“Detroit: Golf City”
You may know Detroit for many different things, but golfers know Detroit and the state of Michigan as a whole for it’s perfect summer and fall golf weather, well manicured courses and locals that make the most of their somewhat short golf season.
It’s no secret that Detroit is making a comeback from the the economic turmoil that hit most of the country starting almost five years ago, so that means there are deals to be had.
June is “Golf Month” in Michigan, so why not take advantage of all the state and the city of Detroit has to offer.
University of Michigan Golf Course and Radrick Farms
From my August, 2014, Examiner.com piece on the University of Michigan Golf Course:
If you like roller coasters, you will love No. 6 on the U-M Golf Course. You go from high when teeing off, to low for your second shot, and then up again to the green. A cool hole that you will want to play over and over again.
The 18th is a 436-yard par-4 that feels longer because it is tricked up a little. That’s fine, it’s a fun way to finish a round. You have to be at yoru best to par this one.
You can take a cart of walk this course. In fact, the day I was there, I saw more than a few golfers walking and experiencing this masterpiece.
A fun course and I’d love to go back.
The University also owns the Radrick Farms Golf Course in Ann Arbor, and while I didn’t play this Pete Dye design, I hear good things about it.
The University of Michigan Golf Course is limited to play by students, alumni and University employees. If you know someone in Ann Arbor, chances are they have some affiliation with the university- so you can get on. The course also holds outings (there was one going on the day I was there) and the clubhouse is available for rent.
The course remains open as long as possible in the fall. Maybe late October or early November.
Something else to make note of, the course is used as a parking lot on football Saturdays, so no play on those days.
Particulars:
University of Michigan Golf Course
500 E. Stadium Blvd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 615-GOLF
http://umgolfcourse.umich.edu
Recent Awards:
2014 Golf Week’s Best Courses You Can Play
2013 Golf Week’s Best Campus Courses
2012 Golf Digest’s Most Fun Courses to Play
U-M Golf Course Fees: $110 for Monday – Thursday and $140 for Friday – Sunday.
Radrick Farms: $110 for Monday – Thursday and $140 for Friday – Sunday.
Play both courses: $200 Monday – Friday and $250 Friday-Sunday
Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Packages
One of my favorite courses anywhere, Shepherd’s Hollow is located at 9085 Big Lake Rd in Village of Clarkston, MI.
Particulars:
www.shepherdshollow.com
(248) 922-0300
The ability to play three exceptional golf courses is made easy with Stay and Play Packages at Shepherd’s Hollow, Pine Trace and Cherry Creek Golf Clubs. Our courses are all conveniently located in Southeast Michigan. Each property is unique providing guests with three different, yet quality, golf and dining experiences.
Packages are built custom to your needs allowing you to design your version of the perfect golf get away. Our Guest Service Coordinator is readily available to discuss your vacation plans and will take care of all golf and accommodation reservations associated with your Stay and Play.
Stay & Play Benefits and Amenities:
* Custom Build Packages to Suit Your Needs
* Preferred Discount Hotel Rates at Marriott and Choice Brand Properties
* Complimentary Full Hot Breakfast Each Morning
* Complimentary Driving Range Use
* Complimentary Use of Practice Chipping and Putting Facilities
* Exceptional Restaurants at All Three Locations
* 20% Savings on pro shop merchandise
* 20% Savings on food and beverage purchases in our restaurants
* Exclusive Offers at Upscale Shopping Venues
* Personalized Welcome Packet Upon Arrival
* Dedicated Guest Service Coordinator
Shepherd’s Hollow Pine Trace Cherry Creek
Phone (248) 922-0300 Fax (248) 922-5675
Also check out:
www.shepherdshollow.com
www.pinetrace.com
www.cherrycreekgolf.com
A couple other great Detroit area options:
Northville Hills Golf Club
An Arnold Palmer Signature Design that you can walk. Elevation changes, woodlands and lakes you have to take into consideration. If you are looking for a fun, but a quick round, maybe in the afternoon, this is your course.
Northville Hills is located at 15565 Bay Hill Drive in Northville, MI.
The phone number is 734-667-4653 (GOLF).
The Oakland University R&S Sharf Golf Course
The R&S Sharf Golf Course, designed by famed golf course architect and teacher Rick Smith, is a reminder of an old-style golf course often found in Europe. Smith, on his Oakland design: Oakland, he said, “The university’s commitment to developing a quality facility, their belief in the life lessons golf provides and the raw potential of the site were all big factors for me in pursuing this project.”
Guests can play this course for $125-130. It is located at 2200 N. Squirrel Road in Rochester.
Check here for rates and more information.
Where to stay:
MGM Grand Detroit
Located right in the heart of downtown, the $800-million MGM Grand Detroit. Developed by MGM Resorts International is one of the world’s most respected hotel and gaming companies, but also an investor in Metro-Detroit Partner’s LLC, MGM Grand Detroit. This is the first-ever Las Vegas-style destination to open in a major metropolitan core. Delivering over 4,000 of the latest slots and video poker, over 90 table games, unrivaled luxury rooms and suites, celebrity chef restaurants, the only resort-style spa in southeast Michigan and 30,000 square feet of meeting and convention space.
What else to do:
Detroit Tigers
Comerica park, one of the most fan-friendly ballparks in Major League Baseball is a short walk from the MGM Grand Detroit. Comerica offers a variety of concessions and the sight lines are ideal for watching and enjoying baseball.
Henry Ford Museum
The sheer scope and design of Henry Ford Museum is as grand as the vision that inspired it. It’s impossible not to feel a sense of awe as your mind adjusts to a different sense of scale — more vast, more expansive and more diverse— by far— than anything you’ll encounter in everyday life. The sweeping, single-floor space with its soaring 40-foot ceilings covers nine acres dedicated to showcasing the finest collection of its kind ever assembled.
The Henry Ford
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Dearborn, MI 48124-4088
Website: www.thehenryford.org
If you are looking to escape the heat, humidity and traffic of Atlanta this summer and fall, you can head north to Detroit and experience great golf and a whole lot more. Check out www.michigan.org to plan your Michigan adventure that should include golf.
