 THUNDER BAY GOLF RESORT (800-729-9375)
Michigan Golf Course Review
The Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman is one of the state's leaders in stay and play golf package opportunities. The facility boasts a 3-star (Golf Digest) championship golf course, a
grass range, putting green and a short game area with sand bunker. Accommodations include deluxe suites, whirlpool suites, golf villas and chalets with 1400 square feet of
living space. There is a clubhouse grill and a full scale restaurant, special events facilities, plus amenities such as tennis courts, hot tub and more. A full service RV Park has
been added to the resort's resume, and the unlimited golf, cart and lodging packages are complimented by off season programs such as holiday celebrations, elk viewing,
concert and murder mystery weekends, sleigh rides and various winter sports. For more information, click here to visit our page for Thunder Bay in our Michigan Golf Resort
listing section.
|
|
|
Thunder Bay - Hole #3
|
Thunder Bay - Hole #10
|
|
The golf course presents a mix of open and tree lined holes, and has a rhythm that allows golfers to get off to a good start. The first three holes play to flat, forest lined fairways,
with some tricky pond placements that golfers will need to be aware of. Holes 4-7 feature expansive landing areas on relatively wide open and somewhat undulating fairways. The
eighth through eleventh are tricky doglegs (with prior course knowledge a definite plus) that require careful shot placement off the tee in order to score well. Following on the final
third of the course are holes which present a variety of the above. The bunkering here is not overstated, but strategically placed sand traps can often be found greenside. Some
beautiful water hazards add to the challenge and allure of the layout.
|
|
|
11th Hole at Thunder Bay
|
12th Hole at Thunder Bay
|
|
On course golfers will find yardage stakes posted at 200, 150 and 100 yards, with 150 yard stakes visible on all par fours and fives. Pin placement is indicated by red, white and
blue flags for front, middle and back hole locations. The scorecards are quite detailed, providing hole diagrams and tips on how to play each hole. The carts also feature ball and
club washers. Players are able to choose from 4 tee stations, with the black tees measuring 6712 yards with a slope of 131. The white tees measure a challenging 6346
yards/127 slope and the gold's weigh in at 5617/120. Women can play from the blues which are identical to the men's gold tees but are sloped at 128, or can move forward to the
red tees at 5004 with a 121 slope. Whichever tee golfers choose, they will be happy with the course conditioning, and the layout which is quite nice for a course in the mid-level
price range ($around $50 prime time including cart). The greens vary in design, from huge flat greens often found on the front, to some double tiered, ridged putting surfaces
frequently found on the back nine. On our late June viosit, they were in excellent shape. The complexes on the par four 16th and the par three 17th are particularly memorable.
|
|
|
Beautiful green complexes at Thunder Bay
|
|
As a resort course, Thunder Bay is interesting but not too penal, affording golfers of all skill levels an opportunity to experience a fun round. With the unlimited golf with cart
available, repeat play will increase course knowledge and make the layout all the more enjoyable. Packages can also be arranged for 54 hole, 72 hole and 90 hole arrangements,
which include premium courses such as Red Hawk, Elk Ridge and Black Lake. Other courses available include the Treetops courses, Cedar Valley, Huron Breeze, White Pine
National, The Dream, and the Dream's newly opened sister course - The Nightmare. For more info on the Thunder Bay course and for a link to the Thunder Bay website - click here.
|
