Great Golf... Some Wine... More Great Golf

By Claudio DeMarchi

Throughout all my years of traveling and working in the southern USA I never would have thought that I would find hospitality that would rival that of the south. To my surprise, here I was in northern Michigan doing a double check on where I was – Yup, I was in Michigan.

Almost any spot you pick in Michigan is a pretty easy drive from Ontario. My first stop was Manistee National in Manistee and when I plugged it into the GPS it gave me an estimated 7 ½ hour trip from the Collingwood area.

You quickly realize that there is nothing pretentious about the Inn at Manitee National. Comfortable and cozy the 42 rooms, including the 12 suites, have all been recently renovated, the perfect place to unwind. The staff can't do enough for you and don't be surprised if you meet up with either CJ or Ferris a couple of resident Golden Retrievers that follow dad around. Dad is GM of the resort Doug Bell.

Manistee National has 2 distinctly different golf courses. Both were in excellent condition! Neither one will overpower you with length but the Cutters Ridge course will take you down if you are not on your game.

The Canthooke Valley Course is simply a fun course to play. The traditional parkland style course has 4 sets of tees and even from the tips at 6,500 yards it is only sloped at 132. The fairway landing areas are generous. The greens mid-sized receptive and fair with strategic placement of bunkers just to keep you on your toes. Piece of cake right? Not so quick. Roll off the fairway and you could find yourself dealing with the fescue or pines that line the fairways. There are a great variety of holes through out and enough water and a few forced carries to keep you thinking. Now the Cutters Ridge Course is an entirely different story. There is no let up on this course and the holes are just one adventure after another. While the Canthooke course took you through the trees, Cutters Ridge winds you through marshes and wetlands and its fair share of tree lined fairways too! This Jerry Mathews design from the tips is only 6,650 yards which by today's standards is not long but the slope rating of 147 (one of the highest in the State of Michigan) should give you an indication of what you are in for. To find out more about Manistee National and their exceptional Stay and Play rates call 800-867-2604 or visit www.manisteenational.com It was tough to leave Manistee but Michigan's wine county was calling and I was getting thirsty again. Funny how that seems to happen on a regular basis! I stopped into the Traverse City CVB before heading up to Chateau Chantal in the Wine Region of the Old Mission Peninsula. I was able to get a quick walking tour of a pretty vibrant downtown area and was able to pick up maps and information on the many attractions that the area had to offer. The CVB office looks out upon the West Bay, a body of water that is flanked by the Old Mission Peninsula to the east and the other wine region to the west known as the Leelanau Peninsula. A beautiful site! It wasn't long before I learned that this area had much more to offer that I had anticipated.

Manistee National Grand Traverse Resort Grand Traverse Resort Grand Traverse Resort

It was at that point that this story became 2 and for the first time since we began the Nine & Wine section on the site our esteemed wine writer Rick Van Sickle was going to get bumped for this issue of the Traveling Golfer.

My thirst was well taken care of upon my arrival at Chateau Chantal. My arrival coincided nicely with the timing of the daily Tapas Tour experience at the Chateau. The Tapas tour takes you from the vineyard through the wine making process and concludes with samplings of food and wine pairings. The award winning Inn has an Old World feel to it that would make you feel like you could be in the Bordeaux region of France. For more on Chateau Chantal, Traverse City and the area's wine regions check out this month's Nine & Wine article.

From Chateau Chantal I traveled to Grand Traverse Resort, my last stop on a trip to Michigan's northwest corner that was just too short, was only about 15 minutes. From almost anywhere in Michigan's wine region or in the Traverse City area there is no missing the 17 story golden tower at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. What a place to call home for a couple of days. It certainly stands out above the rest … and as I found out in more ways than one.

I was pretty anxious to check out the golf at Grand Traverse. Of course the Jack Nicklaus designed Bear Golf Course which is celebrating its 25th anniversary gets all the attention. But that is tomorrow's round. Today we are tackling the Gary Player designed Wolverine Golf Course. Although the Bear gets the top billing the Wolverine should not be taken lightly!

If you recall Mr. Player was a pretty good bunker player and he has strategically placed a fair share of beautiful white sand bunkers throughout. There is plenty of room off the tee but on the front nine you have your fair share of water to contend with while the back nine has more rolling terrain and elevation changes to challenge you. 7,043 yards from the tips – 6,500 yards was plenty for me!

There is a reason as to why a golf resort continues to rack up industry awards year after year. In this case it is 2 Bears. One is the Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus player extraordinaire and the other is the baby Bear that he left behind 25 years ago. A few years ago I had thought that I had played the best ever Nicklaus designed course May River about 25 miles south of Hilton Head. After playing this now very mature Bear I am having second thoughts, and to think that this was designed 25 years ago tells me that Jack was well ahead of his time.

Check out some of these accolades:

- GOLF DIGEST - Top 75 Golf Resorts in North America (Ranked #48)

- GOLF DIGEST - Americas 50 Toughest Golf Courses (The Bear ranked 18th) - It was a tough grinding course but still fair.

- GOLF DIGEST - Top 40 Casino Courses (The Bear & The Wolverine)

- GOLF FOR WOMEN - 25 Best Family Golf Resorts

- Travel + Leisure Golf World's Best Golf Resorts

- Condé Nast Traveler 50 Best Golf Resorts

What more can I tell you, well there is plenty more but you are best to check out the website www.grandtraverseresort.com for exceptional Stay & Play package information and of course the SPA!

 

08/10