Favorite golf course photos of the year (Crail Golfing Society)
This year, I had the pleasure of hooking tee shots out of bounds on golf courses near and far. I'll spare you any pics of my golf swing; here are some of my favorites images of the year. - Brandon Tucker
Fairmont St. Andrews
Scotland is full of wonderful vantage points, but few can compete with the view from the clubhouse at Fairmont St. Andrews (You can see the Castle Course between the town skyline and Kittocks course). - BT
Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda
A Golden Era masterpiece by C.B. MacDonald, Mid Ocean Club begins thrillingly with the first green perched high above the ocean. - BT
Boulders South at sunset
Book a twilight tee time at Boulders Resort's South course and the stones take on a red glow minutes before sunset. - BT
Highlands Links
If there is a better-named hole than "Mucklemouth Meg" at Highlands Links in Cape Breton, I've yet to play it. - BT
Costa Navarino Bay Course in Greece
Greece is a golf destination? It is now with the opening of the Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed Bay Course at Costa Navarino, managed by Troon Golf. - BT
Streamsong Resort
If it weren't for the bermuda grass and humidity, you'd think you were in Ireland at the brand new Streamsong Resort between Tampa and Orlando. - BT
SunRidge Canyon near Scottsdale
This aging saguaro cactus is hardly symbolic of SunRidge Canyon near Scottsdale anymore. New ownership have this East Valley standout buzzing again. - BT
Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa
In Tampa, 36-hole Saddlebrook doubles as a prep school for teens as well as a resort, fine dining and spa for grown-ups. - BT
Raven at Three Peaks
The Rockies are in full view at high-altitude Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks in Silverthorne. The downhill holes are more fun, but the uphill ones usually have great mountain backdrops. - BT
Machrihanish Dunes
Known for its blind shots and severity, Machrihanish Dunes was softened last winter and it shows. During my April round, I only lost one golf ball despite playing the round solo, which may have been my greatest golf accomplishment of the year. - BT
Summit Rock at Horseshoe Bay Resort, Texas
I had more fun playing the Jack Nicklaus-designed Summit Rock at Horseshoe Bay - one of my favorites of his that I've played - than listening to the Bear talk politics at the grand opening (held a week before the November election). - BT
Royal Isabela in Puerto Rico
Known mostly for its cliffside beauty, there are some gorgeous inland holes at Puerto Rico's brand new Royal Isabela as well. We finished the island green 9th as the sun set. - BT
Iguanas in Puerto Rico
Iguanas run the show on Puerto Rico golf courses like El Conquistador. Be nice and they'll let you play through. - BT
Grizzly Ranch in the High Sierras
There were no bear sightings during our round at Grizzly Ranch near Graeagle, but this NoCal mountain course is remote enough to think an encounter is imminent. - BT
Bushfoot Golf Club, N. Ireland
Don't drive off from Royal Portrush without making a quick stop at nearby Bushfoot Golf Club, a friendly and gorgeous nine-hole local club. - BT
Coeur D'Alene Resort Course
The island green may be the icon, but I'll remember Coeur D'Alene Resort Course's immaculate course conditions even more. - BT
Caddies at Cabot Links
Much like in Bandon, a big part of the Cabot Links story is the local jobs created with the new development, from caddies to hotel staff. The golf course makes for one of Canada's best loops, too. - BT
Monument at Troon North Golf Club
Swing for the giant rock and you'll probably miss it at Troon North's 3rd hole on the Monument course (find yourself behind it, however, and tell your playing partners to run for cover). - BT
