Nicklaus' Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, MI. http://www.harborshoresdevelopment.org/
I'll just have to figure out how to get access to the course when it opens. There have been several intriguing legal battles over land and surrounding parkland on lake Michigan that is affected by this course. It will probably be a 'one and done' play for me, more out of curiosity.
John-
Is it supposed to be private?
Looking at the pictures of the construction the course looks ok...I'm guessing a $100-$150 greens fee if public?
Pat:
I believe that the course will be private / member only, and I assume a green fee in that $150 range will probably be typical for this type of development in a large housing / condo complex if the course is open to the public. A lot of private courses and exclusive perks exist in SW Michigan due to the high number of Chicago residents who have second homes in the area as summer getaways, as the area is only 1.5-2 hours away from most of Chicago.
Three or 4 holes will run next to the lake (that is the whole legal property and environment argument with a presently existing park on the lake) and I am sure it will be a nice but overly priced course. There have been several legal battles, but I believe based on what I have seen in the local news that the legal options are exhausted for stopping the courses development.
It really is amazing that the local summer economy is good enough that they are selling homes and able to support a new private golf course.
It's been about 4 years since I have been to Benton Harbor (I have made the trip 3 times to play in the Western Am...only qualified once, perhaps a good thing I didn't go pro ) If I remember correctly isn't downtown Benton Harbor almost semi-industrial?
Yes, there is a large divide between Benton Harbor and neighboring St. Joseph MI. Racially different, economically different, and there have been problems in the past between the towns. BH used to be the poorest city per capita in Michigan, so this golf / housing venture is supposed to provide some jobs in restaurants and the service industries; how much the jobs pay is the issue. Honestly, BH is industrial (where companies haven't just pulled up and left town) and the downtown is mostly a ghost town of abandoned buildings, whereas St. Joe is a tourist town and has a much much higher per capita household income and does quite well for itself and its residents.
Southwest Michigan is a very big tourist mecca for Chicago residents, both for weekend vacationers and also for those who have second homes on the numerous lakes and towns in the area. Lots of antiques, restaurants and such in every town, and some people that live in SW Michigan year round commute to Chicago for work or work from home, too. I am sure that the economy has dulled things a bit, but there is still a lot of money out that way.
I am sure the Nicklaus course will be nice, and expensive, too.