St. Ives Resort
(Tullymore Course)
Stanwood, Mich.
7,148 yards, par 72;
Green fees: $65-$125;
800-972-4837, stivesgolf.com
The terrain around St. Ives Resort — wedged between the Michigan cities of Grand Rapids and Cadillac — is so inhospitable that the owners asked architect Jim Engh if it was even possible to build a course here.
"Affirmative," Engh answered, with typical confidence.
Having set the bar high, Engh delivered. Tullymore is ranked No. 96 on Golf Magazine's Top 100 Courses You Can Play.
Massive wetlands, lowland bogs and Engh's trademark design tricks and treats form the challenge. Engh describes Tullymore's 12th hole as "the Dell on steroids."
The 257-yard par-3 is 100 yards longer than its counterpart at Ireland's Lahinch and its green significantly wider, but both sport putting surfaces that sit in a bowl. This variety-filled romp resists easy categorization.
It's just pure fun.
){kind=link}