Experience a Summer Destination Retreat
A four-season resort covering 5,500 acres of rolling countryside, Shanty Creek Resort has been delivering old fashioned hospitality for over 58 years. Located in the heart of northern Michigan’s Chain of Lakes, today Shanty Creek is a year-round outdoor recreation destination. Featuring four distinct villages of Summit Village, Cedar River Village, Hawk’s Eye Village and Schuss Mountain, visitors delight in the uniqueness of each village and the variety of activities. A favorite for winter sports, the Resort also offers summertime golf, biking and boating. Having recently acquired the Hawk’s Eye Golf Course, Shanty Creek is a golf mecca boasting the Shanty Creek Collection with 90 holes of championship golf on five courses.
THE SHANTY CREEK COLLECTION
Whether seeking a weekend getaway of golf with friends or a longer summer retreat, golfers will find the five golf courses of the Shanty Creek Collection (Cedar River Golf Course, The Legend Golf Course, Schuss Mountain Golf Course, Hawk’s Eye Golf Course, and Summit Golf Course) are challenging and diverse. On our two-week getaway to Shanty Creek, we enjoy golf and other activities in scenic northern Michigan. We play three of the five courses finding each course has its own appeal and intrigue. Visiting in early June, the weather is cooler and during the week, the Resort is less crowded.
The Legend Golf Course
Designed by Arnold Palmer, The Legend, is recognized by Golf Magazine among the “Top Resort Courses” in the U.S. along with 4½ stars from Golf Digest. Actually on this visit, we play The Legend twice. Getting rained out after 12 holes on our first round, we are glad to play a second round a few days later. We have better course management on the second round as we recall the holes, the layouts, and hazards to avoid.
Standing on the tee box of Hole No. 1, this is a downhill dogleg right. A par-5 with the green tucked off on the right and barely visible from the tee box. Beware, we quickly learn that the greens of The Legend are multi-tiered with undulation, adding to the complexity of properly reading putts. As the course winds around the rolling hills, we find plenty of tests for our golfing skills. No. 2 a par-4 has a huge hazard on the right, requiring a layup for long hitters. For me, it is thrilling to be on the green in two. Sinking a long putt, it’s a birdie! Significant holes on the front are No. 5 a par-4 with a tee high above the Fairway and a 90 degree dogleg left. Then Hole No. 7 is a challenging par-5. Here a lake is on the right and the Shanty Creek cuts across the fairway twice, first in the middles of the fairway and again in front of the green. Later the Shanty Creek crosses in front of the green on No. 8, a par-4 along with huge boulders protecting the green. Proper Club selection is a must on these holes to avoid landing in the creek. Greens are huge on some holes. Hitting the green in regulation is great but a struggle to two-putt
The back nine brings more elevation changes taking advantage of the rolling terrain and plenty of well-placed bunkers. No. 10 a par-4 is scenic with rolling terrain. A few holes seem to be all uphill or downhill then another hole will have both uphill and downhill fairways to multi-tiered greens. The par-3s are challenging and the greens are huge. Today, I am thrilled to par all four par-3s. The Legend’s finishing holes start with a long par-4 at No. 16. A 90-degree dogleg to the green is well protected by bunkers. It’s a grand finale for us on No. 18, a par-5 with pars. Be sure to pay attention to the graphics on the score card for The Legend to see where hazards come into play. Also take time to enjoy the scenery with views of Lake Bellaire and northern Michigan’s scenic rolling terrain.
Hawks Eye Golf Course
Having played Hawks Eye Golf course previously, we are excited to again play this exciting course. Recently purchased by Shanty Creek, it now makes up the 5th course in the Shanty Creek Collection. Ranked as one of the top 15 public courses in Michigan, Hawks Eye offers challenges for golfers of all skill levels. Plus it is located just over 2 miles from Shanty Creek’s Summit Village.
Playing on a Monday after the early golfers, it is like having the golf course to ourselves.
Teeing off at Hole No. 1, a par-4, we look down from this elevated tee box to the dogleg left hole with a stunning lake on the left and bunkers on the right. It still amazes me that years after playing a course, on a return visit, we remember many of the holes with their layout. As we approach the 2nd hole, we recall this par-5, with a water hazard on the right closer to the green and several bunkers. Beware as some holes look easier. Then on playing the hole, the fairways are more uphill than expected. The front nine has some elevation changes, numerous water hazards, and well-placed bunkers. Impressive wide fairways wind through the hardwoods of the northern Michigan hilly terrain. No. 9 is a fun par-3! Sitting below in small cove, it has a small lake and deep bunkers on the right by the green. Stay focused! A par is easy and maybe even a birdie.
Playing the back nine we even more appreciate how the course layout sprawls across windswept hills and wooded valleys. A variety of uphill and downhill terrain among the towering trees has us carefully seeking the proper club selection. Plenty of false fronts and undulation require accurate shots to the greens. Finding the right touch is imperative to avoid being short or long on approach shots. It’s all downhill at No. 13 a par-3. Here it necessary to adjust the shot with the steep drop from tee to green. Awesome! We both land on the green and make our pars.
The back nine continues to test our golfing skills. Finishing with a par on the slightly uphill No. 18 a par-4, is a great ending to an enjoyable day of golf. Hawks Eye truly winds through the hillsides so be sure to follow the signs from hole-to-hole. It is “must play. In addition to the golf course, Hawk’s Eye offer practice facilities including large driving range and a nine-hole putting course.
Cedar River Golf Course
Ranked as one of the top 100 resort golf courses in the country, Cedar River Course is Tom Weiskopf’s first design in Michigan. On our last visit to Shanty Creek, we stayed at a Cedar River Golfside Condo that overlooked the 18th green. We enjoyed watching golfers on this demanding par-5 finishing hole.
With foursomes ahead of us, we are glad to pair-up with another couple. It has been several years since we played Cedar River so their course knowledge is helpful. The layout truly follows the natural contours of the landscape, resulting in many uneven lies on the rolling terrain of the fairways. With side sloping fairways, it is important to pay attention to the slope of the fairways to actually end up in the fairway. Dramatic elevation changes add to the thrill of the course. We find the front nine has holes with generous landing areas but still require accurate tee shots and approaches. On No. 1 a par-4, it seems there isn’t a flat area in the fairway in this rolling terrain. Arriving at Hole No. 6, we both recall this slightly uphill dogleg right par-4 with bunkers on the right side of the fairway. Today, we play it perfectly! Maybe our course memory kicked in.
The back nine of Cedar River has three par-5s, par-4s, and par-3s. Parring the par-3s really helps the score. HURRAH! I par all of the par-3s on the back. Two memorable holes are No. 13 a par-4 and No. 14 a par-3, the most scenic holes on the course. Here the challenges of rolling hills are framed by tall heather, fescue and strategically placed bunkers and trees. No. 13 has dual fairways and the green is hidden and protected by bunkers. Drives are critical to be in the proper position for the second shot as a tree is also a factor. Standing high above the par-3 14th hole it is downhill. In front are bunkers, the the hillsides have tall heather and there is a drop-off. It is imperative to land on the green. As we arrive at the finishing hole, we recall watching golfers from the Cedar River condo attempt to play this difficult par-5. It is uphill, downhill and then the 3rd shot is on a downhill sloping fairway with a peninsula green protected on the right by tall fescue and a lake. While the left side of the green is surrounded by bunkers. Awesome! Richard birdies this demanding par-5 for a grand finale!
Shanty Creeks Resort Offers Summer Activities
Visitors to Shanty Creek, will find other resort activities to keep busy besides golf. Summer activities include:
Glacial Hills a trail system featuring 30+ miles of interconnected single-track biking and hiking trails.
Indoor and outdoor swimming pools and scenic Lake Bellaire for various water sports and activities is just a few miles away.
Antrim County’s Chain of Lakes boasts 75 miles of the most beautiful waterways including 14 lakes with interconnecting rivers. Creating over 200 miles of shoreline, the Chain of Lakes provides opportunities for boating, canoeing, or kayaking. Of course, swimming is permitted at public parks along the lakes.
Grass River Natural Area connects Torch and Clam lakes with Lake Bellaire. It is a haven for wildlife, as well as, rare and endangered plants. The trails of Grass River Natural Area go through diverse habitats of marshy bogs and floating sedges.
Take a Drive
Northern Michigan has many charming villages and towns bordering its many lakes. Each village has its own unique setting and attraction. Our favorites are Elk Rapids, Charlevoix, Petoskey and, of course, Traverse City. Plenty to do from wine tasting to picking cherries to strolling a lakeshore to finding art in a forest.
Each visit to Northern Michigan is always fun, exciting and relaxing. Shanty Creek Resort continues to be our favorite location for accommodations and convenience. Having rented at three different properties in Summit Village and one property at Cedar River, each has met our needs. We especially like the Summit Village area being close to the Lakeview Hotel and Shanty Town with more activity close by.
If you go:
Accommodations–
Shanty Creek offers a variety of accommodations from hotel rooms to condos to homes.
Summit Village has Lakeview Hotel and Summit Village Condos. Then Cedar River Village has the all-suites Lodge, Slopeside Condos and Golfside Condos. Then Schuss Mountain has the Condos of Schuss Mountain. For those seeking larger accommodations The Homes of Vienna Woods is a great option.
Golf Groups will really enjoy the golf and accommodations at Shanty Creek. It is well suited for group outings.
Golf Packages are also available for those seeking a golf getaway.
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