Michigan Golf Journal October 2020

Great Lakes State’s best geography and topography. Rooney said his favorite moment on the golf course – and it’s hard to disagree – is going up the hill of the 11 th fairway as you crest the blind tee shot to the dogleg right. “Whether you’re walking up into Wrigley Field, going up the stairs, in that moment where you see the friendly confines, and there’s just this rush as a sports guy,” he said in likening it to other exciting moments in sports. “When people go over the hill on No.11 … it takes your breath away. It’s a spiritual, emotional moment when you look out and you can see 6 different holes from that point all traversing through the dunes. I’m with Jack in that I think the course plays in such an awesome cadence, from long to short (holes) to big greens to small greens. It’s so memorable.” The front nine has trees along each hole but they are pushed way back from the former design and are utilized to rim the property. The par 3, 4 th hole is possibly the most difficult. It’s not a long downhill shot but the green is fairly small and is crowned, so a golfer’s aim has to be most true here. The back nine opens up like a massive curtain across God’s stage of rolling sand dunes. The layout has six ponds, only one of which is on the back nine at the left front of the green of my favorite hole – No. 15. The tee box at the downhill par three is the highest point on the property and sadly signifies that you’re only three holes away from finishing an experience you don’t want to end. MGJ Editor’s note: check back in future months for more stories on playing American Dunes. 19 October 2020 www.michigangolfjournal.com Hole 15 at American Dunes, with 16 tee and 17 green in distant background