Destination Ann Arbor: Big House, Big Golf
By Tom Lang
The ‘Big House’ at the University of Michigan defines Ann Arbor as much as any iconic landmark.
Yet the city and overall Washtenaw County are well known for big golf events too – from the pro tours to state amateur championships. I know for certain that many golfers like playing courses that host top golf tournaments around the state and from around the country – and the Ann Arbor area has more than its share of them. In fact, three of the courses made the Detroit Free Press top 10 courses last fall.
The Ann Arbor region played host to the LPGA Tour’s stop at Travis Pointe Country Club for three years, and also is home to the third oldest golf course in the state of Michigan. So, if you are attracted to great golf amenities, or love the deep rich history of golf – or the many choices in between – give strong consideration to your next golf trip being centered around the home of the University of Michigan.
Speaking of which, the U-M golf course right across the street from Michigan Stadium is one of the few national designs of Dr. Alister MacKenzie, the artist of Augusta National Golf Club and home of The Masters. The main campus course is also home to the U-M men’s and women’s golf teams and is often a host to NCAA tournaments. This summer it hosted a qualifier for the U.S. Women’s Amateur.
Eagle Crest in Ypsilanti hosts other NCAA events, high school state finals, national junior tournaments and is home base to the Eastern Michigan University college teams. Eagle Crest is fully open to the public and is currently building an indoor practice facility for the EMU men’s and women’s teams – as well as an extension to the clubhouse to offer indoor golf options to the public as early as this winter and all year long. In 2025 and ’26 it will host the NAIA women’s college national championships. Eagle Crest is settled on the beautiful shores of massive Ford Lake, and a large tree removal program in recent years opened up even more stunning elevated views of the water.
“We often think of Ann Arbor as an eclectic destination for fun, football, the arts, and university life...but the reality is that for golfers, this place is fantastic,” said Bill Hobson, host of Michigan Golf Live TV and radio. “Within a 25-minute drive you can be playing championship quality courses, one of the best municipal courses in the Midwest, stepping back in time to play a walkable course with more than a century of history, and you'll barely be scratching the surface of the full menu of courses in the region.
“I went to school in Ann Arbor a million years ago (Go Blue!) and thought I had a pretty good handle on all that the area had to offer but a recent trip where the focus turned to golf was a true eye opener. Without a doubt, the Ann Arbor area is a legit golf, fun, and foodie destination.”
The Washtenaw Golf Club is the 1890s gem people statewide rave about for stepping back in time to play a classic. It’s being renovated a few holes each year to return to 1920s squared-off corner greens, remove invasive trees, while expanding greens and adding forward tees to open the course to all skill levels. Washtenaw hosts Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) tournaments each year.
Lake Forest has been the site for many GAM tournaments as well, including the 2019 and 2021 U.S. Girls Amateur qualifier, supporting a long-rooted tradition of hosting top level women's golf. World Golf Hall of Famer Lorena Ochoa won her first professional tournament at Lake Forest when she started her professional career on the now Epson Tour. The course is known for double links style fairways on holes 9 and 18. Another characteristic is the links style front 9 versus the tree-lined back 9 holes to provide a very different playing experience for golfers all in one round. Its huge clubhouse outdoor deck and sunset views are a great way to end a day on the links.
The city of Ann Arbor runs and maintains two courses – Leslie Park and Huron Hills, a historic Tom Bendelow design. The latter recently celebrated 100 years of operation, starting in 1922 on very scenic property along the Huron River, and is loaded with charm and strategy but is not overly long. Leslie Park opened in the 1960s and has hosted events from qualifiers for U.S. Girls Junior Amateur to the LPGA Tour. For many decades it’s been home to the Ann Arbor All-City tournament, and more recent AJGA championships. In 2010 Golf Digest voted Leslie Park Golf Course the Best Municipal Golf Course in the State of Michigan, placing Leslie Park on a short list of courses from all 50 States, including Bethpage Black, Torrey Pines and The Vineyards.
On the outskirts of the region to the east is Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center. It was the 2000 National Golf Course of the Year and has an elite Learning Center that is known statewide for youth training and is home to the 2021 U.S. Amateur Champion James Piot. Fox Hills also runs the PGA HOPE program catering to military Veterans on its 63 holes of picturesque rolling land, making it one of the largest golf operations in metro Detroit. Read the recent August edition of MI Golf Journal for all the details.
Barton Hills Country Club about five miles north of downtown hosted the 1998 U.S. Women’s Amateur and the 2008 U.S. Women’s Mid-Am and is one of legendary designer Donald Ross’ best in Michigan.
Whether you are a die-hard golf fan, or a football fan heading to the Big House this fall – or any time of year – don’t forget the golf clubs and take advantage of the close proximity of so many great golf courses. You should stay awhile and unwind in this unique Southeast Michigan region.
To learn more about any of the nearly two dozen golf amenities in the Ann Arbor / Washtenaw County region, visit: https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/recreation-outdoors/golf/
