10 Great College Campus Golf Courses

August 26, 2013

The college football season is set to begin this week, meaning gridiron and school spirit will again be at the forefront of many, many sports discussions across the country. To add to the mix, we’ve selected 10 great college campus golf courses to play in the U.S.

Arizona State University – ASU may be known as a top-notch party school, but the campus course isn’t too bad, either. The ASU Karsten Golf Course is a classic links-style course designed by Pete Dye. It opened in 1989 and has played host to numerous stars of the game, including ASU grad Phil Mickelson.

University of Alabama – Home to the 2013 NCAA Champion Alabama Crimson Tide men’s golf team, the Ol’ Colony Golf Complex was ranked as one of Golf Digest’s best new public courses of 2001. The Jerry Pate design features many tests, including a 25-acre lake.

University of Texas – Home to the 2012 NCAA National Champion Texas Longhorns men’s golf team, the University of Texas Golf Course is a par-71 Bechtol and Russell design, which opened in 2003. The course overlooks Lake Austin and the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Preserve, meaning you’ll have plenty of good scenery to enjoy in addition to the course.

University of Maryland – The University of Maryland Golf Course is a 7,015-yard George Cobb design and plays home to the Terrapins’ men’s and women’s golf teams. Host of a Nationwide Tour event, the course also boasts a 35,000 square foot clubhouse and large practice area.

Stanford University – The Stanford University Golf Course has been home turf to some of the game’s top players, including Tiger Woods. The course, which launched in 1930, has also been voted the No. 3 college course in the country by golf coaches. With views of San Francisco and plenty of elevation changes, the Stanford University Golf Course is a must play.

University of Florida – The Mark Bostick Golf Course at the University of Florida in Gainesville is owned by the University Athletic Association and was built in 1921. The course, designed by Donald Ross and named for Mark Bostic, a generous donor to the Gators’ athletic program, was acquired by the university in 1963.

University of North Carolina – Finley Golf Course, on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill, has been updated to accommodate the long hitters of today. Measuring a whopping 7,328 yards, the course was redesigned by Tom Fazio in 1999.

Ohio State University – It might not be the top one or two courses Alister MacKenzie designed, but sitting behind Augusta National and Cypress Point certainly doesn’t diminish how nice the Scarlet Course at the Ohio State University Golf Club is. Built in 1931, the 7,455-yard layout has played host to numerous NCAA and USGA events.

University of Michigan – Another stellar MacKenzie design is located on the campus of Ohio State’s mortal enemy. The University of Michigan Golf Course opened in the spring of 1931 and features 6,687 yards of hilly terrain near the university’s main campus.

Penn State University – There are two courses on the campus of Penn State University. The White Course is a par-72 that runs 6,344 yards while the Blue runs 7,172 yards. Both tracks underwent major renovations in 2005.

Honorable mention courses:

• Kent State – This 18-hole, par-70 course features rates on GolfNow.com as low as $13
• University of Idaho – Opened in 1933 and offers beautiful, panoramic views of grasslands and mountains
• Purdue – Features two facilities, the Kampen Course and Ackerman Hills
• Eastern Michigan – The Eagle Crest Resort is considered “The Resort of Southeast Michigan”

 

Featured image of the 2013 National Champion University of Alabama men’s golf team courtesy of cw.ua.edu.