Forest Dunes

Day 2 arrived and Jason made it in late last night. Packed up the car in Grand Rapids and out we headed at 6 am to Forest Dunes (http://www.forestdunesgolf.com/), the Plumbers Union golf course we played a couple of years ago. Stopped for breakfast at one of Frank's old haunts. Our tee time is at 11.

A 7104-yard, par 72, Tom Weiskopf signature designed course that has drawn comparisons to America’s top two courses – Pine Valley and Augusta National – and was voted by
Golf Digest “2003’s Best New Upscale Course” in America
Golf World “2004 Top Ten You Can Play”
Golf Week 2004 Top One Hundred (94th)
Golf Week 'America's Best' 2005 Top 40 Best New Courses (16th)
Golf Week 2005 'Top 100 Residential Golf Communities' - 50th
2007-Golf Digest-Best Public Access Golf Course in Michigan- # 3
2007-Golf Digest–Top Rated Golf Course in Michigan - # 6
2007 - Great Lakes Golf Magazine – Players Choice Awards in Midwest: # 1 Best Conditioned Course.
2007-Golf Digest–Top 100 Public Access Golf Courses in America # 20
2007-Golf Week Magazine Top Public Access Courses in Michigan - # 2
2007-Michigan Golf-Top 100 Golf Courses in Michigan - # 2

With half of the holes edged by dense rolling forests of red and jack pines, punctuated with elaborate white sand bunkering, Augusta National references were inevitable. Similarly, Forest Dunes’ remaining nine, with dark, exposed native sand, scruffy underbrush and a “Hell’s Half Acre”-like 16th hole of untouched dune from tee to green have precipitated Pine Valley comparison.

Time to play our game -- Robins with team trash. Frank and I are cart buddies. Off we go. The greens are fast and have a lot more to them than yesterday's holes. Jason must be tired because he's all over the place. I play some well, some not so well. But, it's again a beautiful day and we're golfing and on vacation.

The final playoff hole is a par 3, 19th hole, to decide a playoff. Tom sticks it tight and because he has an audience, he birdies it. Pack up the car and off we go to Boyne to check into the Disciples -- after buying ice cream and beer. They have built a new lodge with a spa and a water park. We check in and get lift tickets -- they say we can go up the chair lift and have dinner. Why not. We've never done that before. We head up there and have dinner with a view.

Day 3 is now over and now the two-a-days begin. Heading out in the morning at 615 am. I know, sounds like craziness for a vacation, but that's what we're here for.

[In case you are returning, yes, I'm adding/editing more content to these posts.]