THOMPSONVILLE, MI -- If you ask my friends, I’m not a good golfer, but I’m fun to golf with. If you ask me, take all of my good shots and get rid of the horrible shanks, the slices, and the dog hooks, I’d be a professional. But wouldn’t we all?
My handicap probably hovers around a 20-25. There will be holes I can get a par, and there are holes that deserve a mulligan or two to erase the snowman. Still, I love it.
This summer, 7&4 Producer Jess Miller (same handicap) and I are hitting Northern Michigan links, both to improve our game, and to blog about the “Golf Mecca.” 7&4 Reporter Lauren Amstutz joined us for this round.
Last week, we played Treetops, this week, we hit the links at Crystal Mountain. Yes, we are spoiled. Crystal Mountain is located in the metropolitan of Thompsonville in Benzie County, and this course is another great experience.
We played “Mountain Ridge” (par 72) at Crystal Mountain. It’s a unique course, as it’s built around the base of the skiing mountain. As you tee off, don’t be thrown off by the ski lift in the background or in your peripherals. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a friendly reminder to play as much golf as you can because “Old Man Winter” isn’t far away. The winds were a challenge when we played – gusting up to 30 miles per hour at some points. I think golf fanatics would almost consider it “gale force.”
The fairways at Mountain Ridge are TIGHT. There are only a few holes that give you landing area for any mistakes you could make. If you slice, get rid of it fast. If you hook, you’re in trouble. And if you top it, forget about it. On the first shot of the day, even after trying to work out the kinks at the range, I pulled one left. I hit the heck out of it, but right away, add one to the stroke, and the ball cavalry lost a member. I ended up ok on the hole however, bogeyed out with a good save from the rough.
I think what I liked most about this course was the chance to rip the ball and set yourself up with a solid second shot. For the most part, the course doesn’t play long, we played from the white tees and that made the course play a little more than 6,700 yards. Even as windy as it was, I kept the ball low going into the wind and clubbed up on my second shot as was able to beat it.
There are several times you’ll probably get some sand in your shoes. On several of the holes, there are numerous sand traps, and on occasion, a sand trap lines the entire fairway. I think the sand makes up for the lack of water (there is some, but not too much). An added challenge on this course was the putting game. The greens were tough to read, and very slippery.
But like Treetops, this course gives you views that will make you stop the cart and say wow. On the back, you move up in elevation, and you get an unbelievable view of the Benzie County valley. The views are like what you would see on a postcard, and the great thing about this time of year is the saplings are working their way out for the summer. I couldn’t imagine what it would look like in the fall; I bet it’d be breathtaking.
Back to golf, my favorite hole on the course bar none was number 18. It’s a downhill par 5. Jess and I made this the “wager” hole, whoever scored the best had a beer bought Hole 19. I crushed my drive. I hit it 310 yards right down the shaft and set myself up for a 180 yard second shot. The wind was blowing into me just a bit, so I pulled out the eight and hit it pure. At first, I didn’t think it was going to make it to the green, but when it landed five feet from the hole, I wasn’t just looking at a beer, I was looking at an eagle opportunity. As I tried to “Tiger-Vision” (for you that have played Tiger Woods ’08) the hole, it looked like it was going to break slightly to the right. I stepped up, putted a perfect put, and walked away from this course with a 3. What a way to end your day.
Again, this course isn’t for the weak, definitely not for the sporadic, but a gem to say you have at least played. It was in excellent shape for mid-May, very green, and for your green, a good deal. If you’re golfing the Northern Michigan “Golf Mecca,” stop by this course.
Crystal Mountain “Mountain Ridge” Course – Difficulty 9/10, Beauty 10/10, Cost 8/10
If you’d like a novice review on your course, email me. akeller@upnorthlive.com
