In Golfweek’s 2012 ranking of the “Best Courses You Can Play,” a state-by-state look at the top public-access layouts, 33 Nicklaus Design courses received recognition, including three that took top honors. There were 13 Nicklaus Design courses that finished in the top-five of their respective states.
The Nicklaus Design courses to receive No. 1 rankings: Cougar’s Canyon Golf Links (Colorado); Bayside Resort Golf Club (Delaware); and Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain (Tennessee).
In Golfweek’s Best Municipal Courses (2011-12), Nicklaus Design’s Breckenridge (Colo.) Golf Club and North Palm Beach (Fla.) Country Club made the Top-50 list at Nos. 35 and 38, respectively.
Below is a state-by-state list of the 33 Nicklaus Design courses to make Golfweek’s list of Best Courses You Can Play 2012:
Arizona:
2. Ritz-Carlton GC at Dove Mountain (Saguaro/Tortolita), Marana
4. Superstition Mountain GC (Prospector), Superstition Mountain
9. Superstition Mountain GC (Lost Gold), Superstition Mountain
17. Golf Club of Estrella, Phoenix
20. La Paloma GC (Ridge/Canyon), Tucson
California:
PGA West (Stadium), La Quinta
Colorado:
Cougar Canyon GL, Trinidad
Delaware:
Bayside Resort GC, Fenwick Island
Florida:
5. PGA National Resort & Spa (Champion), Palm Beach Gardens
8. Ocean Course at Hammock Beach, Palm Coast
20. Grand Cypress (New), Orlando – featured
24. Grand Cypress (North/South), Orlando – featured
Georgia:
3. Reynolds Plantation (Great Waters), Greensboro
11. Achasta, Dahlonega
Hawaii:
4. Challenge at Manele Bay, Lanai
5. Hualalai GC, Kona
6. Kauai Lagoons GC, Kauai
Maryland:
6. Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort, Cumberland
Massachusetts:
10. Pinehills (Nicklaus), Plymouth
Mississippi:
Grand Bear, Saucier
Montana:
2. Old Works, Anaconda
Nevada:
4. Coyote Springs (Chase), Coyote Springs
10. Bear’s Best, Las Vegas
New York:
15. Timber Banks GC, Baldwinsville
Oregon:
6. Pronghorn (Nicklaus), Bend
South Carolina:
2. Harbour Town GL, Hilton Head Island
4. May River Course at Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton
Tennessee:
1. Bear Trace (Cumberland Mountain), Crossville
Virginia:
8. Bay Creek GC (Nicklaus), Cape Charles
Wisconsin:
6. The Bull at Pinehurst Farms, Sheboygan Falls
