Shinnecock, like its closely ranked brethren Pine Valley, Cypress Point and Augusta National, the top four rated courses in the nation, are all ultra-private.

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Talking at Pine Valley, a vast Nicklaus-designed 45-hole course outside of Beijing, Nicklaus believes that China will be home to future champions as well as millions of recreational players.

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The flames came dangerously close to the Air Force Academy's main campus, and an evacuation order was issued for about 700 residents in its Pine Valley Housing and 1, 400 in Douglass Valley Housing, said public affairs officer John Van Winkle.

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Sometimes he went for long walks around the village and even outside it, over the hills that encircled the little valley, through orchards and dusky pine groves.

NEWYORKER: Heirs