Michigan Season Preview: New and Notable in 2002

By Kiel Christianson, Senior Writer

LANSING, MI -- In a recent interview with MichiganGolf.com, course architect Bill Newcomb (at right) estimated that Michigan is about five years ahead of the curve in terms of the golf boom. Over the last decade, in fact, new courses have been opening up at a frenetic pace throughout the state. In 2002, however, the combination of a weak economy, fierce competition, and supply outstripping demand has noticeably cut down on the number of new courses. And both new and established courses are trying to find new ways to lure golfers back to the links. Here is a sampling of the new courses, new deals, new accommodations, new owners, and renewed acclaim that promise to spark a rebound in 2002 for Michigan golf.

New Courses

Among those entering the competitive Michigan market this year are: The Westwynd (Rochester Hills), Caberfae Peaks Golf Course (Cadillac), Lyon Oaks Golf Course (Lyon Township), and The Hemlock (Ludington), Eagle Beach Golf Links (Alanson), and The Executive Course at Chandler Farms (Bath).

The Executive at Chandler Farms in Bath (just north of East Lansing) is owned and operated by Hawk Hollow, and is expected to open before the end of April. The Executive, designed by Pete Dye protégé Chris Lutzke, is composed of five par 3s and four par 4s. It's a walking-only course, and rates will be $13 for nine holes ($11 for students and seniors). Considering that long rounds keep many away from golf, the Executive at Chandler Farms promises to attract golfers who might not want to devote half a day to the game.

Looking beyond 2002 to the 2003 season, the big news in Mid-Michigan golf will be the opening of Hawk Hollow's sister course, Eagle Eye, located across the road from Hawk Hollow. Eagle Eye is a Pete Dye/Chris Lutzke collaboration, and will feature a 17th hole identical to the famous 17th hole at the TPC at Sawgrass ("the island green"). "There will be nothing like [Eagle Eye] in the state," says Alex Coss, GM of the Hawk Hollow golf operations. "We went down to Sawgrass with laser yardage finders and measured that hole to within one-half of an inch. The 17th at Eagle Eye is as exact a replica as possible." So mark May/June 2003 on your calendars - and bring lots of golf balls.

New Deals

John Jessup, Marketing Director at High Pointe Golf Club outside of Traverse City, is upbeat about his course's recent collaboration with A-Ga-Ming Golf Club in Kewadin and The Chief Golf Course in Bellaire. The three are offering a Traverse City Triple Play package, including a round at each of these top-flight courses and lodging at A-Ga-Ming, overlooking Torch Lake. Call 800-678-0122 for more information.

Eagle Beach Waterfront Golf Resort in Alanson will only be opening nine of their eventual 18 holes this summer, but they have another way to draw golfers northward. "We offer full limousine service in our luxury coach," explains Bob Shorter, President of Holiday Accommodations and co-owner of the course. "We pick groups as large as 12 up anywhere in the Detroit Metro area, and drive them up to courses north of Gaylord. This way, guys on an outing can spend more time together, having a few drinks in the coach, playing cards on our card tables, and not worry about getting everyone to each course safely." More information can be found at www.eaglebeach.org.

New Accomodations

All true devotees of golf and fine living will want to be sure to book ahead for a room at the Inn at St. Ives. According to Kevin O'Brien, Director of Golf at St. Ives and Tullymore Golf Club (at right) in Stanwood, the first-class accommodations should be open in May. "The addition of the Inn will make [St. Ives and Tullymore] a true golf vacation destination," O'Brien predicts. Watch MichiganGolf.com in June for a report on the Inn's grand opening.

Forest Akers West Course at Michigan State University has also undergone an upgrade. Construction of the James B. Henry Center for Executive Development & Candlewood Suites Hotel is finally complete. The Forest Akers west pro shop and clubhouse are now located inside the new complex, and the course has been re-routed to start and end on the southeast side of the course. This means that the old closing hole - which was sort of a dud, really - is now the 4th, and the new closer, a 431-yard dogleg, is much better suited as a finishing hole. Guests at the Candlewood Suites Hotel can play the West Course at reduced rates.

New Owners

The auction of Manistee National has been well documented. Due to the snow earlier in the year and it's hampering of tours of the property, the auction date has been moved back to April 23. And if you happen to hit the Big Game numbers, you might want to put in a bid.

Less publicized was the sale of the bankrupt Forest Dunes, a private Tom Weiskopf design in Grayling. The new owners are considering making the course public, but no decisions have yet been made, according to sources close to the Gaylord Golf Mecca. Stay tuned for developments….

New Acclaim

Michigan golfers were very pleasantly surprised to open their May issues of Golf Digest to find that East Lansing's Timber Ridge Golf Club had earned a 5-star rating. Timber Ridge was the only Michigan course to earn 5 stars this year, and one of only twelve courses in the entire hemisphere to earn the prestigious award (along with legendary tracks like Pinehurst No. 2, Pebble Beach, and Kiawah Island).

Course owner Judy Cunningham was both proud of and humbled by the honor. "A big part of the reason has to be the increase in conditioning," said Cunningham. "And when you surprise golfers with a big increase like that, you get noticed. We're both surprised and honored to be included in such august company. We'll do our best to live up to the rating. We want to thank our committed core of golfers who take such pride in the course and help keep it in great shape."

When asked whether the rating would prompt a rise in greens fees, Cunningham promised that it would not. "We're aware of the fact that value played a big part of the rating," she said. "So rates for 2002 will stay the same as they were in 2001." And playing conditions are the same, too; already on April 15th, the greens and fairways were close to perfect.

Even if the golf boom has slowed a bit, Michigan remains ahead of the curve with respect to value, quality, and variety. Everyone in the industry is looking forward a strong season in 2002, and Michigan golfers can once again feel lucky to live in what is arguably the best golfing state in the nation.

April 16, 2002