PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19^TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as a Congressional press secretary in Washington, D.C., an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.

A stupid question you may say.

Or, an artificial one.

Or, one not deserving a moment’s thought in a society plagued by serious problems.

Or, who cares?

Well, I do – care that is.

The question was contained in the on-line version of Links Magazine, which I received this morning. It followed another Links column touting the mental gymnastics of remembering all of the golf courses you have played in your life.

That column was based on a total – 750 golf courses – posted by Links editor, George Peper, one never to be reached by others, including me.

But, I took Peper’s challenge and, with help from my wife and daughter, came up with 180 courses.

If was a fun exercise, not because of the number, but because of all the memories that flooded back.

As for the question to name the best course you’ve never played, I have two.

One is Augusta National, the venue in Georgia where The Masters Golf Tournament is played every year. I have been there once – to watch, not play – and I suspect that’s all I’ll ever do again, given the intense difficulty of playing on that historic venue.

So be it.

My second best course not played would be Pebble Beach in California, which I might play if only because it is on the West Coast where I live. Of course, I’d have to stomach the $500+ cost for a round there.

The Links article listed other courses where more famous golf folks than me would like to play. Relating to the list below, I have had the privilege of playing in two of the locations mentioned – Royal Dornoch in Scotland, which remains one of my very favorite golf courses in the entire world, and the four (soon to be five) courses at Bandon Dunes on the South Oregon Coast.

Here are some of the listed courses.

Gil Hanse
Course Architect

“I’m chasing Swinley Forest, the heathland course outside of London. Harry Colt referred to it as his ‘least bad course’ and he built some great stuff so it must be really special.

Jay Monahan
PGA Tour Commissioner

“Lahinch. We took a family trip in 1991 and on the back end of it we were going to play Lahinch and Ballybunion. We were five so I sat out and my mother, father, and two brothers played it.

Mickey Wright
LPGA Hall of Famer

“The only course I wanted to play but didn’t get to was Pine Valley. I was told women were not allowed. Had no problem with that at the time, but heard it was a wonderful and difficult course.

Greg Norman
Two-time Open Champion and course architect

“Believe it or not, I have never played Pine Valley. As Pine Valley has never hosted a major professional event and I have never spent a significant amount of time up north, I simply have not had the opportunity to play.

Suzy Whaley
President, PGA of America

“Olympic Club. I’ve always wanted to play it.

Mike Keiser
Golf course developer

“Royal St. George’s Golf Club in England, with Augusta National running a close second.

Brad Faxon
Champions Tour/Fox Sports

“I get asked some version of this question a lot and what I always say is if I go through any top 100 list the first course I get to that I haven’t played is the one I’m dying to see. Currently on the world list it’s Royal Dornoch in Scotland.

Pete Bevacqua
Former PGA CEO and current NBC Sports President

“I’d love to take a trip out to Bandon Dunes. I’ve heard so many great things from so many people and I’ve had several invites and opportunities to go, but it just has never worked out and it’s something I look forward to doing at some point.”

Jim Nantz
CBS Sports anchor

“The Old Course at St. Andrews. Walked it many times as a fan, including four Open Championships. Seen every inch of the mother ship—but outside the ropes, never inside. I’ve actually played it dozens of times…in my mind.”

Jim Furyk
U.S. Open Champion/Ryder Cup Captain

“Sand Hills. I’m fascinated that they built it for only $1 million, and I’m a fan of anything Coore & Crenshaw does.”

Dottie Pepper
LPGA/CBS Sports

“Muirfield in Scotland. I’ve covered the Open Championship there, but I’ve never played it and it’s my favorite walk in golf.”

Annika Sorenstam
LPGA Hall of Famer and course architect

“My course would be Royal County Down because I’m a big fan of links golf.

So, in the spirit of Links Magazine, where is the best course you’ve never had a chance to play?