Michigan Golf Journal August 2020

41 August 2020 www.michigangolfjournal.com “Number one the course is in great shape, plus Brad and the staff here make it fun to come out here and play. My wife loves it too,” said Rohn, who has played at some of the highest ranked golf courses across Michigan and the Midwest. “It’s also a very challenging course; you don’t always know what you’re going to get from one day to the next. But it’s always fun and the atmosphere is outstanding. It’s a family friendly course, the way they have it set up. You can play it as hard as you want or as easy as you want.” Interlochen Golf Course opened in 1965 and was once a stomping ground of Hall-of-Famer Walter Hagen in his later years of life as a resident on nearby South Long Lake. Dean honed his list of experience as a golf instructor, golf academy founder, pro shop merchandiser, golf operations manager, snow removal, and a little bit of food and beverage management – for 23 years at Crystal Mountain Resort in nearby Thompsonville. He even competed in the 90th PGA Championship at Oakland Hills, but now-a-days only plays competitively in Interlochen’s Wednesday night league and the Sunday skins. The property was never open during the snow months, until Dean took over. The restaurant now stays open seven days a week, serving lunch and dinner. He added a fire pit and welcomed in snow-shoers, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers. Northern Michigan resorts pull in travelers by the thousands, but Interlochen Golf Club’s market is the local summer lake home/ cabin owners and those who work in the area. My favorite stretch of holes are Nos. 7-9; all are par 4s. No. 7 is a drivable par 4 downhill – but clearing the creek in front and avoiding going long into more water behind the green makes layup off the tee a very attractive decision. No. 8 has the tee box on an island (used to be island green for 7) heading to a gently-right turning fairway, which ends with a below- the-fairway two-tiered green (one of the few redesigns from the original). Hole 9 is tight off the tee but opens up for the second shot, which requires clearing a stoutly sloped false front that makes balls run away from and off the green if hit too short on the left side. All-in-all a wonderful, 18- hole, very walkable layout that everyone can afford. Try it soon. www.interlochengolf. com. MGJ