NWO Golf Links October 2015

32 / 38

NWO Golf Links
FALL IS THE PERFECT TIME to head to the extreme
northern part of the United States for the turning
of the leaves and golf. If you want to travel off the
beaten path to find an oasis of golf, gambling,
entertainment, superb spa facilities and exceptional
dining, check out the n
Harris, Michigan (near Escanaba).
Escanaba is geographically located between the
Mackinaw Bridge and Green Bay, Wisconsin in
the Upper Peninsula. Once you cross the bridge
and head west you will find several opportunities
to catch panoramic views along Lake Michigan,
but don’t forget to stop in Mackinaw City for some
fudge to enjoy on your drive. Direct flights into the
area are also available from Detroit, Chicago and
Milwaukee.
is owned and managed
by the Hannahville Indian Community and began
with a bingo hall used to raise money for a local
baseball team in 1981. In 1985, the first attempt to
operate a casino was initiated on a small scale and
expanded to the current site in 1991. Now, 24 years
later the resort has 300 rooms, 14 suites and even
an RV park to meet every traveler’s demands.
Sweetgrass Golf Club offers 18 holes of
championship golf and annually hosts the Island
Resort Championship, a Symetra Tour “Road to
the LPGA” event. Dani Holmqvist won the 2015
tournament in June. The course is somewhat unusual
to northern Michigan as it has few trees in play and
more resembles a links-style course.
The overall routing and green complexes are
exceptional. Be sure to catch the two eagles that
guard the back of the 13th green.
Sweetgrass was designed by golf course architect
Paul Albanese, opened for play in 2008 and is
consistently ranked in the top-20 Michigan courses.
It can be stretched to over 7,000 yards for the low
handicapper and the undulating greens are well
maintained and slick. It is challenging to the best
player, but also provides an enjoyable day on the
links for the average or novice golfer. Five sets of tees
offer a variety of choices with the course measuring
slightly over 5,000 yards from the forward tees.
Several features make Sweetgrass standout,
including a variety of green types – Biarritz, Redan
and a shared green on nos. 9 and 18. “Rescued”
metal bridges formerly used by the Michigan
Department of Transportation add a unique “patina”
to the setting while serving a purpose. The bridge
leading to the course’s testy little island green hole –
No. 15 – is a signature statement and a memorable
hole.
Island Resort and Casino is currently building a
second golf course, which will rank among the best
in the state when completed in 2017. Albanese
designed the course around and over a 120-
foot ridge that bisects the property. It will feature
elevated tees, heavily wooded fairways and hilly
terrain to create that “Up North” feeling and unique
golf challenge.
FALL GOLF IN THE U.P. AT
SWEETGRASS ISLAND
RESORT AND CASINO