Here we go with the Round of 32 in our March Madness Top 64 Golf Holes in Northern California!
Last week we rolled out the first round and here we are back in for the second round featuring the winners from the first matches.
Remember, these are holes from courses I have played. There is going to be holes that didnât make the list because I have not played the course.
I am sure you will agree with some, disagree with some others, but the bottom line â have some fun with this!
Early next week we will be back with the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 matchups!!
ROUND OF 32
Tiger Woods Region
Pebble Beach No. 18 (1) vs. Wente Vineyards No. 18 (8): I have a firm appreciation for the closing hole at Wente, but the 18th at Pebble Beach is amazing. I watched tournaments for years at Pebble and always thought how cool it was to watch. The first time you stand on the tee box at 18 it is a hard to explain experience.
Pasatiempo No. 16 (5) vs. Pebble Beach No. 9 (4): Pasa is amazing but when you get to nine at Pebble you might think you have some time to breath after coming off the 8th. Nice try. The 9th will chew you up and spit you out if youâre not ready for it. Another Pebble winner!
Pebble Beach No. 17 (3) vs. Old Greenwood No. 8 (11): Sorry Old Greenwood, but you stand on No. 17 and you start thinking of Tom Watsonâs chip and Jack Nicklausâ iron off the tee. History just pours on this hole.
Clear Creek No. 18 (7) vs. Olympic Club No. 18 (2): In 10-12 years maybe, this will change but right now No. 18 at Olympic is going to be the winner. You stand over your ball in the fairway and look up at that green and the hillside around it and you canât help but think that every great player in the history of golf has stood there and taken in the view.
Freddie Couples Region
Half Moon Bay No. 18 â Old Course (1) vs. Silverado No. 17 (9): HMB is one of the most photogenic holes in golf and when you stand on the tee and take it all in, it is an amazing hole. Love Silverado but this is a decisive win.
Half Moon Bay No 18 â Ocean Course (5) vs. Spanish Bay No. 3 (4): Spanish Bay may get lost in the shuffle of all the world-class courses in the area, but the 3rd hole reminds you early in the round what an incredible course you are playing. Listen to the bagpiper at Spanish Bay!
Edgewood No. 17 (3) vs. Yocha Dehe No. 1 (6): Yocha Deheâs opening hole is a tremendous way to start a round, but the winner here is the 17th at Edgewood. The hole that runs right along the beach at Lake Tahoe has become the celebrity golf version of the 16th at the Waste Management Open. Every year the American Century comes to town, the 17th in the place to be. Even in the year of COVID, there was a still a festive atmosphere thanks to the people in boats!
Harding Park No. 16 (10) vs. Pebble Beach No. 7 (2): Standing on arguably the most beautiful par 3 in the world is just too much. Pebble is the winner here!
Jack Nicklaus Region
Harding Park No. 18 (1) vs. Wente Vineyards No. 10 (9): I wanted so bad to go with Wente as the 10th and the views from the tee box are amazing. Then you think about how special the 18th is as Harding and itâs no contest. The 18th is such a great hole that when the Presidents Cup was at Harding, they re-routed the course to make the 18th, the 16th hole so more matches would reach there in the match play format.
Ruby Hill No. 18 (5) vs. Clear Creek No. 3 (4): Ruby Hill is your winner as the Nicklaus Signature design has got all the elements of a great closing hole. You want a closing hole where the match can turn easily and Ruby Hillâs closer checks all the boxes.
Monterey Peninsula No. 11 â Shores (3) vs. Montreux 17 (No. 6): As I stated in the last round, MPCC might be the most scenic in the region and that warrants my favorite hole on the course a spot in the Sweet 16.
Pacific Grove No. 12 (10) vs. Spyglass No. 3 (2): I canât emphasize enough how much I enjoy playing Pacific Grove, but No. 3 at Spyglass has the wow factor. You stand on the tee taking in the ocean view and stress from the real world melts away.
Jordan Spieth Region
Pebble Beach No. 8 (1) vs. Edgewood No. 6 (9): Sorry Edgewood, the 8th at Pebble stands well above here. Itâs been called âthe greatest second shot in golf,â and once youâve played the shot, you get it â and fear it!
Edgewood No. 18 (5) vs. Spyglass No. 1 (4): I love the closing hole at Edgewood, but the opening hole at Spyglass is the winner here. Itâs the highest point on the course and the panoramic view from the tee starts your round with such a rush.
Coyote Moon No. 13 (3) vs. Copper Valley No. 18 (6): This was a tough one for me as the closer at Copper Valley is such a fun closing hole, but the par 3, No. 13 at Coyote Moon is a marvel of design for me. I would love to hear the thought process that went into the design.
The Dragon No. 18 (7) vs. Pebble Beach No. 10 (2): The view from the middle of the fairway on No. 10 is just incomparable in this match up. I love the Dragon and the dramatic mountain views that come throughout the course, but Pebble always has and always will have the wow factor.
By Dennis Miller