|
 St. Johns Golf and Conference Center
(734-453-1047)
- 5/17/02 -
St. Johns Golf Club was one of the first layouts to be built in the Metropolitan Detroit area. Originally designed as the 9-hole Mission Inn
Golf Course and part of the seminary for Catholic priests, St. Johns added 18 more holes that are now adjacent to a sprawling Youth/Family and Conference center.
 The facility is huge, with banquet/event rooms that can
accommodate five weddings/special events all at once. The largest is the Atrium, which is incredibly gorgeous and can seat up to 600 people.
Conveniently located next to the newly opened Carls Golfland in Plymouth, St. Johns boasts 27 finely conditioned championship holes, featuring a nice mix of
wooded and open fairways that play over and around considerable water hazards.
On property is a spacious driving range and a large practice green. The facilities at the adjacent Carls Golfland also feature a range and a short game
area with practice bunker, which is complimentary to Carls guests. What a neat set-up - buy some clubs and go
right out to St. Johns to play them instantly...I also had the pleasure of sampling a perch dinner at the full service
restaurant and bar that is upstairs from the pro shop. It is highly recommended. With all the options available
here - from the 27 holes to the shopping, dining and the outstanding conference/event facilities, it is no wonder
that St. Johns is a hot spot for golf outings. No other place quite like it in the metro area...
The golf course features 3 separate nines, named after the apostles Mark, Luke and Matthew. These are three
fairly tight layouts, measuring in distance from 2889 to 3220 yards. You are surrounded by greens and fairways,
but there is never a fear of reaching someone on the next tee with your fairway shot. It is designed so that even
though the environment is busy, there is still a feeling of isolation on many holes. The layout features a mildly
rolling terrain, with mature trees lining most of the fairways. Bunkers are well-defined and strategically placed
near all of the greens, though you will not encounter many until you reach the putting surfaces. The greens are
well-maintained, and are of medium size and speed. Holes 10, 16 and 18 (Luke Course) feature putting
surfaces of a different nature, which are smoother and quicker than the others, so be prepared. A 150 yard stake
in the middle of each par four and five provides a well appreciated target, and there are also markers at 100 and
200. The large whiffle balls placed on the flagsticks indicate pin placement, and are much more visible and
effective than the small flags used for similar purposes on many courses. An added bonus - there are ball and
club washers on every cart. And the hole diagrams on the scorecards are also a nice touch.. With a shorter
layout and close proximity from green to tee throughout the layout, expect to play each of the nines in less than 2 hours and 15 minutes.
The Mark Course plays to 2989 yards from the back tees, and provides a stunning hole right out of the shoot (see first picture). It is pretty tight with water hazards on the right side.
 The par four 2nd and 3rd are medium
length and open off the tee, with creeks crossing the fairways near the 150 yard markers. Number 4 is a par three that plays all off the 194 yards advertised.
The putting surface, like that on the third hole, is noticeably sloped from right to left. The fifth is a short par four, with a creek crossing 90 yards in front on the
right side. Aim just over the 150 stake off the tee on this dogleg left. Six is a par five that bends in the opposite direction and plays longer than 482 yards on the scorecard.
 Water 200 yards out and an elevated green will challenge your
approach here. Number seven is a simple par three, with a bowl-shaped green, and is followed by a narrow par five that plays alongside the practice range. There is
a creek crossing the fairway near the 200 yard marker, and a pond 70 yards out. The ninth is a pretty par three with a forced carry over a pond. There is about 50 yards of room once you cross the hazard.
 Luke opens with a long but reasonable par
three, that is also alternated as a short par four when the back tees are open. The green here is quicker than those encountered on the Mark Course. Stay to the right side of the fairway on the
par five 11th. A depression 20 yards out, 4 green-side bunkers and a ridged putting surface provide the challenge here. The 12th is a dogleg right, which
does not invite a cut. The corner is a long ways away and the best approach is from the left. There is a depression about 50 yards out.
 The tee opens up on thirteen, but the approach narrows and plays slightly uphill.
The 14th is a pretty par three, with a gully, wooden bridge and steps and rock outlay fronting the green. Your accuracy will be tested here, though there is
more room short than it appears. The dogleg right 15th is a short par four that is open off the tee, with a tight approach. The left side is the way to go here. The
short par three 16th is the easiest hole and best birdie opportunity of the layout. This is followed by a mid length par five that is quite open, except for a creek
running about 90 yards out in front of the green and a pond right. The putting surface is ridged and slopes back to front. The finishing hole is a dogleg left
that plays slightly uphill to the green. Aim just right of the cart path to cut off some distance here.
As you can see by the photos, St. Johns is a scenic course, with lots of interesting hazards to keep you on your
toes. What is lacking in distance is made up for in the variety of shot options available. There is still ample room
to use the driver off the tee, but careful thought must be applied to placement. This is a well conditioned course,
and a facility that values service. Ball and club washers on each cart are an added touch. With its location, full
service facilities and moderate pricing - St. Johns is a good value and a recommended golfing experience!
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.
|
