[David Cronheim]

On Friday and Saturday, I had an opportunity to play Muskegon CC in Michigan. From a little preliminary research and from talking to my host, I was able to discern that it was a Ross layout. Of course there are 400+ Ross courses across the world of differing quality. I came in not really knowing what to expect or expecting all that much and was absolutely, totally blown away.

The course is built on a set of sand hills near Lake Michigan. Much like Shoreacres, it's near the water, but does not have any holes that look out over the lake, although the clubhouse does. The course has great movement, canted fairways, notable elevation changes, interesting greens and played firm and fast. It stunned me the course is not more heralded, though I realize not a lot of people happen through Muskegon, except perhaps in the summer. I thought it was one of Ross' better efforts and that #17 green may be his most interesting green anywhere (a Mackenzie-esque boomerang green with a redan-like slope to the back left).

Has anyone else played it?



#17 green (I'm sorry I didn't get a better shot but we were chased off the course by lightning and took this one from the cart as I was speeding by - there's more green in the back behind the bunker.

[Tom_Doak]

David:

I live about 90 minutes from Muskegon, and I've never heard anyone say much of anything about this course.

Don't know if I will have time to check it out this fall, my travel schedule is stupid the next two weeks.  But I will, eventually.

[David Cronheim]

Tom,

The phrase "hidden gem" gets thrown around a lot and usually wrongly. How "hidden" can a course that's ranked in some magazine really be? This is only the second time I've legitimately come across a course worthy of that definition, the other being Kebo Valley in Maine. Part of the reason I think it might not get a lot of ink is probably that the clubhouse isn't much and it still could use a little tree clearing. That said, I think it's right up there with some of Ross' best work. It reminded me quite a bit of Pinehurst #4 (pre-Fazio redo) and Mid Pines. If you get a chance to head out there, I don't think you'd be disappointed.

[Chris_Blakely]

I believe Ross remodeled 9 holes and added 9 holes.  The original 9 hole course was by Tom Bendelow.  I played there last year I believe and the course is worth a play if you get a chance.  Wonderfull greens and the terrain is undulating.  On the attachment below, Bendeow is credited with the original course circa 1910.


http://turfweb.lib.msu.edu/starweb/servlet.starweb?path=FACILITIES/architects.web&id=facilities&pass=12LI&search1=archc%3dbendelow,%20thomas&format=bendelowtname

Chris

[David Cronheim]

I believe Ross remodeled 9 holes and added 9 holes.  The original 9 hole course was by Tom Bendelow.  I played there last year I believe and the course is worth a play if you get a chance.  Wonderfull greens and the terrain is undulating.  On the attachment below, Bendeow is credited with the original course circa 1910.


http://turfweb.lib.msu.edu/starweb/servlet.starweb?path=FACILITIES/architects.web&id=facilities&pass=12LI&search1=archc%3dbendelow,%20thomas&format=bendelowtname

Chris

Interesting, the story I heard from our host was slightly different, but still could be consistent with a Ross redesign/9 new holes. My host told me that the course was built for the nearby (and now closed) paper mill. The owner of the paper mill was a good friend of Donald Ross and asked him to do him a favor and lay out a course.

[Chris_Blakely]

David,

According to the Donald Ross Society, Ross was there in 1920 (1908 or 1911 would have been way to early for him to be in Michigan) and it was a remodel:

http://www.donaldross.org/Resources/Documents/DRSList_Rev_2011.pdf

thanks,

Chris

[David Cronheim]

Chris,

That still works. The mill must have had a 9-hole course and the owner called in Ross to make it 18. I'd be curious to know which was the original 9 and which was Ross'. Just my gut reaction is that the front 9 is more Ross-like than the back. Regardless, it's one hell of a course.

[Sven Nilsen]

Chris,

That still works. The mill must have had a 9-hole course and the owner called in Ross to make it 18. I'd be curious to know which was the original 9 and which was Ross'. Just my gut reaction is that the front 9 is more Ross-like than the back. Regardless, it's one hell of a course.

Would this be a good case study for the Bendelow>Ross paradigm?  I've read before that Ross would often reverse holes laid out by Bendelow so they played the same corridor in reverse.  This would entail creating new tees/greens, essentially meaning you were rebuilding the entire course.

[Tommy Williamsen]

I have played Muskegon a number of times.  It is truly a hidden gem. The terrain is rolling and bumpy in spots.  While it is not long the greens have a lot of movement and require good shot making.  There are a couple of short par fours that are just wonderful. I love the look. It has tall fescue along some hole that give it a wonderful feel.  Too bad it is in such a depressed area.  I am not home but I have a copy of their history. I will see what it says about architect. It may be the longest club history I have ever seen.  

Just before my Dad died my Son and I took him to the club to hit balls. They couldn't have been more helpful. It was the last time my Dad hit balls. It was also one of my most special days with my Son and my Dad.

[David Cronheim]

I have played Muskegon a number of times.  It is truly a hidden gem. The terrain is rolling and bumpy in spots.  While it is not long the greens have a lot of movement and require good shot making.  There are a couple of short par fours that are just wonderful. I love the look. It has tall fescue along some hole that give it a wonderful feel.  Too bad it is in such a depressed area.  I am not home but I have a copy of their history. I will see what it says about architect. It may be the longest club history I have ever seen. 

Just before my Dad died my Son and took him to the club to hit balls. They couldn't have been more helpful. It was the last time my Dad hit balls. It was also one of my most special days with my Son and my Dad.

That's a great and moving story, Tommy. Not much I can say about the course than can top that, but I would also note that I really liked the use of fescue grass there because it was wispy and short. You could find the ball in it without too much of a problem, but it still posed a nasty challenge.

[BCowan]

I read this thread last night, I thought it was good enough for a bump.  Muskegon was the highlight of the year for me. Diamond springs the other.  The course is blessed with really good land.  With the removal of 3000 trees and a consistent bunker flavor course has great potential. I plan on doing a photo tour in the near future. It's nice that some members bought the club and put some money into it.  I drove 5 hours round trip to play it yest along with another course and I'd drive it again today in a heartbeat, unfortunately I have to work on this beautiful day.

[Chris DeToro]

I'm a big fan of Muskegon--as mentioned in the original post, I didn't really have many expectations of the course going in, but came away pleasantly surprised.  It's been a couple of years since I've been there, but I remember quite a few blind landing areas and some really tricky greens. 

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