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Art_Schaupeter

Detroit area recommendations?
« on: August 20, 2002, 08:24:17 AM »
I am going to be in Detroit on Thursday.  Any recommendations as to the better daily fee facilities in the area?  I am going to be with a couple of family members.  We would be willing to drive up to two hours.  

Arcadia and Crystal Downs are too far away based on the time that we have available.  I am planning on being back in September by myself to see those courses.

Thank you for any input.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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David Wigler

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Detroit area recommendations?
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2002, 12:40:23 PM »
The best daily fee in the area is probably The Orchards.  It just hosted the US Publinx.  If you belong to a private club, Meadowbrook and Plum Hollow are both pretty good about reciprical privledges and you would be extremely happy at either one.  Send me an e-mail at dlwigler@globalbiz.net and I can help.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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And I took full blame then, and retain such now.  My utter ignorance in not trumpeting a course I have never seen remains inexcusable.
Tom Huckaby 2/24/04

Paul Richards

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Detroit area recommendations?
« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2002, 01:36:58 PM »
Art:

The Orchards is a very fine course - definately worth seeing.

Take David's advice - if you can get to Plum Hollow, it's definately worth the trip!







« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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"Something has to change, otherwise the never-ending arms race that benefits only a few manufacturers will continue to lead to longer courses, narrower fairways, smaller greens, more rough, more expensive rounds, and other mechanisms that will leave golf's future in doubt." -  TFOG

Jeff_Brauer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Detroit area recommendations?
« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2002, 01:44:36 PM »
Art,

I recommend touring some of the private clubs in lieu of playing, if that's not heresy. (Of course, I have seen you play! ;)  Tom Gray is the super at Frankin Hills, a nearly untouched Donald Ross, not far from Oakland Hills.  He is an old friend of Eric Nelson, who works with me.  

I have toured several others, but have never actually played in Detroit, as I usually visit my mother in Toledo early spring.  I have played two Brian Huntley courses, including one in Monroe, which have some holes worth studying.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Jeff Brauer, ASGCA Director of Outreach

Paul Richards

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Detroit area recommendations?
« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2002, 02:09:26 PM »
Jeff:

If you can get access to Franklin Hills, as Jeff says, it is wonderful and a must-see!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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"Something has to change, otherwise the never-ending arms race that benefits only a few manufacturers will continue to lead to longer courses, narrower fairways, smaller greens, more rough, more expensive rounds, and other mechanisms that will leave golf's future in doubt." -  TFOG

John_D._Bernhardt

Re: Detroit area recommendations?
« Reply #5 on: August 20, 2002, 06:30:45 PM »
what is the Art Hills course  just north of Detroit toward flint. I would love an opinion. It looked fun to play. Cut through hardwood and alot of topography
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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David Wigler

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Detroit area recommendations?
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2002, 05:33:42 AM »
John,

How dare you!!!!

A newbie comes to GCA for advice and you reccomend that he find out about an Art Hills course.  Don't make me come down to Louisiana and Tar and Feather you.  He can play any Art Hills course in the country - they are all the same.  

Without knowing the course, I will review it for you.

#1 Simple par 4 with uniteresting green complex and bad bunkering

#2-17 Very hard mix of holes with wetlands incorporated throughout the course.  Several silly fairways cantered incorrectly from the back tees.  Decent greens in bad settings with horrible bunker work.

#18 Modified cape hole working right to left around a natural (Aritificial if needed) pond with the best designed green on the course and uniteresting bunker work.

There is your review.   :)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged
And I took full blame then, and retain such now.  My utter ignorance in not trumpeting a course I have never seen remains inexcusable.
Tom Huckaby 2/24/04

John Bernhardt

Re: Detroit area recommendations?
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2002, 05:53:03 AM »
lol David, I knew I risked your always fun response to this. Actually this is a deferent kind of Art Hills course. I toured it  last year and it is on a Jesuit retreat between Detriot and Flint. It is cut through hardwoods with greater than 100 feet of topography and only a few moments(holes) when you would be aware of the outside world. It was my 4th course of the day, including Oakland Hills, therefore the memory is a little weak on the real value of the course other than it did recieve national  note. LOL I am just the messenger and not the architect or owner LOL. Besides Art S is a good architect and probably could learn some things not to do if nothing else.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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David Wigler

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Detroit area recommendations?
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2002, 06:53:00 AM »
John,

You were in Detroit and did not call.  Now I really must tar and feather you.   ;D  

I think that the course you are referring to is Shepards Hollow.  It really is not all that bad.  I would give it a solid Doak 5.  The property is in fact quite good.  My problem is the same as always - the green complexes lack interest and the bunkering is misplaced and bad.  It is one of the best works I have seen Hills do, but GD vastly overrated it to put it ahead of Barona and in the top 10 new courses in the country.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
Logged
And I took full blame then, and retain such now.  My utter ignorance in not trumpeting a course I have never seen remains inexcusable.
Tom Huckaby 2/24/04

Art_Schaupeter

Re: Detroit area recommendations?
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2002, 09:40:14 AM »
David and Paul:

Thank you for the suggestions, very much appreciated.  I plan on trying to set up a tee time at The Orchards for my stepfather and I.  I have sent you an email David.

Jeff:

Thanks for the tip on Franklin Hills.  I have some additional time on this trip, and am going to make an effort to contact the super and try to "see" the course.  I probably learn more without the clubs in my hands on many days. ;)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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d.a.faz

Re: Detroit area recommendations?
« Reply #10 on: August 21, 2002, 03:34:43 PM »
yo, maybe you should consider huntington woods c.c. aka rackham golf club...donald ross with a tom doak restoration. you might want to give the north hills a run (oakland hills north course-the south is tied up with the am, note that ross, jones, and hills have all had a go at that one).
stonebridge is another hills course off i-75 that mr. hills can take credit for...the tires under 10 give an unforgettable bounce to your game.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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d.a.faz

Re: Detroit area recommendations?
« Reply #11 on: August 21, 2002, 03:55:17 PM »
yo, maybe you should consider huntington woods c.c. aka rackham golf club...donald ross with a tom doak restoration. you might want to give the north hills a run (oakland hills north course-the south is tied up with the am, note that ross, jones, and hills have all had a go at that one).
stonebridge is another hills course off i-75 that mr. hills can take credit for...the tires under 10 give an unforgettable bounce to your game.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Herb_Flood

Re: Detroit area recommendations?
« Reply #12 on: August 22, 2002, 06:13:11 AM »
Try the University of Michigan course...I've heard really good things about it. Also, try the "Old Course" at Indianwood in Lake Orion. It's not that far a drive, but it's private...of course.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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John_D._Bernhardt

Re: Detroit area recommendations?
« Reply #13 on: August 22, 2002, 06:21:56 AM »
David, It is Shepard's Hollow. I agree that is not in the same class with Barona. I am gladed you clarified it for I really only remember the natural beauty of the land and not the course. The trip was before we had our now famous evening of drinks and architecture. Next trip I look forward to playing you famous home course. John
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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