Dallas Morning News 2010

dallasnews.com
The Dallas Morning News
DETERMINING THE TOP 100
TEXAS GOLF 2010
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3CC
Sunday, March 7, 2010
NO. 1 COURSE | WHISPERING PINES GOLF CLUB, TRINITY
THE CRITERIA
Versatility
Does the course create a good mix for the high and low
handicappers? Are better players challenged, while the high
handicappers are able to enjoy play through the use of
shorter teeing areas, alternate routes, location of hazards and
accessible pins?
Shotmaking
Does it test accuracy, finesse, length and putting without
overemphasizing any of these skills?
Design
Is there a good balance in design?
Afterthoughts
How much do you remember about the course? Do one or
two holes stand out as great or bad?
Beauty
Do the scenic values add to the pleasure of a round? Trees,
shrubs, hills, mounds, flowers, etc.?
Maintenance
How would you rate the course conditions, factoring in all
aspects — tees, greens, fairways, bunkers? Spring, summer,
fall or winter when viewed?
Enjoyment
How do you feel about being at the course? What about the
amenities? From arrival to departure, was it a good, bad or
indifferent golf experience?
THE VOTERS
Name
Rob Addington
David Altemus
James Barker
Brent Blackburn
Philip Bleakney
Jeffrey D. Brauer
Bruce Burger
Ben Burns
Tony Campagna
Tom Campbell
Beth Cleckler
John Colligan
Kyle Coody
Jacque Cooper
Robert Couture
Sherwin Cox
Darrell Crall
Carolyn Creekmore
Jacky Cupit
Bruce Davidson
Cameron Doan
Lou Duran
Bob Elliott
Bill Euler
Dave Findlay
Roger Fine
Ryan Finn
Dale Folmar
Gilbert Freeman
Don Gafner
Steve Galko
Edward Gatlin
Drew Gillen
Ronny Glanton
Kevin Gomillion
Kenneth Gorzycki
Leslie Green
Brent Halvorson
Scott Hamilton
Billy Harris
Mark Harrison
Alan Hess
Aaron Hickman
Malcolm Holland
Kenny Huff
Allen Hundley
Gordon Johnson
Danny Jones
Mark Kazlowski
Bob Kearney
Don Kennedy
Nancy Kromar
Phyllis Kwedar
Brad Lardon
Glenn Lee
Paul Marchand
James McAfee
Rives McBee
Lindy Miller
Dale Morgan
Laura Myers
John Neese
Kevin Newberry
Mike Peterson
Andrew Peterson
John Pierce
David Pocknall
George Priolo
Craig Pullen
James T. Rolls
Chris Rowe
Linda Sackett
John Saffle
Lee Sandlin
Carey Schulten
Mike Sheridan
Marty Slade Perlman
Becky Spears
Mac Spikes
Mark Steinbauer
Gary Stephenson
Shawn Strohman
Tom Strueber
Steve Termeer
Jimmy Terry
Tim Thelen
Robert Thompson
Brad Townsend
Bob Twaddell
Mark Viskozki
Bert Walker
Tad Weeks
Michael Wharton-Palmer
Jim Whitten
Robert Wiesner
Melvin Williams
Chris Winn
Dell Wood
Alan Wooley
Kent Yarbrough
Background
Executive director Texas Golf Association
Director of golf, Royal Oaks CC, Houston
Director of instruction, Quarry Golf Club, San Antonio
Director of daily operations and teaching, Dallas Athletic Club
Director of golf, Golf Club of Dallas
Arlington-based golf course architect
Superintendent, The Quarry Golf Club
Head pro, Crown Colony CC
President Turf Materials Inc., Rowlett
Head pro, Emerald Bay Club, Bullard
Manager Morris Williams Golf Course, Austin amateur
Arlington-based golf course architect
Plano amateur
Heath amateur
Dallas amateur
Head pro, Ross Rogers Golf Complex, Amarillo
Executive director, NTPGA
Dallas amateur
PGA life member representing Links at Lands End
Director of golf, River Oaks CC, Houston
Head pro, Preston Trail GC
Frisco amateur
Head pro, Northwood Club
Head pro, Wildflower CC, Temple
Instructor, Redstone GC Members Course, Humble
Carrollton amateur
TGA director of rules and competitions
Senior vice president, Eagle Golf
Head professional, Lakewood CC, Dallas
Dallas Golf Co. CEO, Sunnyvale amateur
Dallas amateur
GM/director of golf, Van Zandt CC
Tyler amateur
Head professional, Sherrill Park GC, Richardson
PGA division manager, Austin golf courses
Director of agronomy, Horseshoe Bay Resort
The Woodlands amateur
Director of golf, Gleneagles CC, Plano
Superintendent, The Club at Escondido, Horseshoe Bay
Head pro, Dallas Country Club
NTPGA director of operations
Superintendent, Augusta Pines GC, Spring
Houston amateur
Dallas amateur
Head professional, Cascades Golf Club, Tyler
Murphy amateur
Head professional, Houston CC
Head professional, Walden on Lake Conroe
Texas Golf editor, Cedar Hill amateur
Houston amateur
Director of golf, Firewheel Golf Park, Garland
Austin amateur
Fort Worth amateur
Director of golf, Miramont CC, Bryan
Director of golf, Horseshoe Bay Resort
GM/head professional, Shadow Hawk Golf Club, Richmond
Director of communications for GolfDFW.com
PGA and Champions Tour life member
Ben Hogan Foundation, teaching professional at Shady Oaks CC
Head professional, Austin CC
Rowlett amateur
PGA life member, Garland
Houston amateur
Nationwide Tour rules official, McKinney amateur
GM Canyon Springs Golf Club, San Antonio
San Antonio amateur
Katy amateur
Head pro, Comanche Trail Golf Course, Amarillo
Head pro, Oakmont CC, Corinth
Head pro, Slick Rock at Horseshoe Bay Resort
Head pro, Whispering Pines, Trinity
Boerne amateur
Director of golf, Traditions Club, Bryan
Dallas amateur
Dallas amateur
Boerne amateur
Dallas amateur
San Antonio amateur
Head professional, Rivercrest CC, Fort Worth
Director of golf, Club at Carlton Woods, The Woodlands
Celina-based golf course architect
Head pro, Escondido
PGA life member, Dallas
GM/director of golf, University of Texas Golf Club, Austin
GM/director of golf, TPC San Antonio
Assistant pro, The Falls Golf and Resort, New Ulm
Teaching professional, Whispering Pines, Trinity
SportsDay writer, Flower Mound amateur
Houston amateur
Director of golf, Tangle Ridge GC, Grand Prairie
Teaching pro, Prairie Lakes GC, Grand Prairie
Head professional, Champions Golf Club, Houston
Texarkana, Ark., amateur
Dallas amateur
Fort Worth amateur
Retired superintendent, Lakeway
PGA professional, Cypress
Head professional, Amarillo CC
Executive director, The First Tee of Greater Austin
Denton amateur
CHECK OUT the rankings
of the top 25 nine-hole
courses in the state.
FIND a schedule of
tournaments and
charity events.
dallasnews.com/sports/golf
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JIM PRESTON
No. 2 at Whispering Pines in Trinity is a 576-yard par 5. The massive bunker protects the right side of the green, making
trying to reach the green in two shots a challenge.
1-2 punch
Whispering Pines, Dallas National a formidable pair atop rankings
By BILL NICHOLS
Staff Writer
[email protected]
One is nestled in a peaceful
setting, muffled by towering
trees. It’s cut off from golfing
inhabitants for about half the
year. Even its name evokes
soothing images.
The other is hidden in a natural paradise within view of the
Dallas skyline. It’s secluded
among massive trees, deep
canyons and plateaus.
But quiet? Whispering
Pines and Dallas National?
In what is becoming a rite of
spring, the courses poke their
heads from their unique surroundings and emit roars
heard across the state.
Whispering Pines earned
the No. 1 spot in The News’ annual ranking of Texas courses
for the fifth straight year. Only
Colonial Country Club has
done better, ranking No. 1 for
seven straight years (1989-95).
Dallas National was second for
the fourth straight year.
Whispering Pines and Dallas National are vastly different
layouts. But they are bonded by
the spectacular design features
carved from their unique topographies.
“Dallas National and Whispering Pines represent golf at
its purest level with an unyielding commitment to maintaining the game’s honorable traditions,” said panelist Darrell
Crall, executive director of the
Northern Texas PGA. “They
both feature immaculate,
championship-caliber
turf
conditions, world class service
and hospitality, and very memorable golf holes.”
Whispering Pines, designed
by Chet Williams and Bill
O’Leary of the Nicklaus Design
Group, meanders through 400
acres of piney woods. Tom Fazio created Dallas National in
the mold of classics like Augus-
ta National and Pine Valley on
what he called “the best piece
of land left in America close to
a major city.”
“Both of those courses are
on fabulous pieces of property,”
said panelist Allen Hundley, a
Dallas amateur who gave high
marks to both layouts.
“If you give Fazio that kind
of property and that kind of
budget, then he’s going to do a
fantastic job. They can set it up
tough to challenge the highest
level of competition, but it’s a
fun casual round for everyone
if played from the proper tees.
Whispering Pines is so natural
it looks like they just cut the
grass to make the golf course.”
Dallas National, just 61⁄2
miles from downtown, was unearthed by John MacDonald.
The former limestone quarry
had sat untouched until MacDonald convinced Fazio to visit the site, which rolls over
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three plateaus and two canyons.
Fazio made true on his
promise to members to exceed
all expectations. The layout
oozes “wow” factor with its
striking elevation changes.
“The unusual topography
and classic layout of the holes
at Dallas National remind me
of some of the great golf courses in the Northeast,” Crall said.
“And the sweet smell from the
towering pine trees combined
with the subtle yet significant
challenges on each hole at
Whispering Pines makes me
think of some of the country’s
best courses located in the
sandhills of North Carolina.”
Opened: March 2000
Designer: Chet Williams
(Nicklaus Design Group)
Length: 7,480 yards from the
tips
Type: Private
Notable: Members make an
annual contribution to the
nonprofit World Health & Golf
Association. The WHGA
charities support health related
causes and the promotion of
amateur golf, according to the
golf club’s Web site. … The
course is open March 24 to July
2 and Sept. 8 to Dec. 19. … It will
host the Big 12 men’s
tournament April 22-25.
Richardson 469-522-3699
LasColinas/Irving 469-759-7041
HighlandPark 469-522-3749
FarmersBranch 972-406-9460
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