Seven architects (and teams) dominate the ranking of best modern courses in the U.S.
Judging by number of courses on the new Golfweek's Best list, Tom Fazio leads that group of architects with 40 of the top 200 modern courses built in the U.S. since 1960. His highest-ranked course is Wade Hampton Club in North Carolina, which ties for No. 7.
Following Fazio with the most courses on the list is Pete Dye (18), the team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw (16), Tom Doak (15), Jack Nicklaus (15), Gil Hanse (10, usually working with partner Jim Wagner) and Robert Trent Jones Sr. (10). Most of these courses feature just one architect in the credits, but several times these seven architects or teams share credit with others in either building a new course or renovating an existing layout.
Judging only the most elite courses that rank inside the top 20 modern courses in the U.S., Doak leads the list of architects with five layouts. His Pacific Dunes at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon tops the list for him at No. 3, just a couple spots ahead of his Ballyneal in Colorado. Fazio, Dye and the team of Coore and Crenshaw each have three layouts among the elite top 20 modern courses.
And looking only at the top spots, it's Coore and Crenshaw at Nos. 1 and 2, with Sand Hills in Nebraska and Friar's Head in New York claiming the top two spots this year.
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