LochenHeath Golf Club in Williamsburg: Making the most of its second chance
WILLIAMSBURG, Mich. -- LochenHeath Golf Club, on the outskirts of Traverse City, is getting a second chance.
LochenHeath sat closed for all of the 2009 season and most of 2010 until it was purchased by new owners, who opened the Steve Smyers design for 2011.
The staff got down on their hands and knees -- literally -- to revive the 7,239-yard golf course and reclaim it from the weeds. Mike Husby, the general manager, and Joe Ettawageshik, the superintendent, supervised a crew that spent hours restoring the course's treasured bunkers. LochenHeath, which opened in 2001, hardly shows any wear and tear; It's already in great shape.
The facilities -- a finely appointed clubhouse and a world-class practice facility -- give players of this public golf course a feeling they've snuck into a private club.
The course's best hole might be its shortest par 4, the drivable sixth hole along East Grand Traverse Bay. The back nine is a beautiful brute that will bruise the ego but likely persuade you to come back for LochenHeath's challenges again.
![The third hole at LochenHeath Golf Club is a downhill par 3.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/39351.jpg)
![The sun is shining again at LochenHeath Golf Club, which reopened in 2011 after being closed for two years.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/39352.jpg)
![The 434-yard 16th at LochenHeath Golf Club is one of many spectacular holes.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/39353.jpg)
![Bunkers surround the 465-yard fourth hole at LochenHeath Golf Club.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/39354.jpg)
![The 463-yard fifth at LochenHeath Golf Club is one of the hardest holes on the course.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/39355.jpg)
![The drivable par-4 sixth hole at LochenHeath Golf Club runs along the East Grand Traverse Bay.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/39356.jpg)
![The fairway tumbles downhill on the par-5 seventh hole at LochenHeath G.C.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/39357.jpg)
![The peaceful pastural setting on the third hole, a long par 3, is one of many great views at LochenHeath Golf Club.](/departments/photo-galleries/images/small/39358.jpg)
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