Detroit Area Golf

[Adam_Jessie]

I am planing a trip for the end of the week to the detroit area, and am looking fo any suggestions for golf. So far I am setting up Oakland Hills and I got roped into playing Rackham Golf course (evedently there is Ross somewhere deep, deep in there) And and trying to get down to toledo for Inverness but not for sure. any hedden gems would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Adam Jessie
SHGC

[Mitch Hantman]

I recently played Indianwood Old, and thought it is terrific.  

[Jeff_Mingay]

Bring warm clothes. It's going to be cold this week in the Great Lakes region. High 50s, they say on TV.

A few other considerations should include: Indianwood Old, as mentioned above; Plum Hollow; Detroit GC; Franklin Hills; and, Essex, across the river in Windsor, Ontario. All are private clubs.

CC of Detroit is over-rated, IMHO. Although, the club lies in one of the country's wealthiest and historic suburbs (Grosse Pointe), and is home to one of golf's best clubhouses. So, it's still worth a visit.

The back nine at Rackham is 'Ross'; and, there are some good holes between 10-18. However, the front nine has been altered significantly, and as a result, there are some very bad holes going out.

Yet another wonderful old clubhouse to see, at Rackham, too.

[ian]

I really liked Detroit Golf Club well worth playing (just be careful where you drive nearby). Great old Ross courses with great greens.

[M.W._Burrows]

I told you that if you wanted to play anywhere decent near Detroit to play Indianwood Old.  It's the Shinnecock of the Mid-west.  

I can set you up with Wabeek...a Pete Dye course, Orchard Lake...a really fun Colt/Allison course, Tam O'Shanter...another Colt/Allison that should be fun to play, Warwick Hills...where the Buick Open is played-long and tight with big greens, Pine Lake....Willie Park, Jr. but nothing left of his, and a couple others.

I'll see you at the Publick House Wednesday.

MWB

[David Wigler]

MWB,

Are you a member at Wabeek?  The rumor I heard is that it went bankrupt and that Stan Berger purchased the assets out of bankruptcy (It was a prepackaged deal).  I have been told that they are going to try and make a run of it as a mostly private non-equity where they have 2 days of outings and then private play.  I also heard that the members lost all of their equity.  Is any of this true?

[David Wigler]

Adam,

I suggest that you play The Orchards.  I played it in the Callaway Pro/Scratch several weeks ago.  It is in terrific shape, it is a very challenging Bobby Jr. design and it is public, so you can make your own tee times. Last year, it hosted the US Publinx.  You will probably like it better than Orchard Lake and definitely better than Wabeek.

[BCrosby]

Where does Red Run rank among Detroit courses?

[David Wigler]

Adam and Bcrosby,

Red Run is a solid course but not in my top 10 of Detroit Area (Not Ann Arbor) Courses.  I have done this exercise several times and Shooter notwithstanding, the opinion of many of us is:

1. Oakland Hills (South)
2. Franklin Hills
3 - 4 Indianwood Old and Plum Hollow (Tie)
5. Country Club of Detroit
6. Detroit Golf Club (North)
7. Meadowbrook
8. Oakland Hills (North)
9. Orchards
10. Birmingham C.C.

I would put Orchard Lake, Red Run and Bloomfield Hills C.C. just below these and could make a compelling argument for any of them to take the 10th spot.

I am a member of Plum Hollow ('47 PGA, '43 Ryder Cup, '57 Western Open) and have helped several GCA'er see the course.  If I can be of any assistance, please send me a private message on the system.