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Golf Trips
May 2021 Newsletter
Featured Michigan Destination
Bucks Run Golf Course

 


Featured Michigan Destination

Central Michigan - Mt. Pleasant

Michigan is one state that takes the game of golf seriously and has the courses and destinations to back it up. Across the state you’ll find championship courses forged from the state’s beautiful landscapes and decorated with miles of natural forests, rivers, and breathtaking shore lines. The Mt. Pleasant/Central Michigan area is a golfer’s paradise that may be unknown to some.

One aspect that makes for a great golf trip is heading somewhere that’s easy to get to for everyone in your group. Located in the center of the state, the Mt. Pleasant area is easy to get to and an easy drive. Only one hour from Lansing and two hours from Detroit, golf in the Central Michigan area has the up-north feel without the up-north drive.

Sometimes it can be difficult to find a course or courses that fit everyone’s needs and skill sets. Whether you’re looking for classic layouts, championship challenges, or a weekend oasis of golf, Central Michigan has it all. The Central Michigan area offers 12 different courses, including Bucks Run, PohlCat, The Pines, Eagle Glen, and even the Mt. Pleasant Country Club. With so many options, it’s never been easier to plan something for everyone.

The Mt. Pleasant Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (MPACVB) can help you find the perfect golf getaway. The MPACVB lodging properties range from charming bed and breakfasts to luxurious hotels. These properties offer amazing amenities ranging from breakfast and dinner service, pools, fitness facilities, casino shuttles and more. Visit www.meetmtp.com/golf-central-michigan to get a jump start on planning your golf getaway today!

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Shanty Creek Resort Acquires Hawk's Eye Golf Club
Shanty Creek Resort Acquires Hawk's Eye Golf Club

 


Shanty Creek Resort Acquires Hawk's Eye Golf Club

Among Top 10 Largest Golf Resorts in America

Northern Michigan's Shanty Creek Resort announces the addition of the Hawk's Eye Golf Club to its portfolio of golf courses. With the acquisition of Hawk's Eye, it is the fifth 18-hole championship course within Shanty Creek's now nearly 5,500-acre property. With 90 holes at one destination, Shanty Creek is now among the Top 10 Largest Golf Resorts in North America.

"The addition of Hawk's Eye [to our collection of courses] is huge-literally and figuratively," says Mike Mooney, Director of Golf for Shanty Creek. "Having five courses within an 8-mile radius adds significant appeal and prestige for golfers looking for a world-class getaway."

Since its introduction in 2004, Hawk's Eye has been named to several course rankings and listings including "Top Courses in Michigan" three times from Golf Advisor and among Michigan's "Best Public Courses" by Golf Magazine.

Shanty Creek CEO Pete Bigford adds, "In the wake of the corona virus, [the addition of Hawk's Eye] is a testament to the successes we've been experiencing here at Shanty Creek."

Within the past year, the resort has expanded and improved many of its amenities including the new Topgolf Swing Suite golf simulator in The River Bistro, a new fleet of golf carts, and the new CoffeeBAR coffee house at The Lakeview Hotel. "With the addition of Hawk's Eye," Bigford added, "an exclamation point has been added to Shanty Creek's bid to be Michigan's best golf resort."

Along with the annually top-ranked Tom Weiskopf-designed Cedar River course and Arnold Palmer's Legend, Shanty Creek now boasts three of the state's top courses-all in one location. "Add our Schuss Mountain and Summit courses and the variety of golf is unmatched," says Mooney.

The four-season golf and ski resort in Antrim County is located 31 miles northeast of Traverse City in Bellaire amid the Chain of Lakes region. For more information about Shanty Creek golf courses, tee times, or custom golf packages call (231) 533-2020.

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Arthur Hills, ASGCA Fellow, dies at 91
Arthur Hills, ASGCA Fellow, dies at 91

 


Arthur Hills, ASGCA Fellow, dies at 91

American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) Past President Arthur Hills, ASGCA Fellow, died May 18, 2021, in Florida. He was age 91.
A graduate of both Michigan State University (science) and the University of Michigan (landscape architecture), Hills excelled at golf as a member of the MSU Spartan golf team. He formed his golf course architecture firm in the 1960s. Today, Hills * Forrest * Smith, Golf Course Architects continues to, as their website states, “create golf course designs that stimulate the senses, display creativity, and honor the hallowed traditions of the game as they relate to strategy, shot values and aesthetic character.”

Hills designed more than 200 new golf courses around the world and renovated more than 150 other courses. His new designs include: Bonita Bay, Naples, Florida; The Golf Club of Georgia, Atlanta; Bighorn Golf Club, Palm Desert, California; Keene Trace Golf Club, Lexington, Kentucky; and Hyatt Hill Country Resort, San Antonio, Texas. Hills-designed courses have hosted a number of distinguished amateur and professional tournaments, including U.S. Opens and the Ryder Cup.

“As a kid drawing golf holes and dreaming about becoming a designer, I would read the magazines and marvel at the articles about new courses,” ASGCA President Forrest Richardson recalled. “One was Tamarron in Colorado, a new course by Art Hills set in a rugged valley with steep cliffs. Eventually I got to see it firsthand, and it inspired me with its bold greens and creative routing.

An environmental pioneer, Hills designed the first Audubon Signature Sanctuary courses in the United States, Mexico and Europe. ASGCA Past President Pete Dye dubbed Hills “the Mayor of Naples” for the number of private country club courses that he designed in and near that coastal Florida location.

ASGCA Past President Steve Forrest said, “He started the business by placing an ad in the Toledo, Ohio, Yellow Pages under ‘Golf Course Architect’ while operating a landscape contracting business. I had the great privilege of learning all aspects of golf course architecture from a distinguished professional practitioner and humble gentleman over 42 years. Arthur became a father-like figure to me who was a mentor, an instructor, exhorter and admonisher while always trying to improve his own skills and increase his personal knowledge every day.”

“Mr. Hills was among a handful of golf architects who subscribed to a newsletter I published about golf design in the 1970s, and he also took time to comment and contribute,” Richardson said. “While he left an incredible legacy of work across the world, for me I will always recall the kindness he showed a young aspiring student — a gift we should all pay forward.”

Hills has been inducted into both the Ohio and Michigan Golf Halls of Fame and received a lifetime achievement award from the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association.

He became an ASGCA member in 1971. Hills served as ASGCA president in 1992-93 and achieved Fellow status in 2003. He is survived by his wife Mary. They had eight children, 24 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

 



Limited Time Stay & Play Offer at Bella Collina
Limited Time Stay & Play Offer at Bella Collina

 


Limited Time Stay & Play Offer at Bella Collina

Stay & Play at Bella Collina

Enjoy a round of golf on Bella Collina's highly acclaimed golf course designed by 6 time Major Champion Sir Nick Faldo. Featuring panoramic views, sweeping dunes and dramatic elevation changes, the course will test both your skill and creativity. Unique to Central Florida, the course provides an array of challenges and is nestled along the shores of beautiful Lake Siena. Take time to relish Bella Collina's private club experience, featuring the ultimate in personal service, facilities and course playing conditions!

Book Your Stay & Play Today
407.469.4992

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PUMA GOLF INTRODUCES 2021 VOLITION AMERICA COLLECTION
PUMA GOLF INTRODUCES 2021 VOLITION AMERICA COLLECTION

 


PUMA GOLF INTRODUCES 2021 VOLITION AMERICA COLLECTION

SUPPORTING THE FOLDS OF HONOR FOUNDATION

PUMA Golf unveiled its latest Volition America X PUMA Golf Collection, just in time to celebrate Memorial Day on the links. The 2021 collection continues to make a patriotic statement with stylish, performance-ready pieces that are designed to honor and support the families of our military heroes through the Folds of Honor Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to providing educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service-members.

The latest collection features a variety of tonal prints, thoughtful patriotic designs and tasteful USA inspired colorways that will allow for wear on or off course, while providing golfers the unique opportunity to support military families through their golf apparel, footwear and accessories. The 2021 tops will feature MATTR, PUMA’s latest technical moisture-wicking, fast-drying fabric, with breathable, four-way stretch and a lightweight feel, designed for the highest level of comfort no matter the climate condition

PUMA Golf ambassador, PGA Tour golfer and Major Winner, Gary Woodland will continue to wear the Volition America gear on Tour throughout his 2021 season.

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