Michigan Golf Journal August 2021

that cascades downhill in stair-step-like fashion to a huge green that’s guarded on the right half by water. Then 18 goes a little uphill with a slight right-hand turn to the green 80-to- 100 feet or so below the grand Northwoods style clubhouse perched on a cliff high above. Due to the rolling terrain, the course has at least a half-dozen holes with blind shots, either off the tee or on the second shot of par 5s. Overall, Hawk’s Eye has a very private and natural feel to the property, with very little housing along the way. The only place golfers really see other golfers is the intersection of the 10 th green, the 11 th hole and the 18 th tee. CEDAR RIVER: Weiskopf added his gem in 1999, on a piece of land not as hilly as The Legend but still with enough dramatic rolling features it will maintain any golfers interest all 18 holes. Speaking of which, the 18 th is very striking and one of my favorites. It’s a long par 5 that stays level for the most part, but then drops off dramatically the last 150 yards to a large green guarded on the right half with water, one of only three ponds on the entire layout. The 14 th hole could be one of the toughest par 3s in northern Michigan . It’s all drop off from tee to green; golfers must land the tee shot on the green as there is no fairway fronting the hole, but rather, deep bunkers going down the hill and deep woods right at the back edge of the bean- shaped green. The tee shot also must go between trees to reach the dance floor. Otherwise, Cedar River has really wide fairways and most are shaped with mounding along the way Hawk’s Eye Hole 2 Michigan Golf Journal Cover Story