Southern Michigan Golf Trip

[odshot68]

Current Setup..thoughts?

So I have been asking and trying to plan an northern michigan golf trip end of september but its not working out.. No rooms and the courses are booked..So on to Plan B..southern Michigan (plus it will be warmer).

Itinerary:

Friday: Ravines and Hawkshead
Saturday: Bedford Valley and Yarrow
Sunday: Calderone and The Grande

All of these are within 20 minutes of each other on the same day. I have also checked to verify there are no aerated greens as well (this threw out Angel's Crossing). Any other thoughts or ideas on trip?

[birdieboy52]

[quote name='odshot68' timestamp='1283043935' post='2666218']
So I have been asking and trying to plan an northern michigan golf trip end of september but its not working out.. No rooms and the courses are booked..So on to Plan B..southern Michigan (plus it will be warmer).

Itinerary:

Friday: Ravines and Hawkshead
Saturday: Bedford Valley and Yarrow
Sunday: Calderone and The Grande

All of these are within 20 minutes of each other on the same day. I have also checked to verify there are no aerated greens as well (this threw out Angel's Crossing). Any other thoughts or ideas on trip?
[/quote]


So much of our analysis of these courses is based upon expectation of design

Ravines--Too many mediocre holes
Bedford Valley-Bombers paradise and you can't get into trouble there
Yarrow-terrible finishing hole and really odd greens

Too bad about Angels Crossing

How about the new Nicklaus course in Benton Harbor?

How about Thousand Oaks and Thornapple in Grand Rapids?

[odshot68]

I have actually never played the Ravines..I hear its good. Have played a similar track Diamond Springs but last time I played it the course was in horrible shape..no more fairways..all the grass was the same length. The new Nicklaus track looks nice but not 130 worthy.. I live in Grand Rapids so wanted a change of scenery. Thought of point of woods but they are aerating their greens that week. I have played Yarrow and its a very good track for the most part. Stoked to get to Jackson as well.

[itw419]

I can't help you much because I have only played the Grande. But I can tell you that I really liked the Grande. Huge greens and fairways.

[3_Jack_Par]

Here's what I can tell you from the ones I've played:
Bedford Valley - I was excited to play it when I'd heard that it had hosted several big tournaments. But I was very disappointed. It seemed to me to be just an average South Michigan parkland course, and the conditioning wasn't great. Of the Gull Lake View courses, I'd recommend Stonehedge South over Bedford Valley
The Grande - I like this course quite a bit. has generous fairways and big greens, and is usually in good shape. The only thing I'm not a big fan of is the number of holes with split fairways with sand in between. Once or twice is fine, but they overdo it a bit here.
Calderone - for being built on farmland, they made a decent semi-links-style course out of it. You can go ahead and bomb it without too much trouble here, but you do need to take note of some trouble lurking in the landing areas on some holes.

Other possibilities in the general area where you're going to be -- Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor is the one birdieboy mentioned -- it looks outstanding, and has the price tag to match.
If you're looking for truly memorable courses for your last day, I don't think Calderone will really fit the bill. Have you given any thought to making your way to the Lansing area to play Eagle Eye and/or Hawk Hollow instead?

[odshot68]

i have played eagle eye a number of times so has jeff..great track. never played calderone..heard its a good track. Harbor springs is way overpriced...would rather pay for arcadia..bedford valley was actually a second choice..wanted angels crossing but greens are aerated the week we are going.

[3_Jack_Par]

[quote name='odshot68' timestamp='1283209137' post='2669764']
.bedford valley was actually a second choice.

[/quote]

I'd really recommend Stonehedge South over Bedford Valley when it comes to the Gull Lake View group of courses. To me, it's much more memorable than Bedford Valley, and it's pretty in close proximity to Yarrow (though not as close as BV)

[odshot68]

i have played stonehedge south a few times..its a good track..but hated the slow greens..haven't played the north course so I figured we would try bedford..maybe angels crossing will delay their aeration..LOL...OR drive to benton harbor for saturday am..

[odshot68]

just mapquested it...its 75 minutes away. we can play 115..its steep but its a golf trip. Maybe play at 8:30am..and play yarrow in late pm...about 3.

[ssp]

I think Yarrow is a very fun course to play. I have played about 7-8 rounds there and enjoyed it everytime. Somebody mentioned a bad finishing hole. Not sure I understand why ... I actually think it is a great hole.

I think 'The Medalist' is a fun course in that area as well.

[odshot68]

medalist has outings all weekend..surprised to be honest.

[odshot68]

we have a new schedule thanks to your feedback:

Friday: Hawkshead and Harbor Shores
Saturday: 36 at Yarrow (maybe Angel's Crossing if they don't aerate greens)
Sunday: Calderone and The Grande

[Openwater22]

Since this started as an Up North weekend with Arcadia in the rotation, [b]who wants to play Arcadia and when?[/b]

[cwbrion]

I would be up for Arcadia. I am free anytime except mid-October. We are leaving on the 7th of October but I am pretty free up until then. I would love to play 36 there as I haven't been over that way as of yet. Please put me on any list being made.

[odshot68]

[quote name='openwater32' timestamp='1283350463' post='2673308']
Since this started as an Up North weekend with Arcadia in the rotation, [b]who wants to play Arcadia and when?[/b]
[/quote]


Damn THREADJACKERS!!! LOL

[Openwater22]

[quote name='odshot68' timestamp='1283446324' post='2675685']
[quote name='openwater32' timestamp='1283350463' post='2673308']
Since this started as an Up North weekend with Arcadia in the rotation, [b]who wants to play Arcadia and when?[/b]
[/quote]


Damn THREADJACKERS!!! LOL
[/quote]


Bored at work so I'm going to start an "all thing michigan golf" thread. Those maryland guys got a good thing going