Five Public Courses Poised for Major Championship Potential

Public courses like Bethpage Black, Torrey Pines South, and TPC Harding Park have proven that major championships don’t have to be confined to exclusive private clubs. Fans love the idea of testing their skills on the same fairways as the pros, and municipalities benefit when investments turn local layouts into world-class stages.

That led Golf Digest to ask: which other public courses could make the leap with the right upgrades? Here are five contenders identified by the magazine.

Brown Deer Park Golf Course — Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee’s most popular municipal course already has a rich history, including Tiger Woods’ professional debut. Designed in 1929, it features a walkable, wooded property with plenty of character. At 6,759 yards, it needs more length, but modernizing its greens and bunkers could make it championship-ready again.

Cobbs Creek Golf Club (Olde Course) — Philadelphia, PA

Currently undergoing a $150 million restoration, Cobbs Creek is one of the nation’s most ambitious public-golf projects. The Hugh Wilson design, now being rebuilt by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, will also include a Tiger Woods/TGR Learning Lab and youth-focused facilities. The reimagined Olde Course has already been floated as a PGA Tour candidate, and its urban location makes it a natural fit for major tournament golf.

CommonGround Golf Course — Aurora, CO

This Tom Doak/Renaissance Golf design from 2009 is already tournament-worthy. Operated by the Colorado Golf Association, CommonGround features varied greens, bold bunkers, and strategic hole designs perfect for match play. Adding yardage—especially important at altitude—and refining bunkering could position it for top-tier events.

Poppy Ridge Golf Course — Livermore, CA

Owned by the Northern California Golf Association, Poppy Ridge recently underwent a Jay Blasi redesign that combined three nines into a dynamic 18-hole layout. With its flowing fairways, ridge-top vistas, and the ability to stretch beyond 7,345 yards, the course is primed for a PGA Championship-level test.

Saratoga Spa State Park Golf Course — Saratoga Springs, NY

Like Bethpage, Saratoga Spa is a New York state park course with untapped potential. Built in the 1930s and later expanded in the 1950s, it winds through wooded parkland with a classic design begging for a modern refresh. Its infrastructure is tournament-ready, thanks to an adjacent performing arts center capable of handling large crowds.