Leader of the Pack: Michigan’s Arcadia Bluffs |
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Located in Arcadia and set apart from any large population center, Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course has yet to celebrate its 10th year of operation but is already ranked No. 10 on the list of "America's 100 Greatest Public Courses" by Golf Digest. It's widely regarded as the top public course in Michigan and follows just behind Crystal Downs and Oakland Hills overall. On the list of "America's 100 Greatest", also by Golf Digest, it positioned itself in the top half of the draw, coming in at No. 46. The course is built on the bluffs above the expansive shoreline of Lake Michigan (this massive body of water is slightly larger than the country of Croatia) on approximately 245 acres. The course drops 225 feet from its highest point down to the bluff, 180 feet above lake level and has 3,100 feet of lake frontage. From the beginning, the management team at Arcadia Bluffs set out to create an awe inspiring and highly regarded facility. Their mission statement reads: “Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club will operate as the finest daily fee golfing facility in the United States.” Designed by Rick Smith & Warren Henderson and completed in 1999, Arcadia Bluffs is a stunning combination of scenery and substance. The course measures 7,300 yards from the championship tees with a slope of 143 and a rating of 75.1. Perhaps the only drawback of this beauty is its isolated location. Arcadia Bluffs can be found on state Highway 22 about two miles south of the village of Arcadia. Arcadia, which boasts a population of just over 600, is approximately 10 minutes south of Frankfurt, 10 miles north of Onekama, 20 minutes north of Mainstee and 1 hour north of Ludington.
But once you arrive at Arcadia Bluffs, the trip will be well worth it. The links-style layout has sweeping views of Lake Michigan from a majority of its fairways and greens and is considered one of the most visually splendid spots in the region. Just ask Michigan Golf Magazine who wrote of the location, “There might not be a more scenic spot in Michigan, where the windswept landscape collides with the ice-blue waters of a Great Lake. Some would pay admission just to sit on the veranda and watch the sun set, golf withstanding.” Since they’ve mentioned admission, let’s discuss the cost of playing Arcadia Bluffs. This season the standard rate is $180 and that includes golf car and practice balls. The twilight rate is $110 per round as are holidays. Caddies are available upon request seven days a week, June through August. The club asks that you reserve caddies when making your tee time and specify walking caddies or forecaddies. The club is now in full operation for the 2008 season. If you’d like more information on Arcadia Bluffs please visit www.arcadiabluffs.com. For tee times call 1-800-494-8666. |
Estimates put the number of golf courses in the state of
Michigan at just over 1,000, and more than 850 of those courses are available
for public play. Private clubs like Crystal Downs Country Club near Frankfort
and Oakland Hills Country Club, site of this year's PGA Championship, have
always been recognized as the very best layouts in the state. But out of the
venerable crowd of 850, one course has separated itself from the field.
From larger Midwestern locations the course shouldn’t be
labeled as a haul but also is not to be confused with a breezy afternoon drive.
The course is located roughly 283 miles from Chicago, 269 miles from Detroit,
141 miles from Grand Rapids, 207 miles from Lansing and 166 from Mackinac.
