By Len Ziehm
The Grand Hotel originally opened for guests in 1887 and earlier this year they unveiled five additional Cupola Suites to restore the historic hotel to its original roofline featuring 24 dormers. The completed project brings the Grand Hotel’s guest room total to 397, including 12 Cupola Suites.
There are a host of reasons why people take the 20-minute boat ride from Mackinac City, or St. Ignace to the island every year, May through October. Mackinac Island is a lot more than just the Grand Hotel.
Every day during the summer, up to 15,000 visitors shop at the intimate stores, dine at one of the many delicious restaurants, bike around the island, enjoy a peaceful carriage, or horseback ride and explore the historical attractions, most notably Fort Mackinac.
Very few consider playing golf on Mackinac Island a high priority, but maybe they should. 
The Wawashkamo nine-holer is one of the very few unvarnished courses left from the pre-1900 era, when American golf got its start. Golf historians say there are only about a half dozen courses throughout the entire U.S. that have been preserved as close to the original, as Wawashkamo.
The course that aficionados simply call Wawa, was built in 1898 on a historical site, over which a battle from the War of 1812 was waged.
A group from Chicago, who owned summer cottages on the Island were looking for additional outdoor activities and it was decided a golf course was needed. Scotsman Alex Smith, the greenskeeper of the Washington Park course in Chicago, was summoned to design the new course. In addition to building an enjoyable layout, Smith was a better than average golfer and won the U.S. Open twice.
The Chicago gang decided on the Indian-inspired name, which means “Crooked Trail.’’ The course has undergone minor changes, over the years, but it remains much like the original design, making it historically significant.
“But,’’ said Chuck Olson, the head pro at Wawashkamo, “hardly anyone knows it’s there.’’
Motorized vehicles are forbidden on Mackinac Island, so golfers can only access the course by walking, riding a bicycle or taking a horse-drawn carriage ride that takes about 20 minutes from the Grand Hotel.
In the early years, players built their own tees, using sand and water, and you can still do that on the first tee at Wawashkamo. Vintage clubs, from the pre-1935 era, are also available to rent, for a more authentic golf experience.
The course has nine holes, but can be played as an 18, thanks to the availability of alternate tee placements. To its full length, the course measurers 5,949 yards and features cross bunkers, plus chocolate drops (piles of stones) as hazards.
Most unusual, though, is the ‘Circus Ring’ that surrounds one of the greens. In the early years the ring was made up of high grass to force golfers to loft their approach shots. That became a problem because the golfers who couldn’t do that couldn’t find their balls in the grassy area.
Now the “ring’’ is simply a roped off area around the green, but golfers aren’t allowed to set foot in that area.
Mackinac Island has more golf than the unique version offered at Wawashkamo, for example, easily visible is the Grand Hotel’s course, The Jewel.
The Jewel is no modern-day marvel either, as the front side dates back to the 1920s. Tom Bendelow designed the Grand Nine across the street from the hotel with views of Lake Huron and Round Island. Unlike Wawashkamo, the Grand Nine was renovated by Michigan architect Jerry Matthews in 1987. Plus, a second nine, The Woods, was added in 1994, with views of the Straits and the Mackinac Bridge. The two nines are over a mile apart, so a carriage ride of about 20 minutes is required to play all 18 holes.
The Grand Nine is shorter and tighter than the Woods and together they form a 5,457-yard par-67, from the back tees. Those going just nine holes can stop off at the Jockey Club for post-round socializing and The Woods conveniently concludes in front of a Bavarian-style restaurant, which includes Bobby’s Bar, offering full-service dining, as well as, the oldest duckpin bowling alley in the United States.
To complete your golfing experience on Mackinac Island, the Mission Point Resort has an 18-hole putting course, The Greens of Mackinac. With all bent grass putting surfaces it’s an attraction for golfers, too.
Enjoy a day, a week or a month exploring historical Mackinac Island, but don’t forget to bring your golf clubs.
