TREETOPS RESORT - Threetops Course (855) 437-2189
Michigan Golf Course Review
Recently completing a $4.5 million renovation, Treetops is an all-season resort, featuring the greatest variety of upscale golf in the Midwest, along with winter activities including
downhill and cross-country skiing, tubing and ice skating. It is a four-time recipient of Golf Magazine's Silver Medal Award, and is recognized as one of the finest resorts in the
country. Facilities include: 260 guest rooms, 2,3 &4 bedroom condominiums, two outdoor and 2 indoor heated pools with spas, tennis courts, fitness center, saunas, volleyball
courts, salon, massage therapy, hiking trails, and an award winning Child Development Center. The Treetops Golf Academy is on property and is one of only 3 official GOLF
CHANNEL ACADEMIES in Michigan. The Convention Center can accommodate up to 1,100 people, and casual and fine dining are available at the Sportsbar, Legends on the Hill
or Hunter's Grille. In addition, each golf shop serves up great food and drinks as well as halfway houses on each 18 hole course. The Broken Pub serves over 250 brands of beer
, from all over the world.
The plan was to get a "warm-up" round in - to prepare for our scheduled tee times on the three championship courses we were slotted to play. As it turned out, we were sorry to
see our round end, and would have been happy to play here all day. Threetops has gained national acclaim for its annual PAR 3 SHOOTOUT that ran in ESPN through 2006. With
all this attention given to Threetops (recognized as the top par three course in the U. S.), we expected great conditions, and were not disappointed. We tried to be selective in our
camera shot selection, but found it difficult not to be trigger-happy. Panoramic, photogenic views abound. Glimpses of the nearby Smith and Fazio Courses wet our appetite to play
those layouts - but Threetops is a show in itself.
Seven of the nine holes feature downhill tee shots, with three of them literal free-falls. All have bunkers fronting the putting surfaces that slope (sometimes severely) from back to
front. The two opening holes are absolutely gorgeous, with tee shots over ravines, and greens breaking radically from right to left. The 2nd features two alternating greens, with
24 yards distance between them. Three presents the first of the extreme downhill tee shots, which require thoughtful club selection and a lot of luck. One to four clubs less is
necessary, depending on wind velocity and direction. There are mounds in front and a bunker long on the fourth, which is as close to being straight downhill as you can get. If the
pin is in front - look out. Five is a gorgeous hole, and the first of two uphill tee shots. The sixth is even better - with a pond to the right and bunkers all over the place. We nearly ran
out of film on this hole. Seven is a 135 yard wedge, and the last of the extreme downhill tee shots. The eighth is well guarded by bunkers, and the ninth is one of the most
challenging. It plays extremely uphill with expanses of sand in front and left.
Our only complaint about our round is that it ended too soon. Once experienced, you will want to play it on all repeat visits to Treetops. You will get many pars, a few legitimate
birdie tries, and plenty of double bogey opportunities. If you are anything like us however, your score won't matter so much. Threetops is for pure enjoyment! As Phil Mickelson
commented - "The entire facility is phenomenal. I can't wait to come back". Lee Trevino, who won a million dollars with his hole in one in 2001, would surely agree. We are sure
you will feel the same!
Note: Threetops has removed tee markers from the course so golfers can choose their own tee. Reasons are threefold: groups can use it as a fun game (maybe the person
with honors picks the next tee); it gives folks playing 18 holes the opportunity to experience the course differently the second time through; and it gives golfers the opportunity to
play the course as they would like.
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.
|
