Welcome to our November Newsletter!
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Kurt A.
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Keeping Up the October Golf Swing 🎃
Who knew we’d be keeping our golf game alive in October, especially with football season pulling on my weekends? But hey, when your kid invites you for a weekend of golfing instead of screen-side cheering, you gladly trade football for fairways—even if your team is hitting every pothole on the road to glory!
So, with my golf-loving kid, Alex, we couldn’t resist revisiting a course we visited a couple of months ago. We hit Missaukee Golf Club again—proof that when a course is fun the first time, it’s worth a second look to relive the magic. We told you all about it in our September issue. Guy and I made it to Elmbrook for a few more rounds and definitely felt the chill and fading light creeping as the season is ending.
Heading out tomorrow and meeting up with Alex for some fall golf in Cadillac at Eldorado Golf Course. Most of the courses are closing, may be the last round of the year for me.
Hitting the Downstate Greens
Mid-October brought us downstate for a cozy weekend with Alex, who treated us to one of his local courses—a real gem that felt almost like Northern Michigan. Atlas Valley Golf Club had that “hidden in the woods” vibe we love, a rarity in Metro Detroit. The clubhouse looked like it had once been private, with amenities you don’t often find at public courses. It’s clear the course is a local favorite, and even in October, the greens were in great shape with plenty of golfers out swinging.
Now, let me tell you, every hole here seemed to throw a mini “challenge accepted” moment with these massive scrubs, hard dog legs, water, bunkers and hills to clear.
Hole 18
Hole 18 takes the crown for tough terrain—a green perched on a hilltop surrounded by creeks, bridges, bunkers and enough scrub to keep it interesting.
The green is up a hill with a lot of scrub on the side (circled in red). Of course I landed on the side the hill. Still I somehow had a nice chip to the green on top and ended with a bogey. It could have been so much worse, could have doubled like someone else did.
To see all the pictures we took at Atlas (forgot hole 9) click here.
Thanks to Alex’s heads-up, I knew the lay of the land, but still, my ball had its fair share of adventures. Scored a respectable 101 on a tricky course, but I’m already itching for a rematch!
Sunday’s round was at a long-awaited “bucket list” course, but I’m keeping it under wraps till a future issue (trust me, the suspense will be worth it!). Rain or shine, it was everything I hoped for, plus a little soggy bonus for the memory books.
Antioch Hills Golf Club (formerly Briarwood North)
On another trip, we met Alex in Mesick for a round at Antioch Hills, which used to be Briarwood North. This course has some history—owned by a bank for a bit and going through the usual challenges—but the new owners are putting in serious effort, and it shows. This place may not be a fancy high-end experience, but it’s got its own charm.
The course has a mix of straightforward fairways and a few head-scratchers. Hole #4, in particular, serves up a 327-yard par 4 (288 yards for me) dog leg to the right that looks simple until you see the water to the right, woods to the left, and a fairway that slopes just enough to guide your ball to the waterline. That first tee shot can make or break your round—my ball met the reeds, but others held their ground. Getting out of that hole was a real “let’s learn from this” moment!
As the back nine unrolls, things get a little more straightforward, with fewer twists and turns. Finished the day with a proud 96, marking I believe my 8th time breaking 100 this year! 🎉
A Few Observations
Antioch Hills has its own vibe, and I have great memories of when it was Briarwood North and of taking one of my grandkids for a round. This was also one of the earlier courses I visited regularly when I first started golfing. We have always liked this course.
My granddaughter was taught by her Papa who is a very good golfer and firmly believes in practice swings. She took so many practice strokes on every hit, that I thought I was going to lose my mind (fortunately we were the only golfers that day). Maddie couldn’t have been more than 7 or 8 at the time and her enthusiasm for practice swings would wear her out. She sat out more holes than she played if I remember correctly.
Thrown for a Loop
It’s a fun, welcoming course with staff who genuinely want players to have a good time, even if a couple things threw us for a loop.
One is the “no marijuana” rule. I’m no cannabis connoisseur, just not my thing, but it felt a bit ironic since they’re open to alcohol, cigarettes, cigars, and vaping. There are Bible verses around, which may hint at the policy, but it seems a little contradictory.
Then there’s the second-hand club sale. Clubs left behind by players were up for grabs at a price, and it caught me by surprise since a few were only lost recently. We’re talking some beat up wedges priced at $50. Still, if you’re missing one from a while back, maybe check in to see if it’s part of the inventory!
But let’s not split hairs—Antioch Hills is still a solid choice for a memorable day on the greens. It’s got challenges, friendly staff, and enough surprises to keep you on your toes. If you’re near Mesick, grab your clubs and give it a go!
Did You Know?
The longest putt verified by the Guinness Book of World Records is 395 feet?
Australia’s Brett Stanford, a member of the aptly named YouTube posse, How Ridiculous, drained a 395-footer on the Point Walter GC in Western Australia and was a new world record according to the Guinness World Records. He broke the record held by Fergus Muir, a Scotsman who in 2001 drained a 125-yarder (375 ft.) at the St. Andrews Eden Course with a hickory-shafted putter.
After I had finished writing this newsletter a follower sent me this video (talk about timing). The video says world record, but doesn’t show that it was verified by Guinness, so not sure how that works. Regardless, this is a heck of a shot, 154 yards or 462 feet following little hills and curves.
Frost Delays and Golf Etiquette Insights
My son, who was golfing downstate in Central Michigan, recently experienced his first frost delay. It made for a longer round than expected, especially with three groups ahead of him who didn’t let him play through, even though he was a single. Curious about the protocol, I asked our Golf Up North group on Facebook to get some insights. Turns out, frost delays are pretty common—guess I’m not usually on the greens early enough to be affected by one!
Here’s what I learned from the group’s helpful feedback:
- Frost delays protect the course. Walking on frosty grass can damage it, so the delay is necessary for the health of the turf.
- Letting a single player play through can add about 5 minutes to the other group’s round, which might seem small but adds up.
- The timing of when players reach certain holes can also help prevent course damage, so my son starting first could’ve complicated things.
While I might still be a little unsure about the choice to not send him off first, it’s interesting to know the reasoning behind these decisions. In the end, he still had a great day on the course, even if it was a long one—just part of the joys of playing as a single!
Golf Quote of the Month
I like this quote by Sam Snead because it could also apply to the 4th hole at Antioch. If I had hit the center of the fairway, avoided the slope and water and then drove the green it would have been a great shot. 😊
Sam Snead was one of the top golfers in the world for a better part of 4 decades. Many consider him one of the greatest players of all time. Snead’s nicknames included “The Slammer”, “Slammin’ Sammy Snead”, and “The Long Ball Hitter from West Virginia”. He was admired by many for having a “perfect swing”, which generated many imitators
He was awarded a record 94 gold medallions for wins in PGA Tour events. Snead was credited with winning a record 82 PGA Tour events (tied with Tiger Woods) including seven majors although he never was the U.S. Open. Snead was inducted in the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. He died in 2002 from complications from a stroke 4 days before his 90th birthday.
Click here to see all the pictures we have taken of courses over the years.
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