Pure Michigan Debuts Two New Golf Courses
Since the frenzied building of new golf courses in the 1990s, Michigan golfers have been virtually unable to contemplate new places to play. Innovation and passion have come together in Michigan, where golfers will experience not only new courses this season—but, new ideas behind the courses as well.
Michigan offers a wide variety of golf courses with something for everyone. The state has been known as a place where top designers have coaxed championship courses out of the woods and farmlands, incorporating hills and valleys as well as natural water features for some of the most incredible views anywhere. Mitten state golfers can book tgtee times on a pair of novel projects this summer.
Renaissance Golf Design of Traverse City–one of the most notable course designers in the country–has had a hand in two major Michigan course expansions. Although Tom Doak, the firm’s proprietor, is only associated with one of these ventures, his award-winning team of architects has been busy creating challenging new innovative designs and getting new courses ready for play.
Doak, a world-renown golf course architect, partnered with Lew Thompson, the new owner of Forest Dunes Golf Club in Roscommon to bring his idea of a reversible course to fruition. The concept consisted of a course that could be played one way one day, and another way the next--alternating the routing on a daily basis. The innovative design, borrowing some ideas from the links courses in the United Kingdom, can be found at Forest Dunes’ newest course, The Loop. This will be the first reversible design in the U.S.
Forest Dunes, the perfect summer getaway destination, offers a serene golf experience as the property is surrounded by 400,000 untamed acres of the Huron National Forest. Course designs appear to have evolved out of the natural setting with its dunes, wild grasses, hillocks and knolls. The club’s lodging accommodations include villas and luxury cottages. Golfers and guests can treat their palate to the fare at its Sangomore’s restaurant, which serves traditional American cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The second Renaissance Golf Design project can be found at Stoatin Brae course, the newest addition to Augusta’s Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort--Southwest Michigan's largest and oldest golf resort. Designed with every golfer in mind, Stoatin Brae is a dramatic departure from the other five courses that are part of Gull Lake View. Here, third-generation owner Jon Scott worked with architects from Renaissance Golf Design to create what he envisioned as a championship-caliber course with something for everyone. The finished product offers a variety of tees for all ages and skill levels and will make the course playable for female and youth golfers. It will play to par 71 over 6,800 yards.
Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort has grown from one 18-hole golf course to six courses with 108 holes. In addition to golf, you’ll find overnight lodging, practice facilities, shopping and dining at this family-friendly resort. In keeping with the Scott family’s commitment to the environment, all six courses are certified members of the Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program and Audubon International.