GOLF recently released its latest ranking of the Top 100 Courses in the U.S. (2024-25), a list that includes 11 newcomers. Some of them you might know. Others you might not. Here, in our newcomer spotlights, we’ll introduce you to these rookie Top 100 gems.
Newcomer spotlight: Interlachen / Rank: 73rd
Location: Edina, Minn.
Type: Private
Year: 1911/1919/2024
Architect: William Watson/Donald Ross/Andrew Green
What you need to know about Interlachen
Andrew Green has mastered the playbook for restoring Golden Age parkland gems, and he did so again here outside Minneapolis where Bob Jones won one leg of the Grand Slam. Among the improvements: removal of poorly positioned trees; restoration of fairway width; and expanding Donald Ross’s greens to their fill pads. Green also reintroduced Ross’s bunkering schemes, and many of the greens are now surrounded by short grass. Ross’s routing across ridge lines creates memorable and distinctive holes such as the par-3 5th, par-4 6th, par-4 10th, par-5 12th and par-4 13th. The occasional water hazard adds to the diversity of obstacles that golfers must overcome. A well-played round here is deeply gratifying as the course poses every conceivable question of its challengers.
What our raters say
“Superb restoration. Remarkable property where the natural features have been rediscovered.”
“Andrew Green’s restoration talent is to reclaim and expand into the corners of green complexes while introducing subtle internal contouring into the center sections of the green — primary examples found at Interlachen on the 3rd and 6th greens. The 2nd hole remains one of the best uphill par-4 holes in the country. Green’s championship design pedigree brings anticipation of the upcoming 2030 U.S. Women’s Open with Interlachen’s complex history of the Donald Ross and William Watson design intermixed with the USGA championship history of Bobby Jones, Inbee Park and Annika Sorenstam.”
“Andrew Green has made it very clear how great the land on which Interlachen resides.”
