Tee It Up!

If golf is your game, our area is home to some of the best courses around

By Brad Emons

Despite less than favorable weather early this spring, the golf season is already upon us and there are no more mulligans to hand out.

It’s time to dust off your clubs and head out to the links.

The Plymouth-Northville area has plenty of courses to choose from and here’s a closer look at what’s in store for 2022 as you book a tee time.

FOX HILLS GOLF & BANQUET CENTER

Located on 8768 North Territorial Road in Plymouth, Fox Hills features 500 countryside acres and a total of 63 holes with three different courses to choose from.

Its signature Golden Fox 18-hole championship course, designed by Arthur Hills, is reminiscent of the great Scottish seaside courses.

Meanwhile, the Fox Classic offers three nines including the Hills, Woodlands and Lakes. The original 18-hole course was designed by Wilfrid Reid and was built in 1927 as the Plymouth Country Club. An additional nine holes was designed by Jim Lipe to complete the 27-hole layup in 1982.

The Strategic Fox Hills Learning Center is another nifty par-3, 18-hole layout and is adjacent to two complete driving ranges and short game area. The 6,900 square-foot Performance Center building offers six bays for teaching equipped with state-of-theart technology including V1 Analysis software, TrackMan, FlightScope, SAM Putting Studio and BodiTrak Performance Pad.

Besides offering junior and adult-age leagues, Fox Hills also stages the ever growing and popular foot golf.

Fox Hills Director of Golf Mark Runchey oversees 10 different PGA/LPGA teaching professionals including noted pros Brian Cairns, Jordan Young and Jeff Goble.

The original log-cabin clubhouse was renovated in 1982 and is home for golf outings, corporate events and weddings.

Originally owned by their mother and father, sisters Sandy Mily and Kathy Aznavorian have carried on the tradition of making it a local golf destination.

For more information, visit www.foxhills.com or call (734) 634-2345.

MEADOWBROOK COUNTRY CLUB

Located at 40941 Eight Mile Road in Northville, Meadowbrook was founded in 1916 and is one of the oldest clubs in Southeast Michigan.

Originally designed by Scotsman Willie Park, Jr., Meadowbrook consisted of just six holes and 125 acres. Now, with over 180 acres and remodels done by storied architects such as Donald Ross, Meadowbrook remains one of Detroit’s elite private clubs.

Meadowbrook has hosted the 1955 PGA Championship and numerous other PGA tournaments including the Motor City Open. Prominent names who have played include Byron Nelson, Bob Hamilton, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Dr. Cary Middlecoff.

To celebrate the club’s 100- year anniversary in 2016, the course was closed the prior 18 months while undergoing a $5.3 million course redesign by Arizona-based golf architect Andy Staples.

To better serve its 700 members, Meadowbrook has plans to expand its clubhouse by 2,300 square feet as well as add a 16,000 square-foot maintenance facility. A golf performance center, featuring indoor simulators, is also in the club’s future plans.

Mike Rossen is the club’s general manager, while Mark Stevens is the head professional. For more information, visit www.meadowbrookcountryclub. com or call (248) 349-3600.

BRAE BURN GOLF CLUB

Located at 18060 Five Mile Road in Plymouth, Brae Burn is just a year away of celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023.

The course, which drains well according to general manager Brett Davis, was also designed by Reid and opened in 1923.

Brae Burn, owned and operated by the Rosenthal family, is home to “The Monster,” the 660-yard No. 13 double-dogleg and the longest par-5 in the state. The par-70 layup features 6,511 yards of golf from the black tees. The course rating is 69.2 and has a slope rating of 123 on bluegrass.

Meanwhile, The Tavern is a perfect spot to end your round to meet for food and beverage on the 19th hole.

Besides hosting outings and leagues, Brae Burn also features a Monday special, Tuesday twosome and ladies corner deals. For more information, visit www.braeburngc.com or call (734) 453-1900 or (800) 714-6700.

HILLTOP GOLF COURSE

Located at 47000 Powell Road in Plymouth, this 18-hole, par-70, (6,009 yards) is a classically designed layout playing through stately pines and rolling hills.

And weather permitting, the course is open dusk until dawn year-round. With some of the most challenging greens in the area, Hilltop offers distinct challenges to golfers of all skill levels. The signature No. 5, par-4 is one of the most picturesque holes with an elevated tee box showcasing a panoramic view of the entire course.

A practice facility includes a putting and chipping green. New carts have arrived and new tee boxes are being completed for the 2022 season.

The grill is open daily from 2-9 p.m. and the clubhouse features a fully-stocked golf shop with equipment and apparel. Membership packages are available, as well as leagues, corporate events.

For more information, visit www.hiltopgc.com or call (734) 453-9800.

NORTHVILLE HILLS GOLF CLUB

Located at 15565 Bay Hill Drive in Northville, this 18-hole course, designed by Arnold Palmer, features rolling greens, lush woodlands, shimmering pools of water and verdant wetlands.

The course, first opened in 2000, was purchased in 2012 by the Wilson Golf Group. It features a driving range and short-game course for a quick warm-up.

Group lessons and private instruction are available for youth and beginners through PGA instructor Jordan McArleton and Director of Golf Kevin Amell.

Meanwhile, the newly renovated clubhouse received a facelift for 2022. The banquet facility can host weddings, celebrations and private parties. For more information, visit www.northvillehills.com or call the pro shop at (734) 667-4653.

SALEM HILLS GOLF COURSE

Located at 8810 Six Mile Road in Northville, Salem Hills opened in 1963 and was designed by Michigan golf architect Bruce Matthews. It features a 6,992- yard 18-hole championship course that opened in 1963.

In 2021, the course underwent new ownership when ESJ Golf of Northville bought out longtime owners Frank and Veronica Godwin.

Canton native Brandon Scero, who served previously five years at Coyote and six seasons at Eagle Crest, is the Director of Golf. He is assisted by head professional Jason Rammler. Scero and Rammler both offer lessons for adults and beginners, while the course stages annual summer kids camps, clinics for youths and a snack program for beginning kids.

In addition to the driving range and putting green, 40 new carts have been added and drainage issues are being addressed according to Scero.

Salem Hills can also host outings, family gatherings, showers, weddings, luncheons and holiday parties. The Grille Room hours are from 2-9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays (closed Sundays). There’s a fish fry each Friday from 3-9 p.m.

For more information, visit salemhillsgolfclub.com or call (248) 437-2152.

DOWNING FARMS

Situated at 8145 Seven Mile Road in Northville, Downing Farms was designed by Harry Bowers and opened in 1992.

Currently owned and operated by Charles Downing and daughter Stephanie Reed, Downing Farms features a par-70, 18-hole layout covering 5,866 yards with a 122 slope and blue grass tailored to all levels of golfers. The course offers both outings and leagues. After a round, you can head to the clubhouse, which features a full bar (including liquor) along with a full menu including burgers, wraps and chicken fingers.

For more information, visit www.downingfarmsgolf.com or call (248) 486-0990.

OASIS GOLF CENTER

Located on 39500 Five Mile Road in Plymouth, Oasis features an indoor golf dome with 42 hitting bays to stay sharp during the off-season months.

The indoor golf dome, which will re-open in late October, is equipped with the unique Toptracer range, a computerized system. During in-season, the outdoor driving range is in operation along with miniature golf.

Dave Sias, a PGA Professional since 1995, offers both private and group lessons as well as a golf academy program. Oasis is managed by Manny Ganaway.

For more information, visit www.oasisgolfcenter.com or call (734) 420-4653.

BUSHWOOD GOLF CLUB

Located next to George’s Senate Coney Island at 39430 Dun Rovin Drive in Northville, Bushwood bills itself as a par-3 where families come to play.

During peak season, 9-hole greens fees include $12 (walking), $18 (with electric cart) on weekdays. Senior (55+) and junior rates are also available.

Bushwood, managed by Frank Garzia, also offers variety of memberships including play-in social leagues ($125), senior 55+ ($325) and senior family ($400). A full family membership is $475 with unlimited greens fees (includes spouse, children living at home and grandchildren under-15).

Junior programs (ages 7-14) are also offered and private lessons are available for juniors and adults by instructor Bob Hirzel.

For more information, visit www.bushwoodgc.com or call (734) 420-3200.

CARL’S GOLFLAND

Carl’s, referred to as The Land of Golf Plenty, is located at 44135 Five Mile Road in Plymouth and is the perfect spot to practice and hone your game.

It features a heated driving range – open all winter -- along with chipping and putting greens. The TrackMan Range is another unique component offered by the facility.

Next door to the St. John’s Golf & Conference Center, the Plymouth location is one of Carl’s two retail outlets located in the metro Detroit area with the other in Bloomfield Hills.

The store offers a vast inventory to fill all your golfing needs including custom fitting and repairs. Store hours are 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.

Carl’s also offers golfers of all ability levels with instruction provided by a staff of experienced PGA professionals led by Brian Liberati and Olivia Pizii.

For more information, visit www.carlsgolfland.com or call (734) 354-9274.

ST. JOHN’S GOLF & CONFERENCE CENTER

Located at 44045 Five Mile Road in Plymouth, St. John’s is closed for the 2022 season and construction is underway with the grand re-opening planned for 2023.

Awardwinning Raymond Hearn Golf Course Designs, Inc. is creating a new and unique destination highlighted by an 18-hole, five-tee system championship course, which will combine the newly designed holes and some of remodeled existing holes over what has been a 27-hole golf facility.

The course makeover will include new greens, new strategic sand bunkers, bent grass for the putting greens, new irrigation system, extensive new drainage, removal of trees, tree additions and remodeled asphalt cart paths.

In addition, a new family fun nine-hole par-3 course is in the works along with an 18-hole natural grass putting course.

“Our golf course Master Plan offers strategy and fun for all types of golfers from professional to beginners and every skill type in between,” Hearn said. “It will fit in perfectly with their firstclass facilities that host a wide variety of dynamic events and conferences.”

Pulte Family Management SJ purchased the resort from the Archdiocese of Detroit in August of 2021 with the mission to make it into a family resort-style destination. Ultimately all the profits from the Inn at St. John’s will be donated to the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation to support their mission.

Under the direction of Paul Wegert, CEO of Boutique Hotel Professionals and Managing Director of the Inn at St. John’s, additional projects include transforming all exterior landscaping and parking lots, adding a 15,000 square foot ballroom, upgrading existing ballrooms and adding an outdoor four-season pavilion tailored for golf outings, weddings and corporate events.

For more information, visit www.theinnatstjohns.com or call (734) 414-0600.