Ohio Golf Journal January 2018

Michigan, with an incredible inland view that stretches for miles. The Golf Channel’s Big Break X was filmed there. Golf Boarding is a unique treat at the Highlands. Resembling over-sized skate boards, GolfBoards are a stand-up, motorized surf board that golfers “ride and drive.” Each one carries the golfer and bag, while sailing along. Boyne’s original intent was adding a fun new way to play golf to attract younger people, yet I had a blast using one in my mid-50s. The boards speed up pace of play, because each golfer goes directly to their own ball. Boyne has received numerous national awards from various media sources. In 2015, the Boyne Highlands was named by Golf.com readers, the Best U.S. Golf Resort for Value . The Highlands also features activities like zip lines, biking trails, horse-back riding and the Young Americans Dinner Theatre, the latter which will celebrate 40 years in 2018. Bay Harbor Golf Club Also designed by Arthur Hills, Bay Harbor is nationally acclaimed for its three 9’s; the Quarry , the Preserve , plus the wow factor of the Links course, with elevated views of scenic Little Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan. The combination received Michigan’s only Gold Medal for “Overall Excellence” ever handed out by GOLF Magazine. Words can’t describe the awe in traversing down holes No. 1, 3, 4 and 7 overlooking the bay from high atop the Links course – highlighted even more if the sun is setting over the water. The Quarry course is tough and rugged, with many holes cut and shaped inside an old rock quarry. The Preserve balances the adventure with a more traditional northern Michigan tree-lined layout that’s fun, as well as, gorgeous. Admittedly it’s a cliché, but Crooked Tree could be called one of those hidden gems. Across U.S. 31 perched high above the Bay Harbor property, Crooked Tree offers a wide variety of wooded and open fairways, huge rolling hills and elevated views of the crisp blue water below. Aerial of No. 18, Heather Course Ohio Golf Journal