Last week we welcome Travelin Joe Passov to The Back Nine Radio show to preview the September issue of Golf Magazine where they introduce the Top 100 Courses in the U.S. as compiled by their list of panelists.  Talk about a dream job, Joe Passov literally travels the world teeing it up on these amazing golf courses and calls it work.

Pine Valley tops the list once again in 2011 and while I haven't played Pine Valley, I will trust the opinions of several very reputable friends who claim this treasure is all it's made it to be.  St. Louisans Tom O'Toole Jr. and Jim Holtgrieve have been known to make a trip or two, or three each year to Pine Valley and bring along a few friends every now and then.  So be nice to our Walker Cup Captain and who knows, maybe you'll find your way to Pine Valley one of these days. 

Number two on the list is Cypress Point.  Once a member of the AT&T National Pro-Am rotation this golf course sits on the Monterey Peninsula, one of our country's most beautiful places.  Many make the voyage out to the Monterey Peninsula, but few get the pleasure of experiencing the best of the bunch in Cypress Point. 

Skipping down the list a few spots to Number 8 you come across the first course to represent the Midwest.  Sand Hills, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, opened in 1994 to rave reviews.  Nebraska may not have a lot for tourists to do, but for golfers looking to experience a unique round of golf Sand Hills is a can't miss trip.

I have to make it all the way to Number 35 before I find a golf course I've played.  While I've visited several earlier in the list, it's Southern Hills in Tulsa, OK that marks a member of the top 100 where I've put the peg in the ground.  This Perry Maxwell Design is a solid test of golf and most recently hosted a PGA Championship.

At Number 60 on the list compiled by Golf Magazine is Shadow Creek.  While I've made my fair share of trips to Las Vegas over the years, amazingly enough I haven't played much golf in the desert.  I guess there are too many poker tables waiting for me, but when I do get to golf I'm lucky to have played some of Vegas' best.  Shadow Creek is a special experience, so if you get the chance - get out of the casino and bring your clubs, you won't regret it.

I'm on a roll here, because at Number 68 is Peachtree in Atlanta, GA.  This Robert Trent Jones design will remind you of Bellerive Country Club in many ways with bunkering dictating your strategy off the tee.  Personally, I like robert Trent Jones layouts and Peachtree is among one of my favorites.

Hazeltine National up in Chaska, Minnesota played host to the U.S. Amateur where St. Louisan John Kelly finished Runner-up to Richie Ramsey.  During my college years, I was able to make this trip and enjoy what I believe to be one of the most challenging golf courses I've ever played.  It's all about the angles at Hazeltine, so pick your line and trust it.  

And of course, at Number 87 is St. Louis' very own Bellerive Country Club.  I've had the pleasure of competing at Bellerive quite a bit and also enjoying an occasional round with friends over the years.  A day of golf at Bellerive is always a treat and I hope any true diehard golfer in St. Louis get the chance at least once to experience Bellerive.

While Florida has a lot of great golf courses, accommodating all of the snow birds, I really haven't made a point to play much golf in the Sunshine state.  But I was lucky enough one year while attending the PGA Merchandise Show to sneak over to World Woods (Pine Barrens) and am I ever glad we made the hour drive from Orlando to experience this gem.  

Last but not least on my list of courses played of Golf Magazine's Top 100 is Bel-Air Country Club.  There's nothing like getting ready for your round of golf and totally lost in the clubhouse as Jerry West, yes the Jerry West, helps you find the locker room and kindly walks you down to make sure you find your guest locker.  I'll admit, that was pretty cool.  As we're putting out on the par 5, 1st hole, the member I'm playing with starts getting harrassed by some loud mouth driving back from the driving range.  This loud mouth was none other than Al Michaels.  Again, not something you see everyday during your normal round of golf.  It was literally one celebrity after the other.  As for the golf course, I could have used a caddy because by no means should I have been hitting driver as many times as I did.  Bel Air Country Club is short and tight and you have to keep the ball in front of you or hitting the tiny little greens becomes almost impossible if playing from the trees.  

Well, there you have it.  My reflections of playing just a few of the Top 100 Courses in the U.S. per the upcoming September issue of Golf Magazine.  How many on the list have you played?  Share your list on our Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Golfers-Network/70905356334 or email us at mail@espnbacknine.com.  We'd love to hear which courses you've played so maybe we can add them to our golf bucket list and cross them off ourselves.