The PGA Championship, staged at Quail Hollow earlier this month, resulted in Justin Thomas becoming the fourth American first-time major winner in the last two seasons. The current strength in depth within US male golf must be causing sleepless nights for the European Ryder Cup Captain, Thomas Bjørn. Europe’s girls fought bravely in last weekend’s Solheim Cup. Although the outcome was apparent at an early stage, and despite the absence of South Korea’s lady stars, women’s golf emerged as the winner. More than 100,000 fans turned up in Iowa, cementing the Solheim Cup as the biggest draw in female golf.

M. James Ward contributed a couple of articles during August. In “Behind the architectural curtain” he put a quartet of golf course architects on the spot, asking questions such as: “What’s the best restoration of a course that has hosted a major?” He also highlighted: Four holes to watch at Quail Hollow.

In this edition, we’ve released the first Top 50 ranking update for the East & Southeast of Scotland, as well as an inaugural Top 20 for England’s North West region. Also, one of our long-standing American contributors shines a light on London’s heathland courses.

East and Southeast Scotland is such a strong golfing area it should come as no surprise to learn that nearly forty of the courses in this new regional listing also occupy positions in our Scottish Top 100 chart. We’re concentrating this article on four of the better layouts to be found in the lower reaches of this new regional table, offering a little exposure to courses that are rarely given much recognition.

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Our new North West Top 20 features three courses that are currently ranked in our World Top 100, seven that are presently placed in our GB&I table, and twelve that are ranked in our English Top 100. The North West is England’s second strongest golfing region (based on the number of nationally ranked courses) behind the South East. Three royal golf clubs, all current Open venues, head the table.

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Richard Smith and his wife Ruth visit London to play some of the world's best heathland courses which are conveniently located to the south and west of England's capital. In one short week Richard played nine courses and remains happily married! The trip confirmed to Richard that heathland golf matches up with the best inland courses anywhere in the world.

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Having played Tom Doak’s Pacific Dunes in Oregon many times, I was excited to play Grand Saint-Emilionnais. On non-golf vacation with my wife, I did not have my golf shoes or clubs. Playing with a borrowed set, I still had a phenomenal time. The Mourgue d’Algue Family could not have been more hospitable.

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