Sweetgrass Golf Club is the much-anticipated result of a dream that was years in the making. Located in Harris on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and owned and operated by the Hannahville Band of the Potawatomi Nation, Sweetgrass Golf Club opened for play in July 2008 and is the newest amenity at the Island Resort & Casino.
The brand-new championship course, designed by Paul Albanese, is a delight to play.
The layout meanders across an unspoiled world of dunes and windswept hills. Tribal legend plays a large part in Albanese’ design. For instance, the 15th island green, is not only a tribute to the resort, but also pays homage to the turtle – a creature Indian legend holds in high esteem for its longevity and wisdom. Vast stands of native grasses wave in the seemingly ever-present breeze; sand bunkers and water hazards have been strategically placed to defend fairway and green; Historic bridges were rescued from around the region and positioned to enhance the overall experience; beautifully crafted rockwork lends a unique look and feel to the design. Sweetgrass also features two cascading waterfalls that split the ninth and 18th fairways which culminate on a massive shared green of almost 22,000 sq. ft.
The opening of Sweetgrass was highlighted by the blessing ceremony, which included the recognition of all involved in the development of the grand project, and with a traditional lighting of the flame that sits next to the 10th tee.
Known as the Keepers of the Fire, the Firekeeper will be honored by a flame on cool mornings: one of the many subtle and indirect references to the proud history of the Potowatomi nation to be found on this championship layout.
The course plays a challenging par 72 over 7,275 yards from the tips with a rating of 75.2 and a slope of 143. While Sweetgrass promises quite a challenge for low handicap golfers, the course is also beginner-friendly – play from the forward tees measures a modest 5,000 yards and, with five sets of tees, the course is designed to accommodate golfers of all levels of skill.
The United States Golf Association lost little time in rating the course. The minimum slope is 55 and the maximum is 155 - the slope rating for a course of average difficulty is 113. The USGA determines the slope rating as a measurement of the difficulty of a course for bogey golfers relative to the course rating, which tells scratch golfers how difficult the course will be.
“Sweetgrass Golf Club is truly a unique experience and we’re extremely proud to introduce the course to our guests here at the Island Resort & Casino,” says General Manager Tom McChesney. “Paul Albanese and his team did amazing work and the finished product is not only beautiful, but also a true test of golf.”
Rates:
The base rate is $75. However, significant discounts are available to guests of The Island resort.
Golf Special:
Sweetgrass Golf Club offers the Perfect 4-Some, a special package that starts at $229 and includes three rounds of championship golf and two nights at the Island Resort & Casino. This value-laden package allows golfers the opportunity to play nearby Greywalls and TimberStone golf clubs, two more amazing Upper Peninsula championship courses.
Where to Stay:
The obvious place to stay is, of course, the Island Resort with some 275 spacious, well-appointed rooms and luxurious penthouse suites in two tower units. Off the course, The Island Resort & Casino offers Las Vegas-style gaming and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s all there: Craps, Blackjack, Let-It-Ride Bonus, Spanish 21, Roulette, Three-Card Poker and Four-Card Poker. In addition, there are more than 1,400 slot machines, Live Poker and Live Keno. The Bingo Hall is open 7 days a week. The Island Showroom seats more than 1,300 people for headliners such as Martina McBride, Gretchen Wilson, Trace Adkins, Blues Brothers and Michael Bolton. Dining options include the Firekeeper’s Restaurant, Beachcomber Restaurant & Bar, Coral Reef Grille and Bingo Snack Bar. Live music in the lounge, a swimming pool and conference center make the resort an ideal corporate destination.
How to get There:
The closest regional airports are Escanaba and Marquette.
Look for the best airline and car rental deals with these two aggregators, which provide travelers with an up-to-date search tool to compare prices on airfares and car rentals of all ratings:
- Compare Prices on Airfare to Michigan's Upper Peninsula
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Contact:
Sweetgrass Golf Club and Island Resort & Casino
Highway 2 & 41, Harris, MI 49845
800-682-6040, ext. 2125.
Island Resort & Casino
And don’t forget: there are many other opportunities for great golf all over the world. Favorite locations include Scotland, Florida, the American Southwest, Bermuda, the Bahamas and many more. For up-to-date golf travel news and information, be sure to Subscribe to my weekly Newsletter.