Jul 16

The Michigan Road Day Six: End of the Road at Treetops

If all good things must come to an end, imagine how I felt when a great thing came to an end. Fortunately for me, northern Michigan was more of a flirtation than a relationship, so I don’t have the heavy teen angst that one might feel when things get serious, nor the mid-life crisis of past-glory delusion.

Treetops is a Rick Smith, co-owned property in Gaylord, Michigan. A winter wonderland when the snow falls, it gets greener than Thurston Howel’s flow when the warm weather arrives. In a brief recap, there are two Rick Smith 18-hole courses, one Tom Fazio 18, and one Robert Trent Jones, Sr. 18. The touch of elegance is Threetops, the par three layout that serves as site of an annual shootout for big bucks. My cohorts and I had the pleasure of teeing it up and putting it down on the Fazio and Threetops, the par three layout, and drool with anticipation at the return to play the two Smith and the one Trent courses.

The Fazio course is a tremendous piece of sculpture. Having previously played his “flatlander” effort at Turning Stone in Verona, New York, I was startled by the use of land and the courage to route holes up and down black diamond-calibre slopes. Fazio, like great architects before him, is adept at creating an illusion from the tee deck of less space that reveals itself in the landing zone as more space.

Threetops was as much fun as Arcadia Bluffs to play, for different reasons. Whereas Arcadia brought the ground game firmly into view, Threetops revealed the air game for all its splendor. After hitting a six-iron 215 yards out and 140 feet down, then knifing a sand wedge 115 yards out, 70 feet down, with 24 precise feet of back-up (yay, I’m a tour pro and can spin it back!), I was nuts about this course. Coincidentally, Smith also designed a par-27 at Turning Stone, Sandstone Hollow, which rates just behind Threetops for best par three course in the country.

Expect an occasional blog over the next two months on items from the junket that I find important. The daily entries are done, but the memories are just beginning. Farewell, road well traveled.

« Devil's Advocate takes Austin's Side on British Open bail

"Eaks Streaks" to an eagle and an ace on Champions Tour »

6 comments

§ Shanks® said on : 07/16/07 @ 11:32
Ron Monster, before you go awarding trophies for Best Par 3 Course in the country, you should have a go at the excellent ones at many of the stops on the Robert Trent Jones Trail in Alabama. For instance, nearly every hole of the Silver Lakes Par 3 Course plays across or alongside of the lake - really, really special. With 5 sets of tees and conditioning that is every bit as good as the big course(s) they are paired with, I'd put them up against any in the country.
§ Ron Mon® said on : 07/16/07 @ 12:40
Yeah, but the question is, are they playable? I saw some images (a scant few, mind you) that make them look like typical Roger Rulewich punishment holes. Both Threetops and Sandstone Hollow utilize all the elements of the big courses. Perhaps it's time that TravelGolf create a "Best Short Course" list.
§ Kiel Christianson® said on : 07/16/07 @ 13:35
The pros at the Par-3 Shootout rank Threetops
right behind the par-3 course at Augusta
National. Tough to beat, but maybe they
haven't played the Jones Trail courses.
§ Ron Mon® said on : 07/16/07 @ 15:05
The reason they rank it so high is, the holes are shorter and easier at Augusta. I know that it sound stupid, but that's the deal. I also believe that atmosphere adds a good bit to that ranking. I think that Sandstone Hollow is more balanced than Threetops (more variety of clubs needed), but Threetops has more dramatic holes.
§ Shanks® said on : 07/17/07 @ 11:07
The RTJ short courses are wonderful - very playable. With 5 sets of tees you can decide if you want to play it relatively easy to incredibly difficult. If you ever go down there, be sure not to miss playing them.

And I agree your assertions about Augusta's short course - it's just a step above pitch-n-putt.
§ BV said on : 07/18/07 @ 14:19
I like the idea of y'all taking the time to rate the short courses - besides it should give you another reason (like y'all need one...lol) to get out and travel!

I'm a big fan of par-3 and 'executive' courses since I travel a lot on business and have found it's MUCH easier to schlepp a small 'sunday bag' of a few clubs as a carryon than messing with the hardcase and a full load of sticks. It's also MUCH more convenient to get in a short round after the business day is finished...