Arcadia Bluffs Erosion Issue

[BG5]

I was able to get in a round today at Arcadia Bluffs and having played the course about 10 times its truly something special.  The greens today were lighting fast and I was amazed how fast and pure the ball rolled in the middle of April.....Amazing Condition right now!

 

For those that know the course well its probably fair to say that 3 of the more notable holes (probably the 3 best) are holes 11, 12, and 13. which all play right along Lake Michigan.  When we arrived at hole 12 today (par 4 that runs horizontal to the lake) there was a crew of about 8 maintenance guys working on it in various areas.  We stopped and chatted with them because we had the course to ourselves and they explained that the severe erosion that the Great Lakes experienced last year had taken its toll on Arcadia's coastline.  Hole 12 was really the big worry at the resort that they may lose the green due to erosion.  They have made a second green about 250 yards towards the clubhouse which would totally change the hole and make it far less appealing that how it currently sits.  There was no plan to shut down hole 12 but its fair to say that the course is very close to having major issues if the big lake continues to increase at the record levels of last year.  

 

The good news is that Lake Michigan is down so lets hope for not alot of rain in the spring.

 

I also noticed that on hole 11 there was not a massive mesh orange fence on the edge of the green as you can see that erosion has def come close to having issues on this hole as well.  A lot of trees below were now laying all over the place and it was very different than what it looked like 2 years ago.

 

Hole 13 would have to be a concern as well.

 

So I think things will be ok assuming the lake levels continue to go down but if we had a few summers like the one we had last year Arcadia may be in jeopardy of losing some of its best holes.  The fact that they spent big money adding a new green to hole 12 shows that they are worried

[Curmudg3on]

The erosion last year with the record levels of water in Lake Michigan has caused tremendous loss of property for many.   Many people have either had to move their homes or tear them down to keep from being reduced to rubble by the receding shoreline.  

[PuttCurseRepeat]

On 4/16/2021 at 7:48 PM, BG5 said:

I was able to get in a round today at Arcadia Bluffs and having played the course about 10 times its truly something special.  The greens today were lighting fast and I was amazed how fast and pure the ball rolled in the middle of April.....Amazing Condition right now!

 

For those that know the course well its probably fair to say that 3 of the more notable holes (probably the 3 best) are holes 11, 12, and 13. which all play right along Lake Michigan.  When we arrived at hole 12 today (par 4 that runs horizontal to the lake) there was a crew of about 8 maintenance guys working on it in various areas.  We stopped and chatted with them because we had the course to ourselves and they explained that the severe erosion that the Great Lakes experienced last year had taken its toll on Arcadia's coastline.  Hole 12 was really the big worry at the resort that they may lose the green due to erosion.  They have made a second green about 250 yards towards the clubhouse which would totally change the hole and make it far less appealing that how it currently sits.  There was no plan to shut down hole 12 but its fair to say that the course is very close to having major issues if the big lake continues to increase at the record levels of last year.  

 

The good news is that Lake Michigan is down so lets hope for not alot of rain in the spring.

 

I also noticed that on hole 11 there was not a massive mesh orange fence on the edge of the green as you can see that erosion has def come close to having issues on this hole as well.  A lot of trees below were now laying all over the place and it was very different than what it looked like 2 years ago.

 

Hole 13 would have to be a concern as well.

 

So I think things will be ok assuming the lake levels continue to go down but if we had a few summers like the one we had last year Arcadia may be in jeopardy of losing some of its best holes.  The fact that they spent big money adding a new green to hole 12 shows that they are worried

 

I just read your post on GCA. I thought I was having deja vu. It looks like the 12th could be dogleg right at some point in the future - and depending on the extent and speed of erosion, may retain (or reclaim) its dramatic coastline setting.

[Chrismydawg]

Move the lake. Holes 11-13 cannot be compromised.

[Jose c.]

Would be interesting to know if whistling straights has the same issues.  I know the bluffs is more exposed to erosion because of the high dunes, Along with the wave action because of predominant winds. Should they have seen this coming? Especially after they had the issues between 12th green and 13th hole during construction? 

[Curmudg3on]

the prevailing winds run west to east.   The erosion would be worse on the Michigan side.

[Jose c.]

1 hour ago, DennyJones said:

the prevailing winds run west to east.   The erosion would be worse on the Michigan side.

Exactly! But the fact that lk. Huron is on the opposite side of our state and still has significant erosion problems. Is kinda where I was coming from.

Edited April 21, 2021 by Jose c.

[ode1]

Idk know about whistling, but there has been significant issues along the shore north of there all the way up to door co.  I have seen several barge's hauling big rocks for help with erosion.  Many flood warning last year along the lake.

[Curmudg3on]

12 hours ago, Jose c. said:

Exactly! But the fact that lk. Huron is on the opposite side of our state and still has significant erosion problems. Is kinda where I was coming from.

 

You are correct, erosion has been a major problem throughout all of the Great Lakes.   The water levels were at one time this past year near record high levels.   

 

[Dirkalan]

Would hate to see any part of 11, 12 or 13 change or for that matter number 5. Such a great stretch of holes. Here’s to hoping the water continues to drop!

[Florida Gator]

The new green for 12 was under construction most of last year, it will look great when done but the feel at that end will change considerably.  I’d suggest to anyone that has that course on their list to play it sooner rather than later, I don’t know how long they’ll wait before rerouting the hole to the new green regardless of its current stability.

[J_Birdie]

They told us last year it was a contingency plan for the expected day when engineering or code compliance or whatever says it is unsafe to play the current green but that there was no plans to re-route until that occurred. 

 

At Whistling last June they were shoring up the lake holes as well. Many large machines and rocks and stuff being laid down. 

[JeffreySpicoli]

Erosion is nothing new at Arcadia.

 

http://www.mlui.org/mlui/news-views/articles-from-1995-to-2012.html?archive_id=1133#.YJa-Uy_3a-o

[reperna]

It will definitely be a bummer to see that hole go, although it might make that stretch a little easier because that hole eats me up every time. It still looks nice with the new green, just nit as dramatic.

[cassel191919]

I was able to play the new hole on Saturday, they really need to do something with the cart path it is right in the landing area for driver. They are building a new tee so that could fix the issue.

[reperna]

Are they making people play the new hole now?

[cassel191919]

I am thinking they will use it every once in awhile to get some traffic on it.  I don't think they will switch over completely, but I honestly don't know.

[N8dogg2669]

On 6/18/2021 at 11:38 AM, cassel191919 said:

I am thinking they will use it every once in awhile to get some traffic on it.  I don't think they will switch over completely, but I honestly don't know.

 

They seem to be alternating days. We played it last Friday and it was the new green, which to be honest I didn't mind. I made a nice up and down for par lol. But our caddie told us the previous day they were using the old green and they are switching back and forth.