TIPS FROM THE TEE
With Dawson and Nate from the Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau
There are 8 golf courses within 20 minutes of Cadillac’s Downtown. While each offers a unique golfing experience, they share the special beauty that is unique to this area, feature well-cared for courses and friendly, welcoming service.
Each course is easily accessible from area freeways. Our Tips from the Tee series highlights the signature holes of each course, along with Tips from the Pro on how to play it best, with a few fun facts and golf course banter along the way.
Check out their vlog episodes outlined here and be sure to visit our incredible courses!
TIPS FROM THE TEE EPISODE #1
Missaukee Golf Club
The Missaukee Golf Club, a Bob Meyer design, is an 18 hole par 71 course which has been open to public play since 1970. This course ranges from 4,905 yards from the front tees to 6,045 yards from the back tees. The range in distance allows golfers of all skill levels to enjoy the beautiful terrain that can be found at the course.
Watch the video on this page and read more here.
Watch the video on this page and read more here.
TIPS FROM THE TEE EPISODE #2
Evergreen Resort
Evergreen brings you this week’s Tips From the Tee. Evergreen offers 27 total holes on its premises. The full-fledged 18-hole Spruce course boasts a 6,438 yards with a par of 71. Norway, the executive course, has 9-holes of fun with 2,793 yards with a par of 36.
Evergreen was designed in 1959 by Jerry Matthews. Jerry followed in his father’s, Bruce Matthews, footsteps by designing golf courses as a lifelong career. Jerry has 81-course designs under his belt, with only three not being in the Mitten State. His best-ranked work features Michigan Golf Magazine’s number 3 rated golf course, Timberstone. Matthews is a highly-praised designer in the golf world, and Evergreen’s 27-holes are a great testament to Matthews work.
Watch the video on this page and read more here.
Watch the video on this page and read more here.
TIPS FROM THE TEE EPISODE #3
Eldorado Golf Course
Eldorado was designed in 1996 by Bob Meyer. The course features both bentgrass fairways and greens. While other courses in the area typically feature bentgrass greens, Eldorado is one of the few that have it on the fairways. Bentgrass is seen as a more luxurious choice of grass within the golf industry.
Eldorado’s location is par to none. It is only 4 miles south of downtown Cadillac. It is directly off of M-115, and less than a ¼ mile off of US-131 where travelers see the beautiful course while driving by.
Watch the video on this page and read more here.
Watch the video on this page and read more here.
TIPS FROM THE TEE EPISODE #4
Lakewood on the Green Golf Course
Father and son team Norm & Pete Smith took 7 years to build the original course which first opened in 1980. By 1985, Lakewood on the Green was rated as “Michigan’s toughest, prettiest nine-hole golf course” in The Wedge (National Golf Foundation Market Report).
Only 8 miles outside of downtown Cadillac and 7 miles from US-131 exit 176, Lakewood is extremely accessible to out-of-towners.
Adam Hodges, Director of Golf, helped Nate and Dawson understand signature hole number 10. Hole number 10 at Lakewood on the Green is a 356-yard par 4. Adam explains that the hole is quite tough, with the entire right side of the hole being water. The fairway slants from left to right naturally, so his advice is to hit the ball on the left side of the fairway and let the ball move to the center or even to the right side of the fairway.
Watch the video on this page and read more here.
Watch the video on this page and read more here.
TIPS FROM THE TEE EPISODE #5
Caberfae Peaks Golf Course
In 1995 Harry Bowers brought over 30 years of golf course design and construction experience to good use while designing Caberfae’s 9 holes. Harry also spent time playing golf as an amateur which has provided him with the knowledge and skill to understand shot-making, challenge, and play-ability at a very thorough level. Over Harry’s career, he has designed 70+ courses. His expertise and knowledge are made quite apparent at Caberfae’s golf course.
Caberfae’s golf course is located at the base of the ski hill. It has gorgeous views of one of lower Michigan’s greatest treasures in Caberfae’s ski hill. The resort is only about 18 miles west of downtown Cadillac and US-131.
Watch the video on this page and read more here.
Watch the video on this page and read more here.
TIPS FROM THE TEE EPISODE #6
Emerald Vale Golf Course
Emerald Vale was designed in 1997 by Bruce Matthews III. Bruce Matthews III designed over 45 new courses and renovated over 60 since 1991. Bruce explains, “My designs reflect a lifetime in golf. I have experienced and know all facets of the golf course business. I have been a superintendent for public and high-end private clubs and I have operated a public course for profit. These experiences influence how I design a course.”
The Matthews family has quite an extensive background in golf. Bruce Matthews III father, Wallace B. “Wally” Matthews was the manager for several golf clubs. His father was W. Bruce Matthews, who was a golf course architect for Stiles and VanKleek and later Matthes and Associates. He also was the president of Grand Haven Golf Club. Golf management and design for the Matthews family dates back to 1925. This knowledge is apparently displayed at Emerald Vale. Read more on the extremely interesting and talented Bruce Matthews III at his website http://www.matthewsgolf.org.
Emerald Vale is a quick 20-minute drive north of downtown Cadillac, and only 2 miles west of downtown Manton, Michigan.
Watch the video on this page and read more here.
Watch the video on this page and read more here.
TIPS FROM THE TEE EPISODE #8
Cadillac Country Club Course
Paul Blick and Jerry Matthews designed the original 9 holes. In 1914 the first 9 holes were constructed. In the late 1940s, early 1950s the course was reconfigured to what is now the 18-hole course. There has been some rich history over the years at the Cadillac Country Club. Third most winning players ever, with 11 major tournament wins, Walter Hagen played at the club for around a year. Byron Nelson, 62 PGA Tour wins (6th most of all time) has also played at the Cadillac Country Club.
The course is 4 miles out of downtown Cadillac and only 3.5 miles off of exit 176 on US-131.
Watch the video on this page and read more here.
Watch the video on this page and read more here.
TIPS FROM THE TEE EPISODE #9
Blooper Edition
When our interns started back in April and May they chose from several potential projects, the “Tips from the Tee” project was one that both of them were interested in. Thank goodness both of them knew how to golf (or did they just get lucky on the courses this summer?)…
Watch the video on this page and read more here.
Watch the video on this page and read more here.