The
original 18-hole course at A-Ga-Ming has long been
considered one of the "must play" courses in northern
Michigan, with its magnificent Torch Lake views and
wooded hills. But the old school design has left many
players longing for a true championship layout on the
site. Now they have it in Sundance, a new 18-hole course
that is a spectacular combination of links design and "up
north" terrain, destined to rank with Jerry Matthews'
masterpieces at Elk Run in Atlanta and Timber Ridge in
Lansing.
At Sundance, great golfing ground and great golf
architecture have come together with dramatic results.
Laid out in the rolling hills just inland from the
original course, the views of Torch aren't as many - but
gazing out over this awesome track will take your breath
away - and possibly make your knees shake a bit.
Both #1 and #10 start dramatically downhill, beginning
a wild ride of slopes and swales, strewn with a dazzling
array of bunkers of all shapes and sizes. You're soon
struck with the natural flow of the course, how the
layout feels like it was meant to be there, and that the
land was meant to be golfed on.
This may be architect Matthew's great talent, fitting
the design so perfectly to the land and making the golfer
feel comfortable on it. The holes are dramatic but not
unnerving, hazards are formidable but not punishing, and
landing areas are generous. Here is a course that,
especially with five tees to choose from, is very
challenging - but also very playable. The large,
accepting greens are generally rolling, often tiered, and
again, challenging but not punishing.
Each hole has something unique and eye-catching, and
the bunkering is sensational throughout, but along with
the opening holes of each side, 9 & 18 are dramatic
standouts. After teeing over a marsh and making a sharp
dogleg, the 9th climbs steeply uphill through grassy
steps and yawning bunkers. The 18th encourages a big tee
shot and then unfolds into a stunning view of a
water-locked green with pin placing possibilities to
tempt a daring finish.
Throw in abundant wildlife (we saw deer, turkeys and
hawks) and the biggest, most artfully designed waste
bunker in northern Michigan, and you've got an
unforgettable golf experience. In short, Sundance was
designed and built with enough razzle-dazzle to make it
memorable, and enough intelligence and playability to
bring you back again and again.
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A-Ga-Ming
Golf Resort Website
