Michigan Golf Journal October 2020

Course Closings According to reports in the Detroit News and the Livingston Daily News, respectively, Salem Hills Golf Course near Plymouth will close at the end of this golf season in October – and the former Jackal Golf Course at Mt. Brighton never opened in the spring when Covid restrictions were lifted and was officially closed by ownership group Vail Resorts. Both properties told the newspapers that Covid-19 was not a factor at all in the decision and that both situations were being discussed internally the past few years. Salem Hills has been for sale but as of late-September hadn’t found a buyer, but if one is found it could remain a golf course. The Mt. Brighton closing is part of Vail Resort’s shift to focus on winter sports and potentially extend the snow-making season. In a course review of Salem Hills in 2017, I wrote: Salem Hills is fun. It’s not going to beat you up but it’s not a breeze either. Most holes have very wide fairways with generous landing zones before golfers reach trouble with trees or tall grasses – so it’s a challenge for seasoned golfers but beginners or short hitters can also move forward and have fun. The Detroit News story indicated that Salem Hills had good numbers on the tee sheets this summer, as have the majority of courses statewide since golf has become more popular as a safe outdoor activity. The News reported: course owner Frank Godwin sent out a letter to customers, saying “with heavy hearts,” the course will close at the end of October. “It was always our hope that we would find a buyer that would continue operating Salem as a golf course,” Godwin wrote. “Since that did not happen, we feel this decision is best for our family.” Ironically, both courses were designed by a member of the famed Matthews family, the three-generational clan that has designed or redesigned about 25% of all golf courses in Michigan. Bruce Matthews laid-out the Salem Hills course, and his grandson Bruce Matthews III did Mt. Brighton. Jerry Matthews, the second- generation designer in the family, partially came out of retirement recently to partner with Paul Albanese in designing the new 9 holes at Saskatoon Golf Club (see story on page 30). MGJ Two Golf Courses in Metro Detroit Closed for Good By Tom Lang Hole 13 at Salem Hills