The debate about the top ten courses is such an "interesting" one. It is almost dated already. There will be a time; real soon; that this will all become immaterial....it will be the top 100 (or 500) that will be the looked at list. Here's the reason: awesome courses are appearing all over the country; probably in Canada (and perhaps in Europe soon as well).
Tim's course; Winter Park, is a good example.....He is justifiably, proud of his achievements there. The course is fantastic in all design areas. He has more than 18 holes. Winter Park has elevation; water; great wooded holes; a beautiful setting; and potential for even more! However, he does not have cement tees. This automatically means he should be no where near the top 10. I am not complaining, Tim, just pointing this out.
Now, I know this will be considered controversial and that Tim will probably be unhappy with me giving his wonderful course a less than perfect review. The fact is; there are a few slightly dangerous tees out there.
Another point; for those who have been to courses like Blue Ribbon Pines, in Minnesota: Winter does not compare to that course in terms of pro shop for one; nor does it have the fantastic landscaping that can be found at Blue Ribbon. There are rock constructions and wooden borders found at Blue Ribbon that are nowhere to be seen in Kewaunee. Look at the picture for hole #1 tee at Blue Ribbon. Note the wood chips on fairways there. The home made wooden bench near the pro shop is the best I've ever seen. There are 27 holes. The design is awesome. However, Blue lacks elevation and water didn't seem to be that much in play to me.
So, to recap: both are more than 18; both have awesome tests of skills; with all shots represented. Timmy Gill and Tim Kopacz should both be given awesome design awards. However, as mentioned above, both are missing something the other has. (Should be noted that Mr. Gill's design at Justin Trails, in Sparta, Wisconsin, is premier as well....36 holes there; with the newer Gill designed "Big Brother" illustrating the best in modern course design. This course has elevation, cement tees, water, etc. There is also camping on site; which the other two lack. Justin Trails is easily comparable to these other two courses.)
Now, both of these have been in the top ten; Winter Park is at present. What this primarily represents is; there is good representation in our part of the country on this site....
I'm not saying these courses aren't wonderful....they are!!!
Now, compare this with Highbridge....6 courses (at present) @90 holes....all levels of play...from gold to chestnut (which is lighted by the way; for night play...again, something all the other three mentioned, lack). Camping on site; a wonderful Chuck Kennedy design (among others); seclusion to the highest degree....cement tees, elevation, water, etc.
Then, the issue becomes; are we rating single courses? Yes, I guess we are. But....the fact that multiple courses are on site should certainly be a factor is overall rating. Should it not? Futhermore; I believe pros would rate gold; and perhaps even Granite, higher than Blueberry. (Lemon Lake is another that has multiple courses on site; the Quad Cities in Bettendorf/Davenport, Iowa, is another area that has multiple courses within a 15 mile radius that IMOH is a better grouping than even Highbridge has (but....requires some travel; albeit not much....)).
To finish this ramble: the multiple course complexes/areas will take over the top ten/twenty in no time at all.
Does this lessen the single course ratings? (Keep in mind that the two mentioned have more than 18 holes; so this would push courses with only 18, below these). No, this won't degrade these courses for what they are....awesome designs you will absolutely want to play!!!! But....they will slide down the list.
To return to the start of this entry: SOON.....IT WILL BE THE TOP 100; or even the top 500; THAT WILL QUALIFY AS MUST PLAY COURSES!!! (Top 100 is only two in each state for Pete's sake!!)
One final thought, so it doesn't seem I have complete midwest bias: I have played the Hudson Mills courses, near Ann Arbor (have not played the Ludington group or the Grand Rapids group; but bet they are just as awesome) and have thrown at Paw Paw in West Virginia; just to name a couple, and these could be substituted in place of the above mentioned courses.
Point is; top ten really means very little; other than that reviews have gone in favor up to this point; for those courses.
