 MICHAYWE PINES GOLF CLUB 989-939
-8911
Review 5/14/04
The Pines Course at Michaywe has undergone a 1.5 million facelift in 2004, including the following renovation/restorations:
- Every bunker was reshaped and shouldered with deep, lush, bluegrass sod and filled with high quality sand.
- Four separate tee boxes were crafted for each hole to add variety and playability for all skill levels.
- Tees and approaches were carpeted with bent grass sod to ensure that the course would be ready for the 2004 opening season.
- Golf-Tech Irrigation Systems replaced the antiquated, underground system, giving greens keepers much more control over water direction and coverage.
- The pond on the par 5 ninth hole was enlarged to service the new water system, and will make the golfer think twice about going for the green in two.
- Cart path foundations were readied for paving in the spring, designed to improve the flow of play.
 On our review visit in mid-May, the course was just settling in, but we found
the aesthetics of the new green complexes to be as advertised, and were greatly impressed with the new tee areas and overall conditioning of the course.
It is evident that the employees love their jobs here, as everyone in the clubhouse and at the restaurant went out of their way to make sure our visit was a
 pleasant one. The changes in the tee areas have resulted in making
the Michaywe Pines Course much more women friendly from the new forward tees, while also providing additional challenges from the tips for the big hitters. The sixth tee, pictured here is a
good example - as the red tees take the dogleg on this par four almost completely out of play.
The Michaywe practice facility is on property and includes a grass range plus putting/chipping green.
 The clubhouse includes a nice pro shop with a
restaurant/lounge. The views from this facility are beautiful - with the 18th green and fairway visible. Visitors are also advised to have lunch or dinner at the Inn The Woods
Restaurant overlooking Lake Michigan.
On course, 150 yard stakes are visible on all par fours and fives, with yardage blocks also posted in the fairways at 100 and 200 yards. Some sprinkler heads are also measured to the center of the green,
and small indicator flags provide pin placement info for front, middle and back hole locations. Exact information
on the yardages of the four sets of tees was not yet available, but will be posted on our informational page for
Michaywe Pines by the end of May. The middle tees (whites) previously measured 6396 yards with a 129 slope, and were quite playable.
The opening hole is tree lined but there is ample room on the fairway, with the left and right bunkers representative of what you will find greenside on many holes.
 The second doglegs left with a water hazard in play
deep right of the fairway. Right center is best off the tee, as the hole bananas around a forest with 3 bunkers greenside. Avoid the bunkers on the par three 3rd,
and this hole is score-able. The ample, tree lined fairway plays to a raised putting complex on four, which precedes a tough par four doglegging to the right. A play to
the left center or a cut to within the 150 yard area will leave a simple approach. Six bends in the opposite direction inviting a tee shot that hugs the tree line on that side.
The par three 7th is open in front, but a water hazard that is not readily visible from the tee comes into play immediately right of the putting surface. A simple par four on
eight is followed by a dogleg right par five with water in play along the left on the approach.
 The back side is a bit longer and features some
beautiful pine lined fairways...Number ten has a water hazard far right, but plenty of room to land in the fairway off the tee. The right center is the place to be, as tall
strands of pines block the left side. Eleven is a beautiful three par that precedes a dogleg left par four inviting a grip it and rip it mentality. A tee shot hit
over the left corner of the tree line will leave advantageous positioning for the uphill approach. Thirteen is tight - beautifully tree lined with tall pines on both
sides, similar in nature to the par four 15th.
The dense pine forest is quite
dramatic in this section of the course. The par three 16th plays 1 club uphill, with plenty of room near the bunkers on either
side of the putting surface. The tight, tree lined fairway on 17 turns to the right at the finish, making the the left center the preferred area for the
approach. A creek crosses the fairway about 30 yards away. The closing hole is once again tree lined, with the left center providing the most advantageous point from which to enter the green.
 |
Michaywe Pines is a nice golfing experience and and features variety and playability. With rates set at $50
weekdays and $60 weekends (including cart) prime time during the prime season in 2004, this is also one of
the best deals around. Play in the same day for $50 weekdays and $55 weekends during summer months. For
more info, call the pro shop or visit our informational page for Michaywe Golf, with a link to their web site, by clicking here.
|
