NWO Golf Links June 2016

37 / 42

On June 27th one of the most significant and
anticipated events in golf course architecture
will occur in the middle of the lower peninsula
of Michigan. In the wooded countryside
outside of Roscommon and just a short drive
down back roads, off I-75,
Club will unveil its newest course “The Loop,”
designed by Michigan resident, Tom Doak.
Doak has earned a reputation as one of the
leading golf course designers of the day. Projects
such as, Pacific Dunes, one of the premier
courses at Bandon Dunes, Streamsong’s Blue
Course in Florida and Sebonack on Long
Island, have received rave reviews and hosted
major tournaments. He is also recognized
internationally for his work at Cape Kidnappers
in New Zealand and Barnbougle Dunes in
Tasmania, Australia.
Forest Dunes has long been recognized for
its signature Tom Weiskopf design, which
opened for play in 2002 and was immediately
awarded “Best New Course in America” by
Golf Digest. With nine holes winding through
a thickly wooded forest and the
back nine more links-like, it is
a delight to play. It even offers
a 19th hole for an “emergency
par-3” to end your round and
settle the odd wager.
With the addition of The Loop
to Forest Dunes, resort guests
can now play three completely
different golf courses on two
distinctively different layouts.
With a reversible routing, The Loop will be the
first course of its kind in North America and is
actually two courses in one. There are courses
in Europe, especially in Scotland and theUnited
Kingdom, that can accommodate a reversible
format. The Old Course at St. Andrews can be
played in the opposite direction, although it is
no longer used.
Designed in the shape of a huge arc, golfers
play away from the clubhouse on the outside
of the arc and back on the inside for their back
nine. The next day the tees and routing are
reversed to go out the inside of the arc for the
first nine holes and come back on the outside
nine to complete the round.
Fairways and greens had to be designed to
accept shots from opposite directions. With
the natural undulation of the sand dunes and
contoured greens, this was no simple task to
accomplish.
Doak is known for keeping it simple and he has
simply achieved a masterpiece
in the middle of Michigan.
Every golfer needs to add this
unique venue to the top of his/
her bucket list. The golf world
will be buzzing about this
concept for some time to come.
For more information and to
BY FRED ALTVATER
THE “LOOP” OPENS FOR
PLAY INMICHIGAN
NWO Golf Links