There’s nothing quite like hearing a fellow golf fanatic gush about their ‘holy grail’ course. It immediately sparks that shared sense of wonder and the insatiable desire to experience it for yourself. As a golf course architecture obsessive, I live for these moments, seeking out the stories behind the turf and the vision behind the greens.
Recently, Athletics All-Star outfielder Brent Rooker let slip his architectural passions on the Subpar podcast, revealing two courses that have captured his imagination: one he’s loved and played repeatedly, and another that sits atop his “must-play” list. Naturally, my ears perked up, and I knew I had to delve into what makes these particular layouts so captivating.
A Raynor & Banks Masterpiece in the Southern Uplands
Rooker’s favorite, the course he clearly holds in high esteem, is Lookout Mountain Club in Georgia. And honestly, who could blame him? When he spoke of it, an immediate pang of recognition hit me.
“Favorite course I’ve ever played is Lookout Mountain Country Club in Chattanooga,” Rooker told co-hosts Drew Stoltz and Colt Knost. “I love that course. I’ve played it four or five times. It’s my favorite.”
Lookout Mountain, perched dramatically on the Alabama-Georgia border just outside Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a testament to the enduring genius of Seth Raynor and Charles Banks. Designed in 1927, it embodies the classic principles of the “template” holes that Raynor so skillfully adapted from C.B. Macdonald’s original concepts. You’ll find the recognizable Biarritz, Redan, Eden, and Punchbowl greens, but here they are infused with a unique character sculpted by the rugged, undulating terrain of the Appalachian foothills. The course measures a respectable 6,613 yards, a perfect length that prioritizes strategy and precision over brute force.
What makes a Raynor/Banks course special, and particularly Lookout Mountain, is how they masterfully use the land given to them. There’s an elegance in their seemingly straightforward approach: take a classic template and fit it perfectly onto the site. At Lookout, this means greens that often feel like natural extensions of the mountaintop, with subtle yet severe contours that demand a keen eye and a delicate touch. The recent touch-up by Tyler Rae in 2023 ensures these classic features remain relevant and challenging for the modern game, while respecting the original intent. GOLF magazine recognized its excellence, ranking it as the No. 5 course in Georgia for 2024-2025 – a well-deserved accolade for a timeless design.
The Allure of the Hudson River and a “Thumbprint” Green
As for Rooker’s aspirational course, his “have-to-play” dream, it struck a chord with me instantly. It’s not an Augusta, or a St. Andrews, but rather a Golden Age gem nestled along the Hudson River.
“I think the one that I want to play, I want to play Sleepy Hollow in New York,” Rooker said. “That’s the one I see pictures of, and the one specific par 3 (No. 16) with the thumbprint, I want to play that hole really bad.”
Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Scarborough, New York, is indeed a Top 100 course globally. Originally laid out by C.B. Macdonald and later significantly revised and enhanced by A.W. Tillinghast, it’s a course where the land, the views, and the architecture coalesce into something truly breathtaking. The property itself is simply stunning, with dramatic elevation changes and sweeping vistas of the Hudson River. This isn’t just a golf course; it’s a walk through a meticulously crafted landscape where every turn reveals a new panorama.
Rooker’s specific desire to play the 16th par-3, famous for its “thumbprint” green, speaks volumes about the allure of architectural nuance. Tillinghast was a master of creating green complexes that are both visually intimidating and strategically profound. A “thumbprint” green, characterized by a deep depression or bowl-like feature within the putting surface, demands an incredibly precise iron shot. Miss by a yard, and you’re facing a putt that defies logic. It’s a design element that forces thought, tests skill, and often leads to dramatic swings in score – precisely what makes great architecture so engaging.
The connection forged through PGA Tour star Cameron Young, whose father David is the long-time pro at Sleepy Hollow, further adds to its mystique. Imagine having a course like that as your backyard playground! It’s this kind of lineage, combined with the sheer architectural brilliance, that elevates courses like Sleepy Hollow to mythical status for passionate golfers like Rooker and myself.
The Enduring Appeal of Classic Design
What Rooker’s choices highlight is the enduring power of classic golf course architecture. Whether it’s the template holes perfected by Raynor and Banks or the dramatic, strategic designs of Tillinghast, these courses stand the test of time because they engage the golfer on multiple levels. They are not merely tracks to hit a ball around; they are puzzles to solve, landscapes to admire, and challenges to overcome.
These aren’t courses you simply stride down and smash drives on. They are courses where strategy off the tee is paramount, where approach shots demand thoughtful execution, and where the short game is rigorously tested around complex green surrounds. This is why golf architects like Pete Dye, Tom Doak, and Alister MacKenzie are so revered – they understand how to craft an experience that is both beautiful and stimulating.
For those of us with the “golf bug,” as Rooker so aptly puts it, the pursuit of these legendary layouts is a lifelong quest. Whether you’re playing them four or five times or simply dreaming of that first tee shot, the impact of truly great design is undeniable. And as Rooker’s choices show, sometimes the most profound golf experiences are found off the beaten path, in places like a mountaintop in Georgia or a historic estate overlooking the Hudson.
