Golf

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Already the gem of Upper Peninsula golf, the Delta County area has a new jewel to its unbeatable combination of quality and quantity.

Sweetgrass Golf Club made its much-anticipated debut in 2008 and drew immediate raves, making seven 18-hole courses, three nine-hole layouts and four driving ranges available in the Delta County area.

Sweetgrass was designed by Paul Albanese, who teamed with Jerry Matthews to build ultra popular and widely acclaimed TimberStone Golf Course in nearby Iron Mountain.

Golfweek magazine, in its 2009 edition, listed Sweetgrass No. 20 among best courses to play in Michigan.

With the opening of Sweetgrass, there are 153 holes of golf - one hole for every 225 residents - available in the area. Based on a 2008 story in The News-Press of Fort Myers, Fla., that would put Delta County in third place based on the top 10 golf areas.

Neighboring Marquette County has one hole per 654 residents.

Storied Myrtle Beach, with more than 110 courses along the 100-plus miles of South Carolina's Grand Strand, is first with 192 people per hole. Naples and Marco Island, Fla. are second with 210 and Vero Beach, Fla. has 331.

That means plenty of chances to enjoy an unhurried round on scenic, and challenging, terrain. And the value is even better, with an average round costing $30. At many Sun Belt courses, green fees are $50 and higher.

Delta County is also home to a pair of notable golfers. Becky Iverson of Gladstone has been on the LPGA Tour since 1994 while Scott Hebert of Escanaba is a six-time Michigan Open champion and winner of the 2008 PGA Professional National Championship. Both call the Terrace Bluff Golf & Country Club their home course.

The centralized location with abundant, affordable lodging also makes Delta County an excellent choice as a steppingstone to some other fantastic golf experiences in the Upper Peninsula.

We are just 55 miles from Iron Mountain, the home of TimberStone Golf Course, ranked No. 3 in the upscale category of new courses in 1998 by Golf Digest and twice a 5-Star course by Golf Digest. Just 70 miles away is Greywalls in Marquette, ranked 92nd nationally by Golfweek.

Sweetgrass, TimberStone and Greywalls also offer an attractive package deal that includes lodging at Island Resort & Casino.

Also nearby are Indian Lake Golf Course in Manistique, George Young Recreation Complex in Iron River, Wild Bluff Golf Course at Bay Mills Resort & Casino in Brimley, The Rock on Drummond Island and The Jewel on Mackinac Island.

Delta County area courses include:

ESCANABA COUNTRY CLUB

18 holes, 1800 11th Ave. S., Escanaba, pro shop 786-4430. $26 for 18 holes, $14 for nine.

The oldest course in the area features two distinct nines, a tree-lined mature front that opened in 1915 and a wide-open back that opened in 1990 with water on seven holes. The 435-yard 18th hole with an elevated, undulating green is regarded as one of the toughest par-4 holes in the Upper Peninsula. The par-71 course covers 5,974 yards from the white tees and 6,223 yards from the blue tees. Carts, food and refreshments and practice tee-green are available.

GLADSTONE GOLF CLUB

18 holes, Days River Road, five miles north of Gladstone, clubhouse 428-9646, $40 for 18 holes (with cart), $25 for nine (with cart).

The magnificently scenic par-71 course, consisting of rolling terrain and tree-lined fairways, is carved out of the Hiawatha National Forest. It expanded to 18 holes in 1988. Large, undulating greens place a premium on accurate approach shots, while the fairways require accuracy off the tee, perhaps keeping the driver in the bag on many holes over the 6,500 yards from the blue tees. Five holes are caressed by the Days River, including the glorious 100-yard 17th that drops over the river from a tee cut out of the trees and frequently yields aces. Refreshments and food, carts, driving range and chipping-putting green available.

TERRACE BLUF GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

U.S. 2-41 between Escanaba and Gladstone. 428-2343. $27 for 18 holes, $16 for nine. Tennis court, driving range, outdoor pool, horseshoe court, carts, lounge, food and refreshments available.

The par-72 course can stretch from 5,404 yards to 6,803 yards through tree-lined fairways. Rated the best county course by Daily Press reader surveys and in 2006 Midwest Golf Magazine among top three weekend getaway packages. The course demands accuracy off the tee and on approach shots, with new trees and water hazards adding to the demands.

HIGHLAND GOLF CLUB

U.S. 2-41, six miles west of Escanaba. 466-7457. $26 for 18 holes, $15 for nine. Carts, food and refreshments available.

Celebrated its 75th year in 2005. There is considerable room for wayward tee shots, but looks are deceiving and scoring is not as easy as it appears. Ponds on four holes and creeks that cross three fairways place a premium on accuracy. The relatively flat par-71 layout plays up to 6,224 yards and is easy to walk.

GARDEN GOLF COURSE

County Road 183 on the Garden Peninsula, near Garden. 644-2693. $22 for 18 holes, $16 for nine. Power carts, restaurant-lounge highlighted by Friday night fish fry.

The 5,829-yard, par-72 course expanded to 18 holes in 1997 and features some of the best greens in the area. The course opened with nine holes in 1994. Features rolling fairways and some elevated greens.

IRISH OAKS GOLF COURSE

6141 County Road 420 21st Rd, Gladstone, clubhouse is at The Oaks (formerly Caddy Shack). 428-2616. $13 for nine holes, $25 for 18 (carts are available at $10 per player for 18 holes).

An 18-hole course, ranging from 5,512 yards to 6,730 yards, expanded to 18 holes in 2004. Carved out of mature woods, with water on one hole. Clubhouse with snacks and beverages. A driving range, putting green and chipping available. Located adjacent to Lake Bluff Retirement Village.

SWEETGRASS GOLF CLUB

Adjacent to Island Resort & Casino in Harris, 15 miles west of Escanaba. 906-723-2125 for stay-and-play packages, for tee times call 906-723-2251. $75 includes cart with GPS, range balls and yardage book. $59 for Island Players Club members, $49 for UPGA members and tri-county residents.

Championship course highlighted by a three-tier pond with waterfalls between each tier fronting the conjoined ninth and 18th greens. Five Upper Peninsula highway bridges around the course, including to the No. 15 island green with tees ranging from 110 to 164 yards. At least five tee boxes on each hole, stretching course from 5,300 yards to 7,300. Links style layout with fescue grass. Generous fairway landing areas off the tee. Some tree-lined fairways.

DEGRAND'S COUNTRY MEADOWS

Two miles south of Escanaba on 12th Road, a mile off M-35. 786-1565. $10 for nine holes, $15 for 18.

A nine-hole, 2,910-yard layout that is ideal for a leisurely round and excellent for relative newcomers. Water on three holes. Carts are available.

NAHMA GOLF COURSE

County Road 495, four miles south of U.S. 2 in Nahma. 644-2648.

A nine-hole course along Big Bay de Noc featuring a relaxed pace on a flat layout ideal for walking. Carts, snacks and refreshments. Historic lodging and dining nearby at Nahma Hotel.

WOODY'S RUN GOLF COURSE

Danforth Road, five miles off U.S. 2-41 at Bay de Noc Community College exit. 786-4034. $9 for nine holes, $14 for 18. A nine-hole, par-34 course that opened in 1999. Easy to walk the rolling hills. Carts available.