Travel Michigan Golf

Copper Ridge - By Jeff Chaney

Doug Treadwell had golfers in mind when he built his golf course.

Treadwell is the designer and owner of Copper Ridge Golf Course, an 18-hole public course scheduled to open June 1 in Davison Township.

"We made an attempt to design a course to pick up all levels and abilities of players," Treadwell said. "We wanted it challenging for the low-handicap golfers, but we added extra tees to make it fair for the high-handicap golfers."

Copper Ridge will have four sets of tees, giving the course a length between 4,900 and 7,100 yards. "If you have four scratch golfers, we think the course will be challenging," Treadwell said. "But on the other hand, if the family wants to come out and play a round, it would be fun for all."

Copper Ridge professional, Dave McIntosh, agrees. "This golf course is well suited for everyone, because of the tees" McIntosh said. "It is a risk-and-reward type of golf course. It is fair, with no trick shots. It is just a straight come-with-what-you-have golf course."

Besides the tee placement, Treadwell also paid attention to detail with the design and construction of the greens. Treadwell went with a Donald Ross-style concept when installing the greens, giving each green an average area of 6,500 square feet. "My personal feeling is that the greens make the golf course," Treadwell said. "We put a lot of effort into our greens."

McIntosh also pointed out that the location of the course should make it unique, and sometimes more difficult to play. "The property is an old farm," McIntosh said. "It sits atop a knoll, and the wind howls usually, so that will make it challenging also."

The course is still in the final stages of construction, with the front nine slated for opening on June 1, and the back nine slated to be open by July 1.

The cost to play Copper Ridge will $38, golf car included, on the weekdays; and $45, car included, on the weekends. Seniors rates will also be available.

"I think Copper Ridge will be an inviting golf course," Treadwell said. "It is a pretty location with a nice rolling terrain." McIntosh believes golfers will enjoy their round. "I think Doug did an excellent job designing the course with what he had to work with," McIntosh said. "If you are hitting the ball well, you can score well. But if you are hitting the ball badly, then the course can eat you up.

"We should have a huge variety of golf here."

For more information, call (734) 287-2060.