The quest took an exciting new turn in 2025 with the advent of a new (to me) app called “Thousand Greens”. In a nutshell, I joined a community of golf enthusiasts that opened up wonderful playing opportunities this season. In fact, all five courses that I played in 2025 were accompanied by club members that I connected with through the app. Without exception, each member made these rounds much more enjoyable. They shared stories and history about their clubs and courses that were insightful and memorable.
Including those five rounds I have checked off 83 courses on the bucket list. I also completed the quest in Alabama (since they’ve only hosted one major). I also started the quest in a new state (Michigan).
Here are a few highlights from each round:
79. Shoal Creek Club (AL) — What a true gem of the south! Driving through the pine laden country roads provide no indication that you are about to stumble upon the best course Alabama has to offer. I played Shoal Creek with two long-time members, who have been playing partners for decades. They provided such rich stories of years past, including PGA Championship insights. My host also described the significant course renovations planned for later in the year. I’d certainly enjoy returning to play the “new” course if I ever get the opportunity!
80. Brae Burn Country Club (MA) — You feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you arrive at Brae Burn, which was established back in 1897! My host introduced me to a new way to compete with three golfers – “Game of Nines.” Basically, each hole is worth 9 points, with 5 points to the outright winner, 3 to the middle and 1 to the lowest score. In case there are ties, each tied golfer gets the same number of points. For example, if two tie at the top, they both get 4 points; if two tie at the bottom, they both get 2 points (with the remainder going to the third player). Try it the next time your foursome winds up as a threesome.
81. Oakland Hills Country Club – South Course (MI) — A lot of people have Oakland Hills on their must-play list…and for good reason! It simply is a true test of championship golf. There are no easy holes, and the green complexes are as challenging as they come. It’s so much easier to understand why a pro would be so fooled on a seemingly straightforward putt once you’ve seen the nuances they face.
I had a great host for the day and joined up with two fellow TGers to complete the foursome. They are good friends who traveled up from Houston. I hope to play their course sometime in the near future. When we finished the round, we all posed for pictures in front of the almost completed new clubhouse, which was a magnificent backdrop!
82. Plum Creek Country Club (MI) — Dew busters. There’s nothing quite like walking out on a golf course with the sun rising, fog still rolling down the ravines and your footsteps imprinted on the pristine fairway (or rough as the case may be!). My host warned me that his group liked an early tee time, and I was more than happy to oblige. And what a fun group that was! Although I wasn’t much help to my playing partner, we at least broke even with a par on the 18th hole.
83. Worcester Country Club (MA) — My final round of the year was at the home of the 1925 US Open. Worcester is also the answer to “Which course hosted the first Ryder Cup?” There was a lot of focus on that fact, especially with the most recent Ryder Cup about to take place in relatively close by Bethpage. If you ever get the privilege of playing here, you’ll have to note all of the historical plaques throughout the facility. The coolest one is “Ryder Cup Row” in the locker room – the names of the original team members adorn their respective wire-mesh lockers.
This quest has allowed me to go back in time, witnessing venues where history unfolded. There’s something very special about walking in the footsteps of golf heroes, both past and present.
MajorBucketList.com 