GOLFWEEK MAGAZINE HONORS GAYLORD AREA COURSES
Four area courses named to Michigan’s top 20
GAYLORD, MI — The Gaylord Golf Mecca, known as America’s Summer Golf Mecca, has had four of its golf courses listed among Golfweek’s 2012 “Best You Can Play, State-by-State” rankings. These latest course accolade’s appeared in the March 19 issue of the leading national publication.
Golfweek ranked the following courses among the Top 20 in Michigan, Black Lake at No. 7, Black Forest at No. 9, Treetops Smith Signature at No. 10, and Treetops – Fazio Premier course at No. 18.
Golfweek course evaluators submit ballots grading courses all over the country on a 10-point scale to determine the country’s finest golf courses. Raters take into account factors such as routing of the course, feature shaping, greens, variety and memorable holes, conditioning, maintenance, and landscape management.
Black Lake Golf Club is an 18-hole gem cut into a 1,000-acre forest retreat owned by the United Auto Workers (UAW). Nationally acclaimed architect Rees Jones designed the Black Lake course, which meanders in and out of forest areas and wetland areas featuring immaculate greens and strategic bunkers. Jones has become known as the "U.S. Open doctor" for his restoration of classic layouts selected by the USGA as U.S. Open tournament sites.
Tom Doak, who created the modern classic Pacific Dunes in Bandon, Ore. (ranked No. 2 on Golfweek’s "Top 100 Modern Courses" list), designed Black Forest. Black Forest meanders over 400 acres of forested meadows and valleys. The large undulating greens, British-style rugged bunkers, and fescue lined sweeping fairways are classic works of art. Doak’s golf course design firm is also based in Michigan.
The Treetops Signature course, designed by Rick Smith, is an 18-hole modern classic that combines the rustic Northern Michigan landscape with the unique design features of Irish courses overseas. The Premier course is also the state’s only Tom Fazio design. Fazio created a scenic user-friendly course with fairways and greens designed to bring errant shots back into play. Treetops resort is already one of the leading golf resort destinations in the country. Its inventory of four championship courses and a par-3 course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., Tom Fazio, and Rick Smith himself, is one of the best collections of golf holes on one property anywhere in the country.
For 25 years, the Gaylord Golf Mecca has offered something for everyone — award winning resorts, high-quality public courses, fine and casual dining, and quaint inns. It’s an experience golfers of all skills and tastes can enjoy. For more information, visit www.gaylordgolfmecca.com or call (800) 345-8621.
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Michigan
1) Arcadia Bluffs, Arcadia (No) 29 m)
2) Greywalls at Marquette GC, Marquette (No. 81 m)
3) Forest Dunes, Roscommon (No) 87 m)
4) Tullymore, Stanwood (m)
5) Belvedere GC, Charlevoix (c)
6) Lakewood Shores Resort (Gailes), Oscoda (m)
7) Black Lake, Onaway (m)
8) TimberStone GC, Iron Mountain (m)
9) Black Forest at Wilderness Valley, Gaylord (m)
10) Treetops North (Smith), Gaylord (m)
11) Eagle Eye GC at Hawk Hollow, Bath (m)
12) Angels Crossing, Vicksburg (m)
13) Bay Harbor (Links/Quarry), Harbor Springs (m)
14) Sweetgrass, Harris (m)
15) True North, Harbor Springs (m)
16) University of Michigan GC, Ann Arbor (c)
17) Pilgrim’s Run, Pierson (m)
18) Treetops North (Fazio), Gaylord (m)
19) Orchards GC, Washington (m)
20) Mines GC, Grand Rapids (m)
