#forestdunesgolf

[bunkershotgolf]

Forest Dunes’ New 10-Hole Short Course Opens Aug. 1

Designers Johns and Rhebb debut resort’s newest world-class attraction

Northern Michigan’s Forest Dunes, one of the country’s most acclaimed golf destinations, is proud to announce the August 1 opening of its new 10-hole, 1,135-yard Keith Rhebb and Riley Johns-designed Short Course.

Home to the celebrated Tom Weiskopf-designed Forest Dunes course (ranked 28th on Golf Digest’s list of America’s Top 100 Public Golf Courses) and the innovative reversible Tom Doak layout, The Loop (with its counterclockwise Red routing ranked No. 47 and the clockwise Black routing ranked No. 45 on the same Golf Digest list) and the 18-hole, two-acre Hilltop Putting Course, Forest Dunes offers one of the most complete and unique golfing destinations for golf aficionados and buddies trips.

Situated on a peaceful, rolling bulge of land positioned perfectly between The Loop and Forest Dunes courses and near the spacious clubhouse, pavilion, practice area and massive HillTop Putting Course, the short course, with fun, strategic holes measuring between 65 and 150 yards, is a new focal point and an energetic hot spot for golfers of all ages and skill levels.

Forest Dunes owner Lew Thompson wanted a fun and playable course for his grandkids and beginning golfers so he entrusted Johns and Rhebb, who helmed the renovation at Orlando’s Winter Park 9 course, to build a course with entertaining shot values and an unintimidating sense of fun. He also wanted it ready for this summer. Johns and Rhebb responded with a course that has excellent shot values while maintaining a playfulness is throughout the design. And they got it built and grassed in just 81 days.

“We essentially had carte blanche from Lew, which was awesome, and really the only way we could get the project completed in time,” says Rhebb. One of the few requests Thompson had was to make the course playful––a theme that permeated throughout the design process.

“You don’t often get the chance to get super creative when designing courses, but with the short course we really had the opportunity to have some fun with it. Lew wanted it to be fun and always engaging, and we were able to express that in the design,” Rhebb adds.

The short course’s creatively-designed greens are constructed to funnel balls toward pin locations, improving the likelihood of ever-elusive holes-in-one, while a few tee shots tempt you to make use of strategic slopes and banks instead of flying it in the air. The greens showcase a variety of subtle shapes, many being bowl-shaped and some resembling catcher’s mitts or table tops.

A unique feature on the course will be that holes 1 and 10 are crossover holes with a tree protecting from direct ball flight issues. “The land gave us such a great canvas to create something fun that offers a ‘welcoming handshake’ to entry-level players and says ‘this is what golf can be.’ Here you can go out in your flip flops and hit flop shots with a few buddies, try to make an ace on every hole, or use a putter off the tee to try and run one on the green,” says Johns.

Not only does the design lend itself to great on-course fun, its routing also incorporates Forest Dunes’ bustling social scene, with the entire first hole and 10th viewable from the pavilion. “The pavilion is the social hub, it’s where music is playing and people are having drinks, so we wanted to take some of that liveliness and put it into play somehow,” Johns adds.

Thompson thinks the prime location of the short course will easily entice guests to play it before or after a round on The Loop or Forest Dunes or any time they’re recreating on the resort grounds. “When you come to Forest Dunes, we want you to have a good time,” says Thompson, who says music, bare feet and eight somes are all fair game on the new par-three course if that’s what it takes to make the game more accessible and fun. “What Keith and Riley have built is bringing a new life and energy to the property. It’s going to bring people together and make their time here more enjoyable.”

To learn more, visit www.forestdunesgolf.com or follow them on Twitter @forestdunesgolf.

[fishing-exposed]

@forestdunesgolf: Happy Opening Day of Trout Season to all those fly fishing on the nearby AuSable River. Here's to some good luck and good hatches this year! https://t.co/QBcPTaQKzt

[krudlerace]

How cool does this course look? Tag a mate that would love to play here with you🏌️ Follow 👉🏻 @hittingitsolid 👈🏻 to see more!! . 📸 credit: @forestdunes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #hittingitsolid #beautifulgolfcourses #beautifulgolfcourse #beautifulgolfcourses👍⛳️ #beautifulgolfcourses⛳️ #bestgolfcourses #bestgolfcourse #golfcourseviews #golfcourseview #greatgolfcourses #greatgolfcourse #golfcoursephotos #golfcoursephotography #golfcoursephoto #golfcourseporn #epicgolfcourses #golfheaven #resortgolf #resortgolfcourse #golfresort #golfresorts #golfparadise #forestdunesgolfclub #forestdunesgolfresort #forestdunesgolf #michigangolf #michigangolfcourse (at Forest Dunes Golf Club) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQGBi_bNbSq/?utm_medium=tumblr

[mrmichaelmbarnes]

FOREST DUNES – THE LOOP Reversible Design Offers Unique Golf Experience

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Tom Doak’s innovative design continues to captivate golfers looking for the ultimate buddy trip

Roscommon, MI – Forest Dunes, the award-winning golf destination located in northern Michigan, has evolved into one of the most unique golf experiences in the country. Featuring Tom Doak’s reversible design (The LOOP) and one of Tom Weiskopf’s best course creations, Forest Dunes is truly one of a kind.

The LOOP opened in 2016 to rave reviews across the industry. Golf Digest named it the Best New Public Course, and GOLF Magazine named it the Best New U.S. Course You Can Play. The two different layouts, Black-clockwise and Red-counter clockwise, alternate directions on a daily basis.

New for 2019; The LOOP will allow golf carts. The course was designed for walking and is especially walker-friendly, and golfers can choose to enhance their experience with the professional caddie fleet offered by CADDIEMASTER, the world’s leading caddie company.

Head golf professional Elliott Oscar said adding carts to the mix, however, opens the opportunity to experience the unique design for more golfers.

“The Loop is one of the most unique golf courses in the world and the only true 18-hole reversible design and while we believe walking is how it is meant to be played, and a caddie is the fun and unique way to experience it, we do not want to exclude anyone from this bucket list opportunity due to health, age, or ability,” explained Oscar.

Forest Dunes will again offer the popular golf opportunity called THE DUAL, in which golfers play The LOOP in both directions in one day. With The LOOP’S normal rotation of alternating routings on a daily basis (Red on even dates and Black on odd dates) there are three months (May, July, August) with 31-days where the even/odd schedule does not work, which created this unique opportunity. The DUAL days include a two-person best-ball team event, where golfers play one direction (course) in the morning, then play the other direction (course) in the afternoon for a 36-hole one-day experience. Lunch and dinner are included at a cost of $300.00 – $350.00 per person. Visit http://bit.ly/2Gxtimh for more information.

The LOOP is the only reversible course of its kind using 18-green complexes, which are the heart and soul of the unique design. Doak showed his genius as this generation’s iconic designer creating fun green complexes that had to be approachable and interesting from 360 degrees, while at the same time making it feel like you are never playing the wrong way.

He and his team accomplished it throughout the golf course in both directions. Golfers marvel at No. 6 of the Red Course (counter-clockwise), a very short par-3 with a wide and shallow green, and the seventh, a short par-4 with a long and narrow green that has a dip in the middle of it. Those two holes are also among the best holes playing clockwise coming into the greens from 90-degrees.

Doak also added his version of a Redan hole, which is No. 4 of the Red Course, a par 3, and plays as the Redan green on No. 13 of the Black Course (clock-wise), the longest par 3 on the course.

The LOOP has to be played to be believed and Forest Dunes offers unique stay-and-play packages to make it happen. Golfers can experience a 54-hole package over two or three days playing The LOOP (red or Black) one day, then the playing other direction the next day, combined with the award-winning Forest Dunes layout. New for 2019 is the exciting HillTop Putting Course, a two-acre 18-hole putting course routed over some fun undulating terrain and pines. Dinner outdoors on the patio under the western cedar pavilion caps off a great day of golf.

To build a unique Forest Dunes package with golf and lodging, simply combine the Lake AuSable Lodge, golf cottages, or the new golf villas with the Forest Dunes and Loop courses. Lodging rates can range depending on the time of the season and room type from $69 to $159 per person. Golf rates, depending on the time of season, range from $85 to $160.

In addition, Forest Dunes is providing a tribute rate during the summer months on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays on both courses for $100 for military, first responders, seniors (55 and over), ladies, and teachers.

For more information and to book a stay and play package, click on http://bit.ly/2IIaFxs

For more visit www.forestdunesgolf.com or follow them on Twitter @forestdunesgolf.

from Golf News Wire http://bit.ly/2Dm1bEF

[mrlongkgraves]

FOREST DUNES – THE LOOP Reversible Design Offers Unique Golf Experience

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Tom Doak’s innovative design continues to captivate golfers looking for the ultimate buddy trip

Roscommon, MI – Forest Dunes, the award-winning golf destination located in northern Michigan, has evolved into one of the most unique golf experiences in the country. Featuring Tom Doak’s reversible design (The LOOP) and one of Tom Weiskopf’s best course creations, Forest Dunes is truly one of a kind.

The LOOP opened in 2016 to rave reviews across the industry. Golf Digest named it the Best New Public Course, and GOLF Magazine named it the Best New U.S. Course You Can Play. The two different layouts, Black-clockwise and Red-counter clockwise, alternate directions on a daily basis.

New for 2019; The LOOP will allow golf carts. The course was designed for walking and is especially walker-friendly, and golfers can choose to enhance their experience with the professional caddie fleet offered by CADDIEMASTER, the world’s leading caddie company.

Head golf professional Elliott Oscar said adding carts to the mix, however, opens the opportunity to experience the unique design for more golfers.

“The Loop is one of the most unique golf courses in the world and the only true 18-hole reversible design and while we believe walking is how it is meant to be played, and a caddie is the fun and unique way to experience it, we do not want to exclude anyone from this bucket list opportunity due to health, age, or ability,” explained Oscar.

Forest Dunes will again offer the popular golf opportunity called THE DUAL, in which golfers play The LOOP in both directions in one day. With The LOOP’S normal rotation of alternating routings on a daily basis (Red on even dates and Black on odd dates) there are three months (May, July, August) with 31-days where the even/odd schedule does not work, which created this unique opportunity. The DUAL days include a two-person best-ball team event, where golfers play one direction (course) in the morning, then play the other direction (course) in the afternoon for a 36-hole one-day experience. Lunch and dinner are included at a cost of $300.00 – $350.00 per person. Visit http://bit.ly/2Gxtimh for more information.

The LOOP is the only reversible course of its kind using 18-green complexes, which are the heart and soul of the unique design. Doak showed his genius as this generation’s iconic designer creating fun green complexes that had to be approachable and interesting from 360 degrees, while at the same time making it feel like you are never playing the wrong way.

He and his team accomplished it throughout the golf course in both directions. Golfers marvel at No. 6 of the Red Course (counter-clockwise), a very short par-3 with a wide and shallow green, and the seventh, a short par-4 with a long and narrow green that has a dip in the middle of it. Those two holes are also among the best holes playing clockwise coming into the greens from 90-degrees.

Doak also added his version of a Redan hole, which is No. 4 of the Red Course, a par 3, and plays as the Redan green on No. 13 of the Black Course (clock-wise), the longest par 3 on the course.

The LOOP has to be played to be believed and Forest Dunes offers unique stay-and-play packages to make it happen. Golfers can experience a 54-hole package over two or three days playing The LOOP (red or Black) one day, then the playing other direction the next day, combined with the award-winning Forest Dunes layout. New for 2019 is the exciting HillTop Putting Course, a two-acre 18-hole putting course routed over some fun undulating terrain and pines. Dinner outdoors on the patio under the western cedar pavilion caps off a great day of golf.

To build a unique Forest Dunes package with golf and lodging, simply combine the Lake AuSable Lodge, golf cottages, or the new golf villas with the Forest Dunes and Loop courses. Lodging rates can range depending on the time of the season and room type from $69 to $159 per person. Golf rates, depending on the time of season, range from $85 to $160.

In addition, Forest Dunes is providing a tribute rate during the summer months on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays on both courses for $100 for military, first responders, seniors (55 and over), ladies, and teachers.

For more information and to book a stay and play package, click on http://bit.ly/2IIaFxs

For more visit www.forestdunesgolf.com or follow them on Twitter @forestdunesgolf.

from Golf News Wire http://bit.ly/2Dm1bEF

[bunkershotgolf]

Forest Dunes Now Open in Scenic Northern Michigan, Launches New Custom Digital Magazine

With summer in full swing and golfers seeking to escape on a golfing road trip, Northern Michigan’s renowned Forest Dunes is now fully open for the golf season. This includes Forest Dunes and The Loop courses, lodging, and Sangomore’s Restaurant.

To help ensure the safety of guests and employees, Forest Dunes has implemented best practices guidelines throughout the resort such as social distancing set up with reduced seating capacity in the restaurant, patio, and pavilion, as well as increased cleaning and sanitizing in all areas.

Fast becoming one of the country’s top destinations for golf aficionados and buddies’ trips, the 54-hole property is home to the innovative Tom Doak reversible-design, “The Loop” and the original and immaculately conditioned Tom Weiskopf designed Forest Dunes course.

Weiskopf, who claims his Forest Dunes course is one of his top three designs in the U.S., is cut through the beautiful Huron National Forest. The front nine features parkland-style holes meandering through corridors of red and jack pines, with elaborate bunkering and sandy waste areas on the sides. The back nine is quite different, featuring even more open and exposed rugged native sand areas with scruffy underbrush bordering and crossing fairways and greens.

The Loop, which opened up to rave national reviews, is the only reversible course of its kind using 18 green complexes, which are the heart and soul of the unique design. Doak showed his genius as this generation’s iconic designer, creating fun green complexes that had to be approachable and interesting from 360 degrees, while also maintaining pure shot values so a golfer never feels like he is playing in the wrong direction.

New for 2020 will be the unveiling of the new 10-hole short course opening this summer along with two new lake cottages. Both cottages feature six-bedrooms sleeping groups of eight, walkout lower level to Lake AuSable, gas grill, fire pit and billiards table.

Experience Most Unique Stay-and-Play package on July 4 Weekend.

Golfers building a stay-and-play golf package at Forest Dunes can experience a 54-hole package unlike any other, with The Loop and Forest Dunes courses. Simply combine a lodging rate with golf rates.

Over July 4th weekend, golfers can experience special holiday package pricing including lodging from Thursday July 2 through Sunday July 5. Pricing starts at $199 for one-night/18-holes ($60 savings) up to $638 for two-nights/72-holes ($200 savings).

To book a special holiday package during the July 4th weekend, call at 989-275-0700 or visit https://forestdunesgolf.com/specials.

FD-DigitalMagazine.jpgA new 2020 custom digital magazine designed especially for Forest Dunes enthusiasts, called The Loop.

To provide golfers with a deeper connection and stories about the award-winning resort, Forest Dunes launches its new custom digital magazine. Highlighted stories include; The new short course being built in a blisteringly swift 81 days, Owner Lew Thompson engaging Tom Doak in an idea that had been percolating in the architect’s brain for decades—a reversible course, and the land at Forest Dunes once housed the Detroit Mafia/Detroit Partnership at the height of prohibition, who were a central component in Martin Scorsese’s film The Irishman.

To read these stories and more click on the link. https://matchplaygolf.ca/ForestDunes2020/

About Forest Dunes

Nestled on 1,300 acres of heavily wooded land within the Huron National Forest, Forest Dunes has become one of the country's premier golf experiences. In this pristine setting, Tom Weiskopf designed one of his top layouts featuring rugged native dunes, scruffy sand areas and water features. The resort has been ranked among the “Best Golf Resorts In The Americas” by Golf Digest, and “Top 100 Resorts” by GOLF Magazine. The courses have also been consistently ranked among the best courses by the leading golf publications. Golf Digest, which ranked its original Weiskopf course the Best New Course in the Country when it opened in 2002, currently ranks it No. 28 among its top public courses, and GOLF Magazine and Golfweek have also ranked it among their Top 100 courses. The unique and reversible Tom Doak design, The Loop, adds a second/third Best New Course to the golf experience at Forest Dunes. The Loop Black is No. 45 and The Loop Red No. 47 on Golf Digest's America's 100 Greatest Public Courses and Forest Dunes is one of only five facilities in the country with three courses in the top 50 of the public ranking. In addition, the property features the beautiful Adirondack style Clubhouse with Sangomore’s restaurant, Lake AuSable Lodge with 14-rooms, golf villas, and new lake cottages.

For more visit www.forestdunesgolf.com or follow them on Twitter @forestdunesgolf.

[mrlongkgraves]

Golf Digest Ranks Forest Dunes Among America’s 25 Greatest Public Golf Courses

Roscommon, MI – Forest Dunes, the premier golf destination in northern Michigan, has once again earned a spot among Golf Digest’s elite list of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses. The highly-acclaimed Tom Weiskopf designed course was ranked No. 25 on the list. The publication’s biennial review of America’s top public courses appears in the June 2017 issue. Golf Digest used nearly 1,000 low-handicap male and female golfers on its Course Ranking Panel and asked each to submit ballots based on seven criteria including shot values, resistance to scoring, design variety, memorability, aesthetics, conditioning and ambience.

“We are very excited to once again be recognized by one of the leading golf publications and rater panels in the industry as one of America’s greatest public courses”, said Chad Maveus, general manager at Forest Dunes. “To continue being rated among the best in the country is a testament to the quality design by Weiskopf, and our maintenance staff who maintains the courses world-class conditions on a daily basis.”

Forest Dunes, which opened in 2002, is ranked No. 4 overall in Michigan, No. 2 public by Golf Digest. The resort destination is also one of Golf Digest’s Best Resort’s in the America’s.

Tom Weiskopf, who has designed more than a hundred golf courses around the world, feels Forest Dunes is one of his top three designs in the United States. The course, which is cut through the beautiful Huron National Forest, is unlike any other in northern Michigan. The front nine features parkland-style holes meandering through corridors of red and jack pines, with elaborate bunkering and sandy waste areas on the sides. The back nine is quite different, featuring even more open and exposed rugged native sand areas with scruffy underbrush bordering and crossing fairways and greens.

New for 2017 has been the highly-anticipated opening of The Loop, the innovative 18-hole reversible golf course designed by Tom Doak. This revolutionary course can be played in one direction one day and another direction the next using the same 18 greens and fairways. Golf Digest named The Loop as the Best New Public Course in 2016. In terms of play for golfers, the result is three golf courses and a versatile 54-hole golf package that is as cool and unique as the destination itself. When building a stay and play golf package at Forest Dunes, golfers can simply combine a lodging rate with the golf rates. Lodging options include the Lake AuSable Lodge, golf cottages, or the new golf villas.

For more information and to book a stay and play package, click on http://ift.tt/2qcQ9ZH.

About Forest Dunes

Nestled on 1,300 acres of heavily wooded land within the Huron National Forest, Forest Dunes has become one of the country’s premier golf experiences. In this pristine setting, Tom Weiskopf designed one of his top layouts featuring rugged native dunes, scruffy sand areas and water features. The course has been consistently ranked among the best courses by the leading golf publications. Golf Digest, which ranked its original Weiskopf course the Best New Course in the Country when it opened in 2002, currently ranks it No. 25 among its top public courses, and GOLF Magazine and Golfweek have also ranked it among their Top 100 courses. The unique and reversible Tom Doak design, The Loop, adds a second/third Best New Course to the golf experience at Forest Dunes. In addition, the property features the beautiful Adirondack style Clubhouse with Sangomore’s restaurant, Lake AuSable Lodge with 14-rooms, new golf villas, and cottages.

For more visit http://ift.tt/1Grlhbt or follow them on Twitter @forestdunesgolf.

from Golf News Wire http://ift.tt/2qcNDTb

[mrmichaelmbarnes]

Golf Digest Ranks Forest Dunes Among America’s 25 Greatest Public Golf Courses

Roscommon, MI – Forest Dunes, the premier golf destination in northern Michigan, has once again earned a spot among Golf Digest’s elite list of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses. The highly-acclaimed Tom Weiskopf designed course was ranked No. 25 on the list. The publication’s biennial review of America’s top public courses appears in the June 2017 issue. Golf Digest used nearly 1,000 low-handicap male and female golfers on its Course Ranking Panel and asked each to submit ballots based on seven criteria including shot values, resistance to scoring, design variety, memorability, aesthetics, conditioning and ambience.

“We are very excited to once again be recognized by one of the leading golf publications and rater panels in the industry as one of America’s greatest public courses”, said Chad Maveus, general manager at Forest Dunes. “To continue being rated among the best in the country is a testament to the quality design by Weiskopf, and our maintenance staff who maintains the courses world-class conditions on a daily basis.”

Forest Dunes, which opened in 2002, is ranked No. 4 overall in Michigan, No. 2 public by Golf Digest. The resort destination is also one of Golf Digest’s Best Resort’s in the America’s.

Tom Weiskopf, who has designed more than a hundred golf courses around the world, feels Forest Dunes is one of his top three designs in the United States. The course, which is cut through the beautiful Huron National Forest, is unlike any other in northern Michigan. The front nine features parkland-style holes meandering through corridors of red and jack pines, with elaborate bunkering and sandy waste areas on the sides. The back nine is quite different, featuring even more open and exposed rugged native sand areas with scruffy underbrush bordering and crossing fairways and greens.

New for 2017 has been the highly-anticipated opening of The Loop, the innovative 18-hole reversible golf course designed by Tom Doak. This revolutionary course can be played in one direction one day and another direction the next using the same 18 greens and fairways. Golf Digest named The Loop as the Best New Public Course in 2016. In terms of play for golfers, the result is three golf courses and a versatile 54-hole golf package that is as cool and unique as the destination itself. When building a stay and play golf package at Forest Dunes, golfers can simply combine a lodging rate with the golf rates. Lodging options include the Lake AuSable Lodge, golf cottages, or the new golf villas.

For more information and to book a stay and play package, click on http://ift.tt/2qcQ9ZH.

About Forest Dunes

Nestled on 1,300 acres of heavily wooded land within the Huron National Forest, Forest Dunes has become one of the country’s premier golf experiences. In this pristine setting, Tom Weiskopf designed one of his top layouts featuring rugged native dunes, scruffy sand areas and water features. The course has been consistently ranked among the best courses by the leading golf publications. Golf Digest, which ranked its original Weiskopf course the Best New Course in the Country when it opened in 2002, currently ranks it No. 25 among its top public courses, and GOLF Magazine and Golfweek have also ranked it among their Top 100 courses. The unique and reversible Tom Doak design, The Loop, adds a second/third Best New Course to the golf experience at Forest Dunes. In addition, the property features the beautiful Adirondack style Clubhouse with Sangomore’s restaurant, Lake AuSable Lodge with 14-rooms, new golf villas, and cottages.

For more visit http://ift.tt/1Grlhbt or follow them on Twitter @forestdunesgolf.

from Golf News Wire http://ift.tt/2qcNDTb

[mrlongkgraves]

The Loop at Forest Dunes Earns Best New Course Honors from Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine

Tom Doak’s innovative 18-hole reversible course captures rare double honor

Roscommon, MI – Forest Dunes, a premier international golf destination in northern Michigan, has been honored by the golf industry’s two leading publications. Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine have named Forest Dunes’ new innovative 18-hole reversible course – The Loop, designed by Tom Doak of Renaissance Golf Design, as the Best New Public Course and the Best New U.S. Course You Can Play, respectively.

The Loop joins Tiger Woods-designed Bluejack National, as the big winner in the private club category in each publication. They both have something in common according to Ron Whitten, Golf Digest’s Architecture Editor: “Fun and playability” and “they represent the trend that many architects are embracing: build for the masses, not the elite players.”

The annual lists and stories regarding the best new courses can be found in the December/January issue of Golf Digest and the January issue of GOLF Magazine. “This is truly an honor to be recognized by both of golf’s leading publications,” Forest Dunes owner Lew Thompson said.

“When we decided to build our next golf course, I wanted something industry changing, and fun for everyone. Tom Doak delivered by providing us some of his best work, and the feedback by our guests has been tremendous. The genius of the concept is how it looks and plays completely different when you play in the other direction.”

With his Renaissance men Brian Schneider and Eric Iverson doing most of the shaping of greens and bunkers, and Brian Slawnik running the job and handling the finishing touches, Doak’s team beat the northern Michigan weather to plant all 18 holes in a single summer. “I could just drive over from Traverse City in the morning, tinker with two different greens the same day, and still get home to sleep in my own bed,” smiled Doak. “So it all came together a lot faster than having to go to New Zealand and back, even though we did have to think through two different approach shots to every green.”

The new 18-holes function as 36. “Without ever posing the sensation of playing the wrong way down a fairway,” according to Whitten and Golf Digest, which rated and recognized the best new course as one 36-hole experience. Golfers play Black-clockwise and Red-counter clockwise.

GOLF Magazine also praised the design by comparing it to a hit song with “one heckuva hook.”

“Tom’s reversible course concept changed our business model from a simple stop on the way single golf course, to a leading golf destination with a three-course experience different from anything else in the world right now,” Thompson said.

The Loop, with its revolutionary reversible design, is a walking only experience featuring the option of professional caddies. The two different layouts alternate directions on a daily basis and allow golfers to experience a unique vacation golf package.

About Forest Dunes

Nestled on 1,300 acres of heavily wooded land within the Huron National Forest, Forest Dunes has become one of the country’s premier golf experiences. In this pristine setting, Tom Weiskopf designed one of his top layouts featuring rugged native dunes, scruffy sand areas and water features. The course has been consistently ranked among the best courses by the leading golf publications. Golf Digest, which ranked its original Weiskopf course the Best New Course in the Country when it opened in 2002, currently ranks it No. 23 among its top public courses, and GOLF Magazine and Golfweek have also ranked it among their Top 100 courses. The unique and reversible Tom Doak design, The Loop, adds a second/third Best New Course to the golf experience at Forest Dunes. In addition, the property features the beautiful Adirondack style Clubhouse with Sangomore’s restaurant, Lake AuSable Lodge with 14-rooms, new golf villas, and cottages. For more visit http://ift.tt/1Grlhbt or follow them on Twitter @forestdunesgolf.

from Golf News Wire http://ift.tt/2jcgA1u

[mrmichaelmbarnes]

The Loop at Forest Dunes Earns Best New Course Honors from Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine

Tom Doak’s innovative 18-hole reversible course captures rare double honor

Roscommon, MI – Forest Dunes, a premier international golf destination in northern Michigan, has been honored by the golf industry’s two leading publications. Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine have named Forest Dunes’ new innovative 18-hole reversible course – The Loop, designed by Tom Doak of Renaissance Golf Design, as the Best New Public Course and the Best New U.S. Course You Can Play, respectively.

The Loop joins Tiger Woods-designed Bluejack National, as the big winner in the private club category in each publication. They both have something in common according to Ron Whitten, Golf Digest’s Architecture Editor: “Fun and playability” and “they represent the trend that many architects are embracing: build for the masses, not the elite players.”

The annual lists and stories regarding the best new courses can be found in the December/January issue of Golf Digest and the January issue of GOLF Magazine. “This is truly an honor to be recognized by both of golf’s leading publications,” Forest Dunes owner Lew Thompson said.

“When we decided to build our next golf course, I wanted something industry changing, and fun for everyone. Tom Doak delivered by providing us some of his best work, and the feedback by our guests has been tremendous. The genius of the concept is how it looks and plays completely different when you play in the other direction.”

With his Renaissance men Brian Schneider and Eric Iverson doing most of the shaping of greens and bunkers, and Brian Slawnik running the job and handling the finishing touches, Doak’s team beat the northern Michigan weather to plant all 18 holes in a single summer. “I could just drive over from Traverse City in the morning, tinker with two different greens the same day, and still get home to sleep in my own bed,” smiled Doak. “So it all came together a lot faster than having to go to New Zealand and back, even though we did have to think through two different approach shots to every green.”

The new 18-holes function as 36. “Without ever posing the sensation of playing the wrong way down a fairway,” according to Whitten and Golf Digest, which rated and recognized the best new course as one 36-hole experience. Golfers play Black-clockwise and Red-counter clockwise.

GOLF Magazine also praised the design by comparing it to a hit song with “one heckuva hook.”

“Tom’s reversible course concept changed our business model from a simple stop on the way single golf course, to a leading golf destination with a three-course experience different from anything else in the world right now,” Thompson said.

The Loop, with its revolutionary reversible design, is a walking only experience featuring the option of professional caddies. The two different layouts alternate directions on a daily basis and allow golfers to experience a unique vacation golf package.

About Forest Dunes

Nestled on 1,300 acres of heavily wooded land within the Huron National Forest, Forest Dunes has become one of the country’s premier golf experiences. In this pristine setting, Tom Weiskopf designed one of his top layouts featuring rugged native dunes, scruffy sand areas and water features. The course has been consistently ranked among the best courses by the leading golf publications. Golf Digest, which ranked its original Weiskopf course the Best New Course in the Country when it opened in 2002, currently ranks it No. 23 among its top public courses, and GOLF Magazine and Golfweek have also ranked it among their Top 100 courses. The unique and reversible Tom Doak design, The Loop, adds a second/third Best New Course to the golf experience at Forest Dunes. In addition, the property features the beautiful Adirondack style Clubhouse with Sangomore’s restaurant, Lake AuSable Lodge with 14-rooms, new golf villas, and cottages. For more visit http://ift.tt/1Grlhbt or follow them on Twitter @forestdunesgolf.

from Golf News Wire http://ift.tt/2jcgA1u