Tag: Robert Trent Jones Jr.

U.S. Top 50 University Courses: 2024

Kampen Golf Course, Pete Dye Design: Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex at Purdue University

Many of the premier University courses in the U.S. are found at schools that are known for nationally ranked athletic teams, such as Indiana University (Pfau Course), Texas Tech (Rawls Course), Ohio State (OSU Golf Club) and Stanford (Stanford Golf Course), but quite a few colleges not commonly associated with big-time sports offer fantastic golf facilities as well. 

The Top 50 include classic designs by the eminent figures in golf course architecture, including Alister MacKenzie (University of Michigan Golf Course and Ohio State Golf Club), C. B. McDonald and Seth Raynor (Yale Golf Course), Donald Ross (Dennison University, Mark Bostick Course at Florida State and Orchards at Mount Holyoke college).

Also among the Top 50 are modern masterpieces by Tom Fazio (Karsten Creek at Kansas State and Great River at Sacred Heart University), Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw (Warren Course at Notre Dame), Michael Hurdzan (The Meadows at Grand Valley State), and Tom Doak (Rawls Course at Texas Tech).  

Tom Doak and Jim Urbina: The Rawls Course at Texas Tech

The first family of golf course architecture is present throughout the Top 50, with Robert Trent Jones original designs at the University of Georgia, Duke, Seven Oaks at Colgate University, Eisenhower Golf Club at The United States Air Force Academy, and Robert Trent Jones Golf Course at Cornell University, as well as updates to the Stanford Golf Course. Robert Trent Jones II designs include University Ridge (Wisconsen University) and The Blessings (University of Arkansas) while Rees Jones lent his celebrated skills to updating the wonderful RTJ design at Duke University.

Ohio State and The University of Florida turn to Jack

When Ohio State University decided to update their Alister MacKenzie championship course, it was fitting that Jack be the man to oversee every detail, and Nicklaus Design also remodeled the Seminole Legacy Course at The University of Florida to deliver a very stiff test of Division I golf.

Twenty-six states include at least one member of the Top 50, but Michigan (5) and North Carolina (4) boast the largest number. Illinois, Indiana, South Carolina and Texas follow closely with 3 each.

The Blessings at Arkansas State: Robert Trent Jones II

Ranked by GolfDay Rating, listings include the year a club was founded, course architect(s), current USGA course and slope ratings, a link for course description/photos, as well as current national rankings by Golf Digest. The Club website is also provided, as well as a link to Google Maps for each location. 

While we’ve included the Top 50 below, you can also find a more comprehensive list with GolfDay University Courses, or click “courses near me” just to find the best golf in your area—with GolfDay rating and the distance from your location.

The GolfDay University course rating is based on a variety of criteria, including the stature of the architect(s) who provided the original design(s), updates that have been done on the course(s), the variety of courses located at the property, USGA Course and Slope Ratings, as well as practice facilities and programs.

If you are looking for great public golf, or planning a vacation, the GolfDay Search Engine makes it easy to find the best courses and a better bang for your buck.

The Pfau Course

1. The Pfau Course/Bloomington, IN (Public)

     Indiana University

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Steve Smyers/Fuzzy Zoeller
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 80.2/155
  • Practice Facilities: Double Sided Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 100
Karsten Creek Golf Club

2. Karsten Creek Golf Club/Stillwater, OK (Public)

    Oklahoma State University

  • Holes: 18 (Course Closed For Renovation Through Spring 2025)
  • Course Architects: Tom Fazio/Andrew Green
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 77.2/152
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers. Range Balls Included with Greens Fee.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • Accommodations
  • GolfDay Rating: 100
Atkins Golf Club

3. Atkins Golf Club/Urbana, Ill (Public)

     University of Illinois

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University of George Golf Course

4. University of Georgia Golf Course/Athens, GA (Public)

     University of Georgia

University Ridge

5. University Ridge/Madison WI (Public)

    University of Wisconsin

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.4/142
  • Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Target Greens, Putting and Chipping Green (Short Game Facility with Bunker available to University Golf Teams Only).
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 98.4

                                            

Colbert Hills Golf Course

6. Colbert Hills Golf Course/Manhattan, KS (Public)

     Kansas State University

  • Holes: 27: Eighteen Hole Regulation Course and Nine Hole Par 3
  • Course Architects: Jeffrey Brauer/Jim Colbert
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 77.6/143
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range with Fairway Bunker, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 98.0
Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex

7. Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex/West Lafayette, IN (Public)

     Purdue University

  • Holes: 36: 2-Eighteen Hole Courses (Ackerman-Allen/Kampen-Cosler)
  • Course Architects: William Diddel/Larry Packard/Pete Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Ackerman-Allen: 76.5/141

Kampen-Cosler:  76.5/146

Duke University Golf Club

8. Duke University Golf Club/Durham, NC (Public)

     Duke University

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Rees Jones
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.2/145
  • Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker (Unlimited Callaway Balls included with Greens Fee).
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 96.7
The Meadows Golf Club

9. The Meadows Golf Club/Allendale, MI (Public)

     Grand Valley State University

The Rawls Course

10. The Rawls Course/Lubbock, TX (Public)

        Texas Tech University

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Tom Doak/Jim Urbina
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.2./138
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (3).
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 96.1

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Seven Oaks Golf Club

11. Seven Oaks Golf Club/Hamilton, NY (Public)

        Colgate University

  • Holes: 18 
  • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Ron Forse
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.5/145
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Putting Green.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 95.7

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Oakland University Golf and Learning Center

12. Oakland University Golf and Learning Center/Rochester, MI (Students and Alumni Only)

      Oakland University

  • Holes: 36: 2-Eighteen Hole Courses (Katke-Cousins/R&S Sharf)
  • Course Architects: Robert Beard/William Newcomb/Warren Henderson/Rick Smith
  • USGA Course/Slope Ratings

Katke-Cousins:      76.7/148

R&S Sharf:                        75.2/145

Jimmie Austin Golf Club

13. Jimmie Austin Golf Club/Norman, OK (Public)

        University of Oklahoma

  • Holes: 36: 2-Eighteen Hole Courses (Katke-Cousins/R&S Sharf)
  • Course Architects: Robert Beard/William Newcomb/Warren Henderson/Rick Smith
  • USGA Course/Slope Ratings
  • Katke-Cousins:      76.7/148 R&S Sharf:                 75.2/145
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 95.2
Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech

  14. Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech/Radford, VA (Public)

        Virginia Tech Foundation

The Blessings Golf Club

15. The Blessings Golf Club/Fayetteville, AR (Students and Alumni Only)

        University of Arkansas

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Jr./Kyle Phillips
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 80.9/155
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Indoor Dave Pelz Short Game Facility.
  • Photos
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 94.6

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Stanford Golf Course

16.  Stanford Golf Course/Stanford, CA (Students and Alumni Only)

         Stanford University

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: George Thomas/William P. Bell/Robert Trent Jones, Sr./John Harbottle III
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.7/138
  • Practice Facilities: Expansive Lighted Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 94.5      
Ohio State University Golf Club

17. Ohio State University Golf Club/Columbus, OH (Students and Alumni Only)

       Ohio State University

  • Holes: 36: 2-Eighteen Hole Courses (Scarlet/Gray)
  • Course Architects: Alister MacKenzie/Jack Nicklaus
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Scarlet: 75.6/139

Gray:    67.0/111

Forest Akers

18. Forest Akers/Lansing, MI (Public)

        Michigan State University

  • Holes: 36: 2-Eighteen Hole Courses (East/West)
  • Course Architects: Bruce Mathews/Arthur Hills
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

East:  70.5/127

West: 75.3/141

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Finley Golf Club

19. Finley Golf Club/Chapel Hill, NC (Public)

       University of North Carolina

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: George Cobb/Tom Fazio/Tom Marzolf/Davis Love III
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.6/141
  • Practice Facilities: Driving Range with Targets (Grass/Friday-Sunday, Mats/Monday-Thursday), Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • The Lab
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 94.2
Yale Golf Course

20. Yale Golf Course/New Haven, CT (Public)

        Yale University

University of Michigan Golf Course

21. University of Michigan Golf Course/Ann Arbor, MI (Public)

        University of Michigan

Palouse Ridge Golf Club

22. Palouse Ridge Golf Club/Pullman, WA (Public)

      Washington State University

  • Holes:18
  • Course Architects: Robert Muir Graves/John Harbottle III
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.4/140
  • Practice Facilities: Double Sided Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
  • Photos
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 93.8
Denison Golf Club Granville

23. Denison Golf Club at Granville/Granville, OH (Public)

        Denison University

Naval Academy Golf Course

24. Naval Academy Golf Course/Annapolis, MD (Students and Alumni Only)

        United States Naval Academy

Seminole Legacy Golf Club

25. Seminole Legacy Golf Club/Tallahassee, FL (Public)

        Florida State University

  • Holes: 30 (18-Hole Regulation Course and 12-Hole Par 3)
  • Course Architects: William Amick/Robert Walker/Jack Nicklaus
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 77.3/143
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 93.5
University of Texas Golf Club

26. University of Texas Golf Club/Austin, TX (Students and Alumni Only)

       University of Texas

  • Holes: 24: 18-Hole Regulation Course and 6-Hole Executive Couse (Spieth Lower 40) 
  • Course Architects: Roy Bechtol/Randy Russell
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.7/145
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Golf Academy.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 93.2
Vanderbilt Legends Club

27. Vanderbilt Legends Club/Franklin, TN (Students and Alumni Only)

       Vanderbilt University

  • Holes: 36: 2 Eighteen Hole Courses (North/South)
  • Course Architects: Bob Cupp/Tom Kite
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

North: 74.9/140

South:.74,3/135

The Jayhawk Club

28. The Jayhawk Club/Lawrence, KS (Students and Alumni Only)

       University of Kansas

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Bob Dunning/Melvin Anderson/Ken Kavanaugh/Mike Gogel/Matt Gogel
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.7/138
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Target Greens, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 93.1
Mark Bostick Golf Course

29. Mark Bostick Golf Course/Gainesville, FL (Students and Alumni Only)

        University of Florida

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Ron Garl/Bobby Weed/Scot Sherman
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.0/138
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Target Greens, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker (Chris Kane Complex including Indoor Bays and Swing Analysis).
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 92.8
Warren Golf Course

30. Warren Golf Course/Notre Dame, IN (Public)

        University of Notre Dame

Great River Golf Club

31. Great River Golf Club/Milford, CT (Public)

       Sacred Heart University  

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architect: Tom Fazio
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.4/146
  • Practice Facilities: Driving Range with Targets (Mats-Monday/Tuesday, Grass Irons only-Wednesday/Thursday, Full Grass Friday-Sunday), Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (3). Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 92.1
Cobblestone Park Golf Club

32. Cobblestone Park Golf Club/Blythewood, SC (Public)

        University of South Carolina

  • Holes: 27: 3-Nine Hole Regulation Courses (Black/Garnet/Gold) 
  • Course Architect: P.B. Dye
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Black:   36.5/142

Garnet: 35.9/131/

Gold:    35.0/126

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Katke Golf Course

33. Katke Golf Course/Big Rapids, MI (Public)

        Ferris State University

Springdale Golf Club

34. Springdale Golf Club/Princeton, NJ (Students and Alumni Only)

       Princeton University

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: George Lambert/William Flynn/Howard Toomey/Roger Rulewich/Ian Andrew
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 70.9/129
  • Practice Facilities: Driving Range with Targets (Grass/Friday-Sunday, Mats/Monday-Thursday), Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 91.9
Lonnie Poole Golf Course

35. Lonnie Poole Golf Course/Raleigh, NC (Public)

       N.C. State University

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Arnold Palmer/Eric Larson/Brandon Johnson
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.6/142
  • Practice Facilities: Driving Range (Grass: Friday-Sunday/Mats: Monday-Thursday) and Putting Green. Short Game Facility with Bunker–Members and Golf Team Only.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 91.6
Robert Trent Jones Golf Course

36. Robert Trent Jones Golf Course/Ithaca, NY (Students and Alumni Only)

        Cornell University

  • Holes: 18 
  • Course Architect: Robert Trent Jones, Sr.
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.2/138
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Men’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 91.4
Eisenhower Golf Club

37. Eisenhower Golf Club/Colorado Springs, CO (Students and Alumni Only)

        United States Air Force Academy

  • Holes: 36: 2 -Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses (Blue/Silver)
  • Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Frank Hummel
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating

Blue: 74.3/141

Silver: 70.2/130

Keith Hills Golf Club

38. Keith Hills Golf Club/Lillington, NC (Public)

       Campbell University

  • Holes: 27: 3 Nine-Hole Courses (Black/Orange/White)
  • Course Architects: Ellis Maples/Dan Maples
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating:

Black:   36.1/135

Orange: 36.3/132

White:   34.5/128

Auburn University Club

39. Auburn University Club/Auburn, AL (Students and Alumni Only)

       Auburn, University

Orchards Golf Club

40. Orchards Golf Club/South Hadley, MA (Students and Alumni Only)

       Mount Holyoke College

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Donald Ross/Ron Prichard
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.0/138
  • Practice Facilities: Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 91.1
University of Louisville Golf Club

41. University of Louisville Golf Club/Simpsonville, KY (Students and Alumni Only)

       University of Louisville

Grand Canyon University Golf Course

42. Grand Canyon University Golf Course/Phoenix, AZ (Public)

       Grand Canyon University

Taconic Golf Club

43. Taconic Golf Club/Williamstown, MA (Public)

       Williams College  

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Wayne Stiles/John Van Kleek/Gil Hanse
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.5/134
  • Practice Facilities: Warm Up Net, Putting and Chipping Greens. Full Range available after May 15 at Cole Field (2 miles from course) with Range Balls included in Greens Fee.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 90.7

Harry Mussatto Golf Course

44. Harry Mussatto Golf Course/Macomb, IL (Public)

        Western Illinois University

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Dick Nugent/Ken Killian
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.5/134
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Target Greens, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers (2) and Indoor Simulator with TrackMan Technology.
  • Video Tour
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 90.7
Eagle Trace Golf Course

45. Eagle Trace Golf Course/Morehead, KY (Public)

        Morehead State University

  • Holes: 18 
  • Course Architect: David Pfaff
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.8/139
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Photos
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 90.4
Weibring Golf Club

46. Weibring Golf Club/Normal, IL Public)

       Illinois State University

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: Robert Bruce Harris/D. A. Weibring/Steve Wolfard
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.6./130
  • Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Targets, Wedge Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers and Mounier Training facility.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 90.4

The Golf Club at Texas A&M

 47. The Golf Club at Texas A&M/College Station, TX  (Public)

         Texas A&M University

Birdwood Golf Course

48. Birdwood Golf Course/Charlottesville, VA (Public)

        University of Virginia

  • Holes: 24: 8-Hole Regulation Course and 6-Hole Par 3 (Nest)
  • Course Architects: Lindsay Irvin/Davis Love III
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.5/136
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Chipping Green with Bunker and Expansive Putting Green.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 90.3
The Walker Course

49. The Walker Course/Clemson, SC (Public)

       Clemson University

The Furman Golf Club

50. The Furman Golf Club/Greenville, SC (Public)

        Furman University

  • Holes: 18
  • Course Architects: R. K. Webel/Walter Cosby/John LaFoy/Kris Spence/Scot Sherman
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.4/136
  • Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 89.6
University of New Mexico Golf Course

50.  University of New Mexico Golf Course/Albuquerque, NM (Public)

        University of New Mexico

  • Holes: 30: 18 Hole Course (Championship), 9-Hole Course (North) and 3 Practice Holes         
  • Course Architects: Red Lawrence/William H. Tucker, Sr.
  • USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.2/134
  • Practice Facilities: Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and 3 Hole Practice Course.
  • Course Description
  • Men’s Golf
  • Women’s Golf
  • GolfDay Rating: 89.6
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