Michigan Golf Journal June 2020

41 June 2020 www.michigangolfjournal.com work of his and his young son (Vello) at the time. George originally opened a restaurant in the area and was later introduced to golf, and it became a love affair with the game from that point forward. The love George had for his creation, and now that of his son who is the current owner, shows in the way the course is maintained. Spectacular greens that more resemble a those of a private course, yet situated on a public venue where you can walk and play 18 in the spring for less than $1 per hole. The front nine is a wonderful mix of open spaces on the rolling hills amongst trees and ponds, with interesting doglegs, its signature par 3 over water, and finishing holes 8 and 9 that are a stout walk uphill to perched greens. The back nine – designed later with traditional push- up greens – supports my favorite run of three consecutive holes. Hole 14 is an attractive chip-shot par 3 over water, followed by the longest hole on the golf course – the 585- yard (from the white tees!) par five, double dogleg. Off the tee the fairway turns left, then turns about 75 degrees to the right for the final approach to the green. But to reach the turning point past a long stand of trees, golfers must go at least 440 yards in two shots to have a clear path to the green from roughly 150 yards. Walking away with a bogey felt rewarding. Then catch your breath, because up next is the nearly 400-yard 16 th to an island green. All in all, Oakland Hills was a wonderfully surprising gem that’s not so hidden , with its 5 th hole green up against westbound I-94 and FireKeepers Casino right across the freeway. Next time anyone travels from the Detroit-Ann Arbor-Jackson area, they need to arrive in Chicago 4 hours late. More information: http ://www. oaklandhillsgolfclub. com/ MGJ 16 th island green seen from the 17 th tee