Forest Akers Golf Course, West Course

$51 (cart included), played on Saturday, June 2020 at 7:30 AM

Decided to have my Father's Day golf outing here at an 1958 Bruce Matthews designed, then re-designed by Arthur Hills (MSU alumnus) in 1991. They have changed the starting point off Harrison Rd clubhouse to the University Club which changed hole numbers from last time I played. Great full service clubhouse (Food, Pool, Equipment) with a hotel being built close by. Conditions are just as you would except from a Big 10 University course from full level tee boxes (5) to tight mowed rolling fairways that lead to firm lush greens. Sand traps were fluffed and groomed in well placed locations on fairways and around the greens. Not many bailouts for those long irons/rescue clubs into the mostly elevated greens. With yardage choices of Black 6,990yd / 75.3 / 141 down to Gold 4,997yd / 65.5 / 121 we chose the Green 3,168/3,234yd / 71.7 / 137 on this Par 36/36 layout. Front 9 starts out with #1 a 381yd dogleg left to a elevated green that doesn't give up any balls the overshoot the green. Check your yardage to the sand trap corner as 220yd straight drive puts you on the beach. (I know this fact) The #2 is a 562yd Par 5 that is just straight and long with hidden traps on left side for your 2nd shot landing area. The #3 Par 4 Hcp 1 dogleg right was playing 389yds with anything tee right was big trouble to a well protected green. The #4 294yd dogleg left should be a easy Par 4 but play for the 100yd marker to avoid the many traps on both sides of the fairway 80yds in. The #5 is another dogleg left 316yd Par 4 that requires a draw tee shot to follow your safe landing areas. The #6 is a straight away 394yd Hcp 3 that demands a very accurate drive to avoid thick rough and trees. The #7 an 174yd Par 3 just needs a accurate shot to carry a full trap protected green. Finally a 495yd Par 5 on #8 that is very friendly if you stay in the fairway, so don't stray on this Hcp 5 hole. Finishing on a 163yd Par 3 was strange but a welcome sight if you carry the front traps. The Back 9 opens up with a Hcp 18 short 165yd Par 3 but has a narrow green that is fully trapped. The #11 Hcp 4 is a 384yd slight dog left that narrows 250yd out in the corner. The #12 is a long 213yd Par 3 to a small round green that had bogey on all our boxes. The course lets its guard down on this sweep right #13 460yd Par 5 but that righthand corner trap is awaiting your tee shot. The #14 385yd and #15 366yd holes are opposite doglegs but sand traps frame your tee landing areas, so play safe here. The #16 is long narrow 399yds Par 4 hole with no traps but thick rough protecting its Hcp 6 ranking. The #17 is a 477yd slight dog left with center traps 100yds from green, to those trying to reach home in two shots. Finishing on a tight dog left 385yd Par 4 to a steep uphill green was just tough. Choose your angle/distance wisely as a straightaway 220yd drive, puts you on #1 tee box. Enjoyed playing here after 20 years with my boys and conditions to match a great day. I ended up shooting 50/40 w/35 putts as having four (4) OB's and 20putts on the Front 9 will bury a low score. (Enjoyed the Back 9 though) Jeremy was steady at 45/44 w/36putts, Kevin at 47/44 w/35putts, Barry with 4 OB's and 39putts had 47/52 but being Fathers Day.......we are All Winners.

$26 (cart included), played on Tuesday, September 2010 at noon

The best Price value in the area. I played it the week of Mens Golf Team Home Tournment. Green very very Fast.

$41 (cart included), played on Thursday, June 2009 at 4pm

Great golf course, nice layout, fabulous fairways, very nice greens, nice sand for this area.

There is also a second course, The East Course, not quite as nice as the west. Same clubhouse issues.

There is no bar/clubhouse to enjoy after the round. Beer is sold as a side note off the first tee from a patio license issued to the University Club. No beer sales on the course. Cart girls are rare. There are plenty of local college pubs to enjoy in the area which makes up for the lack of clubhouse.