U.S. Open & Golf courses for women

First, I have to get this out – It should be called the U.S. Open. Period. They don’t call the one the men play the U.S. Men’s Open. Golf is golf no matter which gender plays.

That being said, I am a subscriber to the magazine Golf For Women. I mean come on, I have to keep up with what’s going on in the world for golf chicks.

The latest issue of GFW includes their biannual picks for the Top 50 courses for women. And guess what course is their new #1? That’s right, the location of this weekend’s U.S. Open: Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, NC. The players sure seem to agree. I gotta say, Pine Needles looks amazing. I sure would like to get my clubs on it. Besides, NC isn’t on my list of states played yet so I could kill two birds with one stone. Since no one invited me out for the U.S. Open so I could pull a Brandon Tucker and cover the tournament and play the course the day after, it’ll just have to remain on my to-do list.

Top 50 courses

I think GFW is a top notch magazine and perhaps all they’re missing is my voice. However, I have to call them out on something here. That list I mentioned – the Top 50 courses for women – has a little glitch. (You know if you print it, some people will read it.) In order to be eligible for the list, the courses must meet a few criteria:

• Must have at least one set of tees under 5300 yards
• Should have at least two sets of tees under 6000 yards
• Minimum of two tees must be rated for women
• Should have few forced carries from the forward tees
• Be in top condition
• Present a women friendly environment

Of course the last three are subjective but the first three are pretty clear cut. Except for that pesky “should” in the second bullet. There are only two courses on the list that don’t meet that particular condition and given the name and prestige of one of them, I’m left wondering if there isn’t some external influence allowing these courses to make the list instead of others that are deserving.

#15: Sunriver Resort, Meadows Course in Sunriver, OR: 5287/6022/6625/7012

#19: Pebble Beach Golf Links: 5198/6116/6348/6737

Sunriver just barely surpasses the 6000 mark and both Sunriver and Pebble have those tees rated for women. Still, Pebble Beach being what it is I have to wonder if that should would be a must if not for that course needing a place on the list. Yeah, it’s on my list of must-plays, it’s just that $425 green fee that snags me up. Plus, I’d probably want to play the 6348 tees and they’re not rated for women so I couldn’t post the round if I did.

Personally, I dig courses that have all tees rated for women. Sure, most women aren’t going to want to play from the tips – including me – but I like to have options. Most men shouldn’t be playing from the tips either, but they have that choice.

*Side note: noticing a rant in my tone I checked the calendar and indeed, this post is brought to you by proud sponsor PMS.

Golfchick’s proposal

I hereby submit a new course for consideration by the GFW raters for the next list:

Osprey Meadows at Tamarack Resort, Donnelly, ID.

Not only is the course a great layout for players of all abilities, all tees are rated for men and women. Plus, they’re denoted by shapes and colors like ski slopes and have handicap recommendations. I think it’s brilliant.

Greg and I just got back from a trip to Idaho and our stay and play at Tamarack was enchanting for both of us. Plus their greens fees are friendly from $75-$119! (Hurry and play before they realize what they have and raise those prices!)

There will be much more on Tamarack, Osprey Meadows and that whole Idaho trip to come including photos. I just wanted Golf For Women to be aware of this place and hope they give it a place on their list next time around.

Next post.