Michigan Golf Journal September 2019

Michigan Golf Journal Fall Golf in the U.P. One of the greatest gifts Michigan golfers get to experience annually is the magnificent fall colors scattered across the Great Lakes State. Those looking for a head start on the fall golf season can head to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The fall golf season in the U.P. comes a few weeks earlier than downstate when sunny crisp days become a feast for the senses with hardwoods changing colors and turning their hues to scarlet, rust, gold and orange. A really nice location with the diversity of trees perfect for complimentary color displays is the Island Resort and Casino, located 13 miles west of Escanaba. Its new Sage Run course is a great contrasting golf experience to the original open-prairie Sweetgrass. Sage Run meanders through the beautiful Upper Peninsula hardwoods and around a tall, natural ridge offering some of the most spectacular color views in the region from several elevated locations. Golf holes like No. 8 and No. 16 were routed up and around the ridge offering a scenic variety of shots creating a fun thrill ride for golfers. The most spectacular views should be found from the elevated tees at No. 15, the long downhill par 4 and finishing hole No. 18, a downhill boomerang style par 5 where the fall colors stretch for 30-40 miles. Don’t forget to bring the camera! Ranked among Golfweek’s Best Courses, as well as recognized by GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest as Best in State, Sweetgrass features an open layout with strategic holes framed by the beautiful color season. Scenic holes like the famous island green No. 15 and the fun par 3 12 th hole, which borders the same lake, as well as a pair of spectacular finishing par 5 holes on each 9 that share a huge, expansive green offer a fun challenge for golfers of all levels. Finish off any round with gaming, food and entertainment options at one of the top casino resorts in the Midwest. For more information about planning a fall golf escape, visit www. islandresortgolf.com . Experience Michigan’s Fall Golf Season Earlier in the U.P. at Island Resort and Casino Sweetgrass closing par 5s