Michigan Golf Journal January 2021

par 3 that is uphill but with bunkers and a ridge still hiding (from the back tees) most of the huge green. The flag is visible, but it plays much farther away than it looks to the naked eye, so trust the published yardage and then hit up one club at least. Holes 10 and 11 are possibly the most attractive back-to-back holes in that region of Michigan. No. 10 is a shorter par 4 that with a big drive and a helping wind, golfers can flirt with the small, elevated green. No. 11 is a medium-length par 3 with a perched green that plays farther away than it looks (but note, all references to playing distance is predicated on that day’s wind direction, a main feature of Stoatin Brae). On a clear day downtown Battle Creek can be seen in the distance across the valley. Holes 16-18 are wonderful closing holes (par 5, par 3, par 5) that will test but delight most golfers with their challenges and looks. Stoatin Brae is set to host the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference finals for men’s and women’s golf. This is the second Michigan golf course in the last three years to win National Golf Course of the Year. Boyne Highlands’ The Heather took the honor in 2019. MGJ Michigan Golf Journal National Course of the Year