The Top 100 Newest GOLF Courses in the US ranking includes 11 newcomers, which we’ll introduce you to here. Meet Interlachen in Minnesota.
Brad Rempel / Interlachen Country Club
GOLF recently published its latest rankings of Top 100 Courses in USA (2024-2525)a list that includes 11 arrivals. Some of them you may recognize. Others you may not. Here, in the spotlight for newcomers, we’ll introduce you to these 100 best beginner gems.
Newcomers spotlight: Interlachen / Ranking: 73rd
Location: Edina, Minn.
Business: Private
YEAR: 1911/1919/2024
Architect: William Watson/Donald Ross/Andrew Green
What you need to know about Interlachen
Andrew Green has mastered the playbook for restoring golden-era ballpark cobbles, and he did it again here outside of Minneapolis, where Bob Jones hit one piece of the Grand Slam. Among the improvements: removal of poorly positioned trees; restoration of freeway width; and the expansion of Donald Ross’s greens into their padded cushions. The green also reintroduced Ross’s bunkering schemes, and many of the greens are now surrounded by short grass. Ross’ drive through ridgelines creates memorable and distinctive holes such as the par-3 5th, par-4 6th, par-4 10th, par-5 12th and par-4 13th. The occasional water hazard adds to the variety of obstacles that golfers must overcome. A well-played round here is deeply satisfying as the course poses every possible question of its challengers.
What our reviewers say
“Excellent restoration. Extraordinary property where natural features have been rediscovered.”
“Andrew Green’s restorative talent is recaptured and extended to the corners of complex greens by introducing subtle inner contouring into the central sections of the green – prime examples found at Interlachen on greens 3 and 6. The second hole remains one of the most good par-4 uphill country. The Origins of the Championship Green design anticipates the 2030 US Women’s Open with the complex history of Interlachen design by Donald Ross and William Watson blended with the USGA Championship history of Bobby Jones, Inbee Park and Annika Sorenstam.
“Andrew Green has made it abundantly clear just how vast the land Interlachen resides in.”
