Middle Channel Golf Club on Harsens Island

The only golf club on Harsens Island is Middle Channel which was established in 1926 and features 18 holes.  Open to the public, we've had fun playing a round here at this unique island course. Occasional Rum Runners parties have been held at the club where they encourage period dress and award prizes to best costumes. The car ferry from Algonac makes the trip every 20 minutes to the island or you can dock your boat and bring your clubs in that way. The 9 mile island even has an airstrip if you fancy arriving with wings.

Bay Harbor Golf Club

You have a choice of three courses called the Links, the Quarry or the Preserve at the Bay Harbor Golf Club. This is the stunning view from the 18th hole. Designed by Arthur Hill, you'd think you were overlooking the California coastline. Open just 15 years ago, the developers knew what they were doing. The shoreline bluffs and dunes of Michigan are spectacular. Thanks for the photo, Patty Weidman.

Warwick Hills and the Buick Open

The Buick Open golf tournament began in 1958 at the Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club. Located in Grand Blanc, 50,000 fans came to see Billy Casper win the $52.000 purse. In 2009, the last year it was played here, the purse was over five million dollars. You will recognize so many winners from the Buick Open Champions Circle: Julius Boros, Tom Weiskopf, Hale Irwin, Lanny Wadkins, Ben Crenshaw, Fred Couples, Vijay Singh and Tiger Woods are just a few. The grounds of this private golf course are beautifully maintained.

Rackham Golf Course in Huntington Woods

133 acres were donated to the city of Detroit with its beautiful art deco building back in 1924 by Horace and Mary Rackham. The stipulation was that beautiful Rackham Golf Course which began in 1923 and was located adjacent to the Detroit Zoo would remain a golf course. In 1926, the area became Huntington Woods, all of its 1.5 square miles, 20% of which is the golf course!  It is listed as one of the top ten municipal golf courses in the state. The street leading to the golf course off I-696 now sports a new name after the legendary African-American golf pro Ben Davis who used to give lessons out at Rackham. The dedication took place today.  Ben passed away in Southfield last month at the age of 101.

Little Traverse Bay Golf Club

Michigan reigns supreme in golf and color at this time of year! This is the Little Traverse Bay Golf Club near Harbor Springs. The rolling terrain offers a challenge for most. But you can't beat the views. The well-attended restaurant offers non-golfer fare like escargots, rack of lamb and perch.  They will close for the season on October 23rd, so get out those clubs just one more time.