HAWK'S EYE GOLF CLUB ( 231-533-4295)
Michigan Golf Course Review
Hawk's Eye, which opened in the summer of 2003 is the new sister course to the Chief - one of the most beautiful and challenging courses in Northern
Michigan. We had the opportunity to review the Chief in 2002 (click here for a review) and were stunned by the spectacular terrain - and also were
humbled by the subtleties of the course design - which is arguably the toughest in Northern Michigan. There is a saying that naturally rolls of the tongue in
reminiscing about my experience on Hawk's Eye - you pay $10 more, but it allows you to score. This layout is every bit as spectacular as the one at the
Chief - every bit as dramatic, but not as severe in nature.
With two high quality championship designs - located extremely close to Shanty Creek Resort with their four courses - this area of the state has to be
recognized in the same light as Gaylord as a true golf mecca. What's more, Hawk's Eye & Chief Resort is now open and affords wonderful
accommodations - and in conjunction with golf provide great stay and play packages. Together with a limited amount of standard rooms at the Legend
Cottages at Shanty Creek, The Chief/Hawk's Eye can accommodate families, golf groups and couples in a variety of accommodations. For more info on
the Hawk's Eye & Chief Resort, visit our page for them in our Michigan Golf Resort section by clicking here.
One realizes he or she is in for a wonderful golf experience after driving up to the first tee box. This hole doglegs to the left around a beautiful lake, and is
followed by a gorgeous par five with another water hazard to the right of the green. These holes can make a sound argument as two of the best opening
holes in the state (both are pictured above). The conditioning from tee to green on our early July visit was outstanding, with short bent grass fairways,
sculpted tee areas and manicured greens and bunkers. There are 78 sand traps on Hawk's Eye, and nine holes feature water hazards in play. The par
three third and par four eighth are great examples of how water can be used to penalize bad golf shots, without unfairly punishing those with enough
direction. This is how life should be...
The lakes and ponds that are prevalent on the front, are sparse on the backside, but the par three 11th is a beautiful exception. The tee shot is nearly all
carry, as the slope in front of the putting surface leads down to the hazard. The green is double tiered, rewarding shots hit towards the flag. If the pin
placement is to the right however, it is possible to end up there by hitting one left center, to the ridge that separates the right and left portions of the
putting surface. In fact, all of the par threes at Hawk's Eye are quite interesting. The thirteenth plays from incredible elevation to a well bunker green
complex - but with plenty of room greenside is a score-able hole. On the front side the third and ninth play over water hazards, making these four an outstanding set.
Fourteen is a tricky dogleg that is tough to cut due to a sand bunker strategically located on the short side, and fifteen allows for a grip it and rip mentality
as a grass ravine must be carried off the tee. The 16th plays uphill but at just 366 yards from the tips (306 from the white tees) it is possible to drive the
green here. The closing holes are every bit as spectacular as the opening ones. The 17th measures 607 yards from the tips and features a pond short
right of the green complex which rests below the fairway that ends with a downward slope about 100 yards away. The 18th doglegs slightly right from
terraced tee areas, and play uphill on the approach with plentiful room greenside. From atop the hill near to the temporary clubhouse, the panoramic view
of this hole is memorable.
As mentioned, the clubhouse at Hawk's Eye is temporarily housed in a trailer, which features a pro shop stocked with golf attire and balls. There is a
putting and chipping green, and the practice facilities and clubhouse at the Chief can also be utilized. Sometime in the spring of 2005, a permanent
clubhouse will open - and will be extremely upscale in nature - two stories with ten adjacent condominiums. For now - enjoy the golf...this course is HIGHLY recommended.
There are 4 sets of tees allowing golfers to choose from boxes that play to 7011 yards with a 140 slope, 6341 yards/138 slope, and 5655 yards/125 slope
. The forward tees measure a playable 4855 yards and have note yet been rated. On course golfers will find 200, 150 and 100 yardage blocks on the
fairways, and GAM's on each of the white tee boxes. Pin placement is indicated by small markers on the flag sticks. For more info, visit our page for Hawk's Eye by clicking here.
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View from the new condos and clubhouse at Hawks Eye - opening in the fall of 2006
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