Casey Martin has been at the helm of the University of Oregon men’s golf team since 2006. Before coaching, Martin played professionally on the Nike, Nationwide and PGA Tours. He won the 1998 Nike Tour Lakeland Open in a playoff, thus securing his spot on the tour for the following year. Another highlight of his career also came in 1998, when he led the U.S. Open at Olympic Club. He ended up finishing T-23. In 2001 Martin received national attention for his lawsuit against the the PGA Tour for the right to use a golf cart during competition, which he ultimately won. He was born and raised in Eugene, Ore. and attended Stanford University, where he was a teammate with Tiger Woods.
No. 5
Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club - Witch Hollow
North Plains, Ore.
Year opened: 1992
Course type: Private
Architect: Robert E. Cupp
Events hosted: 1996 U.S. Amateur (Tiger Woods), 1997 U.S. Women’s Open (Allison Nicholas), 2003 Women’s Open (Hillary Lunke), 2000 U.S. Junior Amateur and Girls Junior (Matthew Rosenfeld, Lisa Ferrero)
Martins take: A really special experience and worthy to be ranked higher but the other courses are just too good.’
No. 4
Bandon Dunes
Bandon, Ore.
Year opened: 1999
Course type: Public
Architect: David McLay Kidd
Martins take: It is hard to rank any one of the Bandon courses above the another.’
No. 3
Bandon Trails
Bandon, Ore.
Year opened: 2005
Course type: Public
Architect: Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw
No. 2
Pacific Dunes
Bandon, Ore.
Year opened: 2001
Course type: Public
Architect: Tom Doak
Martins take: Pacific Dunes is one of the best courses in the world. I get so excited to play down at Bandon and feel very fortunate that such an incredible resort is close to home.’
No. 1
(Steven Gibbons, USGA)
Eugene Country Club
Eugene, Ore.
Year opened: 1899
Course type: Private
Architect: Robert Trent Jones
Events hosted: 2008 U.S. Women’s Amateur (Amanda Blumenerst), 1964 U.S. Junior Amateur (Johnny Miller), 1993 U.S. Mid-Amateur (Jeff Thomas), 2002 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur (Kathy Hartwiger)
Martins take: There is no better course in the world to play every day. It is beautiful, in perfect condition every day and is very challenging. Just a total golf experience and you can play in under four hours.’
All Courses & Travel
