TULLYMORE GOLF CLUB (231-972-4120)
Michigan Golf Course Review 5/29(At St. Ives)
Tullymore Golf Club - the beautiful sister to the revered St Ives in Stanwood, is an elegant course that
incorporates elements of Irish beauty with traditional American design concepts, forging a layout that is spectacular, and often breathtaking.
Golf publications worldwide have recognized the uniqueness of this layout, which was designated as the
"Number 1 New Upscale Golf Course in America" in 2002 by Golf Digest. Other recent awards include: "Top 25
Public Golf Courses in America" (Golf Digest 2003), "Top 100 Modern Courses in America" (Golf Week 2003),
"Top 50 Golf Courses for Women in America" (Golf for Women 2003), and "Top 100 Golf Courses in America You Can Play" (Golf Magazine 2002).
This Jim Engh design features bold, dramatic bunkering that is quite unlike anything I have ever experienced.
The soft white sand is often framed by intricate mounding that is aesthetically contoured, weaving its way into the
fabric of fairways and greenside complexes. The length and shapes of these hazards indeed make them
obstacles that will affect your club selection and strategy. Their effect in shaping shots often rivals that of the
many pines and hardwoods that line most fairways. Throw in some daunting water hazards highlighted by dense
wetlands, lakes and the Shinglebolt Creek and you have a layout that is beautiful to look at and challenging to play.
At 7148 yards the tips play to a slope of 148 - one of the highest in the Midwest. This yardage is heavily
weighted on the back side as it measures a whopping 3846 yards with a couple of long par fours (458 and 454
yards) plus two long five pars (596 and 608). The black tees play to a challenging 142 slope at 6547 yards, and
the blues are no slouch at 6210 with a 135 slope. Most golfers will choose these tees - which present only 1 par
four of 400 yards plus. The white tees measure 5550/115 slope - and are very playable for high handicappers. Women will find the gold tees at 4668 yards/115 slope player friendly.
A yardage guide booklet is available in the Tullymore pro shop, and scorecards also present a lay of each hole,
with information on green depth a much appreciated feature. There are 6 hole locations, with the pin placements
indicated on a sheet supplied on each cart. The Kirby marking system, with yardages measured to the green's
center posted every 25 yards from 200 in on the par fours and 250 in on all par fives. Some sprinkler heads are
also marked, and each tee area provides a yardage block measuring distances to the center of the green. The
club house at Tullymore is a simple one, with a nice variety of logo clothing and golf accessories available. There
is a snack bar on property - and the St Ives Grill is located just a few miles down the road. The Tully's Restaurant
features lunch and snack items, as is conveniently located at the turn. A beautiful practice green and ample
grass range provide complimentary warm ups for green fee paying guests. The Inn at St Ives opened late in
2002 and provides upscale accommodations in one and two bedroom suites - along with amenities that include
a recreation building, locker rooms with showers and steam, workout facility and more. Visit our page for the St Ives Golf resort - with info on the property as well as the St Ives Golf Course, by clicking here.
The opening hole at Tullymore doglegs right and is a three shot par five for the average golfer. A long bunker
short right of the green makes for a challenging approach shot. The par four second features a signature bunker
along the right side, which comes into play from 130 yards in. Needless to say, it must be avoided to warrant any
chance of par. The short par four 3rd presents a very rolling fairway with the 75 yard area a preferred landing
spot. The small green is sloped back to front and is protected by a deep bunker short, and a sloping depression
behind, making for difficult up and downs. It is better long than short on four, as the slope that fronts this par three
will guide mis-hit tee shots into the water. The second of back to back par threes plays downhill, with greenside
mounding funneling balls hit slightly offline towards the center of the green. A ridge in the back third of the putting
surface inclines putts to both the back and front of the green. A left to right shot shape will serve golfers well on
the short par four 6th, which if played properly will leave a short wedge approach and a great birdie opportunity.
Right handers should aim towards the center fairway bunker and fade the tee shot towards the trees right of
center, landing in the 60-70 yard area. The 7th is a pretty par three that is all carry over wetlands. Although the
putting surface is triple tiered, long is better than short here, regardless of pin placement. Number 8 is a
challenging par five that snakes its way along a fairway that narrows near the green. A second shot hit to the right
will most likely leave a clear approach over a marsh and between two trees - and a shot hit to the far left on the
fairway near the 80 yard area will also leave advantageous positioning. The tee shot on nine plays uphill, and
doglegs sharply left to a green that is well protected by a deep bunker framed by intricate mounding. The initial
shot must breach the 90 yard area to have any chance of a clear shot at the putting surface.
Your driver will get a good workout on the back nine, beginning with the formidable par four tenth, which is quite
open until you reach the 130 yard area. A pond on the left works its way towards the green, inviting an approach
from the right side. Eleven turns to the right past the left fairway trap, with a tee shot layed up to the left center
about 130 away providing a good position for the approach. The mounding all around the green creates a bowl
affect on this hole, and also on the par three 12th. Number 13 begins from an elevated tee with the left fairway
bunker providing a formidable obstacle. Long hitters can try to carry one over the trap, while all others need to
stay right of center. The second shot on the 3-shot par five needs to maneuver towards the right center, as this
hole bananas to the left with trees along that side blocking a clear entrance to a green that is well protected by a
deep bunker short left. The tee shot on 14 must carry more wetlands, and land right of the tree past the 150 area
for a good shot at the green. The pond situated short left of the putting complex makes this one of the most
difficult approaches of the day. Golfers must carry another marsh to a two-tiered green on 15, which precedes an
extremely challenging five par. The 16th presents loads of trouble on the left, but can be played effectively with a
long tee shot aimed right of center. Long hitters can attempt to reach over the water hazard in two, and all others
will need to lay up on the right near the 100 yard area. The approach to a rock walled green complex is a beauty.
Be mindful of the natural area along the right on 17, although this section opens up considerably past the 125
yard area. The green is perched between two long bunkers with mounding on either side. Tullymore closes with
a beautiful finishing hole - a short par five that can play long for the average golfer. Cut off as much as possible
while carrying the water hazard, with the area just right of the tall oak the preferred landing area. There is not
much room for error on the second shot, as the fairway narrows to a pinch past the 150 yard marker. The safest
method for par is to lay up along the right side (careful - the fairway slopes towards the hazard) on the second
shot, and play a short iron or wedge to the putting complex that is about as tight as it gets.
What more can we say - the number one new course in the United States in 2002...This is one spectacular layout
, with conditioning and service to match. Tullymore further enhances St Ives as one of the Midwest's top golf
destinations. As a 13-14 handicapper, I was able to record an 81 from the 135 sloped blue tees - which is proof
that although sloped highly - this course can be played well by any golfer. Regardless of your score, one cannot
help but enjoy the serenity and natural beauty of this property. With no parallel fairways - this is one course that
totally rebuffs Mark Twain's famous quote about golf being "a good walk spoiled". Walking or driving - have fun
hitting the little white ball in a golfing environment that will rival your best golfing experiences. Highly recommend -
and completely worthy of the upscale pricing structure! Visit our informational page for Tullymore, with a link to the St Ives website, by clicking here.
|
