Golfweek’s Best 2021: From Augusta National to Pebble Beach, these are the top 200 classic golf courses

Welcome to the Golfweek’s Best 2021 list of the top 200 Classic Courses, built before 1960 in the United States.

Each year we publish many lists, with this Top 200 Classic Courses and the accompanying Top 200 Modern Courses lists being the premium offerings. Also extremely popular and significant are the Best Courses You Can Play State by State and Best Private Courses State by State.

The members of our course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them based on our 10 criteria. They also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those overall ratings on each course are averaged together to produce a final rating for each course. Each course is then ranked against other courses to produce the final rankings.

To ensure these lists are up-to-date, Golfweek’s Best in recent years has altered how the individual ratings are compiled into the rankings. Only ratings from rounds played in the past 10 years are included in the compilations. This helps ensure that any course in the rankings still measures up.

Courses also must have a minimum of 25 votes to qualify for the top 200 Modern or the top 200 Classic. Other Golfweek’s Best lists, such as Best Courses You Can Play or Best Private, do not require as many votes. This makes it possible that a course can show up on other lists but not on the premium top-200 lists.

Each course is listed with its average rating next to the name, the location, the year it opened and the designers. The top 100 courses also note in parenthesis next to the name of each course where that course ranked in 2020. After the designers are several designations that note what type of facility it is:

  • p: private

  • d: daily fee

  • r: resort course

  • t: tour course

  • u: university

  • m: municipal

  • re: real estate

  • c: casino

* Indicates new to or returning to this list

(Pictured atop this story is Oakmont.)


SEE ALSO

Golfweek’s Best 2021: Top 100 public golf courses across the U.S.

Golfweek’s Best 2021: Best public golf courses you can play, state by state

Golfweek’s Best 2021: Best private golf courses in every state

Golfweek’s Best 2021 Modern Courses: From Bandon Dunes to Shadow Creek, these are the top 200 courses that were built after 1960

Classic Nos. 1-25

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

Shinnecock Hills in New York. (David Cannon/Getty Images)

1. Pine Valley (1) 9.59 Pine Valley, N.J.; 1919; George Crump, Harry S. Colt; p 2. Augusta National (3) 9.57 Augusta, Ga.; 1932; Alister MacKenzie, Bobby Jones; p, t 3. Cypress Point (2) 9.56 Pebble Beach, Calif.; 1928; Alister MacKenzie; p 4. Shinnecock Hills (4) 9.24 Southampton, N.Y.; 1931; William S. Flynn, Howard C. Toomey, Dick Wilson; p, t 5. National Golf Links of America (5) 9.20 Southampton, N.Y.; 1911; Charles Blair Macdonald; p 6. Oakmont (6) 9.05 Oakmont, Pa.; 1903; Henry Fownes; p 7. Merion (East) (7) 8.88 Ardmore, Pa. ; 1912; Hugh Wilson; p 8. Chicago GC (8) 8.80 Wheaton, Ill.; 1894; Charles Blair Macdonald, Seth Raynor; p 9. Pebble Beach Golf Links (9) 8.77 Pebble Beach, Calif.; 1919; Douglas Grant, Jack Neville; r, d, t 10. Fishers Island Club (10) 8.75 Fishers Island, N.Y.; 1926; Seth Raynor; p 11. Prairie Dunes (11) 8.56 Hutchinson, Kan. ; 1937; Perry Maxwell, Press Maxwell; p 12. Seminole (12) 8.52 Juno Beach, Fla.; 1929; Donald Ross; p 13. Crystal Downs (13) 8.46 Frankfort, Mich.; 1931; Alister MacKenzie, Perry Maxwell; p 14. Los Angeles CC (North) (14) 8.43 Los Angeles; 1927; William P. Bell, Herbert Fowler, George C. Thomas Jr.; p 15. Winged Foot (West) (16) 8.40 Mamaroneck, N.Y.; 1923; A.W. Tillinghast; p 16. Pinehurst (No. 2) (15) 8.39 Pinehurst, N.C.; 1903; Donald Ross; r, d 17. San Francisco GC (17) 8.24 San Francisco; 1915; A.W. Tillinghast; p 18. Riviera (18) 8.17 Pacific Palisades, Calif.; 1927; George C. Thomas Jr., William P. Bell; p, t 19. Shoreacres (19) 8.14 Lake Bluff, Ill.; 1921; Seth Raynor; p 20. Somerset Hills (22) 8.08 Bernardsville, N.J.; 1918; A.W. Tillinghast; p T21. Old Town Club (20) 8.04 Winston-Salem, N.C.; 1939; Perry Maxwell; p T21. Peachtree (21) 8.04 Atlanta; 1948; Robert Trent Jones Sr., Bobby Jones; p T23. Camargo Club (24) 7.96 Indian Hill, Ohio; 1925; Seth Raynor; p T23. Oakland Hills (South) (23) 7.96 Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; 1918; Donald Ross; p 25. The Country Club (Composite) (25) 7.92 Brookline, Mass.; 1895; Willie Campbell, William S. Flynn, Howard C. Toomey; p

Classic Nos. 26-50

Bethpage Black
Bethpage Black

Bethpage Black in New York (Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports)

26. Maidstone Club (30) 7.91 East Hampton, N.Y.; 1899; William H. Tucker, Willie Park Jr.; p 27. Plainfield (26) 7.87 Plainfield, N.J.; 1921; Donald Ross; p 28. Quaker Ridge (28) 7.86 Scarsdale, N.Y.; 1926; A.W. Tillinghast; p 29. Garden City GC (29) 7.85 Garden City, N.Y.; 1901; Devereux Emmet, Walter J. Travis; p 30. Bethpage State Park (Black) (27) 7.84 Farmingdale, N.Y.; 1935; A.W. Tillinghast; d, m, t 31. Winged Foot (East) (35) 7.82 Mamaroneck, N.Y.; 1923; A.W. Tillinghast; p 32. Myopia Hunt Club (31) 7.78 Hamilton, Mass.; 1896; Herbert Leeds; p 33. California GC (34) 7.77 South San Francisco, Calif.; 1926; A. Vernon Macan, Alister MacKenzie, Kyle Phillips; p T34. Pasatiempo (32) 7.74 Santa Cruz, Calif.; 1929; Alister MacKenzie; d T34. Olympic Club (Lake) (33) 7.74 San Francisco; 1929; William Watson, Sam Whiting; p T36. Philadelphia Cricket Club (Wissahickon) (37) 7.72 Flourtown, Pa.; 1922; A.W. Tillinghast; p T36. Valley Club of Montecito (38) 7.72 Santa Barbara, Calif.; 1928; Alister MacKenzie, Robert Hunter; p 38. Southern Hills (36) 7.70 Tulsa, Okla.; 1936; Perry Maxwell; p T39. Essex (41) 7.65 Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass.; 1917; Donald Ross; p T39. Baltimore CC (East) (39) 7.65 Timonium, Md.; 1926; A.W. Tillinghast; p 41. Yeamans Hall Club (43) 7.63 Charleston, S.C.; 1925; Seth Raynor; p 42. Sleepy Hollow (44) 7.62 Scarborough, N.Y.; 1913; Charles Blair Macdonald, Seth Raynor; p 43. Piping Rock (40) 7.61 Locust Valley, N.Y.; 1913; Charles Blair Macdonald, Seth Raynor; p 44. Eastward Ho! (42) 7.60 Chatham, Mass.; 1922; Herbert Fowler; p 45. St. Louis CC (49) 7.59 St. Louis; 1914; Charles Blair Macdonald, Seth Raynor; p 46. Milwaukee CC (45) 7.58 Milwaukee; 1929; Charles H. Alison; p T47. Kittansett Club (46) 7.57 Marion, Mass.; 1922; William S. Flynn, Fred Hood; p T47. Inverness Club (50) 7.57 Toledo, Ohio; 1919; Donald Ross, Andrew Green; p 49. Ridgewood (Championship) (51) 7.54 Paramus, N.J.; 1929; A.W. Tillinghast; p, t 50. Baltusrol (Lower) (47) 7.50 Springfield, N.J.; 1922; A.W. Tillinghast; p

Classic Nos. 51-75

Yale Golf Course
Yale Golf Course

Yale Golf Course in Connecticut (Courtesy of Yale)

51. Newport CC (48) 7.49 Newport, R.I.; 1915; Donald Ross, A.W. Tillinghast; p 52. Scioto (53) 7.46 Columbus, Ohio; 1916; Donald Ross; p T53. Oak Hill (East) (69) 7.45 Pittsford, N.Y.; 1924; Donald Ross, Tom Fazio, George Fazio; p T53. Wannamoisett (52) 7.45 Rumford, R.I.; 1916; Donald Ross; p 55. Yale Golf Course (54) 7.44 New Haven, Conn.; 1926; Charles Blair Macdonald, Seth Raynor; p, u 56. Monterey Peninsula (Dunes) (58) 7.42 Pebble Beach, Calif.; 1926; Seth Raynor, Charles Banks, Robert Hunter, Tom Fazio; p T57. Bel-Air (57) 7.41 Los Angeles; 1925; George C. Thomas Jr., William P. Bell; p T57. Hollywood (59) 7.41 Deal, N.J.; 1913; Walter J. Travis; p T59. Old Elm (60) 7.37 Highland Park, Ill.; 1913; Harry S. Colt, Donald Ross; p T59. Baltusrol (Upper) (56) 7.37 Springfield, N.J.; 1922; A.W. Tillinghast; p 61. Olympia Fields (North) (55) 7.36 Olympia Fields, Ill.; 1923; Willie Park Jr.; p 62. Interlachen (63) 7.35 Edina, Minn.; 1919; Donald Ross, Willie Watson; p 63. Fox Chapel (67) 7.34 Pittsburgh; 1925; Seth Raynor, Charles Banks; p 64. Aronimink (61) 7.33 Newtown Square, Pa; 1928; Donald Ross; p, t 65. Augusta CC (68) 7.32 Augusta, Ga.; 1927; Donald Ross; p 66. Lawsonia (Links) (66) 7.31 Green Lake, Wis.; 1930; William B. Langford, Theodore J. Moreau; d T67. Creek Club (65) 7.28 Locust Valley, N.Y.; 1925; Charles Blair Macdonald, Seth Raynor; p T67 Cedar Rapids CC (80) 7.28 Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 1915; Donald Ross; p 69. Brookside (62) 7.27 Canton, Ohio; 1922; Donald Ross; p T70. Davenport (89) 7.26 Pleasant Valley, Iowa; 1924; Charles H. Alison, Harry S. Colt; p T70. Mountain Lake (76) 7.26 Lake Wales, Fla.; 1917; Seth Raynor; re, p T72. Franklin Hills (71) 7.25 Franklin, Mich.; 1927; Donald Ross; p T72. Canterbury (64) 7.25 Beachwood, Ohio; 1922; Herbert Strong; p T74. Moraine (72) 7.23 Dayton, Ohio; 1930; Alex Campbell; p T74. Salem CC (74) 7.23 Peabody, Mass.; 1925; Donald Ross; p

Classic Nos. 76-100

Cherry Hills in Colorado (Courtesy of Cherry Hills)

T76. Medinah (No. 3) (70) 7.22 Medinah, Ill.; 1928; Tom Bendelow, Roger Packard, Rees Jones; p T76. Fenway (77) 7.22 Scarsdale, N.Y.; 1924; A.W. Tillinghast; p T78. Roaring Gap Club (82) 7.20 Roaring Gap, N.C.; 1926; Donald Ross; p T78. St. George’s (81) 7.20 Setauket, N.Y.; 1927; Devereux Emmet; p T78. Cherry Hills (90) 7.20 Englewood, Colo.; 1923; William S. Flynn; p T78. White Bear Yacht Club (78) 7.20 White Bear Lake, Minn.; 1916; Donald Ross; p 82. Whitinsville GC (75) 7.19 Whitinsville, Mass.; 1923; Donald Ross; p T83. Lancaster CC (85) 7.17 Lancaster, Pa.; 1920; William S. Flynn; p T83. Charlotte CC (79) 7.17 Charlotte, N.C.; 1923; Donald Ross; p T83. Sankaty Head (83) 7.17 Siasconset, Mass.; 1921; H. Emerson Armstrong; p 86. Colonial (73) 7.16 Fort Worth, Texas; 1935; John Bredemus, Perry Maxwell; p, t T87. Congressional (Blue) (86) 7.15 Bethesda, Md.; 1924; Devereux Emmet, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones; p T87. CC of Scranton (99) 7.15 Clarks Summit, Pa.; 1927; Walter J. Travis; p T87. East Lake (88) 7.15 Atlanta; 1915; Tom Bendelow, Donald Ross, George Cobb, Rees Jones; p, t T90. Skokie (84) 7.14 Glencoe, Ill.; 1938; Tom Bendelow, Donald Ross, William B. Langford, Theodore J. Moreau; p T90. Laurel Valley (91) 7.14 Ligonier, Pa.; 1959; Dick Wilson; p T92. Glens Falls (95) 7.13 Queensbury, N.Y.; 1914; Donald Ross; p T93. Misquamicut (97) 7.12 Westerly, R.I.; 1923; Donald Ross; p T93. Kirtland (94) 7.12 Willoughby, Ohio; 1922; Charles H. Alison; p T95. CC of Fairfield (92) 7.11 Fairfield, Conn.; 1914; Seth Raynor, A.W. Tillinghast; p T95. Minikahda Club (102) 7.11 Minneapolis, Minn.; 1899; Donald Ross, William Watson; p 97. Culver Academies GC* 7.10 Culver, Ind.; 1924; William B. Langford, Theodore J. Moreau; p, u 98. Holston Hills (100) 7.08 Knoxville, Tenn.; 1928; Donald Ross; p T99. CC of Buffalo (93) 7.07 Williamsville, N.Y.; 1926; Donald Ross; p T99. Monroe GC (87) 7.07 Pittsford, N.Y.; 1924; Donald Ross; p

Classic Nos. 101-125

Omni Homestead Resort's Cascades in Virginia (Courtesy of Omni Homestead Resort)

101. NCR (South) 7.06 Kettering, Ohio; Dick Wilson; p T102. Omni Homestead Resort (Cascades) 7.02 Hot Springs, Va.; William S. Flynn; r, d T102. Whippoorwill 7.02 Armonk, N.Y.; Charles Banks, Donald Ross; p T102. Ekwanok 7.02 Manchester, Vt.; Walter J. Travis; p 105. Wykagyl 7.01 New Rochelle, N.Y.; Donald Ross, A.W. Tillinghast; p 106. Meadow Club 6.99 Fairfax, Calif.; Alister MacKenzie, Robert Hunter; p T107. Torrey Pines (South) 6.97 San Diego; William F. Bell; d, m, t T107. Meadow Brook 6.97 Jericho, N.Y.; Dick Wilson; p 109. Essex County CC 6.96 West Orange, N.J.; Seth Raynor, Charles Banks; p T110. Rolling Green 6.94 Springfield, Pa.; William S. Flynn, Howard C. Toomey; p T110. Indianwood (Old) 6.94 Lake Orion, Mich.; Wilfred Reid; p T110. Omaha CC 6.94 Omaha, Neb.; Perry Maxwell; p T113. Westchester (West) 6.93 Rye, N.Y.; Walter J. Travis; p T113. Mid Pines 6.93 Southern Pines, N.C.; Donald Ross; r, d T115. Philadelphia CC (Spring Mill) 6.91 Gladwyne, Pa.; William S. Flynn, Howard C. Toomey; p T115. Wilshire 6.91 Los Angeles; Norman Macbeth; p T115. Gulph Mills 6.91 King of Prussia, Pa.; Donald Ross; p 118. Deepdale 6.90 Manhasset, N.Y.; Dick Wilson; p T119. Waverley 6.89 Portland, Ore.; H. Chandler Egan, Gil Hanse; p T119. Mountain Ridge 6.89 West Caldwell, N.J.; Donald Ross; p T121. The Country Club 6.88 Pepper Pike, Ohio; William S. Flynn, Howard C. Toomey; p T121. CC of Birmingham (West) 6.88 Birmingham, Ala.; Donald Ross; p T123. Century 6.87 Purchase, N.Y.; Charles H. Alison, Harry S. Colt; p T123. The Greenbrier (Old White) 6.87 White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.; Charles Blair Macdonald, Seth Raynor, Lester George; r, d, c, t T125. Palmetto 6.86 Aiken, S.C.; Herbert Leeds, Alister MacKenzie; p T125. Tamarack 6.86 Greenwich, Conn.; Charles Banks; p

Classic Nos. 126-150

Pine Needles
Pine Needles

Pine Needles in North Carolina (Courtesy of Pine Needles)

127. Winchester CC 6.83 Winchester, Mass.; Donald Ross; p T128. Taconic 6.82 Williamstown, Mass.; Wayne Stiles, John van Kleek; p, u T128. Westhampton CC 6.82 Westhampton, N.Y.; Seth Raynor; p 130. Meadowbrook 6.81 Northville, Mich.; Jack Daray, Willie Park Jr., Andy Staples; p T131. Round Hill 6.80 Greenwich, Conn.; Walter J. Travis; p T131. Hyannisport Club 6.80 Hyannis Port, Mass.; Alex Findlay, Donald Ross; p 133. Huntingdon Valley CC 6.79 Huntingdon Valley, Pa.; William S. Flynn, Howard C. Toomey; p T134. Longmeadow CC 6.78 Longmeadow, Mass.; Donald Ross; p T134. Blue Mound 6.78 Wauwatosa, Wis.; Seth Raynor; p 136. The Dunes Golf & Beach Club 6.77 Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Robert Trent Jones Sr.; r, d T137. Sands Point GC 6.76 Sands Point, N.Y.; A.W. Tillinghast; p T137. Lehigh CC 6.76 Allentown, Pa.; William S. Flynn, Howard C. Toomey; p T137. Cape Fear CC 6.76 Wilmington, N.C.; Donald Ross; p T137. Rancho Santa Fe CC 6.76 Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.; Max Behr; re, p T137. Saucon Valley (Old) 6.76 Bethlehem, Pa.; Herbert Strong; p T142. Biltmore Forest 6.74 Asheville, N.C.; Donald Ross; p T142. Southampton GC 6.74 Southampton, N.Y.; Seth Raynor; p 144. Worcester CC 6.73 Worcester, Mass.; Donald Ross; p 145. Pine Needles 6.72 Southern Pines, N.C.; Donald Ross, John Fought; r, d T146. CC of Charleston 6.71 Charleston, S.C.; Seth Raynor; p T146. Vesper 6.71 Tyngsborough, Mass.; Donald Ross; p T148. Pittsburgh Field Club 6.70 Pittsburgh; Alex Findlay; p T148. Lookout Mountain GC 6.70 Lookout Mountain, Ga.; Seth Raynor, Charles Banks; p 150. CC of Florida 6.67 Village of Golf, Fla.; Robert Bruce Harris, Arthur Hills, Lester George; p

Classic Nos. 151-175

Jimmie Austin GC
Jimmie Austin GC

Jimmie Austin Golf Club at the University of Oklahoma (Courtesy of Tripp Davis/Branden Hart)

T151. Olympia Fields CC (South) 6.67 Olympia Fields, Ill.; Tom Bendelow, Steve Smyers; p T151. Orchard Lake CC 6.67 Orchard Lake, Mich.; Charles H. Alison, Harry S. Colt; p 153. Barton Hills CC 6.66 Ann Arbor, Mich.; Donald Ross; p 154. Oak Hills 6.64 San Antonio, Texas; A.W. Tillinghast; p T155. Manufacturers 6.63 Fort Washington, Pa.; William S. Flynn, Howard C. Toomey; p T155. Linville GC 6.63 Linville, N.C.; Donald Ross; r, d 157. Charles River CC 6.62 Newton Centre, Mass.; Donald Ross; p 158. Northland CC 6.60 Duluth, Minn.; Donald Ross; p 159. Firestone (South) 6.58 Akron, Ohio; W.H. Way, Robert Trent Jones Sr.; p, t T160. Atlantic City CC 6.57 Northfield, N.J.; William S. Flynn, Tom Doak; r, d, p T160. Timuquana 6.57 Jacksonville, Fla.; Donald Ross; p 162. Knickerbocker 6.56 Tenafly, N.J.; Donald Ross, Ron Forse; p 163. Brae Burn 6.55 West Newton, Mass.; Donald Ross; p T164. The Broadmoor (East) 6.54 Colorado Springs, Colo.; Donald Ross, Robert Trent Jones Sr.; r, d, t T164. Sedgefield 6.54 Greensboro, N.C.; Donald Ross; p, t T166. Wee Burn 6.53 Darien, Conn.; Devereux Emmet; p T166. Chattanooga G&CC 6.53 Chattanooga, Tenn.; Donald Ross; p T168. Teugega CC 6.52 Rome, N.Y.; Donald Ross; p T168. Hackensack GC 6.52 Oradell, N.J.; Charles Banks; p T170. Medinah (No. 1) 6.50 Medinah, Ill.; Tom Bendelow, Tom Doak; p T170. Point O’Woods 6.50 Benton Harbor, Mich.; Robert Trent Jones Sr.; p T172. Onwentsia Club 6.49 Lake Forest, Ill.; Charles Blair Macdonald, James Foulis, Robert Foulis, H.J. Tweedie, H. J. Whigham, Tom Doak; p T172. Brooklawn 6.49 Bridgeport, Conn.; A.W. Tillinghast; p T174. Forsgate (Banks) 6.48 Monroe Township, N.J.; Charles Banks; p T174. Jimmie Austin GC at the Univ. of Oklahoma* 6.48 Norman, Okla.; Perry Maxwell, Bob Cupp; d, u

Classic Nos. 176-200

Flossmoor in Illinois (Courtesy of Flossmoor)

T176. Lake Merced G&CC 6.47 Daly City, Calif.; William Locke, Alister MacKenzie, Robert Muir Graves, Rees Jones; p T176. Flossmoor CC 6.47 Flossmoor, Ill.; H.J. Tweedie, Ray Hearn; p T178. CC of Detroit 6.46 Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.; Charles H. Alison, Harry S. Colt, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Tom Doak; p T178. Metropolis 6.46 White Plains, N.Y.; Herbert Strong, A.W. Tillinghast, Joe Finger, Ken Dye, Ron Forse; p T180. Leatherstocking* 6.45 Cooperstown, N.Y.; Devereux Emmet; d T180. Sunningdale 6.45 Scarsdale, N.Y.; Seth Raynor, A.W. Tillinghast, Walter J. Travis, Mike Devries; p 182. CC of Waterbury 6.44 Waterbury, Conn.; Donald Ross; p T183. Carolina GC* 6.41 Charlotte, N.C.; Donald Ross; p T183. Whitemarsh Valley* 6.41 Lafayette Hill, Pa.; George C. Thomas Jr.; p T183. Oyster Harbors 6.41 Osterville, Mass.; Donald Ross; p T186. Columbia CC 6.40 Chevy Chase, Md.; Herbert Barker, Walter Travis; p T186. Champions (Cypress Creek) 6.40 Houston; Ralph Plummer; p T188. Belvedere* 6.39 Charlevoix, Mich.; William Watson; d, p T188. Bob O’Link GC* 6.39 Highland Park, Ill.; Donald Ross, Charles H. Alison, Jim Urbina; p T188. Knollwood Club* 6.39 Lake Forest, Ill.; Charles H. Alison, Harry S. Colt; p T191. Shuttle Meadow CC 6.38 Kensington, Conn.; Willie Park Jr.; p T191. Mimosa Hills* 6.38 Morganton, N.C.; Donald Ross; p T191. Hope Valley CC 6.38 Durham, N.C.; Donald Ross; p T194. Rockaway Hunting Club* 6.36 Lawrence, N.Y.; Tom Bendelow, Devereux Emmet, A.W. Tillinghast, Perry Maxwell, Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner; p T194. Paramount* 6.36 New City, N.Y.; A.W. Tillinghast, Jim Urbina; p T196. Detroit GC (North)* 6.34 Detroit; Donald Ross; p T196. Oakland Hills (North)* 6.34 Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; Donald Ross, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Shawn Smith; p 198. CC of Orlando* 6.31 Orlando, Fla.; Donald Ross, Ron Forse; p 199. Exmoor CC* 6.27 Highland Park, Ill.; H.J. Tweedie, Donald Ross, Ron Prichard; p 200. Bayonet* 6.26 Seaside, Calif.; Robert B. McClure, Gene Bates; d

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