Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe: Planes, trains and automobiles can't detract from interesting Grand Rapids course
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Locals jokingly call the Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" -- a reference to the 1980s John Hughes movie starring John Candy and Steve Martin.
During the round, you are likely to be interrupted by a train on the tracks that cut through the course, and to hear a flight landing at Gerald R. Ford International Airport and traffic noise from adjacent I-96. And let's not forget the boats cruising up and down the Thornapple River.
Despite all the intrusions, Thornapple Pointe G.C. is worth the stop. The 7,040-yard course is a beauty. Subtle elevation changes and plenty of trees create good theater for golf.
Two excellent par 5s -- the fifth and 13th holes -- roam along the river, as does the par-4 14th hole.
Golf Advisor user "sevans48" noted the "lovely views" in his four-star review.
"(A) beautiful course with great views of the Thornapple River. Well maintained," he wrote. "The rough can be punishing with long fescue in places. Greens tend to be firm and fast. Several sets of tees to accommodate golfers of all ability."
![The ninth hole at the Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe plays only 340 yards from the blue tees.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/58759.jpg)
![The par-5 13th hole at the Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe plays along the Thornapple River.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/58760.jpg)
![Boaters floating down the river can watch golfers putt on the 14th green at the Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe in Grand Rapids, Mich.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/58761.jpg)
![A wetland crosses the 17th fairway at the Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe in Grand Rapids, Michigan.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/58762.jpg)
![A tree blocks the way to the 18th green at the Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe in Grand Rapids, Mich.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/58763.jpg)
![The par-4 first hole at the Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe drops to this green.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/58764.jpg)
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