Old Channel Trail Golf Course

$26 (cart included), played on Saturday, September 2018 at 1:10 PM

Decided to take a Saturday morning golfing "Road Trip" and play a course that is normally booked solid throughout the summer, as its in a vacation destination area. Not only do they have 27 holes here BUT each 9 has a different architect built about 30 years apart with each having four (4) tee boxes. I choose to start with the "Woods" course that opened in 1927 designed by Robert Bruce Harris playing 3,173yds / 35.5 / 137 / Par 35 from the tips. As you guessed, there are tree lined narrow fairways that offer a mix of pines/hardwoods and grassy bunkers. The greens are average size with slight tipping, rolling 8-9 and hold quite well. There are some short forced carries off the tee (100-150) but the long grass is very playable if you miss the fairway. The #9 hole at 528yd, #3 hcp Par 5 is good straight away, but tight way to finish this 90 year old Links style layout. Next up was the "Valley" course that opened in 1996 designed by Jerry Matthews playing 3,339yds / 36.7 / 128 Par 36 from the tips. Now this track is a more spread out, open layout and a lot more sand traps to contend with. The mix of trees, grass/sand bunkers are here guarding the fairway landing areas but they seem more visibly open, to the eye. Greens are very consistent with the "Woods" conditions but a little larger and more protected if missed. The #5 hole at 395yds dogleg right, par 4 will protect its 2hcp rating if you try to cut the corner (240 carry)from the tips. #7 hole 402yd, 1hcp par 4 is a long narrow chute that being short in the fairway for bogey is the smart play. Again #9 hole 490yd par 5 is a fun way to finish up playing a great 48 degree, overcast afternoon paying $27 w/ cart. I ending up shooting 40/41 w/31 putts because of some great up-downs going my way. If you're vacationing up in this area, don't pass up this course as its located right next to Lake Michigan, if you play Woods & Meadow layouts.