Tom Weiskopf design recognized in biennial list of best public courses in U.S, ranked No. 1 in Michigan
Roscommon, MI – Forest Dunes, the nationally acclaimed Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course in northern Michigan, has been recognized by GOLF Magazine as one of the “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” in the United States.
And it was ranked No. 1 in Michigan for “The Best Courses Near You.”
The latest accolades for Forest Dunes can be found in the September 2016 issue. The biennial list, put together by the magazine’s editors and its panel of golf industry insiders, highlights the top public golf courses across the United States, as well as the best in each state.
“The state of Michigan is one of the top golfing states in the country, and to be recognized, not only as one of the nation’s top courses, but also the top public course in the state, is very exciting,” General Manager Chad Maveus said. “This ranking is testament to the dedication our team has in making the Forest Dunes experience one of the best in the country.”
Forest Dunes, ranked No. 21 on GOLF’s Top 100 list nationwide, opened in 2002 and quickly earned a national reputation for being a special golf destination. The course was referred to by Weiskopf as being among his top three designs in the United States.
A treat for any golf purist, the course is reminiscent of his Arizona courses featuring a number of strategic challenges. It is a mixture of parkland-style design and rugged native dune holes that meander through corridors of red and jack pines featuring elaborate bunkering and sandy waste areas.
The strategic challenges include a 10,000 square foot crescent-shaped green, and a dual fairway on the 10th hole for risk/ reward adventure, as well as a 605-yard par 5 to challenge a golfer’s long game. The finishing holes offer great excitement beginning with the par-3 16th that plays over 200 yards and requires a shot that carries over a rugged dunes area.
Weiskopf is known for designing memorable short par-4 holes and No. 17 might be one of his best. It is just 302 yards from the back tee, but offers a number of ways to be attacked. The finishing hole measures 531 yards and plays out dramatically through the dunes area to a green guarded by a lake.
If a match is tied, then the playoff can take place on the 117-yard 19th hole, which plays over the lake to a green that features a unique bunker in its center. The beautiful clubhouse serves as a fitting backdrop.
New in 2016, renowned architect Tom Doak has created the first design in the modern era to be a reversible golf course, which means two distinct layouts using the same greens but playing clockwise one way and counter clockwise the other way. The course has opened for limited play this summer to rave reviews.
With 54-holes of golf, the Lake AuSable Lodge, new golf villas, and other added amenities, Forest Dunes has secured its place among the premier golf destinations in the country. In addition to golf, travelers can also experience world-class fly-fishing and canoeing on the nearby AuSable River, and biking and hiking on miles of wilderness trails throughout the Huron National Forest.
About Forest Dunes
Forest Dunes opened in 2002 and quickly earned a national reputation for being a special golf destination. Originally developed as a private club, the Tom Weiskopf designed layout sits in the heart of the Huron National Forest. Today, Forest Dunes is the vision of Lew Thompson from Huntsville, AR and Sam Mathias of Fayetteville, AR, who acquired the 1,300-acre facility in 2012. Since purchasing the property, Thompson has been developing a plan to make the resort one of the leading golf destinations in America.
The course has been consistently ranked among the best courses by the leading golf publications. Golf Digest, which ranked it the Best New Course in the Country when it opened in 2002, currently ranks it No. 23 among its top public courses, and GOLF Magazine and Golfweek also rank it among their Top 100 courses.
In addition to the award-winning Forest Dunes course and the new Doak course, the property features the beautiful Adirondack style Clubhouse with Sangomore’s restaurant, Lake AuSable Lodge with 14-rooms, golf villas, and six lakeside cottages.
For more visit www.forestdunesgolf.com or follow them on Twitter @forestdunesgolf.
Contact:
Forest Dunes
Chad Maveus – General Manager/Director of Golf
(989) 275-0700
cmaveus@forestdunesgolf.com
Fusion Media Strategies
Kevin Frisch – Public Relations
(989) 614-0241
kevin@fusionmediastrategies.com
