Michigan Golf Journal November 2021

the course; exceptional quality of ownership and management; outstanding contribution to its community; and significant contribution to the game. Jada Paisley, executive director of the MGCA, said Sweetgrass hits the mark. “The MGCA is thrilled that Sweetgrass is the course of the year,” she said. “It’s just the second time an Upper Peninsula course has been chosen, and it fits all the criteria and more for this award. Island Resort & Casino provides a wonderful golf experience to its guests and with the Hannahville Indian Community has made an incredible impact.” Island Resort & Casino is owned and operated by the Hannahville Indian Community, a federally recognized Potawatomi Indian Tribe. They added Sage Run Golf Course to the resort’s portfolio in 2018 and it has received similar praises as Sweetgrass. Designed by Michigan resident Paul Albanese and ranked among the top 20 public courses in Michigan, Sweetgrass features masterfully crafted rockwork with a prairie links style. The course challenges with an island green on number 15 and a pair of spectacular waterfalls that greet golfers as they play up the twin par five 9 th and 18 th holes to an enormous, shared green. Classic green complexes like a Biarritz and a Redan along with historic wood and iron bridges rescued from other areas in the state are compelling design components and part of the story of the course – along with links to its Native American roots. Sweetgrass has been ranked by Golfweek, GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest in various best-courses lists. As previously stated, Island Resort and Casino Continues on next page>> 7 November 2021 www.michigangolfjournal.com