Freeways and Fairways: Emerald Golf Course

By Tom Lang

The season is winding down on 25 years of The Emerald, situated along U.S. 27 to the north of St. Johns. Right across the highway is a long-time family staple for trips up north, the Uncle John’s Cider Mill.

Playability: For several years the course previously hosted high school state finals, so it sports a good combination of challenges from select tee boxes, yet Emerald remains a course that won’t bury junior golfers and others new to the game. For those who like to know which club to pull out of the bag (and all will be tested), multiple markers made of tall native grass bushes placed 100-150-200-250 yards from the green, plus sprinkler head measurements to center of green, helps everyone.

Yards: 6619 from tips, 5031 from forward tees.

Hole to Remember: No. 17 (451 yards from back tee) is one of those reachable par fives that can call out your name and whispers into golfers’ ears, “go for it.” But the approach can be tricky due to a stream that tightens the fairway near the green, making it a great risk/reward hole for those big hitters going for it in two to the elevated green. Balancing out a hole like 17 on the other side of the course is No. 4, a tough par 3 with water on the right and OB to the left; 223 yards from the tips. Many holes in between are a lot of fun, too.

Value for the money:  Considering the experience of rolling terrain mixed with five ponds and many hardwood tree-lined fairways, rates are very fair at mid-Michigan’s “gem.”

Why try it:

• Women friendly award as a top 100 course in the nation by Golf for Women magazine several years ago.

• Known for very fast greens if that’s what you’re looking for.

• The main comments inside the clubhouse of new golfers is: “I’ve driven by for years and always wanted to stop and try it.”  Do it.

Web site:  www.emeraldgolfcourse.com