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Boyne Golf Special Feature

Ten Courses, Three Resorts, One Unforgettable Experience

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Pondering the natural scenic splendor of northern Michigan and how to describe it adequately, I’m reminded of a standout line from an early season of Mad Men: “You have everything… and so much of it.” From mile after mile of humblingly beautiful Lake Michigan coastline to towering sand dunes, from idyllic small towns to deep hardwood forests, from vast serene lakes and meandering rivers to breathtaking elevations and long summer days, northern Michigan is as uncannily pure as they say and as enchanting as any golf destination in the country.

With 10 acclaimed golf courses sprawling across three separate and distinctive resort properties and an abundance of packages to accommodate a broad array of itineraries, the folks at BOYNE Golf have been curating their destination in northern Michigan for more than 50 years. You can’t go wrong putting your next golf trip in their hands and getting there has never been easier.

INN AT BAY HARBOR

Once you lay eyes on the red-roofed Victorian-style Inn at Bay Harbor near Petoskey, the adjacent yacht club and the beaming shoreline it sits next to, you start to get what those who dubbed the property “The Pebble Beach of the Midwest” were fussing about. The Inn at Bay Harbor is a Marriot Autograph Resort and features 116 guest rooms and suites and 35 two- and three-bedroom cottages at the Lakeside Cottages and Cottages at Crooked Tree. All provide views of the area’s famous milliondollar sunsets.

BAY HARBOR GOLF CLUB

The club offers 27 dazzling holes designed by Arthur Hills that are played in three 18hole combinations (Links/Quarry, Quarry/ Preserve and Preserve/Links). With its thrilling views and excellent shot values, Bay Harbor’s Links/Quarry routing has been a staple on Golf Digest’s biannual list of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses. The Links nine is full of memorable holes, with the reachable 490-yard, par-5 seventh providing big-time thrills and a shot at glory if you hit a big drive into a narrow landing area. The Quarry nine is full of fantastic holes, including the eighth and ninth holes. They play into and along the gorgeous lakeside setting and offer one of the most picturesque finishes in the country. While more understated in its routing, The Preserve nine plays up to the lofty standards of The Links and Quarry. It winds extensively through the hardwoods, a stone’s throw from Lake Michigan for much of the nine. A very short drive away, scenic 18-hole Crooked Tree Golf Club delivers stellar panoramic views and an underrated stretch of quality, finely maintained golf holes.

THE HIGHLANDS RESORT

Resembling a Scottish country estate with its deep wood accents, tartan plaids and massive fireplaces, The Highlands is a cozy escape just 15 miles north of Bay Harbor. It is home to BOYNE Golf’s first golf course and offers a multi-course template many resorts have replicated. With four different courses, The Highlands is perfectly suited for golf buddies’ trips. The timeless parkland allure of The Heather (the original BOYNE Golf course by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1966) and the natural beauty of the Arthur Hills course, which features a 10 story drop from the tee at the par-5 13th, stand tall as must-plays on a visit to northern Michigan. In 2019 The Heather was named the National Golf Course Owners Association’s Golf Course of the Year.

The Donald Ross Memorial is an extremely well-executed tribute course comprised of holes inspired by famous Ross designs that have hosted three Ryder Cups, eight U.S. Amateurs, 11 PGA Championships and 14 U.S. Opens. The Moor course has recently undergone subtle but significant updates to improve approach angles and allow for additional shot selection choices around the greens.

BOYNE MOUNTAIN RESORT

Just south of Petoskey Boyne’s southernmost resort, Boyne Mountain Resort offers the walkable and fun allure of a European alpine village. The 4,500-acre property includes a variety of accommodations and two outstanding courses that offer tremendous views of nearby Deer Lake. The Monument and The Alpine both zigzag through tree-lined hills before winding down to tamer, rolling terrain. Both courses begin with a scenic 10-minute cart ride up a ski hill to their respective first tees.

BOYNE GOLF

BOYNE Golf meets all of the requirements for our great golf vacation and was recognized by FORBES.com as one of the Best Golf Resorts in America, along with Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes, Whistling Straights, Kapalua, and Pinehurst.

Several scenic Lake Michigan beach towns are close by, and a side trip to Mackinac Island is easily managed to round out the total experience. Guests can enjoy award-winning spas, local wineries and breweries, waterfront dining, and so much more in the nearby towns of Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and Boyne City.

GETTING THERE

Golfers looking to fly into northern Michigan can access Traverse City (TVC) via Delta, United or American, and Allegiant with direct service to 17 major U.S. cities. Private planes can also land directly at Boyne Mountain’s 6000’ private airstrip.

For more information on BOYNE Golf, and to plan your summer golf adventure, visit BOYNEgolf.com 855.998.9366 CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO

BAY HARBOR GOLF CLUB

Links/Quarry

Closely following the shoreline, The Links is meant to evoke the feeling of a Scottish style course and highlight the magnificence of Lake Michigan. While the ruggedness of an existing quarry was preserved to give The Quarry a rough, industrial edge designed to finish in a dramatic style.

Pictured: Hole #7

BAY HARBOR GOLF CLUB

Quarry/Preserve

The ruggedness of an existing quarry was preserved to give the Quarry a rough, industrial edge designed to finish in a dramatic style. On the back nine, The Preserve showcases the thrill of nature, as if you were golfing through an actual nature preserve.

Pictured: Hole #8

BAY HARBOR GOLF CLUB

Preserve/Links

The Preserve showcases northern Michigan at its finest. Designed to allow golfers to experience the thrill of nature. Golfers will then closely follow the shoreline on The Links, which is meant to evoke the feeling of a Scottish style course and highlight the magnificence of Lake Michigan.

Pictured: Hole #3

THE HIGHLANDS

The Heather

Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. in 1966, The Heather was the first BOYNE golf course and its challenge is absolutely timeless. The course is widely considered to be one of the finest championship courses in the nation.

Pictured: Hole #6

THE HIGHLANDS

Arthur Hills

The Arthur Hills course bears all the markings of the master designer. This deceptively challenging course provides sufficient variety and complexity to test even the most experienced golfer.

Pictured: Hole #5

THE HIGHLANDS

Donald Ross Memorial

The Donald Ross Memorial is a “greatest hits” compilation, selecting from some of the designer’s best-known holes from the most renowned courses in his portfolio to create an unforgettable golf course.

Pictured: Hole #8

THE HIGHLANDS

The Moor

The Moor course at The Highlands serves as a favorite for those looking for a true test of game, and is regarded by many as the most challenging among BOYNE’s ten golf courses.

Pictured: Hole #10

BOYNE MOUNTAIN

The Alpine

With its spectacular mountainside setting and panoramic views toward Deer Lake, The Alpine’s setting is every bit as breathtaking as its legendary design.

Pictured: Hole #15

BOYNE MOUNTAIN

The Monument

Designed with nods to the distinct design philosophies of a “who’s who” list of legendary golf course architects, The Monument course never stops surprising players of all levels.

Pictured: Hole #11

CROOKED TREE GOLF CLUB

Arthur Hills and his team of golf course architects recently completed a range of developments to Crooked Tree Golf Club’s finishing holes, enhancing the charm and playability of an already amazing course.

Pictured: Hole #9

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