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GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: Andrew Harvie on January 30, 2025, 08:18:41 AM

Title: Hanse & Wagner at Forest Dunes is official: Skyfall Golf Club
Post by: Andrew Harvie on January 30, 2025, 08:18:41 AM
Title is fairly self-explanatory and I suspect a lot of you already knew this was coming (caddies at Forest Dunes were leaking information, after all), but Gil Hanse & Jim Wagner will officially be part of the Forest Dunes compound with a private/resort guest hybrid model at Skyfall Golf Club. Plan below:


(https://i.imgur.com/hTdrgZk.jpeg)


2028 opening. Thoughts?
Title: Re: Hanse & Wagner at Forest Dunes is official: Skyfall Golf Club
Post by: Bob_Garvelink on January 30, 2025, 09:18:29 AM
I cant wait to see the finished product and Northern Michigan continues to prove it truly is one of the best places on the planet for golf.  I have always loved Forest Dunes and the Loop and I have do doubt this new private course will be fantastic as well.  I find it interesting they talk about elevation change of up to 70 feet so that is interesting as the other two courses don't have a ton from what I can recall.  Should be a great addition to an already loaded field of amazing Northern Michigan golf courses
Title: Re: Hanse & Wagner at Forest Dunes is official: Skyfall Golf Club
Post by: Ben Sims on January 30, 2025, 09:32:05 AM
A few things jumped out. The ninth hole appears to be wicked uphill. I counted 28-30 contour lines from the far western end of the fairway to the green. That’s either ~30ft or ~60ft uphill. Unless these are 6 inch contour lines.


The alternate angled par three happens twice in one nine. Generally speaking I find that feature to be superfluous. I think the walk and the hole itself will almost always be better from one angle.


I need to get back to Northern Michigan badly.
Title: Re: Hanse & Wagner at Forest Dunes is official: Skyfall Golf Club
Post by: Tim Gavrich on January 30, 2025, 10:02:27 AM
I count 89 planned bunkers, with one unbunkered green and one unbunkered tee shot landing area. The uphill 9th looks a bit Shinnecock-coded, which is cool.
Title: Re: Hanse & Wagner at Forest Dunes is official: Skyfall Golf Club
Post by: Ryan Book on January 30, 2025, 11:04:46 AM
I see Tillinghast but I'm biased. Shinnecock comparisons are fair as well.



Title: Re: Hanse & Wagner at Forest Dunes is official: Skyfall Golf Club
Post by: Joe Wandro on January 30, 2025, 11:51:10 AM
That's a tough corner of land to work in!
Title: Re: Hanse & Wagner at Forest Dunes is official: Skyfall Golf Club
Post by: MCirba on January 30, 2025, 12:12:02 PM
This is likely a concept design plan for Marketing purposes, not to be confused with exactly what gets built on the ground on construction begins.   I wouldn't put too much stock yet in things like bunker placement, green sizing and shape, etc.



Title: Re: Hanse & Wagner at Forest Dunes is official: Skyfall Golf Club
Post by: Ben Sims on January 30, 2025, 01:30:43 PM
Upon further study the ninth hole looks like it will have around the same elevation change as #2 at Pine Valley. Did that hole get mentioned on the uphill holes thread?
Title: Re: Hanse & Wagner at Forest Dunes is official: Skyfall Golf Club
Post by: Matt Schoolfield on January 30, 2025, 03:05:05 PM
I apologize in advance, but I couldn't help myself:

(https://i.imgur.com/w6MQwkH.png)
Title: Re: Hanse & Wagner at Forest Dunes is official: Skyfall Golf Club
Post by: Jaeger Kovich on January 31, 2025, 11:06:42 AM
Thoughts?


Has the ownership changed at Forest Dunes? My understanding is that the man who was the driving force behind the development of Streamsong is now the main man at FD.
Title: Re: Hanse & Wagner at Forest Dunes is official: Skyfall Golf Club
Post by: Tom_Doak on January 31, 2025, 11:23:46 AM

Has the ownership changed at Forest Dunes? My understanding is that the man who was the driving force behind the development of Streamsong is now the main man at FD.


That's correct, it's Rich Mack who was the general counsel for Mosaic back then, and the guy who hired me and Bill Coore and later Gil.  Rich tried for the job as CEO of Mosaic when his boss retired, and when he didn't get it, the new CEO gave him a big severance package, and he had nothing to do with Streamsong anymore. 


Rich is very friendly with Gil so I didn't push too hard to do the next course over there, even if it would have been a home game . . . he already owns some of my best work!


There are rumors of a Coore & Crenshaw project near Traverse City, as well.  I guess I will have to consider projects in Scottsdale and Philadelphia now.  ;)
Title: Re: Hanse & Wagner at Forest Dunes is official: Skyfall Golf Club
Post by: JC Jones on February 03, 2025, 06:22:35 PM

Has the ownership changed at Forest Dunes? My understanding is that the man who was the driving force behind the development of Streamsong is now the main man at FD.


That's correct, it's Rich Mack who was the general counsel for Mosaic back then, and the guy who hired me and Bill Coore and later Gil.  Rich tried for the job as CEO of Mosaic when his boss retired, and when he didn't get it, the new CEO gave him a big severance package, and he had nothing to do with Streamsong anymore. 


Rich is very friendly with Gil so I didn't push too hard to do the next course over there, even if it would have been a home game . . . he already owns some of my best work!


There are rumors of a Coore & Crenshaw project near Traverse City, as well.  I guess I will have to consider projects in Scottsdale and Philadelphia now.  ;)


You've been using that line in one way shape or form since The Anatomy of a Golf Course!


I think it's smart to stay away.  The Loop is easily a US Top 50 golf course and it would be hard to do something better, and impossible to do something more inventive.


The potential C&C project is a head scratcher for me.  I dont see how it makes sense for either side to work with the other.