I’ve had the pleasure of playing 17 courses designed by the fantastic Michael Hurdzan & long-time former colleague Dana Fry. They’ve built many excellent courses throughout the world, but I’ve labeled them the best Midwest Upscale Public Course Designers that no one knows about.
Their courses are well-known for contrasting nines. For example, WeaverRidge, Annbriar, and Troy Burne have more prairieland style opening nines and then close with beautiful, wooded parkland nines. I consider WeaverRidge to have the best designed back-nine of any public golf course in Illinois.
Hurdzan and Fry courses have the flair for the dramatic Par 3, with several of the most mouth-dropping downhill holes you will ever play (#9 at Erin Hills, both #5 & #17 at FarmLinks at Pursell Farms & #12 at WeaverRidge come to mind).
Top 10 Michael Hurdzan Designed Courses I’ve Played:
- Erin Hills – Hartford, WI
- FarmLinks at Pursell Farms – Sylacauga, AL
- WeaverRidge – Peoria, IL
- Wild Rock – Wisconsin Dells, WI
- Troy Burne – Hudson, WI
- Annbriar – Waterloo, IL
- Lassing Pointe – Union, KY
- Eaglesticks – Zanesville, OH
- Cooks Creek – Ashville, OH
- Blackthorn – South Bend, IN
Honorable Mention: The Course at Aberdeen, Cumberland Trail Golf Club, & Royal American Golf Links
Midwest Golf Tripper 