Traversing through Traverse City, Michigan

Standing above the 18th green at Bay Harbor Golf Club overlooking Little Traverse Bay I had my most recent "Pure Michigan" moment. Sure I'll never forget a few great shots or putts I had over the four days of exploration in northern Michigan, but what I'll most remember is the idyllic setting that captured my attention at every property. Simply stated, golf is the vehicle that allows me to enjoy places I wouldn't otherwise get to experience and for that I am extremely fortunate.

And while I haven't been to Pebble Beach, I have to venture a guess that the 75 mile stretch of coast just north of Traverse City has to be the Midwest's version of that American landmark.

Within a 100 mile radius of Traverse City, Michigan you'll find a concentration of so many top line courses that the title "America's Public Golf Capital" almost doesn't do the region justice. If you could play golf 12 months of the year here, the tee sheets would be busier than the recent free hotcakes and sausage morning at my local McDonald's.

But thanks to glaciers that receded with equal determination as my hair line, the Traverse City peninsula has to rely on quality to make up for its lack of quantity. It must also be said that for every five-star golf course, resides two to three top notch on site restaurants per property. If there is one thing I've learned during my time in Michigan - for the locals expanding waistlines are far less evil that expanding golf scores.

There are so many incomparable resorts in this shoreline stretch that I have decided to write this feature in two parts. Part one below will highlight Bay Harbor and Grand Traverse Resorts, while part two will cover Shanty Creek and Christmas Mountain Resorts.

Bay Harbor Golf Club and the Inn at Bay Harbor

Most of the nation first became aware of Bay Harbor by watching Shell's Wonderful World of Golf's match between Tom Lehman and Phil Mickelson in 1998. On that fine September day, the camera work and course were in perfect harmony, eliciting epic views in all directions that seemed to be coming from anywhere except the Midwest.

Bay Harbor Golf Club was designed by Arthur Hills and consists of 27 holes divided into three nines, The Links, The Quarry, and The Preserve. The Links and The Quarry were the two accentuated on Shell's and serve as the property's signature 18. Incomparable views of the coastline on the front nine Links course are then followed by bold vistas and elevation changes within an old quarry, hence the name of the back nine. The stunning culmination of this juggernaut is the 155 yard, par-3, 17th hole, a longer, just as impressive version of the 7th at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Million dollar homes are spread out enough on the property where they only attract, not detract from your golfing adventure. The architecture will have you thinking of The Hamptons, and then you'll have to pinch yourself and say "Yes, I still am in The Midwest!"

Jeff Eccelston, Bay Harbor's Director of Golf
Marketing, describes the hubris you'll experience from the moment you turn toward the shoreline off US Highway 31. "As you enter the gates and head toward the clubhouse, you catch a glimpse of the Links course and then Little Traverse Bay. It's hard not to pull over right there and get your camera out, but it continues to get better as you combine the luxurious lifestyle of Bay Harbor and the scenery with golf at its finest. Reflecting on the round from the balcony overlooking the 18th hole is priceless. It is all of Pebble... without the Poana," concluded Jeff Eccelston.

Finally, it's important to note that Bay Harbor Golf Club is affiliated with the network of Boyne Resorts throughout Michigan. Therefore patrons have access to numerous Stay and Play Packages at three Northern Michigan resorts and seven additional championship courses. For more information on Bay Harbor, visit their websites at www.bayharborgolf.com and www.innatbayharbor.com or call 1-800-GO-BOYNE (462.6963)
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

Grand Traverse's Resort and Spa ad campaign worked. Once I saw a 16 story building in an area where a duplex was considered a high rise, I knew I was in the right place. Sure the edifice was impressive, but I didn't come there for a structure, I came for the blueprints designed by Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.

The Jack Nicklaus designed The Bear is part of a 54 hole championship golf rotation that's hard to match. Jack's 7059 yard layout is one of only 20 Signature Courses that bears his name, and wow it's a fun and fair test - provided you play from the proper tees. The course is a hybrid, characterized by three unique design features. Roughly a third of the holes are carved out of a forest, a third are true links-style mogul laden wonders, while the final third are filled with water hazards galore - including the par-3, 180 yard 9th that from the tee doesn't seem to have a landing area.

J. Michael DeAgostino, Grand Traverse's Director of Marketing, explains the historical significance of the Jack Nicklaus design. "Mr. Nicklaus was given the task to create a truly unique course, one that would be more challenging than any he had designed before. As one of his earliest designs, The Bear holds high stature among courses in Michigan. Opened in 1985, it helped spark a boom in designer golf course construction in Northern Michigan. Golf Digest has ranked it among the most difficult in the United States; played from the tips and it is all of that. Jack used the natural features of rolling terrain, streams, fields, and woods to shape the course into an exciting challenge. It has been described as having links-style features, yet it winds through wooded terrain. It is a risk/reward course, target golf, yet many consider it a fair test, with generous landing areas in fairways," concluded DeAgostino.

As previously mentioned, Gary Player has also lent his design acumen to the Grand Traverse Resort. The more playable Wolverine Course, opened in 1999, is the only Gary Player designed course in Michigan and plays between 7000-5000 yards. "Our Club Members frequently describe it as their favorite course and it is our most-played course. The layout is a counter point to The Bear in that many of its features are forgiving," said DeAgostino. "For example, bowl shaped fairways help funnel errant shots back into playable lies, there are few forced carries, and you can generally see the safe areas and all the trouble from the tee, so you know where you need to hit. All that said, it also can be set up to play as difficult as The Bear by using alternate tee boxes and more difficult pin positions. The front nine is constructed to the Resort's east through wetlands and lowland terrain. The back nine is constructed to the Resort's north through wooded highland terrain that offers spectacular views of Grand Traverse Bay."

The Spruce Run Course is the shortest of the three and completes a magnificent tri-fecta of atypical resort golf. Designed by William Newcomb, the 6,304 yard course plays to a par 70. "This is the Resort's original golf course that started out as the nine-hole Acme Public Golf Course, and was redesigned by William Newcomb as an 18-hole, par 72 course in 1979. The course has had many changes to it through the years as the Resort grew. The course was home to the Michigan Open for four years from 1981 through 1984. During construction of The Wolverine, several holes on the Spruce Run course were modified, the course was shortened to par 70, and the holes were re-numbered. Today, the first five holes, because of their length (a 372 par-4, 494 par-5, 406 par-4, 452 par-4, 409 par-4) are as challenging a test of golf as you will find at the Resort," explained DeAgostino.

Inside the tallest building in Traverse City is a micro Vegas-style lobby, complete with specialty shops and spa services. It's quite an impressive structure, and makes finding the resort a lot easier when you in an unfamiliar area. The 16th floor of the tower resides arries restaurant, home to the finest crab cakes this Midwesterner has ever tasted. You may have not lived until you see the sun go down from the top floor at 10:00 p.m. while enjoying an after-round dinner or drink.

"Until you've stayed in the Tower, you have no idea of the marvelous views of Grand Traverse Bay and the surrounding countryside, especially from the higher floors," stated DeAgostino. "They are the finest views from any resort in the Grand Traverse region - period. Our guests are amazed by beautiful sunrises over the golf courses, shimmering waters of the Bay in mid-day, and colorful sunsets in the evening. For many of our guests, the views alone allow them an escape from their everyday lives - for some it may even be a sense of peace and tranquility in their inner being, if only for a little while."

For more information on The Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, visit their website at www.grandtraverseresort.com or call 1-800-236-1577.