Lost Dunes
By Art McCafferty

Over the past couple of years Michigan Golfer has examined the lives and work of many of America's finest golf architects. Michigan is fortunate to have courses designed by some of the most famous of these individuals. While it is exciting to have a Ôname' architect come into our state and design a course, it is equally exciting to have one of ours design one outside of our state. There are a number of Michigan architects-- William Newcomb, Jerry Matthews, Rick Smith and Ray Hearn to name a few--that have successfully taken their skills outside of Michigan. While these are all excellent architects, I believe the one that could leave the greatest legacy is Tom Doak.

Doak, a graduate of Cornell University where he completed a program not unlike that of Robert Trent Jones, mentored under Pete Dye. He has visited many of the world's great golf courses and recorded his observations in national publications as well as his own books. He has a photographic memory for golf courses and is equally adept at capturing those images as a photographer. Golf Magazine labeled him as one the most important golf architects in the world today. His book, The Anatomy of a Golf Course, is a seminal work on the subject. He currently is writing golf columns for Esquire and is in the process of completing a book on Alister MacKenzie for Sleeping Bear Press.

His design company, Renaissance Golf Design, Inc., includes Bruce Hepner, Tom Mead, Jim Urbina and Don Placek. They have produced The Legends (Heathlands) at Myrtle Beach, Stonewall in Pennsylvania, Charlotte Golf Links, Quail Crossing in Indiana, Beechtree Golf Club in Maryland, Riverfront Golf Club in Virginia, Apache Stronghold in Arizona, Atlantic City CC in New Jersey, the Village Club of Sands Point in New York and the highly acclaimed Pacific Dunes on the West coast. Future works of Renaissance include courses in Scotland and Australia. Tom has designed three courses in Michigan: Highpoint, Wilderness Valley (Black Forest) and Lost Dunes.

Lost Dunes, located in Bridgeman, just off I-94 near the Indiana border, opened in 1999. Golf Digest called it the third-best private course that year. Unfortunately, because it is a private course, many of our readers will not have the opportunity to golf Lost Dunes. It is a spectacular course that combines the unique dune environment of our state with the talents of Doak and his team. Joel Prince, the head professional at Lost Dunes and formerly the head pro from that other dazzler, The Dunes, was instrumental in getting Doak to visit the property. " I had played Highpoint and was familiar with Tom's work. We had a couple of other architects route the course, but after Tom visited the site and gave us his ideas, we knew we wanted him," said Prince.

The Lost Dunes is an extraordinary course that truly marries the land to the game. The use of different grasses in waste areas, bunkers and rough is sensational. While each hole is compelling, the stretch of 13-15 is of particular note. These holes are snuggled up against a couple of dunes on one side with a large pond acting as a buffer on the other side. Together, they offer charm, challenge and beauty.

Forest View
By Art McCafferty

Brian and Lisa Wilson are living their dream. After a lifetime in golf they have opened up their own golf course and center just five miles north of Midland. Brian, a graduate of the Ferris State University golf management program, worked as an assistant in South Carolina and then at The Pines at Isabella. They always wanted their own place, though, and have worked tirelessly to make that happen. The two young entrepreneurs will have their hands full as they build their new business.

Lisa will handle the proshop, marketing and the books, while Brian will take care of the course and the development of his instructional program. He also will be available for lessons. He is a PGA member and has years of teaching experience. Brian's instructional philosophy recognizes that each players' swing style is unique. He takes the basic fundamentals of golf and applies them to each student to maximize each player's potential. His goal is for the student to have total enjoyment of the game.

Brian is the architect of the facility, having masterminded the practice tee, putting and chipping areas and the nine-hole course. A first impression says he has done a terrific job.

Forest View Golf Center is located near the intersection of US-10 and Eastman Rd., near the Midland Mall. Go north on Eastman approximately five miles to Hurley Rd., then east on Hurley.

Eagle Ridge
By Art McCafferty

I stumbled upon Eagle Ridge after having a delightful round of golf at White Pine National. The course is located on M-65 just outside of Glennie in Alcona County. Alcona is between Alpena and Tawas City and boasts five golf courses.

Eagle Ridge was built by Rupert Smith, who cut his bulldozing teeth on the likes of the Links of Pinewood and Bay Pointe, two fine tracts in Oakland County. Smith, like some other golf course builders, the Carters at Mackinaw Club and Doug O'Rourke of the new Grande Golf Club in Jackson, had built courses for other people and decided he wanted to build one for himself.

Eagle Ridge plays to 7,245 yards, and while the long knockers like the layout, Rupert has added six new forward tees to bring the course a little closer for the short knockers. Although this is the second full season for the course and thus there are still some areas that are growing in, the course has a robustness to it. Stop by, visit with Smith and enjoy his dream.

Contact Eagle Ridge in Glennie at (517) 735-3500.

The Chief
By Mike Terrell

Grant Rowe has been absent from the Michigan golfing scene for a few years, but he's back and back in a big way. With approximately 800-acres to develop across the road from Shanty Creek, he developed The Chief at Sky Lodge, the first of at least two new courses, which is looking forward to its first full season this year.

Rowe was one of the original developers that brought Arnold Palmer and the Legend to Shanty Creek which helped usher in the golf boom that Michigan has enjoyed for the last 15 years, making it the leading state in the nation during that time for the number of new courses built.

The Chief, as new pro Dave Hill--no not that Dave Hill--describes the course, is a shot-maker's course. "Put away the driver and use your 3- and 5-wood off the tee. You'll be a lot happier. There are a few blind shots, and a well-placed drive is needed to set up your second shot into the green.

"Length is not as critical a factor as shot placement on a lot of the holes. Accuracy is the key to scoring well on the Chief," said Hill, who worked as an assistant to Bernie Freidrich, Boyne's Director of Golf, for a number of years.

Along that line GM Tom Rowe, Grant's son, said that a detailed yardage book will be available and all the sprinkler heads have been marked so "golfers won't have to be guessing yardages."

John Robinson, a Canadian golf course architect and an associate of Pete Dye, designed the new course. "It's his first course in Michigan, but he's built something like 150 all over North America," said Tom. "We were really pleased with the results, and retained him to design our second course which is already under construction."

Despite its newness, the course was impressive last fall. Cut through Antrim County's hill-and-dale country, the Chief flows so naturally over the hilly, wooded land and around the man-made ponds that it looks like it has been there for years. With the look of a Pete Dye course, it reminded this golf scribe of Dye's The Fort on the east side of Indianapolis.

Four sets of tees offer distances ranging from a demanding 6,600 yards at the tips down to a very playable 4,738 yards for the women. The forward men's gold tees are set at a playable 5,500 yards. It's a par-72 course for the men and a 70 for the women. A small, full-service clubhouse overlooks the 18th green and a large, upscale practice facility with driving range and putting and chipping greens.

Larry Mancour, PGA Professional and a mainstay on the Senior Tour, will be conducting a golf school at The Chief this summer, according to Hill. "We're excited to have him join us. He will bring a lot of experience and depth to our organization with his program."

"We were pleased with the play and comments from last fall's trial run," said Tom Rowe, "and looking forward to the Chief's first full season. As I watched it being built I wondered if anybody was going to be able to play the course, because it's visually intimidating. But, once I got to play it from the forward tees and heard other player's comments, I felt a lot better. It's a fun, playable course from the right set of tees."

Rowe said the other new course, which is being called Hawk's Eye Golf Club, will be a more open, more playable course. Also designed by Robinson, the front nine is slated to open next year and the second nine in 2003.

Double R Ranch Resort & Golf Club
By Art McCafferty

Double R Ranch Resort & Golf Club, located in Smyrna, has added a nine-hole golf course to its amenities. Long known for its canoeing, tubing, fishing, horseback riding, camping facilities and swimming pools, the resort also had one of Michigan's noted golf architects, Warner Bowen, create Ironhorse. The second nine is laid out and will be developed as the demand increases. Ironhorse is a 3,365-yard rolling championship golf course. Like all new courses, it has to grow into its new surroundings. However, the course is very affordable, so you will certainly get some great golf value.

According to owner, Richard Reeves, Double R is a facility for the entire family. You can bring your travel trailer, motor home, or tent for your stay. The facilities at Double R Ranch make western camping a real pleasure. Campsites have water, electric, and some sewer connections. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring. There are two modern showers and toilet buildings located conveniently in the park. A coin-operated laundry is also available. Guests staying overnight sleep in the Bunkhouse Motel where "roughing it" is a real pleasure. There are A-frame chalets available for those that want to take a week's vacation or longer. Each cottage is completely modern with electric stove, refrigerator and all dishes.

For those who enjoy the western way of life and the convenience of a modern golf course, you can buy one of the many lots on the golf course. The Ironhorse Golf Course Estates has lots priced from $26,900 to $48,900. A number have already been sold.

While there is much to do on the ranch, families can also visit the attractions in nearby Grand Rapids, such as Frederik Meijer Gardens, The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Old Kent Park, John Ball Park Zoo or the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

The Jackal at Mt. Brighton
By Art McCafferty

About 20 years ago, I was writing a story for the Michigan Skier publication about Mt. Brighton and the firepower it had with its snow guns. The temperature dropped below freezing late in the day and I watched the snow guns fire up. It was a visual wonder. This man-made blizzard blanketed the hill with snow so quickly, that by morning they were ready to open for the onslaught of area skiers.

In June, however, white will give way to green as The Jackal opens at Mt. Brighton. The Jackal is a course out of the stable of the East Lansing based Matthews and Nelhiebel. These are the folks who have brought us Moss Ridge, Emerald Vale and Hidden River Golf and Casting Club. Howard Nauboris, a golf architect who is earning his stripes working for Matthews & Nelhiebel, is nearing his five course prerequisite for entrance into the American Society of Golf Course Architects. Howard is the primary architect for The Jackal. Previously, he worked on Moss Ridge and Emerald Vale, both West Michigan courses.

The Jackal provided some real challenges for Nauboris, as he needed to work the twin peaks of Mt. Brighton into the course design. One major problem was the design of a tee box, and the resultant retaining wall high up on the hill. Other innovations included a tunnel through one of the ski hills and a series of boardwalks through the course wetlands. All in all, he is very proud of his work and solving the challenges that the site provided Among The Jackal's features are a large waterfall, a tunnel near the top of Mt. Brighton and four tee areas with a hang time of 100 feet. I previewed the course with Bruce Matthews III and owner Joe Bruhn.

The first tee really nails the experience as it begins at the top of Mt. Brighton. You can see for miles around from that spot. The view also gives you the opportunity to look at the work of Nauboris as you can view the entire course, with its towering oaks, ponds, boardwalks and streams. The Jackal, which plays 6,700-yards and is a par-71, is a course built on the ski hill and also features an eight-acre pond, six dozen bunkers and a peninsula green. Of special note is the ninth hole, where you will need to keep your tee shot between the lift towers on each side of the fairway.

For Bruhn it is a dream come true. Mt. Brighton has now become a year-round facility. You will find a driving range and putting green as well as a new pro shop.

Livingston County has assembled a nice collection of courses with the recent addition of The Jackal. Others include Hunter's Ridge, Marion Oaks, Timber Trace, Golf Club of Michigan and Whispering Pines. They join the powerhouse line up of The Majestic, Dunham Hills and Oak Point.

The Grande
By William Shelton

In addition to a little moxy, you need a very defensible reason to name a new golf course "The Grande" in this burgeoning market of championship facilities. For principal course owner and builder Doug O'Rourke, there are at least three components that justify such a regal moniker for his latest project. Located near Jackson, the upscale, public golf complex shares a 440-acre tract, featuring a diverse terrain of wetlands and forest, with a planned residential development.

The most important component of any golf complex is the course itself and this layout by architect Ray Hearn may represent his most spectacular design to date. But, the amenities certainly contribute to the overall impression of the golfing experience. An imposing clubhouse, sitting on top of a knoll overlooking the 18th green will welcome the golfer in grand style. Complete with a pro shop, restaurant and banquet facilities, the comfortable ambiance will make for an inviting gathering place to relax and visit.

Need to warm up before the round? Would a traditional putting green, a two-acre putting course of 27 holes, a three-acre chipping area, greenside and fairway practice bunkers, and a huge practice range with tees at both ends and fairways leading to seven target greens fill your needs? The biggest challenge could be getting golfers to head for the first tee. Practicing may have never been so much fun.

A grand clubhouse and an exceptional practice area could justify the name but this championship course really needs no supporting cast. Hearn, the architect, cannot suppress his enthusiasm when describing the diversity of terrain with five types of wetlands, clusters of oaks and maples, and elevation changes of up to 130 feet. The challenge of routing the 7,000-yard layout without disrupting the ecology resulted in numerous holes with scenic vistas and a few challenging carries off the tee. There are five sets of tees creating a course length from 5,078 yards from the front tees to 7,024 yards from the tips. Most players will find either the blue tees, 6,700 yards in length, or the white tees measuring 6,300 yards most enjoyable, leaving the championship tees to the pros and scratch players.

The fairways are bent grass with bunkers that meld into the natural features of the terrain. The sand selected for the bunkers is the highest grade frequently used on the most exclusive golf courses. The greens are large, averaging almost 8,000 square feet, and feature a hybrid series of bent grass. The grass has a higher density than other series and thus provides a faster and truer roll while reducing the scarring caused by ball marks and spikes. Somewhat undulating, the greens are roughly divided into three sections, allowing for pin placements ranging from very accessible to extremely difficult.

In all probability The Grande will deviate from Hearn's philosophy in a couple of ways. First, he does not focus on the concept of a signature hole but rather strives to make all 18 holes memorable. Admittedly every hole has its own character but most golfers will tend to remember the par-4 finishing hole at The Grande. From 280 to 427 yards in length, the hole will require a drive over water to a split fairway with more water between the landing areas. Depending on the fairway side selected, the approach shot will range from a fairway wood to mid-iron to a large green in the shadow of the clubhouse.

Hearn also is committed to keeping his firm small, avoiding the tendency to mass produce course designs. "I want to always view course design as art rather than business. My measure of success is the uniqueness of each design not the number of courses that carry my name as designer." Based on early reviews by the golfing media and professionals, staying small may be his greatest challenge.

Opening in July, the course is located just south of I-94 at 127S and M50. Fees will be comparable to other upscale courses in southern Michigan. The Grande should definitely be on your "must play" list for this season.