Muirfield Village Golf Club

Jack Nicklaus first conceived of Muirfield Village while competing in the 1966 Masters. Wouldn't it be great, he thought, if he could do something like Bobby Jones did with the Augusta National experience, but do it in Columbus, Ohio, where he grew up. Back then, the Bear was associated with architect/land planner Desmond Muirhead, who had a talented associate in his employ named Jay Morrish. Together, they crafted what quickly became one of the PGA Tour's most admired golf courses.

Critics lauded "The House That Jack Built," as much for its flawless conditioning as for its design hallmarks, but every bit as impressive was how Nicklaus seamlessly integrated spectator areas into the closing holes, using hillsides and amphitheater-style mounding to provide fans with unimpeded views of the action.

Muirfield Village continues to impress. Though not the fearsome brute it was in the 1970s and 1980s, it maintains a stellar position in GOLF MAGAZINE's Top 100 Courses in the World and the U.S. One look at the past champions roster will tell you that if the best courses bring out the best in the pros, Muirfield Village is a stud. Tiger Woods achieved a three-peat here from 1999-2001 while two-time champs include Tom Watson in 1979 and 1996, Greg Norman in 1990 and 1995, Hale Irwin in 1983 and 1985 and Nicklaus himself in 1977 and 1984. In recent years, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Jim Furyk have captured titles here as well.

For more information, go to nicklaus.com.

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