by Paul Albanese

In the previous journal entries, we've taken Sweetgrass Golf Club from the initial walk-through to early schematics and implementation of the master plan. Because this golf course and the Island Resort & Casino are both owned and operated by the Hannahville Indian Community - a band of the Potawatomi Nation, we've also incorporated aspects of their proud culture and tribal legends. It's been a unique and interesting project from the beginning, but as winter quickly approaches in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, our time on the property will be limited.  

by Paul Albanese

In the initial journal entry, we discussed the early steps in creating Sweetgrass Golf Club at the Island Resort & Casino in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Owned by the Hannahville Indian Community - a band of the Potawatomi Nation, the resort is located about an hour south of Marquette, Mich., and two hours north of Green Bay, Wisc. In this entry, we'll pick up where that left off - in-the-field staking and routing - and start with implementing the master plan.  

by Paul Albanese

Building a championship course at the Island Resort & Casino is an amazing opportunity to introduce something special to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Located about an hour south of Marquette, Mich., and two hours north of Green Bay, Wis., the resort is home to Las Vegas-style gaming, fine dining and national touring musicians. The Hannahville Indian Community - a band of the Potawatomi Nation - was interested in adding a first-class golf course to the resort and brought me in to implement their vision.  

by Dan Hixson

I am Dan Hixson, the designer of Bandon Crossings Golf Course and the owner of Milo, my pet dog. This is my first full 18-hole golf course to be built. I have designed two others, but this is the first built. Prior to designing Bandon Crossings I had done about 15 remodel projects in Oregon and Washington. To say the least, it has been quite a trip.  

by Tony Dear

Dining options in Deer Lodge, Mont., are limited to say the least. The Coffee Shop on California Avenue serves up thick, lunchtime sandwiches with a bowl of chili to a hardy bunch of truckers and farmers, while The Shack, a diner/bar/casino on Main Street, does a decent T-bone. A mile farther north on Main, Pizza Hut cranks out pepperoni-covered slices to what teens are left in this bleak, prison town of 3,000 souls.  

The grand opening of any course is always exciting. The Quarry at Giants Ridge was an exception only in that they really know how to run such an event. The turnout and media coverage was fantastic, in part because Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty agreed to attend and play golf.  

On my last visit of the year, I am pleased to report The Quarry has had the best grow-in I have ever seen, thanks in part to an energetic young superintendent  

At age 15, I discovered girls and golf, creating an immediate desire to know more about sex and golf course design.  

I have been busy traveling lately. At the end of April, I attended the annual convention of the American Society of Golf Course Architects in Santa Barbara  

I just scheduled my next trip to the Northlands of Minnesota for next week. I look forward to a bit warmer trip than last time, when I bought long underwear to wear under my long underwear!  

I love northern Minnesota. While building courses up there, I have encountered bears, moose, elk and timber wolves.  

I returned recently from my last trip to Minnesota for the year. The trip was instructive in a few different ways - technical aspects of construction, architecture and human nature.  

Earth Works Take Shape for Second Golf Course at Giants Ridge (subtitle: I've found a way to be two places at once!)

Editor's Note: In this ninth installment of golf course architect Jeffrey D. Brauer's ongoing journal about construction of a second course at Giants Ridge in Biwabik, Minnesota, he discusses some high-tech advances in design and construction that could greatly increase the speed at which the industry works.  

Editor's Note: In this eighth installment of golf course architect Jeffrey D. Brauer's ongoing journal about building a second course at Giants Ridge in Biwabik, Minn., he discusses putting the job out to bid which, in this case, was done twice.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Giants Ridge: Overcoming Obstacles of a Mammoth Size