Conference 7.286::golf

    The best conditioned courses I've ever played are:
    
    -The Country Club two weeks after the 88 Open. Everything was
    essentially perfect. I've played it twice since and it hasn't been
    nearly as good.
    
    -A course called MoreFar in NY. Owned by an insurance company (can't
    remember which). Not a particularly great layout, but it was in
    immaculate condition. We were the only foursome on the course in
    mid-June and I'm told only two or three groups play it per day.
    
    -Royal Quebec outside Quebec city. This was the first really nice
    course I ever played (in 71) and it was awesome, but then again my
    sights were set pretty low in those days. My first time with a caddie,
    who was 3 times my age and I had to fight the inclination to call him
    "sir", I shoulda been carrying his clubs.
    
    -Essex Country Club, I hope. I'm playing it for the first time next
    week and I hear it's in great shape.
    
    Chris

    
    re .1
    
    Is that Essex Country Club outside of Windsor, Ontario?
    
    I saw my first pro tournament there (the Canadian Open) sometime
    in the early 1970's. A very nice traditional course with HUGE trees
    and in very nice condition as I recall.
    
    Another well conditioned public course in that same area is Roseland.
    I haven't been there in about 15 years (I moved out of Detroit about
    12 years ago), I hope it's still there. It's the only public course
    I've ever been to that had caddies available.
    
                                 -Joe

Black Diamond in Florida, built by Stan Olsen, designed by Fazio is immaculate.

It is built in the highest spot in Florida around a quarry and you actually do 
go up and down in terrain like in New England. The course from tee to green is 
perrrfffectly maintained sans any blemish whatsoever including divots.

It is private and the centered fold for the development.

Shattuck Inn in Jaffery N.H. Its a jewel from tee to green with all Bent grass.
The same designer who built Shaker Hills the new course in Harvard Mass. I like
the condition of Shattuck Inn better because it is more mature (took three years 
to build) and each hole is carved out of wilderness such that you really don't 
see the other holes, whereas, Shaker Hills has the traditional side by side although 
the fairways are separated by trees. I do wish Shattuck Inn some time in the future
would clear out rocks in the soil in the rough surrounding the fairways.

Just played Oak Hill in Fitchburg Mass. which had the plushest fairways I have
had the pleasure to play.

Torrey Pines in San Diego, great course considering it gets a lot of play, It 
is so natural and beautiful that you don't mind the blemishes.

    Re: .1 - Chris, I've heard of MoreFar sometime in my distant past, and
    I believe that it was described just as you say - fabulous shape and
    absolutely no play. Sounds like you're gonna play Essex County Club
    (Unless the course you described really is in Canada) up on the North
    shore. It's supposed to be British in nature, like Myopia - only on the
    water. Our former club pro played it years ago and didn't like it
    because of its rugged, natural design. From what he was bitching about,
    it sounded just perfect to me. You gotta love those old courses.
    
     There's another old one in Dedham called Dedham Polo Club which is
    neat. Very short, some blind shots and unusual holes, but in its own
    way it is a gem. The tees and fairways are pretty good (Those old
    Yankees don't like to spend much on aesthetics), but the greens are
    great. Another course which is supposed to be in great shape now is
    Worcester C.C. I haven't played it for a while because my connections
    kind of petered out. Also, the pro is a dork of the first order. Too
    bad - I live close by, and I love the course.
    
     Glad someone else likes Oak Hill. I never remembered the fairways as
    being outstanding - good, but not outstanding. Everybody sees things
    differently, I guess. The greens were always very good.
    
     One more course in Central Mass which is always in very nice shape is
    Whitinsville. I never tire of playing there.
    
    --Jack 
    

    The Essex I was referring to is the one in Mass. where they played some
    of the early US Opens. I played Newport, R.I. CC (site of the first
    Open) many years ago, sounds like Essex is similar.
    
    re- Worcester- my brother played it earlier this summer and really
    raved on it. He's played all the best courses in Mass and rates it #1.
    
    Chris

     I don't know if I'd go that far with Worcester. Except for the 3rd
    hole (IMO), the first 6 are pretty mundane. I'd certainly rate Salem
    and Brookline higher, and (From what I've heard - I haven't played it)
    Winchester. Kittansett, too. Longmeadow and Myopia would also have a
    shot, except they both seem to have terrific front 9's and routine back
    9's. I should mention that the par 3 9th hole at Myopia ("Pond") is my
    favorite short par 3 in golf.
    
    --Jacl

     Let me add another course to the list that really impressed me -
    Winged Foot - West. Played it yesterday. Immaculate greens with lots of
    speed and hidden rolls that hold very well. Fairways were very good, as
    were the tees. The driving range was kind of an embarrassment for a
    course like this - it had a big net at the end (Which you could clear),
    and another fairway behind it, jeopardizing players. The facility was
    fantastic - huge stone clubhouse, great grill room and locker rooms. We
    played with a young member who always plays from the "Tips" (I didn't),
    and who is a + 1 Handicap. He also has locker # 1. I think his family
    has some connections... Hopefully I'll be going back this fall to play
    Winged Foot - East, Quaker Ridge and Fenway, but there are no sure
    things in life... IMO, Olympic is even harder, except for the par 3's
    which, at Winged Foot, are fabulous - If you're into pain.
    
    --Jack