the classic features of our course and improving what we feel is a hidden gem,” Don Nellis, a club board member and chairman of the renovation and restoration effort said. “The renovations completed at this point have already been called a remarkable success by our membership and we have great anticipation for this next phase.” Toledo-based Drew Rogers is working with the Pine Lake Country Club’s superintendent, Terry Poley to restore thid Willie Park Jr. classic that dates back to 1919. The storied club, which is also doing a significant renovation of its clubhouse and other facilities, has closed its golf course until next year to address infrastructure drainage issues, irrigation, cart path improvements and extensive work on bunkers and greens with new turf for sustainability and less water use. “The story of this club is one of continual transformation and influence,” Rogers told Golf Course Architecture magazine. “To say the course has been ‘tinkered with’ since 1924 would be an understatement. Holes have been repositioned and greens have radically changed shape. Holes have been re-bunkered and loads of trees planted. Today, it feels like you’re playing three to four different golf courses out there. The aerial photographs make it clear that Pine Lake in the 1930s was a superb, cohesive layout. My job is to refurbish the course to that high standard, while also creating a greater consistency of this vintage style and character.” BOYNE Golf includes ten courses on three resort properties, Bay Harbor Golf Club, The Highlands and Boyne Mountain Resort. Bernie Friedrich, director of golf course renovations and development, is working with Raymond Hearn on several projects to update and improve courses. BOYNE Golf most recently announced that construction is underway on a Hearn-designed nine-hole short course and an adjacent Himalayanstyle putting course near its Main Lodge at The Highlands resort property. Hearn said his favorite parts of the new par 3 project are the green complexes he is creating. “Drawing inspiration from some of my favorite greens in Scotland, Ireland, and America (Eden, Punch Bowl, Short, Redan, Reverse Redan, Partial Volcano, Steep Slope, Postage Stamp, and Biarritz) that I have played and studied over the years, I was able to create fun, ‘kinda-sorta’ scaled-down versions of the originals and route them along the ski slope with uphill, downhill, and sidehill holes creating some thrilling golf shots.” The new yet-to-be-named short course will be lit for nighttime rounds. Hearn said it is designed to first and foremost be fun and allow golfers of all levels to enjoy the experience. The course will feature downhill, flat, uphill and sidehill fairway lies, generally moving horizontally back and forth across the slope. The new Himalayan-style, ninehole putting course is being designed to be fun for all as well. The undulations will challenge and entertain all ages in a relaxed setting. Construction started in mid-July and is expected to be completed on the short course this fall. A planned course opening will be in the spring of 2024. Saint John’s Resort is planning to unveil its new championship 18-hole golf course, short course and putting course in 2024 creating what they are billing as the ultimate golf entertainment venue. Ray Hearn and LaBar Golf Renovations have completely altered the golf facilities in the last two years as part of a $50 million resort transformation under the property’s new ownership group, the non-profit Pulte Family Charitable Foundation. The new 18-hole golf course will be named “The Cardinal.” A seven-hole Par 3 course and a twoacre putting course aimed at entertaining all Michigan Golf Journal
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