Author: News Room

CommonGround in Aurora, Colorado, designed by Tom Doak and opened in 2009, is a public-access golf course owned and operated by the Colorado Golf Association. The course is located near Denver and was developed on the site of a previous course, offering affordable green fees and a welcoming vibe for golfers of all skill levels. Tom Doak, along with his associates Erik Iverson, Jim Urbina, and Don Placek, were tasked with making the most of the land, creating a layout that includes a driving range, a par-3 course, the Solich Caddie and Leadership Academy, and an 18-hole main course that…

Sedge Valley at Sand Valley in Wisconsin is a unique golf course that challenges the traditional notion that longer courses are better. This par-68 layout stretches out to just 5,829 yards, much shorter than many modern courses, but that was never the point for architect Tom Doak. Inspired by his experiences in Scotland, where shorter courses were appreciated for their quality, Doak focused on building the best holes possible on the available land without excessive earth moving. The result is a course with challenging greens and a fun style of play that emphasizes strategy. The course has been rated across…

Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, underwent a comprehensive renovation by Tom Doak and Eric Iverson of Renaissance Golf, which lasted from 2007 to 2022. The project focused on restoring the original features of the course designed by William Flynn in the 1920s. This included restoring Little Dry Creek, reintroducing cross bunkers, renovating bunkers, and restoring greens to their original form. The goal was to enhance the playing experience for members while still maintaining the historic elements of the course. One of the standout features of Cherry Hills is its “tilt” greens, which feature strong slopes that…

Ballyneal Golf Club in Colorado is known for its unique and fun golfing experience, earning high rankings among modern golf courses since its opening in 2006. Designed by Tom Doak, the course was created with the goal of providing a wild and different layout that is enjoyable for all levels of golfers. Built on pure sand dunes, the course offers a true links-like experience despite being located far from the ocean. Its firm and fast fairways, challenging greens, and natural setting make it a must-play for golf enthusiasts looking for a unique and exciting round. 1. Ballyneal’s design takes full…

In the 1980s, the PGA Tour underwent a dramatic transformation in its player exemption system, largely due to the efforts of former Tour pro and TV analyst Gary McCord. At that time, the Tour allowed only 60 fully-exempt players, leaving many regular pros outside the top 60 to qualify for tournaments each week. McCord saw the flaws in this system when he noticed well-known Tour winners struggling to qualify for events. Determined to create a more fair and inclusive Tour, McCord embarked on a mission to increase the number of fully-exempt spots available to players. McCord’s journey to overhaul the…

The talk of Greg Norman being replaced as LIV Golf boss is gaining momentum, with reports suggesting former American sports executive Scott O’Neil will take over as CEO and commissioner. O’Neil, who has a background in US sports, has informed his current company, UK-based Merlin Entertainments, that he will be stepping down at the end of the year for another opportunity. This opportunity could involve leading LIV Golf into a new era of the sport, potentially in collaboration with the PGA Tour and Saudi PIF. Norman, who has been at the helm of LIV Golf, has stated that his contract…

Mashed potatoes are a quintessential comfort food and an essential side dish on the Thanksgiving table. In order to elevate your mashed potatoes to five-star status, there are several key steps and tips to keep in mind. Chef Kevin Humphreys recommends using Idaho Russet potatoes for the best results, thanks to their high starch content and fluffy texture. Yukon Gold potatoes are also a good option due to their buttery flavor and medium starch content. When cooking the potatoes, it’s important to simmer them rather than boil them. Boiling can lead to overcooking and a gluey finished product, as the…

Last week, the latest ranking of the Top 100 Courses You Can Play in the U.S. was unveiled, just one week after the publication of the Top 100 Courses in the U.S. There are some stark differences between the two lists, with the former celebrating the best tracks in America where anyone can tee it up. While these courses are open to the public, it doesn’t mean they aren’t expensive, with many of them having eye-popping green fees. The ranking of the Top 100 Courses You Can Play was determined by affordability, with courses ordered from most to least expensive.…