"If there is one thing I have learned during my years as a professional, it's that the only thing constant about golf is its inconsistancy." -- Jack Nicklaus --
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Thornapple Creek Golf Club (Kalamazoo MI)
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Duffy's Review
For years I’ve wanted to play Thornapple Creek Golf Club and I finally had the chance on June 10th, 2003. There were several rumors about the course that I needed to see for myself. I had always heard that Thornapple Creek was “beautiful, tough and unfair”. I agree with the first two statements but I found no evidence that the course was unfair. Many of the par fours made an iron or fairway wood a better choice off the tee than a Driver, but I consider that course management, not unfair lay-out. The next rumor has nothing to do with the current management or owners, so I won’t be specific. But I will say no one was stoned when they designed and built this course. Every hole has a challenge built into it and available space appears to have been utilized to its full potential. The last rumor I’ll comment on is, “the back is tougher than the front”. I can’t substantiate this rumor either, I scored three stokes less on the back. Maybe I'm a slow starter, but I found both sides enjoyable.
OK, enough with the rumors and innuendo, let’s get to the reality of the course. I’m not going to try to pick a favorite hole, I’ve never been good at achieving the impossible. Each hole was unique and had its own character. There were several holes that I consider outstanding, but please keep in mind that my words and photos are unable to do justice to these beauties.
#4 is a 525 yard par 5 that doglegs left creating a blind second shot to the green. A big hitter can go for it on their second shot but they had better not come up short. The front is guarded by a small wetland area and the green is elevated and slopes towards this hazard. If you over shoot, good luck on the tricky chip down this green. Recommendation: keep the ego in the bag, and lay-up.
The 9th hole, a 528 yard par 5, is definitely reachable in 2. Several sand traps on the left and water on the right make accuracy a must. Did I mention the tree on the front right of the green, standing guard against easy access? One more comment on this hole. My tee-shot rested just over the ridge and as our cart crested the hill “Wow!” is the word that rushed out of my mouth. A down hill shot to this water, sand, tree guarded green with the log cabin style clubhouse on the hill, and the fountain spewing water from the middle of the pond. “Wow!” what a sight. I went for it in 2, then hit 4 after my drop near “point of entry” at the pond. Sing along with me now “In the water and over the tree to grandmother’s house we go”.
Probably the most spectacular hole, in my humble opinion, was the 508 yard par 5, 16th. I can
hear ya now “I can make easy work of a short par 5 like that.” Well, killer, before you write your
eagle on the card, hear me out. I blasted a spectacular tee-shot from the elevated box, over
the valley to the top of the next hill and down the other side. Very pleased with my
performance, I was sure my second, just outside the 200 yard marker, was a given birdie.
WRONG!! I had to walk up within 100 yards before I could see the green, a relatively flat
peninsula that had been built into the lily pad covered pond. From my perspective this green
appeared the size of a large postage stamp, severely down hill even from 100 yards, so the choice
to lay-up seemed appropriate. Reaching the green I was corrected by its size. It was much
larger standing on it than it was looking down on it, also NOT flat. I took my par and walked
away pleased, but still wondering if I could have had that birdie.
Lastly, the 162 yard par 3, 17th. A gorgeous hole, with an intimidating attitude. The tee box and green are built out into the pond. The carry is all water, but you can bail out to the right. Once on the green there is a ridge running across the center that slopes away to either side. Parring this hole requires a tee-shot to the correct side of this ridge or a putt nothing short of a biblical miracle.
Thornapple Creek has a driving range, “Practice Facility” is their wording, and a putting green just outside the pro shop doors. There is also a bar with reasonable seating accommodations and a separate seating area, attached but off to the right. I didn’t sample the cuisine. I was invited by my host to his house for Brats on the grill. Home grilling over restaurant food is a no-brainer for me. Besides the drives are longer and the putts are faster when you’re socializing with friends afterwards.
Overall this course was challenging with spectacular views and medium-to-fast greens, with very good roll. A 25+ handicap could be quite frustrated after their round, but it’s not unplayable for a beginner. Don’t spend too much time looking for that lost ball, odds are you won’t find it. For the mid-range to low-handicapper, you will find plenty of tests on your ability. If scoring well is your goal on this course, STAY OUT OF THE ROUGH. It is thick and unforgiving. Also, take the time to read these greens. My entire foursome was wrong about that down-hill putt. I would definitely recommend this course. A 2-3 hour drive would be worth the gas money.
I almost forgot the most impressive part of Thornapple Creek Golf Club, NO HOUSES WooooooHooooo! Yippeeeeeeeee! Hooray!
For more information on Thornapple Creek Golf Club check out the links below
Play often, Play fair and above all, HAVE FUN!.
I love this game!
Duffy
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This site is presented "AS IS" There is no guarantee of its accuracy. The opinions of the reviews are not necessarily the views or opinions of Will Golf For Food. For the most accurate information on a particular Golf facility please contact that facility.
