B0307BU003PC B0307BU003PM B0307BU003PY B0307BU003PK B0307BU003PQ d) 4 <)6</6.<;< fXI| ;=|<=|)$ fXOI [C| O]KONQY fMNKIJ w‘yk lyrukey ‘ummjb xmywn The Dallas Morning News dallasnews.com _ Sunday, March 7, 2010 3CC Name Background Rob Addington Executive director Texas Golf Association David Altemus Director of golf, Royal Oaks CC, Houston James Barker Director of instruction, Quarry Golf Club, San Antonio Brent Blackburn Director of daily operations and teaching, Dallas Athletic Club Philip Bleakney Director of golf, Golf Club of Dallas Jeffrey D. Brauer Arlington-based golf course architect Bruce Burger Superintendent, The Quarry Golf Club Ben Burns Head pro, Crown Colony CC Tony Campagna President Turf Materials Inc., Rowlett Tom Campbell Head pro, Emerald Bay Club, Bullard Beth Cleckler Manager Morris Williams Golf Course, Austin amateur John Colligan Arlington-based golf course architect Kyle Coody Plano amateur Jacque Cooper Heath amateur Robert Couture Dallas amateur Sherwin Cox Head pro, Ross Rogers Golf Complex, Amarillo Darrell Crall Executive director, NTPGA Carolyn Creekmore Dallas amateur Jacky Cupit PGA life member representing Links at Lands End Bruce Davidson Director of golf, River Oaks CC, Houston Cameron Doan Head pro, Preston Trail GC Lou Duran Frisco amateur Bob Elliott Head pro, Northwood Club Bill Euler Head pro, Wildflower CC, Temple Dave Findlay Instructor, Redstone GC Members Course, Humble Roger Fine Carrollton amateur Ryan Finn TGA director of rules and competitions Dale Folmar Senior vice president, Eagle Golf Gilbert Freeman Head professional, Lakewood CC, Dallas Don Gafner Dallas Golf Co. CEO, Sunnyvale amateur Steve Galko Dallas amateur Edward Gatlin GM/director of golf, Van Zandt CC Drew Gillen Tyler amateur Ronny Glanton Head professional, Sherrill Park GC, Richardson Kevin Gomillion PGA division manager, Austin golf courses Kenneth Gorzycki Director of agronomy, Horseshoe Bay Resort Leslie Green The Woodlands amateur Brent Halvorson Director of golf, Gleneagles CC, Plano Scott Hamilton Superintendent, The Club at Escondido, Horseshoe Bay Billy Harris Head pro, Dallas Country Club Mark Harrison NTPGA director of operations Alan Hess Superintendent, Augusta Pines GC, Spring Aaron Hickman Houston amateur Malcolm Holland Dallas amateur Kenny Huff Head professional, Cascades Golf Club, Tyler Allen Hundley Murphy amateur Gordon Johnson Head professional, Houston CC Danny Jones Head professional, Walden on Lake Conroe Mark Kazlowski Texas Golf editor, Cedar Hill amateur Bob Kearney Houston amateur Don Kennedy Director of golf, Firewheel Golf Park, Garland Nancy Kromar Austin amateur Phyllis Kwedar Fort Worth amateur Brad Lardon Director of golf, Miramont CC, Bryan Glenn Lee Director of golf, Horseshoe Bay Resort Paul Marchand GM/head professional, Shadow Hawk Golf Club, Richmond James McAfee Director of communications for GolfDFW.com Rives McBee PGA and Champions Tour life member Lindy Miller Ben Hogan Foundation, teaching professional at Shady Oaks CC Dale Morgan Head professional, Austin CC Laura Myers Rowlett amateur John Neese PGA life member, Garland Kevin Newberry Houston amateur Mike Peterson Nationwide Tour rules official, McKinney amateur Andrew Peterson GM Canyon Springs Golf Club, San Antonio John Pierce San Antonio amateur David Pocknall Katy amateur George Priolo Head pro, Comanche Trail Golf Course, Amarillo Craig Pullen Head pro, Oakmont CC, Corinth James T. Rolls Head pro, Slick Rock at Horseshoe Bay Resort Chris Rowe Head pro, Whispering Pines, Trinity Linda Sackett Boerne amateur John Saffle Director of golf, Traditions Club, Bryan Lee Sandlin Dallas amateur Carey Schulten Dallas amateur Mike Sheridan Boerne amateur Marty Slade Perlman Dallas amateur Becky Spears San Antonio amateur Mac Spikes Head professional, Rivercrest CC, Fort Worth Mark Steinbauer Director of golf, Club at Carlton Woods, The Woodlands Gary Stephenson Celina-based golf course architect Shawn Strohman Head pro, Escondido Tom Strueber PGA life member, Dallas Steve Termeer GM/director of golf, University of Texas Golf Club, Austin Jimmy Terry GM/director of golf, TPC San Antonio Tim Thelen Assistant pro, The Falls Golf and Resort, New Ulm Robert Thompson Teaching professional, Whispering Pines, Trinity Brad Townsend SportsDay writer, Flower Mound amateur Bob Twaddell Houston amateur Mark Viskozki Director of golf, Tangle Ridge GC, Grand Prairie Bert Walker Teaching pro, Prairie Lakes GC, Grand Prairie Tad Weeks Head professional, Champions Golf Club, Houston Michael Wharton-Palmer Texarkana, Ark., amateur Jim Whitten Dallas amateur Robert Wiesner Fort Worth amateur Melvin Williams Retired superintendent, Lakeway Chris Winn PGA professional, Cypress Dell Wood Head professional, Amarillo CC Alan Wooley Executive director, The First Tee of Greater Austin Kent Yarbrough Denton amateur DETERMINING THE TOP 100 Versatility Does the course create a good mix for the high and low handicappers? Are better players challenged, while the high handicappers are able to enjoy play through the use of shorter teeing areas, alternate routes, location of hazards and accessible pins? Shotmaking Does it test accuracy, finesse, length and putting without overemphasizing any of these skills? Design Is there a good balance in design? Afterthoughts How much do you remember about the course? Do one or two holes stand out as great or bad? Beauty Dothe scenic values add to the pleasure of a round? Trees, shrubs, hills, mounds, flowers, etc.? Maintenance Howwould you rate the course conditions, factoring in all aspects — tees, greens, fairways, bunkers? Spring, summer, fall or winter when viewed? Enjoyment How do you feel about being at the course? What about the amenities? From arrival to departure, was it a good, bad or indifferent golf experience? THE CRITERIA THE VOTERS One is nestled in a peaceful setting, muffled by towering trees. It’s cut off from golfing inhabitants for about half the year. Even its name evokes soothing images. The other is hidden in a nat- ural paradise within view of the Dallas skyline. It’s secluded among massive trees, deep canyons and plateaus. But quiet? Whispering Pines and Dallas National? In what is becoming a rite of spring, the courses poke their heads from their unique sur- roundings and emit roars heard across the state. Whispering Pines earned the No. 1 spot in The News’ an- nual ranking of Texas courses for the fifth straight year. Only Colonial Country Club has done better, ranking No. 1 for seven straight years (1989-95). Dallas National was second for the fourth straight year. Whispering Pines and Dal- las National are vastly different layouts. But they are bonded by the spectacular design features carved from their unique to- pographies. “Dallas National and Whis- pering Pines represent golf at its purest level with an unyield- ing commitment to maintain- ing the game’s honorable tradi- tions,” said panelist Darrell Crall, executive director of the Northern Texas PGA. “They both feature immaculate, championship-caliber turf conditions, world class service and hospitality, and very mem- orable golf holes.” Whispering Pines, designed by Chet Williams and Bill O’Leary of the Nicklaus Design Group, meanders through 400 acres of piney woods. Tom Fa- zio created Dallas National in the mold of classics like Augus- ta National and Pine Valley on what he called “the best piece of land left in America close to a major city.” “Both of those courses are on fabulous pieces of property,” said panelist Allen Hundley, a Dallas amateur who gave high marks to both layouts. “If you give Fazio that kind of property and that kind of budget, then he’s going to do a fantastic job. They can set it up tough to challenge the highest level of competition, but it’s a fun casual round for everyone if played from the proper tees. Whispering Pines is so natural it looks like they just cut the grass to make the golf course.” Dallas National, just 6 1 /2 miles from downtown, was un- earthed by John MacDonald. The former limestone quarry had sat untouched until Mac- Donald convinced Fazio to vis- it the site, which rolls over three plateaus and two can- yons. Fazio made true on his promise to members to exceed all expectations. The layout oozes “wow” factor with its striking elevation changes. “The unusual topography and classic layout of the holes at Dallas National remind me of some of the great golf cours- es in the Northeast,” Crall said. “And the sweet smell from the towering pine trees combined with the subtle yet significant challenges on each hole at Whispering Pines makes me think of some of the country’s best courses located in the sandhills of North Carolina.” JIM PRESTON No. 2 at Whispering Pines in Trinity is a 576-yard par 5. The massive bunker protects the right side of the green, making trying to reach the green in two shots a challenge. 1-2 punch Whispering Pines, Dallas National a formidable pair atop rankings By BILL NICHOLS Staff Writer [email protected] NO. 1 COURSE | WHISPERING PINES GOLF CLUB, TRINITY Whispering Pines Golf Club Opened: March 2000 Designer: Chet Williams (Nicklaus Design Group) Length: 7,480 yards from the tips Type: Private Notable: Members make an annual contribution to the nonprofit World Health & Golf Association. The WHGA charities support health related causes and the promotion of amateur golf, according to the golf club’s Web site. … The course is open March 24 to July 2 and Sept. 8 to Dec. 19. … It will host the Big 12 men’s tournament April 22-25. TEXAS GOLF 2010 (FFTI) % * 4.00 FDIC / NCUA Insured FirstFidelity Tax and Insurance is a financial services firm that helps consumers locate FDIC Insured Banks nationwide. We are not a bank. Maximums and Minimums apply. FFTI also offers insurance products. Rates subject to change without notice. *All disclosures can be found at firstfidelityamerica.com Lic.#1072504.(Wk 10) Call Us Today! Richardson LasColinas/Irving HighlandPark FarmersBranch 469-522-3699 469-759-7041 469-522-3749 972-406-9460 GOLF CART TIRE HEADQUARTERS 530 Regal Row Dallas, TX 1-800-666-TYRE Lawn & Turf Tires WALLACE W. WADE SPECIALTY TIRES S 2 (214) 688-0091 CHECK OUT the rankings of the top 25 nine-hole courses in the state. FIND a schedule of tournaments and charity events. dallasnews.com/sports/golf