Michigan Golf Journal October 2021

Grand Hotel (1887) Mackinac Island, Michigan The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island provides guests of the Lake Michigan luxury resort a wonderful historic 18-hole golf course, The Jewel, comprised of the Grand Nine and the Woods Nine. It is the only course in the country with horse-drawn carriage rides between nines. The Grand Nine, located across from the hotel with views of the Straits of Mackinac, was designed in 1901 by golf links artist Tom Bendelow and redesigned in 1987 by golf course architect Jerry Matthews. In 1994, Matthews designed the Woods Nine, located in the interior of Mackinac Island with views of the Mackinac Bridge and the Upper Peninsula. Among the many sports champions and notable figures who have played the Jewel include 1987 U.S. Open Championship winner Scott Simpson, sports announcer Jim Nantz, and former U.S. President Gerald Ford. President Ford himself was fond of Mackinac Island throughout his life, with his first visit taking place all the way back during his youth in the 1920s. (He specifically served as an Eagle Scout at the Mackinac Island State Park Commission’s Scout Service Camp.) As such, President Ford returned frequently while on vacation, engaging in activities like sampling fresh candy at Mary’s Fudge, touring Fort Mackinac, and playing a round or two at The Jewel. MGJ Others on the top 25 list include: Omni Homestead Resort (1766) in Hot Springs, Virginia Woodstock Inn & Resort (1793) in Woodstock, Vermont Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa (1806), Pennsylvania The Sagamore Resort (1883) in Bolton Landing, New York The Jekyll Island Club Resort (1886) on Jekyll Island, Georgia 33 October 2021 www.michigangolfjournal.com