French Lick and Mackinac Island Earn the Two Midwest Selections by Historic Hotels of America
French Lick Springs Hotel (1845) French Lick Springs, Indiana
West Baden Springs Hotel (1902) West Baden, Indiana
Golf and history enthusiasts are in for a treat at French Lick Resort in French Lick, Indiana, which boasts three courses designed by three greats of 20th century golf course design. Notably, the resort’s most historic golf course – on account of its age, closeness to the original form, and the distinction of its designer – is the Donald Ross Course. Designed in 1917 by Donald Ross, the course was an immediate success. It first hosted the PGA Championship in 1924, won by Walter Hagen.
The course has hosted LPGA championships and Senior PGA events in the years since. Along with the greats of the game, world-class golf has attracted scores of celebrities to French Lick over the years, including singer Bing Crosby, comedian Bob Hope, business magnate Howard Hughes, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and professional football player Peyton Manning. French Lick native Larry Bird also worked and played on the French Lick golf course in his youth.
The French Lick Resort encompasses two historic hotels, The French Lick Hotel (1845) and the West Baden Springs Hotel (1902), where guests have access to the Donald Ross Course as well as courses designed by Pete Dye (2009) and Tom Bendelow (1907).
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.
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
