Michigan Golf Journal August 2021

a shorter par 5, but it’s the No. 1 handicap hole. The fairway is flat, but off the tee you are forced to decide on laying up before the first creek or trying to blow over it. Yes, the first creek, because the second one crosses the entire front of the green, a green that is very wide but not very deep and is trimmed across the front with a rock wall below the slightly-elevated putting surface. In this region of the course, it can get a little noisy for a few holes – well, that is if you are bothered by the sound of babbling brooks. HAWKS EYE: This year Shanty Creek Resort added the local Hawk’s Eye Golf Course to its portfolio, joining The Summit, The Legend, Cedar River and Schuss Mountain. Hawk’s Eye is a top- notch course situated on similar rolling terrain style property. Beautiful water features highlight the first three holes, without any forced carries. Opps, spoke too soon again, because Hole 4 has a forced carry off the tee boxes. A total of nine holes have water to contend with, but the only forced carries are 4 and 11, the latter a medium-length par 3 to an elevated green. My favorite stretch of combined holes are 1-3 for their simplistic beauty, but that doesn’t mean the remainder of the course doesn’t measure up; it certainly does. In fact, the last two holes are as good of closing holes as any could be. The 17 th is a long par 5 with a fairway Continues on page 12 >> Hawk’s Eye Hole 17 Michigan Golf Journal Cover Story