CULVER ACADEMIES TOUR CONT
The 5th took us to a much more wooded area of the course which doesn't open up until the 9th. This section of the course isn't as attractive as the other five holes (1-5 & 9), but they are difficult. A straight-away longish two-shotter, the 6th runs to the end of the property along the boundary line.
Another cracking green.
We now head for home. A fairly routine par 4 doglegging left, the 7th is for me the least interesting hole on the course.
A treacherous hole, the short 8th rounds out the exceptional set of 3s.
I am not sure this hole location was part of the green before the restoration!
The bunkering and earthworks look very close to the 9th tee which caused me some confusion. I think this tee shot was designed to be much more open. There is a weird aesthetic I think caused by the enclosed to open space transition and being uphill.
The hole is terrific once in the open.
Many golfers can reach this par 5 in two.
However, it may be best to layup and aim for a position which offers a relatively level putt. The newish clubhouse helps set the scene.
It was fitting to end the Lake Michigan Tour as it started, on a Langford & Moreau course. While Lawsonia garners plenty of headlines, I don't believe it outshines Culver. First and foremost, Culver's greens are superlative not least because of their variety. The par 3s and especially the 3rd are the glue of the course. They are not holes which tackle tough terrain, but they do enhance the attributes of the terrain with standout shaping. The 1st & 4th also expertly use the land. I hope that Mike Vessely continues his fine work on the course to shine a brighter light on Langford & Moreau. 1* 2022
Below is a newspaper article about the construction of the course.
Other courses on the 2022 Lake Michigan Tour
The Loop Black
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71448.0.htmlThe Loop Red
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71451.0.htmlCrystal Downs
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71406.0.htmlArcadia Bluffs South
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71374.0.htmlEagle Springs & Dunes Club
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71344.0.htmlLawsonia Links
https://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,71343.0.htmlAfter the game I made my way to Ann Arbor for a few nights. Despite the town becoming more plasticy modern over time, its always a treat to see old landmarks.
Inside the Fleetwood.
Nickels Arcade
That ends the 2022 Lake Michigan Tour. I was completely spoiled by the standard of courses. Their consistently high quality surprised me. I would have expected a 10 course tour to have one or two disappointments....not so. Every course offered something that was extraordinary. Included on the tour were five on my bucket list: Culver Academies, The Loop, Crystal Downs, Shoreacres and Lawsonia. Thats not bad going for one trip.
Its typical, my favourite course of the trip was
Eagle Springs and it was really an afterthought stop to kill time on the way to the airport.
The best course was
Chicago Golf. However, if I were to treat The Loop as one course which has 36 holes, I think it has to be best of the lot.
My favourite 9 holes was the front nine at
Crystal Downs. Many will disagree with me, but I think the course could well be better as a 9 holer. The front nine offers most of everything I could want in a course.
My favourite vibe was
Crystal Downs. Very simple, no frills, chill.
We didn't get a chance to have many proper meals, but my favourite restaurant was Rocks Landing, hard on Crystal Lake, across the street from Chimney Corners Resort.
One thing this trip hammered home is that I am enjoying nine hole courses more and more. These days they seem to better facilitate my lowered tolerance for swinging a club. Four courses on this tour make my Happy 100; Culver, Eagle Springs, The Loop and Lawsonia.
I enjoyed my sojourn into Wisconsin and brief visit to Chicago. These are two places I would very much like to see again. It was also lovely to see northern Michigan again, but I admit that Detroit has a greater pull for me in terms of culture and golf. I know Detroit is a tough city to like, but I like it and to some degree its still home. But man I hate winter!
Ciao