golf travel
Story and Photos by: Greg and Beverly Wise
A Quick Trip to the WAWA For many golfers… this quick trip to the Wawa would be a stop at the local convenience store for some gas, adult beverages, a sandwich for the road… or just some snacks. For those more adventurous golfers… Wawa is a true “Bucket List” golf course in upper Michigan on Mackinac Island. Especially if you are going to play with “Hickories.” The key fob on the electric cart… (yes… electric cart) explained it best. This is “One of Michigan’s oldest and most historic golf clubs,
Wawashkamo was design by Alex Smith of Scotland. It remains unchanged, a one-of-a-kind links… offering a very special experience.” BOY… they weren’t wrong. When we arrived at Wawa and had parked and locked up our bikes. Okay… there’s a part of this adventure that needs to be explained. When we made the final arrangements for our visit, we had instructions. Take the 9:30 AM departure out of Mackinaw City on Shepler’s Ferry Service. When you arrive in Mackinac
Island, rent a bicycle and head to Wawa in the middle of the island, the directions are simple. Bicycle? Doing some quick researched revealed that are no cars on Mackinac Island. Bicycles or Horse and Carriage taxis is the only mode of transportation. The itinerary said that we would arrive by 11:00 am to meet with PGA Golf Professional, Chuck Olson. OKAY… back to the timeline… that is nearly an hour to make it to Wawa… on a bicycle? When we arrived on the island and rented our bikes, they said… there is only one hill to climb. I am sure they are still laughing because there is only one hill… it basically went from the port to the golf course. Technically, I guess that is only one hill. Arriving on time at Wawashkamo to meet with Mr. Olson… Chuck started in telling us of the history of Wawashkamo (or what the residents call Wawa). Built in 1898 by Alex Smith US Open Champion (1910) from Scotland. When the Grand Hotel was built, many businesspeople from the Chicago area, came to the island and built magnificent homes along the South rim of the island, and would come to the island for months at a time. After several years, they decide to have the 9-hole golf course built. The golf course is built on the site of a British and American battle during the War of 1812. The battle was fought on an old farm that existed on the island, so the land was cleared and very accessible. Alex Smith designed the 9-hole golf course with 2 sets of teeing ground, making for the challenge of 18-holes. He used the same cleared farmland, so all the
Wawashkamo Circus Ring number 3 green
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Golf Central • Volume 22, Issue 6
