe go play an old favorite that you have not played in a few years.
But in my case, I do like to hit my share of new courses I have not played before, or courses I have not played since it has reopened from a restoration.
So here are some thoughts I have as 2023 approaches. Don’t be afraid to try a few new ones, you could end up with a new favorite you return to every year.
1.THE LIDO AT Sand Valley Resort. A few holes got opened this year for preview play. But the rest will open in 2023, this redo of the famous Long Island Course from nearly 100 years ago, should be something if Tom Doak and team nail it and I think they will.
2.THE CYPRESS COURSE at the Bonita Bay Club in Florida. Because I hear the Fazio renovation is outstanding, and I’ll see it after the PGA Show.
Welcome to Copperhead at the Innisbrook Resort in Florida.
3. Copperhead at Innisbrook Resort in Tarpon Springs Florida.
Earlier this year I was at the Innisbrook Resort and the temperatures dropped.
Badly.
So after a day of 48 degree weather on the North and South Courses, I really was not ready for 18 holes on the course that is home to the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour.
Copperhead is one of the great PGA Tour courses anyone can play. So I am up for a rematch in 2023.
4. North Shore Country Club-the club in Glenview Illinois is one I have played a few times, but not since the Rick Jacobson renovation a few years back. The course will host the 2023 Western Amateur and I’m ready to see it one more time.
5. Stone Mountain Golf Club-near Atlanta GA. I visited the park as a kid, but back when there was no golf there. Now there is and it’s time to go back.
6.Boyne Golf in Michigan. It’s been over 4 years since I was there, and things have change a bit since I last played there. Architect Ray Hearn has been at work, and his projects are always great to check out.
7. Midlothian Country Club-speaking of Ray Hearn, his work at Midlothian has generated rave reviews, but I would to see for myself.
The Par-3 8th hole on the Oconee Course at Reynolds.
8.Reynolds-Lake Oconee the best golf resort property in the State of Georgia has six golf courses. I have played 4 of them, it’s time to finish the list.
Architect Bob Cupp designed the two courses I have not played. The Preserve Course and the Landing Course.
In 2022 I played the Great Waters Course by Jack Nicklaus-which was really good. But I can say the same about the Oconee Course by Rees Jones, now it’s time to see Cupp’s work as well.
9. Horse Shoe Bay Resort-near Austin Texas. I have played three of the resorts four courses. But the one I have not played a Jack Nicklaus signature design was only under construction when I was there. So it’s time to go back and see the finished product.
10. Pinehurst 8-Pinehurst NC. The course was closed last summer for some upgrades after 25 years. I can’t wait to see what they have done.
HM. Metedeconk National Golf Club. Yes Ray Hearn again, the Holland Michigan architect has been hard at work here, and his efforts have paid off with the club landing a new Korn Ferry Tour event.
HM ColdStream Country Club in Cincinnati Ohio, was recently renovated by Keith Foster. Because his projects are all really good-Can’t wait to play here.
So I’ll see you on the links and in the fairways everyone in 2023. RS