The Fortress GC 9/27/21

The Fortress GC is located in the peaceful Bavarian styled community of Frankenmuth, Michigan. It is renowned for its homestyle German dinners and Bronners Christmas store. It also has a very good golf course that was designed by Dick Nugent in 1992. I had played the course in 2004 and rated it a Gold but have upgraded it to a BLUE after my visit. Unfortunately, it had rained the night before and it was "Cart path Only" plus we had to start on the back 9. I would much rather walk than do the cart path routine of walking back and forth to your cart and taking three clubs with you.To say the least the rough was very lush and the course in excellant condition when we played.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zpwKYDFUSFcHiZSZ7

#863 Diamond Springs GC 9/24/21

Diamond Springs GC, in Hamilton MI, was designed in 2002 by Chris Shumaker and Mike DeVries. This is my 4th DeVries course and along with the Clifton Group (75 courses), these are the two architects whose courses I have played the most rounds of golf on along my golf journey. Coincidentally, I lived on a Clifton course for 11 years and then moved to The Villages where there are almost 700 Clifton holes.

The routing at Diamond Springs is very much the opposite of DeVries fine Greywalls design in Marquette, Michigan. The big issue I had with Greywalls was the most memorable holes and one of the worlds best par 4's (#9), with a Lake Superior view, are on the front nine. Holes #1 and #2 are both potential round wreckers while #10 is the widest FW on the course, number #18 is one of the easiest par 5 holes (should be a long par 4) I have ever played. In my younger days I would hit driver and PW into this tumbling, downhill, finishing hole. The only positive thing I can say is one time I eagled it to shoot 69. The Solution, flip the 9's to make the Greywalls experience even more enjoyable and memorable!

At Diamond Springs you start out with a nice handshake and then have a few interesting holes on the front nine. My favorites are #2, the #5 green which I 3-putted, and #9 which gives you a preview as to what is to come on the back. Starting on the 14th this is one of the most memorable finishing stretches I have played as the ravine/creek is brought back into play. #14 is a short one shot hole with a deep, narrow green along the ravine. I love short 4's and #15 brings in all the risk you want to ever bite off. 10 years ago I would have gone for it but today I layed up with a hybrid and made par. The 3 shot #16 is by far the best 5 at DS, a serpentine type hole that brings you back to the edge of the ravine. Probably not a good idea to try and go for this one in two. #17 is the longest par 3 which again brings the ravine in play to a huge green. I like a strong finishing hole that has a good amount of risk/reward. The 18th here, with your approach bringing the ravine into play, is what I needed to leave Diamond Springs with memories of these last 5 holes that will last a life time. Blue rated.

These last two courses are some of the best valued rounds you will ever play. Langford and DeVries, two of my favorite architects, for under $40! If you play the 36 hole Marquette GC you can experience both of them for under $200.
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https://photos.app.goo.gl/ToDiZs8p7QXbANog8

#862- Harrison Hills GC 9/23/21

William Langford, in 1924, designed the original 9 holes here in Attica, Indiana. In 1995 Tim Liddy restored and added another 10 holes (#3-12), the original #3 was eliminated. I am a big fan of Langford designs with his elevated greens and deep bunkers. This parcel, with the exception of #5-7, is a great piece of land with lots of rolls. Liddy's stretch from #8-12 is a nice run of holes. He sculpted two par 4's around a small pond to produce a difficult, long #10 and then the easy short four #11 coming back.The uphill 195 yd #12 is a challenge. All the 3's here are real good.

I really like all the remaining 8 Langford holes with #15 one of the best 4's you will ever play. If you are ever within a 100 miles this is a course you want to experience. Conditions are very good and the variety of holes will keep your attention. At $38 with cart this is a steal. Blue+

https://photos.app.goo.gl/RSYJMGEGZux6xgGV9

#861 John James Audubon (9) 9/20/21

After returning from Oregon I took 36 hours to repack and head north in my vintage SUV to the Midwest. My second day I didn't have time for 18 so I searched for a low priced 9 hole track. I was very fortunate to come across this Larry Packard, 1973 design, in Henderson, KY for $12.50 with cart. Little did I know that it had a wonderful museum about John James Audubon adjacent to the course which is free to Seniors on Mondays. There is a theater that you can view two different presentations about Audubons interesting life. His intricate drawings of wildlife was the result of him killing all the wildlife and returning to his study and closely examining them.

The course is owned/operated by the State Park system and is well maintained. Every hole with the exception of the two fine par 3's has lots of elevation change. You will definitely want to take a cart here. This was a very enyoyable afternoon and I had the course to myself. Cabins are available to rent if you need accomodations. Gold rated.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/j49GJBgePNx6ywe57

"Happiness depends on being free, and freedom depends on being courageous."- Pericles

Pacific Dunes revisited 9/15/21

Nestled along the Pacific Ocean in Oregon BDR is my favorite golf resort in the world, followed by St. Andrews. This was my 4th trip here and my 10th round played on the True links Pacfic Dunes course. The variety that Tom Doak created on Pacific is what makes me coming back. Three great ocean holes here at #4, #11 and #13 along with many very interesting others. There is not one hole that I dislike and it is one of the funniest courses you will ever play. Conditions are always superb on all the courses, which play firm and fast. If I only had one course to play, this is it.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TxFmkyyrYrkXdMka8

#860-Bandon Preserve & Punchbowl 9/15/21

Located between the Bandon Dunes and Bandon Trails courses is one of the finest short courses you will ever play. These 13 True Links holes were designed by Coore/Crenshaw in 2012. It is very popular now for resorts to build short courses by famous architects to add to the days enjoyment. This is by far the most FUN and spectacular, with its view of the Pacific and gusts over 40 mph.
On my previous trips to BDGR I would always do 36 a day but now, at $100 a round, The Preserve makes a nice afternoon compliment to playing one of the other championship courses at BDGR. The free 36 hole Punchbowl putting course, located in front of the Pacific Dunes restaurant, will fill another couple of hours of your day.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vhyQXQbrEpLC8C8p6

#859 Sheep Ranch 9/14/21

After 10 years I finally made it back to my favorite golf resort, Bandon Dunes (BDGR). Since my last visit they have added a putting course, a short course and the Sheep Ranch. On my previous three trips here I had tried to get on the original Sheep Ranch short course, but for various reasons never made it. There are eight greens that bring the Pacific ocean into play, which are more than Bandon and Pacific Dunes courses combined. Holes #6 and #16 (my favorite shot) you must play your tee shot over the beach below. Coore and Crenshaw did an excellent job of routing on this small parcel which plays 6636 yards, par 72, from the tips.

With the strong winds coming off the ocean one of the issues has been keeping sand in the bunkers. The resort would water the bunkers to help hold the sand in them. They solved that problem by having only grass bunkers here. The par three #3 and #16 share a huge double green that ends on the edge of the ocean. I played two rounds at the TRUE LINKS Sheep Ranch on this trip and it is the most player friendly with the best ocean views of all the five championsip courses. Black** rated.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/AzTYRAAhDpDAL1bV7
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2021 Fall Golf Trip

My first really big trip since 2019. I flew out to Bandon for four days and when I returned hopped in my SUV and drove north for three weeks. Besides golf I took in a couple of Michigan football game victories. Great month!! Be on the watch for 2,000 new photo's.

Sheep Ranch-
Bandon Preserve (13)-
Pacific Dunes-
Audubon State Park (9)-
Harrison Hills-
Diamond Springs-
The Fortress-
Ozaukee CC-
Buffalo Ridge-
Ozarks National-
Top of the Rock (9)-
Payne's Valley-
Mountain Top Course (13)-
Branson Hills-
Colbert Hills

"Time is how you spend your love."- Nick Laird