Best New Courses in the U.S. Says Golf Digest
The Cardinal at Saint John’s Gets Accolades
By Tom Lang
The best new course in the United States in 2024 is Pinehurst No. 10, a design by Michigander Tom Doak, according to Golf Digest’s latest announcement.
Second place was Cabot Citrus Farms (Karoo) in Florida, followed by third place Sedge Valley in Wisconsin.
Two more courses curiously-labeled as ‘Runner Up’ rounded out Golf Digest’s ‘top 5’ – with no others listed – and one of those two was Michigan’s very own Saint John’s Resort The Cardinal, in Plymouth, designed by another Michigander, Ray Hearn.
Golf Digest said this is the fifth time Doak has won ‘Best New Course of the Year.’
These awards are part of what make me often wonder if Michigan golfers truly appreciate what wonderful course and course designers we have in the Great Lakes State. Doak and Hearn are not the only golf household names when it comes to architecture. We also can claim Mike Devries, Paul Albanese and the Matthews family’s three generations.
Michigan has some of the best golf environment factors and formations, and good weather, to provide incredible golfing experiences. And while the cost of golf has risen in lockstep with the game’s popularity, often times Michigan golf is the most affordable anywhere in the country. I do advocate for traveling elsewhere on occasion for golf, but if you do not have the means or desire to venture beyond our border, you’ll have wonderful experiences if stay right here at home for your golf exploration.
Number One:
I do not doubt this pick. I haven’t played Pinehurst No. 10 (just No. 2) but based on the descriptions Doak gave me in a sit-down back in May, and the photos that have been shown, I can believe it.
I asked Doak halfway through 2024 what the response from others was like: “We’re still in the honeymoon phase,” Doak replied. “All new golf courses, the first six months they’re open everyone’s saying, ‘oh, that’s awesome.’ So, it will be a year or two before I really know (how people feel about it), but the client is surprised that it’s as strong of a golf course as it is.
“When they hired me they didn’t say anything plus or minus about tournament play. They’ve obviously got a great course to play tournaments on (Pinehurst No. 2), and they really weren’t looking to do that again, but they told me recently they just had all the USGA people out for the U.S. Open media day (in spring 2024), and they played No. 10 the day before that, and (USGA reps) were saying they want to host an event there (No. 10). They’re not sure what yet, but they definitely want to host an event there. It’s a really strong golf course.”
Golf Digest described it this way: “After a tame start with three holes that loop around a calm section of ground, the design gradually amplifies as the land becomes more extreme leading up to the par-4 eighth, one of the most original and bizarre holes in American golf. It plunges through the tall spoils of an old sand mining operation, staggering drunkenly over displaced ridges, hummocks and dunes.
“Many of the drives at No. 10 play across subtle crests of land, disguising what’s ahead, and though the fairways offer latitude, the course plays much longer than the scorecard yardage (7,020 yards from the back tees). The real highlights are the inventive green complexes. Most are surrounded by fields of short grass, similar to Pinehurst No. 2, leaving the choice of recovery shots up to the player. But the green contours are fascinating and fiendish, a combination of collecting slopes and bowls offset by shoulders, tiers and steep fall-offs—often on the same green. Pinehurst #10 hits the high notes of sand, sculpture and pines that make the whole Pinehurst experience endlessly intoxicating, but the rhythm is new and represents the way forward for one of America’s legendary resorts.”
Saint John’s The Cardinal:
Golf Digest gave this narrative of the Plymouth course:
“Designed by architect Ray Hearn, it replaces Saint John’s early 1980’s 27-hole resort course (from the Matthews family) with more spacious and strategically engaging holes that are either brand new or significantly redesigned. The excess holes were removed and transformed, giving Hearn room to add a fun 7-hole short course and large, Himalayas-style putting green. Part of a $50 million-plus renovation of the entire campus, The Cardinal is a much-needed reclamation of a scenic and moving piece of land that tended to get lost under the old design, with a less formal style of bunker and the latitude to explore different avenues into the greens. Though just 20 miles from downtown, the revamped feel of the wooded property whisks players to a place much farther away.”
Whether you do or do not travel for golf to the top named new courses in North Carolina, Florida, or Wisconsin, you really cannot be disappointed if you stay right here at home in the Great Lakes State.
