Island Resort in U.P. and the Perfect Foursome is Perfect for All
By Janina Parrott Jacobs
Men have been the focus of golf buddies’ trips since the term was invented – but a newer wave of travel is heating up for women golfers who have friends and don’t think these marathon getaways should be exclusively for guys. And really, why limit the fun to one gender?
Considering the newest and most prolific growth spurt lies within the women’s and girls’ markets, resorts and top golf operators are offering more that appeals to women – and families – who when treated properly, will become repeat customers.
Some Michigan resorts are ahead of the curve, having earned early recognition years ago for women’s specialized golf programs and customized schools – mainly because women have different wants and requirements than men. Certainly, they love to play golf, but prefer to also enjoy other experiences a destination has to offer, such as spa services, entertainment, casino gaming, area attractions, and great food options.
Island Resort and Casino in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula offers all that, but went one step further by creating and hosting the Island Resort Championship in 2011 at their much-heralded Sweetgrass Golf Club, to this day actively welcoming future stars of women’s professional golf.
To promote the tournament, Island Resort General Manager Tony Mancilla enlisted the help of the nearby cities of Escanaba and Harris, with great success. While the LPGA’s Developmental Tour has been pretty much the sole ‘Road to the LPGA’ despite sporting several titles, the FUTURES, SYMETRA, and now the EPSON Tour, there has been only one purpose in celebrating this much-anticipated annual late-June event: to showcase women’s professional golf while embracing the entire community. Many women search out opportunities for their daughters and sons to get acquainted with golf and this Championship is one way for kids to see what success looks like.
“I think the biggest thing is having the pros play and the kids watch them,” said Mancilla. “They are young golfers trying to make their way and accomplish a huge goal. And we’re right in the middle of it. Hopefully the little kids will think they can do it, too.”
The players look forward to crossing the Mackinaw Bridge into God’s country where they are treated extremely well, can enjoy Island Resort’s first-class amenities and also the crowd appreciation usually reserved for LPGA Tour stars. Partly because of these endeavors, Sweetgrass was selected as the Michigan Golf Course of the Year in 2021 and National Golf Course of the year in 2022...both incredible honors when considering stiff competition like Pinehurst and Streamsong Resorts.
The EPSON championship is contested on the original Sweetgrass course, conveniently adjacent to the hotel and casino. Designed by Paul Albanese in 2008, originally an added perk to casino operations, this immaculately conditioned layout, courtesy of Superintendent John Holberton, is a very playable course sweeping through farmland, across lakes and rivers, all lined with plentiful areas of local Native American ‘sweetgrass’, an aromatic herb and sacred plant used in Indian peace and healing rituals. Golfers can also learn about Hannahville’s rich history at each tee, with signs and symbols explaining hole names.
Notable holes include the easily hittable island green 15th, and the par-5 18th which pays homage to the seven elders of the Hannahville community, via seven well-placed and visually appealing left bunkers. Combine that with the adjacent par-5 9th hole’s shared green and pond, complete with cascading waterfall, and you have two equally stunning finishing holes.
Mancilla and the Tribal Council again commissioned designer Paul Albanese to create sister course, Sage Run, which opened in 2018 and is already attracting major attention, having hosted three Island Resort Collegiate Division I Invitationals in 2019, 2021 and 2022. Only eight miles north of the more level casino grounds and course, the contrast in topography is surprising. This impressive layout meanders across a ‘drumlin’ mountainous ridge with severely challenging uphill and downhill holes, especially two par-3’s that play almost straight uphill, one on the front nine and one on the back. Certainly, a more difficult course, but a fun routing and scenic views mitigate that challenge.
Both courses offer multiple tee locations and generous green complexes for all levels of play. According to Director of Golf Dave Douglas, another fast-growing segment of Island Resort’s business is couples golf, so gentlemen, don’t feel as if you cannot use more forward tees, over 5000-yards at Sweetgrass, and especially at Sage Run. Measuring over 5200-yards and factoring in substantial elevations and protected greens, the course is not easy for anyone. Yet, while Sage Run ramps up the difficulty, it is still extremely enjoyable to play….and to treasure the views and your playing partner while you’re doing it.
One interesting feature there is somewhat ‘free-style’ teeing areas on fairway turf. Only one marker is set, and you can pick your starting point. One recommendation for women or seniors might be to choose your own teeing grounds farther up the fairway, fashioning something more playable, especially on uphill holes where there is minimal carry and roll. Why not? You’re there for fun.
The Perfect Foursome:
Take advantage of Island Resort’s imaginative and affordable Stay-and-Play packages: The Perfect Foursome, which includes hotel accommodations and optional play at two other stellar and award-winning courses in addition to Sweetgrass and Sage Run. Forty minutes west in Iron Mountain is Timberstone, a Best-in-State Jerry Matthews (and Paul Albanese) course built on an incredible site amidst towering pines and dramatic competitive ski-hill elevations. Head north to Marquette Golf Club’s highly-ranked Greywalls and enjoy the circuitous cart tour up toward the property’s first tee pinnacle where golfers are gifted with unparalleled views overlooking the bluffs of cerulean Lake Superior. Architect Mike DeVries fashioned 230 acres of rocky outcroppings, hills, woods and wetlands into yet another award-winning Michigan course.
This fully customizable package offers 3 and 4-night lodging options with four rounds of golf ranging in price from $365-$728 per person depending upon season, and includes special casino and pro shop perks. With the Perfect Foursome package, when compared to most resort hotel costs, golfers are basically getting four rounds of golf at four incredible courses for free.
A 6-hour drive from mid-Michigan; air service is available from Escanaba, Green Bay, and Marquette.
For more information about Island Resort and Casino, its golf packages, and other amenities, visit www.islandresortgolf.com or call 877-475-4733.
