Devries design brings national recognition to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
MARQUETTE, Mich. (March 17, 2006) – The dramatic Greywalls golf course in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan had a banner year in 2005, as it received several highly acclaimed national awards. Greywalls received national awards from Golf Magazine, Golf Digest, and most recently, Travel + Leisure Golf and Golfweek, which recently honored the layout as one of the best in Michigan.
Travel + Leisure Golf honored Greywalls as one of the "Top 10 New Courses in the World" in the January/February 2006 issue. The Travel + Leisure Golf list is one of the toughest awards to be honored with because it includes new courses from all over the world.
In the article, Travel + Leisure stated: "This stretch of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is marked by thick forest and exposed rock, yet somehow Mike DeVries managed to tackle a site that would give most architects the willies. The opening hole alone is worth the journey: a tumbling par five that, on clear days, offers views for fifty miles across Lake Superior to the multicolored sandstone cliffs known as Pictured Rocks."
In addition Golfweek Magazine recently announced the "2006 State by State List-Public Access". Greywalls was ranked #2 on the Michigan list behind Arcadia Bluffs. Greywalls was joined by other top Michigan layouts in the Top 5, which included Forest Dunes Golf Club, Tullymore, and Black Forest.
Prior to receiving these honors, Golf Magazine selected Greywalls among its top new courses in its "Top Ten You Can Play" list in its December 2005 issue. Following that Golf Digest included Greywalls No. 3 in the "Best New Upscale Public Courses" in the country in its January 2006 issue.
"As we constructed Greywalls, we knew that we had something very special. We are so pleased that the experts now agree," said Bruce Roberts-Director of Marketing. "These rankings are especially gratifying, since Marquette is often perceived as being off-the-beaten-path. In fact, many of the raters who have sojourned to Greywalls have told us that the trip to God’s Country was much easier than expected – and that Mike DeVries’ design greatly exceeded their expectations."
Huge granite outcroppings are prominent features
Greywalls spans over 230 acres combining views of Lake Superior with natural rock outcroppings. One of the most enticing visuals occurs even before taking the driver out of the bag at the first tee – a breathtaking view of Lake Superior that includes Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore some 55 miles to the east.
The rest of the round is downhill from there, because at 380 feet the tee is the second highest playable point above the lake. The first six holes drop down, highlighted by two dramatic holes, the 312-yard No. 5 and the 185-yard No. 6. A 60-foot wall of granite, which partly accounts for the course name, protrudes from the right side of the fifth green. The sixth features a ravine with three tee boxes more than 40 feet below the championship tee and the green. It is one of the most sensational par-3 holes in golf. The lake comes back into view on the seventh tee and then the ninth green.
The back nine arguably offers some stronger play. While lake views and more outcroppings come into play on the 10th, 16th, 17th and 18th holes, the best stretch of pure golf holes are found on 12 thru 14. These holes feature sandy soil, rolling fairways and strategic bunkering and green placement. These are also the longest stretch of holes on the course.
The Greywalls course is part of the Marquette Golf Club, which has been a traditional venue for golf in that part of the U.P. since its establishment in 1926. Greywalls will join the Heritage course and give the popular club 36 holes of fun and challenging golf.
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan, long known for its rugged natural wonders and outdoor tourist attractions, can now add this course as one of its attractions.
For more information, call toll-free (866) 678-7171 or visit www.marquettegolfclub.com.
Contact:
Kevin Frisch
(989) 614-0241
kevin@resortandgolf.com
Dave Richards
(248) 642- 6420
dave@resortandgolf.com
