SUNDANCE AT A-GA-MING GOLF RESORT
(231-264-5081)
Michigan Golf Course Review 7/17/05 - photos updated July, 2006
The Sundance Golf Club is the newest gem in northwest Michigan, and since its opening in July 2005, is the
premier layout at the A-ga-ming Resort. Golf Digest awarded Sundance "Third Best New Course in the
Country" in 2006. A-ga-ming Resort features wonderful condo style accommodations with separate bedrooms
and complete kitchens. The Torch course is a four star championship design and now together with Sundance,
provides one of the best one-two punches in the northern Michigan golf industry. For info on the resort and stay and play golf packages, visit out page for A-Ga-Ming by clicking here.
Sundance is not your typical links style layout. Significant elevation changes from tee to green along an extremely
rolling terrain make this a unique golf experience. As the photos in this review indicate, it is also visually stunning.
Images of two of the most gorgeous par threes in the state are featured below. The 190-yard third plays over a
pond to an undulating green heavily guarded by bunkers, with a rock retaining wall in front. The 17th plays from
201 yards away from the tips, and drops dramatically down - as it affords views of Torch Lake (voted one of the world's top ten inland lakes).
The manicured fairways, in wonderful condition for a new golf course, are bordered by mounds and fescue, with
strategic bunkering along the way. Many of the large, undulating green complexes are also protected by sand
bunkers, although open fronts that welcome bump and run chips are common. The color coded flags to indicate
front, middle and back pin placements provide valuable information on the day's hole locations. Sprinkler heads
are measured to the center of the green, and 100, 150 and 200 yard markers are located on the fairways of all par fours and fives.
Five sets of tees afford golfers with opportunities to choose from distances measuring 6935, 6505, 6252, 5871
and 5172 yards. As of our July 2005 visit, slope and course ratings were not available. Our impression is that -
like all good golf courses - Sundance is challenging from the two back tees, and playable for average golfers and high handicappers from the three forward sets.
The terrain along holes 11-13 is unique, as sand waste areas dominate the landscape and help to define the
landing areas. A couple holes also feature carries over natural areas off the tee or near the green. The photo
above right features an image golfers may encounter as they approach the spectacular 18th green complex - a
shot that can make or break a round. Water comes into play on just three holes, but 109 high quality sand bunkers are located along the fairways or greenside - in addition to the waste areas on 6 holes.
Extensive practice facilities on property include a huge tee area, chipping green, putting green and practice
bunkers. Sandwiches and beverages are available in the clubhouse snack area - with alcoholic beverages to be
added to the menu in late July 2005. This is an extremely beautiful golf course - and an experience we highly recommend. For more info, visit our page for Sundance, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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