Travel Michigan Golf

Quail Ridge - By Dean Holzwarth

When Quail Ridge Golf Course first opened last fall, avid golfers received their first glimpse of a unique, 18-hole championship golf course in the West Michigan area. Although the golf course was just beginning to mature when it opened on Aug. 28, management is anticipating a busy first full season of golf when spring returns.

Quail Ridge assistant golf professional John Borg, said golfers who made a visit to the course in the fall will witness a few changes this year when the course reopens this spring.

"The course will definitely be in better shape," Borg said. "The fairways will be in perfect shape and the greens will be faster than last year because we'll be able to cut them more frequently." Don't let the prediction of fast greens frighten you, however. Quail Ridge is certainly a golfer-friendly course, designed by architect Ray Hearn.

The course features five sets of large tee boxes on every hole to accommodate the varied abilities of players. The black tees measure 6,883 yards and the other tees measure 6,500, 6,114, 5,453 and 4,709 yards from the red tees.

Spacious fairways and greens will attract the average golfer, while a host of challenging holes will test the skilled golfer. "This course won't overwhelm the average golfer," Borg said. "It has big greens and big fairways so it's very golfer-friendly. You won't lose a lot of golf balls on this course."

It is a rolling, natural golf course with some shots over the wetlands, but elevation and natural slopes add a great challenge to several holes. The start is gentle, but the course toughens up on the back nine. There are 42 bunkers scattered around the course and there are four holes on which golfers will need to carry their ball over wetlands.

The signature holes of the course include a trio of par-4s and an extremely long par-3.

The front nine loosens golfers up for an enjoyable day on the links, especially on No. 2, a 358-yard, par-4 with birdie opportunities galore. A decent tee shot onto a large fairway will leave you with a 9-iron or pitching wedge to a two-tiered green.

As you approach the end of the front-nine, No. 8 offers a difficult tee shot over water with trees lining the fairway. A large bunker guards the front part of the green on this par-4, 406-yard hole. No. 12 is another challenging hole, which slopes toward the wetlands and is a long par-4 (438 yards) from the back tees. A carry over the wetlands is vital for a meaningful approach shot to the green. Borg calls it the hardest hole on the course and is the No. 2 handicap hole. No. 15 is a 248-yard par-3 from the back tees and offers a testy little tee shot over a large bunker protecting the green. A long iron or 3-wood will be almost necessary to reach the green.

Randy Erskine, a five-time Michigan Open champion, is the head pro at Great Oaks Country Club in Rochester Hills. He headed this project with 15 other investors who are members at the north suburban Detroit club.

Rates at the course will be $45 during the week and $55 on the weekends. A golf car will be mandatory.

The course is located near Cascade, just minutes from Grand Rapids. Take Cascade Road east to 36th Street. Turn left and pass Buttrick. The course entrance is on the left, at 8375 36th SE. For tee times call 616-676-2000.