Travel Michigan Golf

Fore Lakes - By Jim Heil

What was once a sand depository for the Port Huron-to-Sarnia train tunnel project, has become the newest golf venture in rural St. Clair County.

Situated about 10 miles west of Port Huron, Fore Lakes Golf Club is planning to open its 18 holes for public play by late April -- two years after local trucking entrepreneur Angello Torello and his family began an ambitious reclamation of the site. "They like golf so they decided to put this project together," said course superintendent Dave Pawluk, who was brought on board in August of 1998, after routing nine new holes at Pine Knob Golf Course in Clarkston. "It was all done in-house."

Sand was extricated to create four lakes on the site, the largest of which fronts seven holes. The abundance of water gives Fore Lakes 95 percent irrigation coverage.

With water or wetlands in play on 15 holes, golfers cross hazards on a series of eight wooden bridges, spanning from 75-300 feet. Five tee settings stretch Fore Lakes from 4,350 yards to 6,564 yards, with landing areas up to 50-55 yards in width. The Providence bentgrass greens are fairly large at 8,000-10,000 square feet, with some undulations. There's even three island greens at Fore Lakes, including one built off-course for hole-in-one contests.

Rolling terrain, wooded areas and some 60 bunkers accent the finished product.

"The golf course is set up so that if you hit a good shot, you're rewarded with a better shot on your next one," Pawluk said. "It looks a little bit intimidating when you first look at it, but the golf course is very friendly to play."

Fore Lakes starts with the longest hole on the course, a 544-yard par-5. Golfers must carry a water hazard off the tee to reach a long, wide peninsula fairway. They can then opt for a wetlands carry of 200-225 yards to the green, or play it safe down the

fairway. "It would make a good golfer want to go for an eagle or birdie," Pawluk said.

Another challenging hole is No. 8, a 403-yard par-4 that finishes with an island green. Water runs along the left side of the hole, but Pawluk said golfers can range anywhere from a driver to a 5-wood off the tee and still be within a wedge to the green.

All of Fore Lakes' par-3 holes will challenge any caliber of golfer, Pawluk said. A couple have postage-stamp-size greens, and No. 6 has water on both sides of the fairway. With the exception of No. 14, at 142 yards, the par-3s average about 200 yards from the back tees.

Fore Lakes finishes with a 514-yard par-5, which may become the longest hole on the course if its proprietors opt to push it back another 40 yards this spring.

A two-story clubhouse with a log-cabin theme could have its lower level finished in time for the April 21 opening. An upstairs banquet facility will overlook the main lake.

The practice facility at Fore Lakes will include a driving range and putting green.

Fore Lakes has a slope rating of 127 and a course rating of 71.1. Green fees for 18 holes, including cart, are $34 on weekdays and $42 on weekends.

Call 810-982-3673.