There are a couple of things else that ought to be said for Sutton Bay regarding the access and playability.
First, recognize that it is a private club like Sand Hills or BallyNeal, etc. The director of the facility, Mark, has been very gracious and welcoming of those that have written him and asked to have a chance to experience it. I don't want to be so presumptious as to speak out of place, but one should realise that you can't just go out there, show up at the door and expect to be allowed to play. Yet - though a non-member, however being among friends that apparently are recognized by the Sutton Bay management as belonging to this fanatical golf design appreciation academy called GCA.com, I have never been made to feel more welcome and genuinely accepted than Mark has gone out of his way to accomodate some of us, twice in the last few years. Just being treated that freindly and well was worth the trip.
I am well known to be one that greatly desires to walk my golf courses, more so these days with the assist of a push sun mountain type trolley as my back is not getting any younger.
Sutton is not a walkable course for me in its totality. But, there is an internal loop of 3-12 that has a halfway house between 12 and 13 and accessible from off the green on 6 where you can leave a cart and walk the innner loops. That is a spectacular walkable portion. There is also a cute looking par 3, 9 hole course that I haven't had time to play, but looks cool.
If I were in the category of a wealthy or even modestly well to do business man that puts a value on entertaining clients in a sort of rugged men's circle of sporting associates, Sutton Bay is a no-brainer to become a member. It has world class pheasant hunting, and world class fishing in one of the really unique geographic areas of this country. The lodge/facilities and cabins are better (IMHO) than Sand Hills.
The last time I was there with a GCA.com group, we played in the most severe weather conditions I ever played in. It was so brutal, that my face was literally swollen from freezing winds and sleet pelting into our faces for a few days. Yet, looking back on it, and the time spent with our friends in the lodge that evening, it was one of the most invigorating and memorable golf experiences I have had. The other time, in beautiful weather, after a fine meal an evening sitting outdoors around the fire pit with some fire water, under that most gorgeous western skies, it was sort of like and episode of "City Slickers" and I was waiting for Curly Joe to show up and tell me what the "one thing" is.
