Schwarzenegger to tax California golf courses?

Olympic Golf: Your Complete Travel Guide ⛳ Golf returns to the Olympic stage at two of the world's most storied venues over the next decade. Los Angeles welcomes the world in 2028 at the legendary Riviera Country Club, whilst Brisbane showcases Australian golf heritage in 2032 at Royal Queensland Golf Club. Both tournaments promise unforgettable championship golf within the spectacle of the Olympic Games. Olympic Golf: A Modern Renaissance Golf's modern Olympic renaissance continues to gather momentum. After a 112-year absence from the Games, the sport returned in Rio 2016 and has since cemented its place on the Olympic programme. The Paris 2024 edition, won by Scottie Scheffler and Lydia Ko, attracted over 30,000 spectators daily and produced thrilling championship golf that silenced remaining doubters about the sport's Olympic credentials. The Olympic qualification system remains consistent across editions. The top 15 world-ranked players in both men's and women's categories earn automatic entry, subject to a maximum of four players per nation. Countries may field up to two additional players based on world rankings, ensuring global representation whilst maintaining elite competition standards. Each continent receives guaranteed representation, with 60 players in both men's and women's fields creating truly international tournaments. The 2028 Los Angeles Games mark a watershed moment for Olympic golf. For the first time, the competition will include a mixed team event alongside the individual tournaments, with 16 pairs competing in alternate shot and four-ball formats between the men's and women's individual competitions. This addition expands golf's medal count and creates compelling new storylines as nations unite their best male and female players. Olympic golf tournaments follow a straightforward 72-hole stroke play format over four days, with no cut after 36 holes. All 60 players complete the full four rounds, ensuring every competitor experiences championship golf throughout the week. Sudden-death playoffs determine medal positions if players finish tied after regulation play, adding dramatic potential to final-round competition. Recent Olympic champions have demonstrated that these gold medals carry genuine prestige. Justin Rose's 2016 victory, Xander Schauffele's 2020 triumph, and Scottie Scheffler's 2024 gold established the Olympics as meaningful achievements in professional golf. Lydia Ko's remarkable medal collection—silver in 2016, bronze in 2020, and gold in 2024—secured her LPGA Hall of Fame induction, highlighting the tournaments' significance within the sport's hierarchy. Los Angeles 2028: Riviera Country Club Quick Facts Dates: 14-27 July 2028 (Golf competitions typically first week) Venue: Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, California Distance from LAX: 24 kilometres (15 miles), approximately 30 minutes Tournament Format: 72-hole stroke play (men's and women's individual) plus mixed team event Prize Prestige: Olympic gold medals plus exemptions into major championships Los Angeles will host the Summer Games for the third time in history, following successful editions in 1932 and 1984. The 2028 Games return championship golf to American soil for the first time since the sport's modern Olympic reintroduction. The Venue: Riviera Country Club Few courses embody American golf's golden age quite like Riviera Country Club. Founded in 1926 by the Los Angeles Athletic Club, the course emerged from the vision of architect George C Thomas Jr and construction supervisor William P Bell, who transformed Santa Monica Canyon into one of golf's architectural masterpieces. The project cost $243,827, an astronomical sum for its era, establishing Riviera as an immediate statement of ambition and quality. Thomas designed Riviera to challenge thinking golfers rather than simply overpower them. The routing flows naturally through barrancas and canyons, with kikuyu grass fairways and poa annua greens creating distinctive playing characteristics. The course measures approximately 7,040 yards from the championship tees at par 71, though its strategic demands extend far beyond mere distance. Thomas incorporated dramatic contours, elevated greens and optical illusions that continue to confound even the world's best players. Several holes at Riviera rank amongst golf's most celebrated. The par-three 6th features a bunker set directly into the green's surface, creating a unique challenge that has tormented generations of champions. The driveable par-four 10th tempts aggressive players to attack whilst punishing mistakes severely. The par-three 4th, a formidable Redan-style hole, plays significantly longer than its yardage suggests due to the prevailing wind and intimidating green complex. The closing hole's natural amphitheatre creates one of golf's most dramatic finishing stages, perfect for Olympic medal-deciding moments. Riviera's championship pedigree runs deep through American golf history. Ben Hogan won three Los Angeles Opens here and captured the 1948 U.S. Open at Riviera, leading to the course's nickname "Hogan's Alley." The venue hosted PGA Championships in 1983 and 1995, won by Hal Sutton and Steve Elkington respectively, and the 1998 U.S. Senior Open. More recently, Riviera hosted the 2017 U.S. Amateur and will welcome the U.S. Women's Open in 2026 before staging the U.S. Open again in 2031. Since 1973, Riviera has served as annual home to the PGA Tour's Los Angeles tournament, now known as the Genesis Invitational. Tiger Woods assumed hosting duties in 2005, adding prestige to an event that already boasted legendary winners including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Fred Couples and Phil Mickelson. Recent champions like Hideki Matsuyama, Max Homa and Patrick Cantlay have demonstrated the course's enduring challenge for contemporary players. Interestingly, Riviera hosted portions of the equestrian and modern pentathlon competitions during the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, establishing an Olympic connection nearly a century before golf's return. The club's Hollywood proximity has attracted celebrity members throughout its history, including Humphrey Bogart, Dean Martin and Katherine Hepburn, adding glamorous mystique to its sporting excellence. Golf Around Los Angeles Southern California's golf scene ranks amongst the world's finest, with numerous championship venues within easy striking distance of Riviera. The region's Mediterranean climate permits year-round golf, whilst architectural diversity ensures varied experiences across different layouts. Championship Public Access Courses Rustic Canyon provides accessible excellence north of Los Angeles in Moorpark. Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner and Geoff Shackelford designed this minimalist gem through a seasonal stream bed in the foothills, creating strategic interest without artificial complications. Wide fairways encourage aggressive play, whilst subtle green contours reward thoughtful approaches. Weekend rates hover around £60 (€70/$80), representing exceptional value for championship-quality golf. Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles in Palos Verdes offers spectacular Pacific Ocean views from every hole. Pete Dye routed the course along dramatic cliffs, creating both stunning beauty and significant challenge. Public access comes at premium pricing, with weekend rates approaching £255 (€300/$350), though the views justify costs for those prioritising scenery alongside championship golf. Los Angeles Beyond Golf Los Angeles offers endless exploration opportunities beyond championship golf. The Getty Center in Brentwood, minutes from Riviera, showcases world-class art collections within Richard Meier's architectural masterpiece. The hilltop location provides spectacular city and ocean views, whilst admission remains free despite the exceptional quality. Griffith Observatory delivers iconic Los Angeles experiences with Hollywood Sign views, planetarium shows and free public telescopes. The Art Deco building crowns Griffith Park, creating memorable skyline perspectives particularly stunning at sunset. Santa Monica Pier and Beach provide classic California coastal experiences within 16 kilometres (10 miles) of Riviera. The historic pier features a solar-powered Ferris wheel, arcade games and seafood restaurants, whilst the beach stretches for miles in both directions. Venice Beach Boardwalk presents Los Angeles's eclectic character through street performers, muscle beach workouts and diverse humanity. Los Angeles's dining scene spans from celebrity-chef establishments to food trucks, with Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica and Beverly Hills offering concentrated restaurant options. The city's multicultural character ensures diverse cuisines at every price point, from casual taco stands to Michelin-starred temples of gastronomy. Planning Your LA 2028 Visit Accommodation Begin accommodation searches 18-24 months before the Games. Pacific Palisades offers almost no commercial hotels, pushing visitors toward Santa Monica, Brentwood or further afield. Consider Venice, Marina del Rey or Manhattan Beach as alternatives offering reasonable access whilst potentially providing better availability and value. Transportation Official Olympic shuttles will operate between major hotels and Riviera, providing reliable transport whilst avoiding parking headaches. Los Angeles traffic congestion worsens significantly during major events, making shuttles preferable to driving. Weather Los Angeles in July delivers reliably warm, dry conditions with daytime temperatures typically reaching 26-29°C (79-84°F) and cool mornings around 17-19°C (63-66°F). Rain remains extremely unlikely. Pack sun protection as absolute priority, including high-factor sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses. Bring comfortable walking shoes and light layers for early morning starts. Tickets Olympic golf tickets will be sold through LA28.org official channels. Registration typically opens 18-24 months before Games commence. Early rounds generally prove easier to access than weekend finals when medals are decided, with prices ranging from £30-40 (€35-45/$40-55) for practice rounds to £85-170 (€100-200/$115-230) for weekend finals. Brisbane 2032: Royal Queensland Golf Club Quick Facts Dates: 23 July - 8 August 2032 (Golf competitions throughout) Venue: Royal Queensland Golf Club, Eagle Farm, Brisbane Distance from Brisbane Airport: 10 kilometres (6 miles), approximately 15 minutes Tournament Format: 72-hole stroke play (men's and women's individual) plus mixed team event Prize Prestige: Olympic gold medals plus exemptions into major championships Australia hosts the Olympic Games for the third time, following Melbourne 1956 and Sydney 2000, though neither previous Games included golf. Brisbane 2032 will showcase Australian golf heritage to the world whilst providing world-class facilities for future generations. The Venue: Royal Queensland Golf Club Established in 1920 by prominent Brisbane citizens, Royal Queensland Golf Club represents Australian golf's distinguished heritage. The club originally occupied approximately 170 hectares fronting the Brisbane River at Parker Island, since reduced to around 97 hectares whilst maintaining its championship credentials. King George V granted the Royal Charter in 1921, cementing the club's status amongst Australia's golfing elite. Original Australian Open champion Carnegie Clark designed the inaugural layout, which Governor-General Lord Forster officially opened in 1921. The course gained international architectural significance when legendary designer Dr Alister MacKenzie visited in 1926, refining Clark's work with his characteristic strategic brilliance. MacKenzie's influence remains evident throughout the routing, particularly in the green complexes and strategic bunkering that reward thoughtful play. The championship layout measures approximately 6,300 metres from the back tees at par 72, though precise yardage matters less than the course's strategic sophistication. Fairways bordered by towering eucalyptus trees demand accuracy from the tee, whilst the greens' subtle contours require precise approach play. Water hazards come into play on multiple holes, adding both beauty and strategic complexity to the round. Former U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, who leads the company overseeing Olympic preparations, describes Royal Queensland as fundamentally sound with strategic interest throughout. The course avoids driver-everywhere monotony, instead presenting thoughtful options from every tee. According to Ogilvy, the layout will test the world's best without requiring dramatic alterations, suggesting MacKenzie's design remains relevant nearly a century after his consultation. Significant upgrades are underway ahead of the 2032 Olympics. The club is reclaiming long-unused land east of the Gateway bridges to create a new nine-hole layout, riverside pavilion and enhanced training facilities. The redevelopment will restore the original 14th hole, a challenging par three near the Tangalooma ferry that older members fondly remember. Construction commenced in 2024, with the new course opening by early 2026, followed by continued improvements through 2028. The club's Brisbane River setting provides stunning natural beauty that will showcase Southeast Queensland's landscape to global television audiences. The Olympic tournament will offer public audiences a rare opportunity to experience this exclusive championship venue, potentially inspiring increased interest in Australian golf. Brisbane & Queensland Beyond Golf Brisbane's South Bank Parklands transform former industrial waterfront into gardens, museums and entertainment venues. The Queensland Gallery of Modern Art ranks amongst Australia's premier contemporary art institutions, whilst the nearby Queensland Museum explores natural history and cultural heritage. Both institutions offer free general admission. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, established in 1927, remains the world's first and largest koala sanctuary. Visitors can cuddle koalas, hand-feed kangaroos and encounter platypuses and other Australian wildlife. Located 11 kilometres (7 miles) from Brisbane CBD, the sanctuary provides authentic Australian animal experiences. The Sunshine Coast, 100 kilometres (62 miles) north of Brisbane, offers pristine beaches, national parks and relaxed coastal atmosphere. Australia Zoo, founded by Steve Irwin's family, continues his conservation legacy through spectacular wildlife presentations. Gold Coast beaches stretch for 57 kilometres (35 miles) of golden sand and consistent surf breaks, with Burleigh Heads providing relaxed village atmosphere favoured by locals. Tamborine Mountain, 64 kilometres (40 miles) from Brisbane, offers rainforest walks, boutique wineries and spectacular hinterland views. The mountain provides cooler temperatures and lush scenery contrasting with coastal environments, whilst walking tracks reveal ancient Antarctic beech trees and dramatic waterfalls. Brisbane's culinary scene emphasises fresh Queensland produce, particularly seafood. Moreton Bay bugs, Queensland mud crabs and barramundi feature prominently on menus. Gauge and Agnes represent Brisbane's fine dining excellence, whilst riverside venues provide casual settings for post-round refreshments. Queensland's craft beer scene flourishes throughout Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with outdoor seating taking advantage of pleasant winter weather during Olympic weeks. Planning Your Brisbane 2032 Visit Accommodation Book 12 months ahead for properties near Royal Queensland in Hamilton or Ascot. South Bank and Brisbane CBD offer excellent hotel concentrations with good public transport access to Eagle Farm. Gold Coast properties provide abundant accommodation options roughly 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the venue, creating viable alternatives if Brisbane sells out completely. Transportation Royal Queensland sits approximately 15 minutes from Brisbane CBD via major roads, with public transport options including buses connecting to Eagle Farm. Official Olympic shuttles will simplify access during competition days. Brisbane's less congested roads make driving viable for those renting vehicles. Queensland's extensive motorway network facilitates exploration, with the Bruce Highway connecting northward to the Sunshine Coast and the Pacific Motorway linking southward to the Gold Coast. Weather Brisbane in late July experiences pleasant winter conditions with daytime temperatures around 21-22°C (70-72°F) and cool nights dropping to 10-12°C (50-54°F). Queensland's subtropical climate produces occasional winter rain, though July ranks amongst Brisbane's driest months. Pack versatile layers including light waterproof jacket, warm jumper for morning starts, and sun protection for midday conditions. Tickets Olympic golf tickets will be sold through Olympics.com Brisbane 2032 official channels. Registration and lottery systems will determine initial allocations for popular sessions, with pricing expected to range from £25-35 (€30-40/$35-45) for early rounds to £70-145 (€80-170/$95-195) for weekend finals. Frequently Asked Questions Can I play Riviera or Royal Queensland during Olympic weeks? Neither venue will be available for public play during Olympic competition periods. Both clubs will close weeks before tournaments commence, allowing organisers to prepare championship conditions. Neither course offers regular public access outside Olympic periods—both remain strictly private with no public tee times. Golf enthusiasts should explore the excellent public and resort options detailed in this guide for championship experiences during their Olympic visits. What's the best strategy for securing golf tee times? Book tee times immediately upon confirming Olympic travel plans. Championship courses near both venues will experience unprecedented demand during Games periods. For Los Angeles, courses like Rustic Canyon and Trump National require advance booking, whilst municipal courses like Rancho Park accept bookings closer to play dates. For Brisbane, resort courses including Palmer Coolum and Royal Pines welcome advance reservations, whilst booking 2-3 months ahead ensures optimal tee times during Olympic periods. How do Olympic golf tournaments differ from regular tour events? Olympic golf creates unique atmosphere where national pride supersedes individual achievement. The multi-sport festival environment generates energy rarely found at typical tournaments, with spectators from dozens of nations creating truly international ambience. The four-year Olympic cycle adds once-in-a-lifetime quality absent from annual events. Additionally, the no-cut format ensures all 60 players complete four rounds, whilst the new mixed team event debuts in 2028, adding compelling team competition alongside individual tournaments. Which destination offers better value for international visitors? Both destinations provide excellent value depending on priorities. Los Angeles offers world-famous attractions, beaches and entertainment alongside Olympic golf, though accommodation and dining costs run higher than Brisbane. Queensland delivers more affordable accommodation, exceptional value golf courses, and unique Australian wildlife experiences. Brisbane's compact geography simplifies logistics compared to sprawling Los Angeles, whilst both destinations ensure unforgettable Olympic experiences with world-class golf at historic championship venues. Why These Experiences Matter Olympic golf represents where sporting excellence meets global celebration, creating experiences transcending typical tournament attendance. Witnessing the world's best golfers compete for national glory rather than prize money adds emotional depth rarely present in professional golf. The gold medal's significance becomes palpable through celebrations and disappointments playing out across championship layouts. Both venues deliver architectural significance beyond their Olympic hosting. Riviera's George C Thomas design influenced generations of American golf architecture, whilst Royal Queensland's Alister MacKenzie consultation connects to golf's golden age. Walking these historic grounds during Olympic competition creates memories intertwining sporting achievement with architectural appreciation. The host cities offer complementary attractions ensuring full holiday experiences around tournament attendance. Los Angeles provides world-famous beaches, entertainment and cultural institutions requiring weeks to properly explore. Brisbane's subtropical beauty, friendly character and proximity to spectacular Queensland destinations create equally compelling reasons for extended visits. Olympic golf's rarity makes these opportunities precious. Four-year cycles mean limited chances to witness this unique competition, whilst the 2028 and 2032 tournaments represent specific moments in golf's Olympic evolution. Start planning now, book early, and prepare for golf experiences unlike any other on the sporting calendar. Golf & The Olympics - An Ongoing Controversy Of interest, the International Golf Federation is the governing body for the sport at the Olympics rather than the R&A or USGA. The IGF exists to run the Olympics, the Eisenhower Trophy and Espirito Santo Trophy (biennial world team championships for amateur men and women, respectively). The IGF use the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) to determine eligibility, and with the ongoing LIV vs PGA Tour saga, it is only adding fuel to the fire. Qualification is based on the Official World Golf Rankings for men and the Women's World Golf Rankings for ladies. Because of the current rift in professional golf, many will cry foul, with the majority of LIV golfers not qualifying due to not being awarded OWGR points. Some would suggest the issue isn't the points system but rather the depth of the American side. The Top 15 on the OWGR are eligible, with a maximum of four from a single country. The rest consist of the two top-ranked players from each country. A total of 60 will compete for gold. Modern History of Olympic Golf Golf at the Olympics has a sordid past. Some of the most incredible stories and historically significant events of the modern Olympiad are linked to golf… Summer Olympics 1900 Paris Golf debuted at the Paris Olympics in 1900. The Compeigne Golf Club served as the host. The golf course was north of Paris on a golf course designed by M.W. Freemantle inside a horse racing track reminiscent of Musselburgh Old. One of 25 golf courses in France at the time, it was described as flat with thick rough and tiny greens. 36 holes on a single day decided the men's victor and 9 holes the following day decided the victor of the women. Done without much fanfare, Margaret Abbott, the women's golf medalist never knew she was competing in the Olympics. Incredible that she was the first woman to ever win an Olympic medal and she never knew! France, Great Britain, United States, and Greece all entered competitors with the USA taking home 4 of the 6 medals and Great Britain taking home the remaining two. Other associated events were also held, for example, putting; but these were not considered Olympic Events. Summer Olympics 1904 St Louis The 1904 Olympics were held in St Louis, MO, USA. Two rounds of stroke play whittled down the field of 3 Canadians and 72 Americans to just 32. The matchplay component was a 36-hole match, which reduced the field from 32 to just 2 in five rounds. Between September 19 and 24, 1904, the eventual winner would have potentially played 216 holes if all matches went the distance… 36 holes a day for 5 days. In the end, George Lyon from Ontario, Canada, a 46-year-old who picked up the game just 8 years earlier, took home the gold medal. He would end up winning the Canadian Amateur 8 times. There was also a team event. 6 teams entered, 2 showed up on the day and 1 was formed at the last minute - a team representing the USGA. The three 10-man teams competed with the Western Golf Association, defeating the Trans-Mississippi Golf Association, which allowed the USGA squad to take home a guaranteed bronze. Summer Olympics 1908 London George Lyon would travel to London in 1908 to defend the gold medal, and was awarded it by default as the event was cancelled at the last minute. He refused to accept the medal after the organisers and the R&A couldn't agree on the format and the event was called off. The British and Americans were either disqualified or withdrawn, and the lone man standing was George Lyon. In perhaps the greatest display of sportsmanship, he refused the medal as sport was a gentlemanly affair, through which an award should only be accepted 'through proper competition.' The trifecta of golf courses planned to be used were: Princes Golf Club, Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club and Royal St George's Golf Club. Sandwich was to hold the first 36-hole matches, followed by Princes and culminating at Deal. Summer Olympics 1920 Antwerp Golf at the Olympics was again mired in controversy, with the event being cancelled due to a lack of entries. Although no golf was played, Cappelan's Golf Club was the venue. Golf at the Olympics had run its course. After 4 attempts, two of the games were not even contested, and the others were shambles. Golf at the Olympics would have to wait for over a century to be seen again. Summer Olympics Rio 2016 Golf made its triumphant return to the Olympics in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Justin Rose would take the gold, Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar the bronze for the men. Inbee Park, Lydia Ko and Shashan Feng would be the champions in the women's event. Summer Olympics Tokyo 2020 A somewhat subdued COVID-19 pandemic-tainted games, they were contested in 2021 without spectators behind closed doors on the East Course at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Japan. Xander Schauffele, Rory Sabbatini and CT Pan took gold, silver and bronze in the individual men's stroke play with Nelly Korda, Mone Inami and Lyda Ko taking home the medals in the women's individual stroke play. Summer Olympics Paris 2024 Golf's Olympic renaissance reached new heights at Le Golf National outside Paris, where massive galleries and world-class competition silenced any remaining doubts about the sport's Olympic credentials. Scottie Scheffler produced a breathtaking final-round 62 to surge from four shots behind and claim gold at 19-under par, with Great Britain's Tommy Fleetwood earning silver and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama securing bronze. The women's competition crowned Lydia Ko's remarkable Olympic career, as she completed her medal collection with gold after winning silver in Rio 2016 and bronze in Tokyo 2020, securing the final points needed for LPGA Hall of Fame induction whilst defeating Switzerland's Morgane Metraux.

Alex Frolish has been a pilot for approaching 20 years and now travels to all corners of the globe in his role as a commercial airline pilot. His passion for flight is only equalled by his passion for golf and golf travel. Having picked up a golf club over 35 years ago when aged just 3 years old, Alex has played over 550 courses across every continent on planet earth furnished with a fairway. Over the next few months you’ll be able to follow Alex’s golfing travels as he brings you anecdotes of his life both in the air and on the course. East, West, Earth and Fire From 40000 feet above the Earth, you get to see our planet from the most privileged of positions. Whether it be the vastness of the oceans or the sheer scale of the rainforests, there are sights that can only truly be appreciated from seven miles above the ground. You also become pretty attuned to the weather in the places you fly over, and it turns out that, in the main, the Northern Hemisphere is a bleak old place in early February. With that in mind, my northern hemisphere heavy February flying roster provided plenty of potential for cancellations and disruption. However, after a bad run of exactly that over the last few months, it turns out that if you keep making golf plans, eventually some of them will come together. It started with a flight to San Francisco and a trip to a course that had been on my radar for a while. Yocha Dehe means ‘home by the spring water’ in the Patwin language spoken by the Wintun tribe from this area of California, and this golf course attached to a resort and hotel is rapidly gaining critical acclaim as one of the best newer public courses on the west coast of the USA. For most normal people, that round would have been enough for one day. But it was something that the starter had said to me that had peaked my interest. ‘You going back to San Francisco today? You want to check out Rancho Solano on the way home if you have the time, some of the best greens in the area’. The answer really was that I didn’t have the time, it was already 8pm on my UK body clock and I had a two hour drive back to my hotel, but as I found myself staring down the 1st hole at Rancho Solano some 30 minutes later having filled a last minute slot on the tee sheet, I knew I had done the right thing. When there is golf to be played and light left in the day, play it I will. My next layover was a couple of days later on a flight to Nashville. We landed on Super Bowl Sunday and only had 24hrs off and to be honest, it felt only right to focus on other sports for this trip. I took the decision to leave the clubs at home and instead, I got my sporting fix from the vantage point of a bar stool in Kid Rock’s bar on Broadway. St Enodoc, photo credit: Stuart Morley I said that the February weather had been kind to me, but there was an exception. Back in the U.K, there is one course I had failed to play having had games arranged there more than any other. Twice I had sat in the clubhouse at St Enodoc watching the weather curtail my plans, and as I sat in the car park once again, watching the lashing rain envelope my windscreen, I thought I may never get to play this wonderful golf course. However, the rain eased (for a few minutes) and we ventured into the mist and finally, I got to see why so many people love this characterful golf course. The rain came with a vengeance as we encircled the church on the back nine, but no finer compliment can be paid to the course than that I would have happily ventured straight back out to play again if I hadn’t had a 4 hour drive ahead of me. A quick trip to a place where the weather is rarely in question, Dubai, allowed me to go inside the ropes for the very first time at the home of the DP World Tour, the Earth course at Jumeirah Estates. My summary is that Greg Norman clearly likes the beach; the scale of his bunkering on this golf course can not be fully seen from the TV, but it is extensive. Very much like my San Francisco trip, the opportunity for more golf came suddenly and once presented, seemed inevitable. Both courses at Jumeirah Estates are Greg Norman designs and when one of the staff mentioned a tee time had become free that same afternoon to play the Fire course, I felt it only right to go and spend another 4 hours in the sand. Rustic Canyon, photo credit: Patrick Koenig My final trip of the month was possibly my most surreal adventure for some time. As we crested the mountains encircling the Los Angeles bowl in our descent into LAX, the snow covered more than just the peaks. The weather had been so foul that snow had sprinkled the streets of downtown LA (a rare occurrence indeed) over the preceding few days, and I expected we might not even venture out of the hotel, never mind onto the golf course. But a friend was in town, plans were made and we set off with hope to Rustic Canyon, a golf course that had been mooted as one of the best value green fees in America. Gil Hanse and Geoff Shackelford have created a wondrous masterpiece out in this valley north of LA, but it would have been even more pleasant to see it without rain water running down the inside of my underwear. Move forward 24 hours, and surreally, we found ourselves standing on the putting green at Los Angeles Country Club, a site where just 72 hours before, snow had covered the ground and now conversely, was bathed in warm spring sunshine. The North course has been renovated in recent times by Gil Hanse, and although Rustic Canyon and LACC North sit at opposing ends of the golfing spectrum in many ways, they are bound by the way they elicit pure enjoyment from those that experience them. We were the last set of visitors to play before the course was closed to non-members prior to the US Open later in the year. I can confirm we are all in for treat in a few months time. That was it for my February adventures, a month that for the first time in a long time, was complete in terms of plans fulfilled. Looking forward to March, my travels are planned to take me to Japan, Mexico and to Oregon. In the U.K, I have some more early season links golf in the offing. Wherever you are and what ever you have planned, I wish you the straightest of drives, well negotiated four- footers and happy rounds.

US Pacific Division Best in State Rankings 2016 Five States in the West Region are updated in the first of nine US divisional revisions Top 100 Golf Courses inaugurated its Best in State rankings for the United States in 2012 so this is the second biennial update of those listings. Two years ago, we published the revised standings for the fifty States in four geographical groupings. This time around, we plan to spread the announcements across nine distinct Divisions, starting with the five Pacific States of California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii and Alaska. We’ve also extended the number of courses that we feature in nearly every state. For the Pacific Division, we’ve increased our coverage from 120 to 195 courses, thanks mainly to doubling the size of the Californian chart from a Top 50 to a Top 100. In total, there are 17 Pacific tracks ranked in our national Top 100 for the United States so it’s a division that’s hardly lacking in high quality golf courses. California The Top seven places in our Californian listings remain exactly as they have been since 2014 so that means Alister MacKenzie’s Cypress Point remains in the number 1 position – hardly a surprise when you consider it’s also our current US and World No. 1. The course attracted an excellent review last year when somebody posted a wonderful pictorial account of their visit (having spent more than a year carefully planning the trip beforehand ) and their comments ended with the wish that “many more readers of this site get the chance to play [the course], because it really is an experience like no other”. One of only two courses to make upward moves within the Top 10 standings, California Golf Club of San Francisco rises two places to number 8. Originally laid out in the 1920s, “the Cal Club” was extensively renovated by Kyle Phillips in 2007/8 and the results of that fabulous upgrade are now reflected in the layout’s latest chart position. Mention must also be made to another couple of courses which the same architect has revived with extensive makeovers in recent years: Menlo (at number 48) and Wilshire(at number 50), which are two of the highest new entries in our latest Top 100 for the Golden State. Click the link to see full details of our 2016 California Best in State rankings Oregon We’ve expanded our chart for the Beaver State by 50% to create a Top 30 and the top four positions are all occupied by courses from the iconic Bandon Dunes Resort. Tom Doak’s Pacific Dunes layout holds onto the number 1 position and the architect’s second design at this venue, Old Macdonald, climbs one place to the runner-up spot at number 2. All four 18-hole layouts at this popular golf destination are firmly ensconced in our US Top 100 table so it’s really hard to argue against anybody who claims Bandon is the best golf resort in the country. Two hundred and seventy miles further northeast of Bandon, the Pronghorn Club at Bend offers its residential members two terrific tracks. The rather unimaginatively named Fazio (designed by Tom Fazio in 2006) edges up two places to number 5 in the state listings and its older sibling, the Nicklaus (laid out by Jack Nicklaus in 2004), moves up one position to number 8. Another private facility, Portland Golf Club, enters the Top 10 at number 10 and some might be aware of the historical importance of this course, having hosted the first Ryder Cup after World War II in 1947. Click the link to see full details of our 2016 Oregon Best in State rankings Washington We’ve added another five courses to our Washington listings, where Chambers Bay remains the Evergreen State’s number 1 track, despite tumbling down the US national chart that we published four months ago. The course was widely criticised during last year’s US Open for the performance of its putting surfaces but, despite conditioning issues, it’s still regarded by many commentators as one of Robert Trent Jones Jnr’s better designs. New at number 2, we have David McLay Kidd’s Gamble Sands, which first opened for play in 2014. Set out on top of a sandy mesa within a huge 1,000-acre property, the course lies – in the words of its architect – in a ”once in a lifetime site every golf designer dreams of, rolling sand dunes overlooking a large body of water… no homes, no other development around, just golf on sand, golf as it was truly meant to be.” Click the link to see full details of our 2016 Washington Best in State rankings Hawaii There are now 30 courses in our standings for the Aloha State and another David McLay Kidd design, Nanea, retains the number 1 slot. This ultra-exclusive track on the Big Island was played by Paul Rudovsky last March. Paul (aka Rudo) is closing in on playing every course that has ever appeared on a World Top 100 ranking list: “This is a very very private club. It is simply exquisite, and fun to play, but it also very much values its privacy, and I shall respect that… What you might not expect is the difficulty associated with reading its greens, which are heavily influenced by the slope from Mauna Kea down to the Pacific Ocean. The course is one of the very few that is both challenging and fun to play. If you get the opportunity, do not let it pass.” Positions 2, 3 and 4 in the new Top 30 all remain as they were then, at number 5 (up two spots), we have the 1993 Jack Nicklaus design at Manele on Lanai Island which a reviewer last year described as “maybe the most visually stunning course you will ever play… almost every hole has spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean… this is my idea of Paradise.” A little further down the chart, two of our ten new entries arrive inside the Top 10: Kukui’ula at number 8 is a terrific Tom Weiskopf layout on the island of Kauai that debuted in 2010 and Kohanaiki at number 9 is a remarkable Rees Jones design – routed around Ahu rock shrines and hundreds of anchialine pools – which was finally unveiled in 2013, five years after its scheduled opening date. Click the link to see full details of our 2016 Hawaii Best in State rankings Alaska The Last Frontier State is the only one in the United States where we list fewer than ten courses. Our number 1 is still Bill Newcomb’s thirty-year-old Anchorage course, located just outside the state’s most populous city. With the Robert Trent Jones Jnr course at Eagleglen closing two years ago, we have a new entry at number 4, Settlers Bay, to take its place in our new Top 5 chart. Click the link to see full details of our 2016 Alaska Best in State rankings We always like to hear what you think about our re-ranking process so please let us know your opinion of our five newly updated US Best in State charts. What course(s) have we missed or is there one (or more) that really shouldn’t be listed? Perhaps there’s one riding too high or languishing too low in the standings? Whatever your impressions are, please click the “Respond to this article” link at the top or at the bottom of this page. Jim McCann Editor Top 100 Golf Courses