 Island Hills Golf Club (269-467-7261)
Michigan golf course review
Expectations were high after talking with a couple of "regulars" in the parking lot at Island Hills Golf Club, prior to our review in early August. We had made the trip from Grand
Rapids to the River Country (a little over an hour and a half drive) to play what up to this point is our southern-most round of golf in our great golfing state of Michigan. Centreville is
located just east of Three rivers, a small community south of Kalamazoo, and about 10 minutes off US 131. "River Country's" landscape is graced with a number of golf courses -
with Island Hills topping the charts as the best in Southern Michigan. It has been selected as one of the top five public courses in the state by Golf Digest, and the five finishing
holes have been recognized as the "five best finishing holes east of the Mississippi" (Michael Stewart - Golf Chicago). Craig Brass of the Michigan Publinxer Golf Magazine covers
the gambit when he says Island Hills is " a shot maker's course, a purist's course, a lady's course, a gambler's course, a senior's course, a medal or match play course, and an
amateur's or professional's course". Ok, we get the point !
After playing exceptional layouts all over Michigan, including St. Ives, Pilgrim's Run, Quail Ridge and Thornapple Pointe in the Grand Rapids area - we needed to be impressed.
Golfers living in our state certainly are blessed, with such a wide variety of courses to play. We find that each course has defining characteristics - whether it is difficulty vs.
playability, exquisite or rustic conditioning, tight or generous fairways, puttable or challenging greens, or simple or upscale amenities. Some characteristics may be constant
throughout the layout, or may be unique to contrasting nines. At Island Hills, the overwhelming draw is indeed the 4-hole sequence at the end of the round. If you come here to
experience something exceptional, be patient - it will happen.! We wholeheartedly agree with the assessment of past visitors - the finish here is something special, featuring
some of the most spectacular water holes in the Midwest.
Island Hills is a Raymond Hearn design, with 6 tee boxes measuring between 2946 yards for juniors and 7074 yards from the tips. The first 13 holes play over a variety of terrain,
with a nice mix of parkland, tree lined fairways, and open links style holes. There is a good variety of straight and bending design shapes, creating ample risk/reward opportunities
. With slope ratings varying from 117 to 135 - this is a course that can be enjoyed by all levels of golfers. Land on the mostly generous fairways, and you often will find even lies
and good par/birdie opportunities.
The opening hole is an open, links style hole with water left off the tee and high fescue on both sides on the approach. It is a low handicap and a very reasonable starting hole. Pay
attention to the pin placement, as this green is quite deep. The second par four plays long, and features a carry of 150 + yards over a marsh off the tee. You must favor the right
side of the fairway to reach in regulation. There is bail out room right on the par three 3rd, which also demands a carry over wetlands. The par five 4th has a generous fairway but
narrows on the second shot. Two accurate shots will put you in position for an easy downhill wedge or short iron. Number five is a simple par three, with the green sloped (as are
many of the putting surfaces on the initial nine) from back to front. Two lay up shots will leave an easy approach and good birdie opportunity on the par five 6th. Long hitters may
gamble and reach in two. A huge fairway bunker runs across the fairway about 140 yards out. A fairway trap in the center, about 190 from the green is the lone obstacle to a good
score on number seven. From here on in, the holes seem to take on a different, more mature look, with finely sculpted tee boxes, fairways and putting complexes. The eighth
features a very tight, tree-lined fairway. The right side is the place to be here. A narrow dogleg left par four is next. The approach is to green that is tucked between a host of
mounds, with some interesting pin placements. Par is a great score, considering the accurate approach necessary to reach in regulation. A quick stop at the clubhouse at the turn
is a convenient option. Sandwiches, snacks and beverages are available, with their gorgeous patio affording nice views of the practice green and golf course. The banquet and
outing facilities at Island Hills can accommodate groups of all sizes, from an intimate event to outing of over 300 people.
Three huge bunkers short right and 1 long left protect the fairway on number ten. The approach to this links style hole is tight, with tall grasses on both sides. Eleven is a classic
risk/reward hole. The safe play is to lay up to the generous landing area on the left side. Big hitters can cut the corner in varying degrees, with an option to go for the flag if the wind
is right. If you have a good round going, play it cautiously off the tee, as the carry straight over the marsh is quite long. The twelfth hole is a new par 3 known as "the ruins" and can
play anywhere from 80 to 186 yards. Number 13 is wide open, though fescue on both sides comes into play on extremely errant shots. The approach plays downhill, but the
putting surface is extremely undulating. At 655 yards from the tips, the fourteenth is the longest hole of the layout. The raised fairway is rolling and mounded, creating the
possibility of uneven lies for anything hit right or left. Holes 15 through 18 have been reconstructed, providing some new fairways and greens, and/or new angles and distances to
the complexes that were part of the original design. Fifteen is a links style par four, with pot bunkers near landing areas in the fairway, and a severely undulating, double tiered
putting surface. Sixteen is a par four that plays along a lake on the right, which creates a challenging approach over water to a rock walled green complex. The angle to the green
has changed, but the hole is basically the same. Number 17 remains as one of the most gorgeous par threes in the state. The well bunkered green is situated in the middle of a
lake that provides one of the best bass habitats in Michigan. A photo is featured at the top of this review. The finishing hole is also basically intact, with a slight adjustment at the
tee boxes creating a different angle to the fairway. This challenging par five bends left and leads to a beautifully landscaped green complex, fronted by a small waterfall and rock
retaining wall
Initially, we must admit that we did not understand all the hullabaloo about the layout. While nice, the initial 14 holes are not unlike many of the other nice layouts in Southwest
Michigan. Enjoyable and interesting for sure - but nothing too much out of the ordinary. The conditioning, (especially the putting surfaces) was very good, and the practice facilities
include a nice grass range with target greens and a practice green for putting and chipping. The clubhouse is certainly upscale, with a nice pro shop and dining options for lunch
and dinner. The last four holes will make any golfer take notice, however. Frankly - the memory of these holes stands out still...Most top courses have strong finishes, and a group
of 2 or 3 holes that really stand out. Island Hills has five - and I can remember every shot on each of the four holes. The experience is worth the drive. If you are anywhere near
Kalamazoo (Island Hills is just 30-40 minutes from Gull Lake View Resort), it will be well worth your time to schedule a tee time here.
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.
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