golf travel
BOYNE Golf: The History of Donald Ross Continues to Shine in Northern Michigan For 30+ years, the Donald Ross Memorial at Boyne Highlands has paid homage to one of golf’s greatest architects When the golf course building boom of
MacDonald at Bandon Dunes, The
the mid 1980’s kicked into high gear
South Course at Arcadia Bluffs, or the
in northern Michigan, Boyne Resorts
soon-to-come “Lido” at Sand Valley -
was already one of the largest golf
all paying tribute to legendary early-
destinations in the country with four golf courses at the time (10 today). This all started with The Heather, designed by Hall of Fame architect, Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1966. When the time came to develop a fifth golf
Long before courses like Old
century architects like C.B. MacDonald course, the BOYNE Golf team wanted
and Seth Raynor – and even before
to create something very different and
“replica” courses like Tour 18 came
unique paying homage to the golden
on the scene, BOYNE Golf became the
era of classic course architecture.
first resort destination to ever create a tribute course in honor of a legendary architect, highlighting Donald Ross.
Ross is recognized as the father of
golf course architecture in America, immigrating here from Scotland in 1899 and made his home in Pinehurst. He was by far the most prolific course designer, with an estimated 600 courses to his credit and a member of the Golf Hall of Fame. He often stated – “Golf should be a pleasure, not a penance.” He designed courses that fit into the natural contours of the land; not unduly penal, but strategic and deceptive courses that players of all abilities could love and respect.
The Donald Ross Memorial at Boyne
Highlands is a composite re-creation of classic golf holes Ross designed in the early part of the century at some of his most renowned courses.
“Our founder, Everett Kircher, had
a vision to pay homage to Donald Ross and build a course that included some of his greatest holes from his top courses east of the Mississippi River,” said Bernie Friedrich, Senior Vice President of Golf Operations. “We wanted to also create holes from places that most golfers may not have the opportunity to play, so there was a focus on the private clubs.”
The focus on Ross’ elite private
clubs required some effort. Contacting clubs, getting permission, and logging airline miles. Bernie Friedrich and Stephen Kircher, along with architect 36
Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 2
