Greens of Mackinac offers executive golf at Mission Point Resort
MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. -- A wee bit of Scotland on the shores of Lake Huron? That's what Mackinac Island's Mission Point Resort had in mind when designing one of the nation's most beautiful executive putting courses, the Greens of Mackinac.
Laid out on more than two acres of undulating terrain with water hazards, stone bridges, elevated greens, sand traps, native limestone boulders, thick border grasses and beautifully manicured greens, the Greens of Mackinac provides a great golfing experience for every level of play.
The course was designed by golfers for golfers, according to resort General Manager Tim Russell. "We wanted our guests to feel as though they were experiencing the greens at the top courses in the world," he said, "so we created some challenges and used the same turf and natural vegetation that you might see on those courses." Resort executives drove to Hessel on the Canadian border, to handpick 300 tons of native limestone that were transported to the island via truck and barge and individually placed throughout the 18-hole course.
The course sits on the shore line of Lake Huron and has a water feature on virtually every hole. "No. 6 is the most challenging hole on the course," Russell said, "because of the water hazards."
Designers took care to use the finest turfs on the course, which features finely cut bent grass on the greens and Kentucky blue grass in the rough. "We let some of the rough grow high like the courses in Scotland," Russell said. "The high grass also offers a buffer against the lake-shore breeze."
To make the course all the more interesting, Russell's staff regularly moves the tees and pins, and can also alternate direction of play. "We can make it as challenging as we like," Russell said.
"We can create different challenges on a daily basis," he noted. "That makes it especially interesting for group play. Group tournaments can be arranged through the resort activities director."
According to Russell, virtually every level of golfer can enjoy playing the course. "It's a great way to sharpen your putting game," he noted. "And, for families, it is the perfect way to introduce children to golf."
Located near the entrance to the resort, the course is overlooked by the resort's new Euro Garden Cafe, where guests dine al fresco on a selection of fine international cuisine. Players also can use the cafe's outdoor deck as a "19th hole" to relax following their game.
The course is only a few blocks, and an easy walk, from the Mackinac Island ferry docks and is a popular destination for island day visitors. "We are happy to have day visitors play the course during their stay on the island," Russell said. "And we have a fee structure for resort guests and day visitors."
Mission Point Resort is a 243-room resort nestled on the southeastern shore of Mackinac Island, overlooking Lake Huron and the Straits of Mackinac. The 18-acre resort features a 38,000-square-foot conference center, movie theater, executive putting course, observation tower and historic museum, four restaurants, heated pool, spa and fitness center, and Discovery Club for children 4-10. The resort is a popular wedding and romantic getaway destination for couples, as well as families, and features fireplace suites as well as hot-tub suites with private outdoor patios. The resort is headquarters for recreation and special events on the island, which offers a relaxed, automobile-free environment and the natural beauty of one of the nation's oldest and largest state parks.
April 16, 2003