Treetops Resort – Signature Course

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Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan is a highly notable display of golf course design greats. It has Robert Trent Jones Sr’s last Michigan project (Masterpiece Course) for one. It also has Tom Fazio’s first and only Course in the Great Lakes state (Premier Course). And if that is not enough, it also has Rick Smith’s first full length 18-hole golf course – the Signature Course. And for a first golf vacation destination project, it was not too shabby. Not shabby at all; in fact, it was even excellent.

The Signature Course measures a good 6,653 yards from the longest tees and plays for a par of 70. What is most notable here are Smith’s usage of the natural terrain and other features of the property where the course is located. The high upland location gives the course a rolling terrain – of undulation and elevation changes bonanza, all these exist here in great abundance. Smith coupled this with wide and highly forgiving fairways so the course remains as playable as it is challenging. Heavily wooded natural areas were kept as they were, thereby playing a role in making the course beautiful and yes, still, challenging. Rest assured, golfers will have a very engaging golf vacation here every time – be it first time or nth time.

On top of that, the course comes with five sets of tees that are friendlier to more golfers. The Signature Course is so friendly that it is actually quite popular among the ladies, being ranked among the Top 50 Courses for Women. With that and its promise of dramatic views of the surrounding paradise, golf trips here never end with just the first.

Treetops Resort – Premier Course

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When Treetops Resort’s Masterpiece Course was created, Robert Trent Jones Sr made sure his creation was true to its name. It was, without a doubt, a masterpiece right to the very essence of the word. And when they opened the Premier Course, they in fact and indeed opened a golf vacation destination of premier caliber. And it took a golf course designer of the same caliber to deliver it. And this was achieved with no less than the Tom Fazio himself.

The Premier Course is part of the 81-hole golf resort, Treetops, in Gaylord, Michigan. The other courses in the facility were created by other top caliber designers the likes of Rick Smith and Trent Jones Sr. But Tom Fazio would never be fazed by his counterparts, and his creation would speak of it. At more than 6,800 yards, par 72, the four sets of tees at the Premier ensure that more golfers, handicap notwithstanding, will enjoy a round or two here. No wonder this is a
golf vacation favorite.

But more than just a golf trip paradise, the resort doubles as a ski vacation destination in wintertime. This explains why the Premier Course has some of the most interesting, albeit challenging, elevation changes in all of Michigan golf courses. All throughout the course there are elevated tee boxes and downhill shots as well as undulation that is pretty much unheard of elsewhere. The thick growth of trees in the property all the more takes the level of challenge a notch or two higher. Now, if this and its being a “premier” course through and through is not interesting enough, perhaps the fact that this is the first and only Tom Fazio design in Michigan is.

Treetops Resort – Masterpiece Course

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A masterpiece not by its name alone – this is the Masterpiece Course at the Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan. It is not only easily remembered for its being an excellent golf vacation destination. This course is known to be the master designer Robert Trent Jones Sr’s last creation in Michigan. He did absolutely well – a perfect punctuation for his equally excellent creations in Michigan.

The Masterpiece Course is the first of the 4 championship courses in the resort facility and it set the bar high for the resort’s courses, as well as all of Michigan’s. This Jones Sr masterpiece measures 7,060 yards from the longest tees and plays for a par of 71. Its location, at the headwaters of the Pigeon River, gives the terrain a lot of variety. It is laden with a combination of natural valleys, plains and ravines and the legendary designer showed it that much respect that he didn’t so much intervene but instead worked on keeping it. The result is, obviously, one golf course with the most dramatic elevation changes possible. And the views overlooking the Pigeon River Valley are just as dramatic to make for anybody’s most memorable golf vacations ever.

It really should not be surprising that this golf trip favorite is a favorite of golf publications’ awards and recognitions as well. This, after all, is a pioneer in excellence of sorts in this part of the country. The Masterpiece Course may be Jones’ last in Michigan, but it ranked – AND STILL RANKS – among the first ones to have been built on excellence that made others follow suit.

Pelican Hill – Ocean South Course

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This course is a perfect example of the cliché “more than meets the eye”. Why, at a little over 6,500 yards, the Ocean South Course on the Pelican Hill Golf Club feels and plays longer than it is. And larger at that too! It is quite a mystery how Tom Fazio has created something that has so much for something average in size. Golfers must expect, too, for their golf trips hereabouts to be more than what they would or could ever expect.

The Ocean South Course has recently undergone a massive revamping, and it is now twice as perfect as when Tom Fazio first created it to be. Fazio’s remodeling of his own work created a spectacle that has features that will most likely take golfers on a rollercoaster ride of textures and difficulties. The course moves from greens to trees to magnificent floral gardens of various hues to the beach. And all the way and through it, there is an unending and unmatched view of the ocean nearby – a breathtaking backdrop to a rather challenging feat of surviving the 18-holes of this course in a neat scorecard. All that standing side by side in this medium sized golf course. For a golf course to end up as exquisite as this golf vacation destination is a massive feat that would take a genius to achieve. Tom Fazio is, hands down.

Fazio’s genius and the course’s naturally beautiful setting could only be complemented by amenities in no lesser way. Just as perfect, the services and facilities including pro shop and excellent 19th hole in the form of the Pelican Grill complete the golf vacation package. Ocean South Course is no cliché; it’s just plain perfect.

Pelican Hill – Ocean North Course

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When most everyone else thought “perfect” was already on the top of its game and nothing could get any better than it, golf course designer Tom Fazio thought differently. His already perfect creations in the Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach, SoCal had to undergo some massive changes to achieve what could only be called a higher level of perfection. And the results are as massive as the changes. It is only logical that these perfect golf courses will only grant golf vacations that are nowhere less than perfect. The Ocean North Course could tell the story.

Its perfection comes in its being dynamic, beautiful and yes, challenging. Or for the already challenged, it is difficult. There are hazards everywhere, in most every form thinkable in this kind of place. There are the elevation changes that never had the intention of going unnoticed. Not to be missed too are the Fazio bunkers and well-preserved natural bush lands that are not too forgiving with errant shots. Thankfully though, the Ocean North Course has rather wider fairways and fewer trees that make it all too tolerable. And thank God, too, there are as many rewarding views are there are holes on this golf course. Almost each one of its 18-holes have magnificent ocean views – although, if one allows, it could become too distractingly beautiful. But beautiful still. And distracting. This golf vacation destination measures a good 6,900 yards from the longest tees, par 71.

When Tom Fazio remodeled it, he had the perfect golf trip in mind – beautiful, serene, challenging, something that would be worth every bit of effort. He achieved it through the Ocean North Golf Club. And so will others.

Queenstown Harbor Golf Course – River Course

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The unparalleled, picture-perfect beauty of the Chesapeake Bay is one thing. That of Chester River is another. But either way, there is some irresistible force in the Queenstown Harbor Golf Course that attracts as many golfers for golf vacations. But the River Course, its layout quality and the kind of game it offers is simply a different story altogether. Nonetheless, it is enough to bring even more golfers to Maryland.

Queenstown Harbor’s River Course makes up 18 of the 36-holes in the golfing resort. The other one is a smaller, less famous but equally outstanding golf course, the Lakes Course. The River Course measures 7,110 yards from the longest tees, par 72. After its most recent renovation, this golf vacation destination has morphed into a perfectly natural course. It simply wanted to seem and be as close to nature as possible, and obviously, this has been achieved. But what is most outstanding here – a standout among standouts – is its set of water features. 14 of its 18 holes has water playing in it. Combined with the many other features including naturally wind-swept dunes, plus the views, everyone is in for a sure treat.

But other than golfers having a jolly good time on the greens, this close-to-nature quality has merited the River Course an even greater recognition. This is among the 688 golf facilities IN THE WORLD that bears an Audubon International Sanctuary certification. It is an elusive, exclusive award that takes a whole world of measures to keep a golf course as eco-friendly as possible. Now that’s a story to tell. As for golf trips here, they are surely one for the books – story books!

Queenstown Harbor Golf Course – Lakes Course

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It’s a royal engagement! At the greens that is. At the Queenstown Harbor Golf Course, there is always a place and time – tee time – for great golfing fit for a queen (and king!). Its two courses are amongst Maryland’s most famous; not so much for being so exquisite but for being able to grant the quality of game that even the most noble of citizens would look up to. As to what makes this golf vacation destination so grand, the Lakes Course is a good place to start.

The Lakes Course measures more than 6,500 yards from the longest tees, par 71, with four sets of tees. This 18-hole beauty has a great variety of holes to make such a dynamic layout. There’s the peninsular green on 6th that is just about as beautiful as it is challenging. There’s also the bunker-laden par-4 18th that couldn’t get more room for anything else other than accuracy. But on the overall, this course has more room for a lot of other things too – fun things – that make golf vacations extra exciting.

These things include picturesque views of the nearby Chesapeake Bay and a well-preserved wildlife sanctuary surrounding it. It is well preserved that, in fact, it has received a most prestigious recognition: A certified sanctuary from the Audubon International. That makes a roomful of beautiful things all packed in the same Lakes Course. Guests must expect that at the end of their golf trips here, the engagement will have been consummated and sealed in eternal bond: a royal wedding!

The Rookery Golf Club

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One of the marks of a great golf vacation destination is its overall quality. A golf course must be able to take care of its guests pre-, during, and post-game. The facilities and amenities for each of these stages must come in good enough quantities so as to compliment – and not drown out – each other. The Rookery Golf Club in Milton, Delaware, though often understated, is one fine example.

This golf course, the result of the collaboration of two golf greats Pete Oakley and Chris Adkins, takes care of the pre-game needs at their natural putting and chipping areas. The game per se is made fun, exciting with the right kick of challenging thanks to the 12 water holes present in the golf course. All 6,400 plus yards of the Rookery Golf Club has an equal distribution of water in its 18 holes – a factor that boosts the challenge to an otherwise fair game. A combination of natural and man-made features make this golf vacation favorite even more challenging.

The post-game delights are well taken cared of, thanks to a very impressive grille, the Blue Heron Grille. Golfers are treated here to what could only be described as proper pampering, whether to relax or fill in oneself with some well-deserved gastronomic indulgence. Although, this post-game implement is questionable as a post-game. Others get on it head-on, even before the game starts! But that does not matter, though. That just further proves that at the Rookery Golf Club, golf trips are at its most best – every second of it!

Nutter’s Crossing Golf Club

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Never mistake shortness for shortage. Length, or the lack of it, does not fully define the excellence of a golf course. Sure, it does say something, but it does not bear everything. Nutter’s Crossing Golf Club, for example, is not necessarily long at just more than 6,100 yards, par 70. But golfers will attest that this golf vacation destination is not running short on fun, excitement, or the elements that make for a great and challenging day on the greens.

 This golf course in Salisbury, MD is located 50 miles off of Ocean City. And Ocean City area being itself, water is an indispensable part of golf course layouts. Thus, what Nutter’s Crossing Golf Club lacks in length, it makes up for in water hazards. There are 8 water hazards here that play mostly on more than 12 of the 18 holes, especially playing from the longest tees. To compliment this feature, the design group behind this layout added at least 50 bunkers of various shapes and sizes. For a small course, it surely is packed. That says a lot about what to expect about golf trips here: packed.

To top it off, the Nutter’s Crossing Golf Club has impeccably maintained bermuda grass greens and lush, rolling fairways. And there’s no shortage on off-greens amenities too – it begins with a beautiful colonial brick clubhouse to delight players, post game. With a course that’s as interesting as it sounds, any golfer would go on a golf vacation here even on a short notice. And they won’t go home shortchanged. In short, it’s fun and worth the trip.

Ocean Pines Golf and Country Club

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Ocean City’s wide array of offerings for golf makes it a most ideal destination for golf vacations. For golfers that is. That does not make jobs any easier for the golf critics. The task of naming which ones are the best and which ones are the ultimate standouts are a little too taxing. But the process to getting to the decision must be fun. They get to sample every golf course in the area. One of those that they get to try on is the Ocean Pines Golf and Country Club. And playing it, there should be no surprise at all at the verdict.

This golf course is a Robert Trent Jones Sr creation, located minutes away from Ocean City and the Atlantic Ocean. Jones has come up with the Ocean Pines Golf and Country Club with as little intervention to nature as possible, thus this course sits on well preserved natural wetlands and woodlands. Further into the course, the holes go weaving through natural pines growing abundantly in the property. They not only make for the visual entree, they also make the course extra challenging. This golf vacation destination stretches to 6,927 yards from the longest tees playing for a par of 72.

But the fun just does not end with excellent golf at the Ocean Pines Golf and Country Club. The course completes the golf trip package with an excellent set of amenities. Being part of a residential community, the course was designed to have complete facilities that even guests can enjoy. That ultimately makes it fun for the critics too. That, too, makes the decision come easy: undoubtedly, one of the best.