Travel Michigan Golf

Golf Club of Michigan - By Mike Duff

Serious golfers take note. If you consider yourself a "true" golfer, a person that can't wait for the next round no matter what you shot your last time out, or one that at parties searches out other golf enthusiasts to talk to - or perhaps you're the kind of person who just plain eats, sleeps and breathes the challenge of the next round - then look no further than the new soon-to-be-opened (June 2000) Golf Club of Michigan, located off Old US-23 on McClements Road in Brighton. Andrew Soley, the president and director of golf operations said, " It is a true golfer's club, where serious golfers come to play," hence it s name: TGCoM. Soley, an active member of the PGA of America with 17 years of experience as a PGA professional, is quick to point out that, "it is designed for all skill levels; it is a course that rewards good shots and penalizes errant ones." After five years of planning and development, Soley, Lee Norwood (the former NHL hockey star) and John Yates are about to see their dream come true.

TGCoM is built on what Soley calls a "special piece of property," 376 acres, of which 290 will feature the golf course, complete with a rich and diverse landscape, enhanced by gently rolling meadows, abundant hardwood forests, native grasses, 100 acres of untamed wetlands and natural lakes and streams. The course's designer, Patrick Grelak, who had his early tutelage under William Newcomb, put his signature on this course where each hole has its own character and presents a unique challenge to every player. Another key player at TGCoM is Cory Seedorf, the course superintendent, who is a graduate of Iowa State and formerly the assistant superintendent at the Tournament Players Club of Michigan in Dearborn. He promises to provide the best playing conditions possible each and every day. This claim is supported by a maintenance budget of over $500,000. Expect manicured bent-grass tees, fairways and greens with some natural fescue bordering the rough.

The other 80 acres on the property will feature 115 home sites, none of which will line the course. That is by design so the course doesn't leave the impression of playing through a sub-division. As a matter of fact, it seems more like playing up north, where you can think you're the only one on the course.

The course has four sets of tees with the championship markers providing the big hitters 7,105 yards of challenge. The middle to front tees offers a range of 6,700, 6,300 and 5,300 yards, respectively. The landing areas are generous and water, wetlands and bunkers come in to play on most holes. With each hole having its own unique character it was difficult to determine which hole would warrant the "signature" title. Soley hasn't chosen the hole yet but some think it is a toss up between #No. 7, a short par-4 with the smallest green on the course, or No. 14 or No. 17, both of which are par-5s that require careful shot selection. All three offer the pristine beauty of this natural habitat. Don't be surprised if you spot no less than 40 blue heron nests in the treetops bordering the 12th hole.

The 23,000 square-foot clubhouse, expected to open in the summer of 2001, will offer a complete venue of services for banquets and outings, small or large, with first-class food and refreshments along with a golfer s grill, locker rooms and an outdoor wedding garden capable of seating 1,000 guests. The practice facility sets a true standard in golf. The main tee area is designed to duplicate the experience of hitting on a golf course, not a driving range. Soley points out that its split fairway design, with three target greens set among mature hardwoods, "gives the golfer the opportunity to practice the distance and accuracy of irons and woods on a golf course setting." It also has a complete short game facility with a fairway bunker and green side bunker.

The Golf Club of Michigan lives up to its motto, "Beauty by Nature. Challenge by Design." "Believe me, once mature, you will think this course has been here forever," remarked Soley. Nothing appears to be missing. Soley and his partners have put together a great team and they beam with pride. Their concept of a "Golfer s Club," without the country club price, is well on its way to reality. Fees at TGCoM, which include a golf car, will go for approximately $48 during the week and $55 on the weekends. They also include the latest GPS system on their

carts. The course is walkable but there are a couple of holes that are 300 or more yards from the green to the next tee.