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By Ron Whitten
Photos By Stephen Szurlej
Though there are no sure things, in life or in Golf Digest's annual survey of America's Best New Courses, the teaming of Jack Nicklaus and Tom Doak in a course design seemed like a can't-miss proposition.
And it didn't miss. As many expected, Nicklaus and Doak's symbiotic Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., reigns as America's Best New Private Course of 2007. It's the seventh Best New honor for Nicklaus since 1984, the second for Doak since 2001.
Tom Fazio, designer of 12 previous Best New winners, didn't get a first place in 2007, but he did have a pair of runners-up. His Fallen Oak, north of Biloxi, Miss., finished second in the Best New Public $75 and Over competition to The Highland Course at Primland in a remote corner of Virginia. Fazio's Coppinwood, in Goodwood, Ontario, was edged for Best New Canadian honors by Muskoka Bay Club, a Doug Carrick design.
A former Fazio apprentice did shine this time. Ed Carton, who spent six years in the field and at the drafting table for Fazio, won his first Best New honor with another Virginia layout, Spring Creek Golf Club, the year's Best New Public Course Under $75.
The Remodel category has been split into public and private sectors, to recognize the shift toward course renovation in American architecture, and the 2007 winners are familiar names. The Old White Course at The Greenbrier in West Virginia is our first Best New Public Remodel champion, and TPC Boston, a stop on the PGA Tour, is our inaugural Best New Private Remodel.
• More Photos: America's Best New Courses of 2007 | Previous Best New Winners
• Complete History of Best New Courses | Quarter-century of Best New Surveys
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HOW WE RANK THE COURSES
- Golf Digest's annual survey of America's Best New Courses is conducted by a panel of more than 800 golfers who considered nominees that had opened (or reopened after a remodel) between May 1, 2006, and
April 30, 2007. Our panelists rated courses on their Shot Values, Design
Variety, Resistance to Scoring, Memorability and Aesthetics. The categories are Private Courses, Public Courses (Under $75 and $75 and Over), Private Remodel, Public Remodel and Canadian.
Surveys overseen by Topsy Siderowf, Sue Sawyer and Mary Jane McGirr. Additional research by Jennifer Pelton.
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Best New Private
- No. 1/ Sebonack Golf Club: The latest swagger on New York's Long Island.
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Best New Public $75 and over
- No. 1/ The Highland Course at Primland: An isolated corner of the golf universe.
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Best New Public Under $75
- No. 1/ Spring Creek Golf Club: Classic risk-reward finish at this Virginia beauty.
- View ranking >>
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Best New Public Remodel
- No. 1/ The Greenbrier (Old White): West Virginia retreat restored geometric features.
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Best New Private Remodel
- No. 1/ TPC Boston: It's not often a makeover results in an older look.
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Best New Canadian
- No. 1/ Muskoka Bay: Who needs bunkers when granite walls work so well?
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