The least known of all Mike DeVries designs is Diamond Springs, located in remote farming fields southwest of Grand Rapids.
But it deserves any golfer’s full attention.
With rates averaging under $30, Diamond Springs is frequently referred to as one of the best values in the state of Michigan, especially because it has all the design and conditioning elements of an upscale course.
“Unless you hit it really wayward it’s an enjoyable day, and you’re not surrounded by housing,” he said. “Looking at the price point it’s as good as you can get.”
Diamond Springs has amazing natural features not often found in the middle of corn fields. At least six holes are affected by a sizeable ravine, partially created by an old mill that was once on the land. It’s often the highlighted topography feature by most course reviewers, but DeVries sounds just as impressed by the ground that rises above.
“The ravine gets almost all the attention, but the long, linear eskers that go across the property are the main land forms crossing the property in sort of a regular pattern,” he said. “Those allowed us to route holes to play off of them, across them, over them, up on to them or off of them in a lot of diverse ways that offer so much variety. It’s the inverse of the gorge. The great juxtaposition of nature was really neat to work with.”
Hole No. 15 is one of the more striking risk-reward holes in the state. Some will try to drive the green of the par four dogleg right but that requires a long carry over the ravine. Staying left to follow the fairway, however, is no easy task either.
“We made the green complex receptive enough people can go for it, it’s possible,” DeVries explained. “But if you can’t hit it that far, a properly played shot will roll right off that fairway hogback and get down close to the green or on it. There’s a lot of dynamics going on there but it’s also visually a treat with all the vegetation blooming in the ravine. It’s all pretty special.”
