Michigan Golf Journal March 2021

Gaming in the U.P. Island Resort & Casino Now Home to TwinSpires Sports Book The world of sports betting has recently exploded in Michigan after laws changed making it acceptable in multiple forms and formats. It is one of the newest opportunities for golf junkies to add that extra burst of fun when planning their next trip to the Upper Peninsula, where great golf is offered but sometimes over-looked, most namely at Sweetgrass, Sage Run, Greywalls and TimberStone. All four dynamic layouts consistently rank in top echelon of Michigan golf courses. Golfers who visit Island Resort & Casino , located just outside of Escanaba and featuring the award- winning Sweetgrass and Sage Run golf courses, will now be able to add sports book entertainment to their golf vacations. TwinSpires , the official online wagering site for Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby, announced its official partnership with the resort in January. Through TwinSpires, golfers can now bet on their favorite sports including PGA Tour, NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, MLS and many more at one of the convenient 14 kiosks located in T.McC’s Sports Bar. TwinSpires Sportsbook offers different betting options– straight bets, parlay bets, teaser bets, live bets, futures and proposition bets. To add a little extra, golfers can book a golf trip around one of sports major events – like the PGA Championship in May, U.S. Open and NBA Finals in June, Ryder Cup and College/NFL Football in the fall. Also, its own Island Resort Championship on the LPGA Symetra Tour takes place in mid-June at Sweetgrass. Great Golf Packages: The U.P. golf season is still a couple months away, but now is the time to plan the next trip. Fully customizable packages offer 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-night lodging options with up to four rounds of golf. Package prices range from $95 - $758, depending on the time of year and single or double occupancy. One of my favorite experiences in the U.P. is the Perfect 4-Some , a customizable package combining Sweetgras s a nd  Sage Run together with the acclaimed  Greywalls in Marquette and  TimberStone  in Iron Mountain. The package offers 3-, 4-, and 5-night lodging options at Island Resort with four rounds of golf. Visit www. islandresortgolf.com. MGJ By Tom Lang