TREETOPS RESORT - Premier Course
(989) 732-6711
Treetops late founder, Harry Melling, commissioned Rick Smith to find the best designer in the industry to build a
second championship course on property. Once Tom Fazio visited the area, he could not resist. His
"Premier"course opened in 1992 (shortly before 'Threetops" inception) to tremendous accolades. Golf Digest
has given the Fazio Course a 4-1/2 star rating, and Golf Magazine named it as # 71 out of the TOP 100 YOU
CAN PLAY in the country in 2000. Mr. Fazio considers it one of his best pieces of work, and players consider it
"user friendly", with vast, rolling fairways - many of them bowl shaped to corral errant shots. We agree with that
assessment, though it would be a stretch to call any of the Treetops designs easy. The slope ratings on the
Premier range from 125 from the front tees, to 136 from the tips, which plays at 6832 yards. Water comes into play on only one hole - the par three 11th. You will hardly notice this omission.
A panoramic tee shot greets you on the opening hole. This mid range par four plays entirely downhill and favors
a tee shot down the right center of the fairway. Stay left and the hole plays long, with rolling, uneven lies and
mounding. The rough is very penal. The uphill second is also picturesque, with bunkers on the right and trees
guarding both sides of the fairway. You will encounter the toughest hole of the layout on the par 4 third. It plays
uphill and about 50 - 75 yards longer than the yardage indicates. Holes four through six give you a reprieve and
an opportunity to score well. A 40 foot vertical drop on the par three 4th will shorten the hole considerably.
Bunkers guard the front of this two-tiered green, but there is room long. Another double tiered green awaits you a
short par four, which plays slightly uphill. Stay to the right side for the best approach. The sixth is a short par five,
and a good birdie opportunity. The seventh looks easy on the scorecard - a very short par four. It features an
extremely narrow, rolling fairway however, and your approach to the elevated green will require 2 clubs more than
usual. After an extremely downhill par three, ala Threetops, you will finish the front with a beautiful, challenging
and most interesting dogleg left par four. Play to the right center off the tee, as there is little reward for cutting the
corner. The uphill approach, which requires an extra club, is best played to the left side of this undulating green.
Drive to the left center on number 10, to avoid the four fairway bunkers on the right side. It plays uphill all the way,
with sand also protecting the green. The eleventh is one of my favorite holes. It is the only Fazio hole with a water
hazard - and it is a beauty. Nearly all carry, this par three plays extremely tough in windy conditions, but is easy
par/possible birdie otherwise. This particular area is gorgeous -and the condominiums you see to the right are
available for rent, on a daily, weekly and monthly basis - definitely a room with a view. A gentle but tricky double
dogleg awaits you on the twelfth. The putting surface is one of the few that slope from front to back, so be careful
on your approach, which will easily roll off the green. The next two par fours are a challenging duo - a dipping
dogleg left followed by the uphill number two handicap. The fairway on 14 is pretty wide open, but slopes considerably from right to left, against the grain of the dogleg.
Fifteen is an extreme dogleg right, and is considered one of the best short par fours in the world. You will have
some interesting choices on your approach to one of the craziest, most undulating greens you will ever encounter
. Pin placement info is important here. If the flag is up, play it short. If it is in back, you may be able to play a bump
and run. Play the approach smartly and you have a good opportunity for par or birdie. Have fun and good luck!
Sixteen presents a downhill tee shot, but plays uphill the rest of the way, to a plateaud green with an intimidating
grass bunker long right. Fazio's largest green awaits you on the next par three, which plays more uphill than is
apparent. The closing hole, a long par four, features the widest driving area with ample room for error off the tee. Approach the green on the right, as considerable trouble lurks left.
The back nine plays quite long, and is especially tough from the blue or back tees. Pay attention to the advice
provided for each hole on the score card, and you may have better luck finding the even lies which will enable
you to score well, while you are enjoying the aesthetics and natural beauty of this special course.
Check out the Two Guys Who Golf detailed information page on this course (which includes a link to the course's website if available) - click here.
Visit the Two Guys Who Golf information page for Treetops Resort by clicking here.
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