Golfweek’s Best of 2021: Best Public Golf Courses You Can Play, State by State.
Article by John R. Johnson – J2Golf.com
The Bates Golf Group thinks Course Rankings are a big deal, some don’t, but Gene Bates does. Awards represent all the hard work so many have put in to be a shining dot on state map and bright spot in their community.
Every year the rankers go out and evaluate courses on a 10 point criteria that encompasses many different aspects from layout, conditions, aesthetics, service and many more including, believe it or not . . . fun! Multiple rankers give it a score and then those scores are averaged to a final list per state.
While we are personally proud of the awards, as you can see it is truly a team effort. Without excellence in the construction, agronomy and maintenance, excellence in design does not look so excellent.
In addition, courses are also judged on service, staffing, clubhouse and how a person ‘feels’ or is treated while playing a course. Again, more team members and outstanding leadership is what determines overall awards.
To add to the award mix, there are many award bodies and types of awards. Take for example the awards at just one of our projects in the state of Washington. A Tribal Course that has really made the spot light . . .
Salish Cliffs Golf Club Awards
Golfweek – National Awards
Best New Course #8 2011
Top 50 Casino Courses #6 to #10 2012 – 2020
Top 100 Resort Courses #39 to #66 2013 – 2020
Best in Washington State # 3 & #4 2012 – 2021
Golf Digest Awards
Best in Washington State #8 & #10 2019 – 2020
Cascade Golf Magazine
Pacific Northwest #4 & #5 2013 – 2019
Top Ten Public Course
Golf Advisor Washington
People’s Choice Award #1 2020
Washington PGA Chapter
Resort Merchandiser #1 2012 & 2020
of the Year
As you can see – Awards are really a team effort from every aspect of a golf course facility.
The Golfweek 2021 state by State Rankings
Below is a list of the recently released Public Course Rankings for 2021. The Bates Golf Group designed SEVEN of their award winners. Four in the Top Ten in Utah alone . . . and that is a big deal.
Golfweek’s Best Public Courses – 2021 – Designed by Gene Bates
State Course City Rank
California Bayonet GC Seaside CA #18
Idaho Circling Raven Worley ID # 1
Utah Soldier Hollow Gold Midway UT #4
Green Springs Washington UT #7
Soldier Hollow Silver Midway UT #8
The Canyons Park City UT #10
Washington Salish Cliffs Shelton WA #4
See the Golfweek’s Link to All 50 State Ranking:
Click Here For Golfweek’s Link
With this list of Golfweek’s Best Courses You Can Play, they present the best public-access courses in each state, as judged by their nationwide network of raters.
Ranking KEY: (m) modern, built in 1960 or after; (c) classic, built before 1960. For courses with a number preceding the (m) or (c), that is where the course ranks on Golfweek’s Best lists for top 200 modern and classic courses in the U.S.. * Indicates new or returning to the rankings.