Shinnecock Hills

Southampton, NY

ARCHITECT William Flynn YEAR BUILT 1931

Venue for five U.S. Opens since 1986, most recently in 2018, this is William Flynn’s undisputed design masterpiece. Apart from being handed a magnificent piece of land upon which to work, Flynn was given something else nearly as valuable: time. Work commenced in 1928 and the course didn’t open until 1931. William Gordon led the project for Flynn and he enjoyed the help of 150 American Indians. True, the Great Depression commenced during construction but the grace with which the holes flow across the property is a tribute to the hands on, slow build process. (Up 2 spots)