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June 2026
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Short course and Himalayan-style putting course, opened June 6, are the latest golf attractions at the resort.
The Highlands announces its new par-3 short course, Doon Brae, and the Back Yaird, a Himalayan-style putting course, is now open. Located on the backside of the Main Lodge, Doon Brae is the first modern golf course ever built on a ski hill.
“Having experienced some of the top resorts in the country with their short courses and putting courses they have created for guests, it was the perfect add-on to create that type of golf entertainment for our BOYNE guests,” said Bernie Friedrich, Director of Golf Course Renovations and Development at Boyne Resorts. “Whether it’s before the round or after the round to extend games, Doon Brae will be a great golf experience. It will also be a fun option for kids and beginners to try golf for the first time.”
The name, Doon meaning going down into a valley, and Brae, meaning steep bank or hillside in Scottish, is fitting as the routing of the course is on the site of the former Cuff Links nine-hole par-3 course set along the hillside that doubles as a ski slope during the winter months.
The Highlands guests will also enjoy the Back Yaird (Scottish word for yard), a 65,000 square foot 27-hole putting course featuring three nine-hole combinations. Inspired by great putting courses like the Himalayas at St. Andrews and Thistle Du at Pinehurst, this exciting golf experience features a variety of slopes and swales, providing endless excitement for golfers of all abilities, families, and kids. The location, just off the back patio of The Highlands, will be convenient for lodge guests.
“We are so excited about how this area has been reimagined and how the guests are already enjoying the uniqueness, character, and atmosphere around Doon Brae and the Back Yaird," said Josh Richter, Senior Vice President of Golf Operations for Boyne Resorts. “Add in the lights, music, fire pits, and food service; it will be a wonderful gathering space for golfers and families to hang out well into the evenings, creating a new energy level at The Highlands and fond golfing memories. It will be a great golf entertainment venue.”
Golf course architect Ray Hearn was selected to design the leading golf destination’s latest golf attractions. Although Doon Brae is routed on a ski hill, Hearn focused on minimizing the walking uphill. The course, which measures between 1050 yards and 678 yards, will feature a variety of fun yardages with downhill, flat, uphill, and sidehill lies, generally moving horizontally back and forth across the slope. Holes range from 57 yards to 150 yards, providing multiple angles and fairway options, with shorter-length holes having fewer bunkers on the path toward the greens, while longer holes provide more strategic angles with bunkers more in play.
“I wanted to make sure we were creating something fun and unique without being a difficult walk,” explained Hearn. “We also considered all the families taking their kids out to play the short course and then the putting course. Every time I visited Scotland with friends, I was always inspired by The Himalayas at St. Andrews. We just kept playing it over and over and never got bored. The Back Yaird will provide that kind of experience.”
Hearn's favorite part of the project was the creatively designed green complexes. “Drawing on our inspiration from the British Isles allowed us to create scaled-down versions of famous template greens highlighted by The Short at National Golf Links, a favorite of Stephen’s,” he said. “Other green inspirations include Eden, Punch Bowl, Redan, Reverse Redan, Whinny Brae, Steep, Postage Stamp, and Biarritz."
Doon Brae and the Back Yard putting course are the perfect additions to the continued reimagination of The Highlands, which has been ongoing for the past few years, with new lodge rooms, renovations, and future amenities being planned.
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Read The Full Digital Link Here
Jay’s Tee Box
The snow has fully retreated as bright hues of green have returned to fairways across Midwest. Spring signals more than just a change in seasons, it marks the long-awaited return of golf in the Midwest. In the Spring Issue of Midwest Golfing Magazine, we celebrate that reawakening with a collection of travel features, destination spotlights, and course profiles designed to inspire your next trip, your next tee time, and maybe even your best season yet.
We start with our cover feature on the ever-popular Shanty Creek Resort, where multiple courses and northern Michigan charm create the perfect golf getaway. We then venture off the beaten path with a sweeping golf travel feature exploring the wide-open beauty and underrated layouts of North Dakota. Often overlooked in national golf conversations, this prairie-state gem offers dramatic landscapes, welcoming communities, and courses that blend natural terrain with thoughtful design. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most memorable golf experiences are found where you least expect them.
From there, we head south to the Live Entertainment Capital of the World, Branson, Missouri, where championship golf meets music, scenic hills, and family-friendly attractions. Not far away, the rolling shoreline layouts of Lake of the Ozarks showcase why Missouri continues to grow as a premier Midwest golf destination. Heading further north, our feature on Greater Lansing highlights a vibrant college-town atmosphere paired with a surprisingly diverse collection of courses that deserve a spot on any traveling golfer’s itinerary.
We also shine a spotlight on standout individual layouts that define their regions. Minnesota’s beauty takes center stage with profiles on Dacotah Ridge Golf Club and Giants Ridge, two distinctly different experiences that showcase the state’s ability to deliver both strategic challenge and breathtaking scenery.
Meanwhile, along Lake Michigan, we visit the acclaimed Harbor Shores Golf Club, a course known for championship pedigree, lakeshore drama, and the brand-new Wee Course designed by Colin Montgomerie.
An issue of MGM wouldn’t be complete without Chip Shots, Ask Annex, our Pro Page by Michael Crowley of Morningstar Golfer’s Club, and our Spring Fling Product Guide.
This issue is ultimately about possibility – the possibility of road trips, new favorite courses, and unforgettable rounds shared with friends. Whether you’re planning a multi-state golf adventure or simply looking for inspiration close to home, consider these pages your tee marker for the season ahead.
To read the entire issue please click on this link: https://xdigital.spiweb.com/publication/frame.php?i=864453&p=&pn=&ver=html5
Make Some Birdies,
Jay Royle, Publisher
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