By Len Ziehm
Even though Paul Albanese designed both courses at the Island Resort and Casino in Escanaba, Michigan, they are two completely different tracks. Although only a few miles apart, they are a world apart in architectural design.
Sweetgrass, which opened in 2008, is one of the best courses in Michigan and perhaps in the entire Midwest. Sage Run opened 10 years later but has its own unique style.
I prefer Sweetgrass, but Sage Run certainly catches your attention.
Sage Run was built on a large ridge, or more specifically a drumlin, a geological formation created by a glacier.
The course has dramatic elevation changes with exposed rock and thick rough, which makes the course challenging and unlike anything you may have experienced before. Leave your ego in the clubhouse, choosing the proper set of tees for your skill level is tantamount to enjoy the experience.
Sage Run seems to garner more attention than Sweetgrass, because it is so different. Even the tees are out of the ordinary, with only one marker on each tee box. The single marker allows each golfer to move as far left or right as desired.
Sage Run provides a stern test for any golfer and was designed with the help of Pete Dye disciple, Chris Lutzke. Albanese also designed Tatanka, in rural Nebraska, which was named Golf Digest’s ‘Best New Resort Course In 2015’ and proves that Albanese knows his stuff.
Sweetgrass, annually hosts a Symetra Tour event and is always in pristine condition. While Sage Run has benefitted from three years of seasoning, Sweetgrass has had 13 years to mature and is one of the best courses you can play anywhere. I even liked Sweetgrass more this time, than I did on our last visit.
Both courses are part of the Island Resort & Casino, which sits on the Eastern and Central time zones border. That can be a factor when you make your tee times.
The Sweetgrass pro shop Is on the grounds of the resort and offers everything a golfer needs to complete his appointed rounds.
For those that enjoy gambling adventures, they will find a visit to either course a nice diversion from the games of chance on the casino floor.
