By Randy Prichard

Hawk’s Eye earned its placement (12th) among Michigan Golf’s Top 50 Public Golf Courses honestly; it’s a premier golf destination – coupled with sister course The Chief at Sky Lodge (also designed by Canadian architect John Robinson) – that assures the golfer an enjoyable, memorable round. It’s where Michigan State University basketball coach Tom Izzo holds his annual Celebrity Charity Challenge; his “home away from home.”

In many ways (some would argue in everyway) Hawk’s Eye is the antithesis of The Chief. Long – 7,000 yards from the tips – vs. 6,600-yards at the Sky Lodge headdress, and 747 runway width fairways. The tight, angular Chief will test your accuracy off the tee and shots into the green. Hawk’s Eye says express yourself; pull out that driver, often, and hit that ball hard and far. Hawk’s Eyes’ par 5s rank among Michigan’s best.

You’ll especially like the opening hole: 409 yards from the tips with a slightly elevated tee station that overlooks a lake to the left and a mammoth, slight dogleg fairway that sweeps up to an elevated green.

The first par 5, hole No. 2, is followed by a remarkably large, open par three and three par 4 “birdie holes” that average about 370-yards from the third set of tees.

The Par 5 seventh hole is an Oh Wow! type of hole with risk-reward written all over it. Measuring 513-yards from the white tees, if you bomb about 280 yards you’ll be tempted to squeeze your second shot into a well-protected, waterfront green.

Hole’s ten and twelve are the longest of the par 4s, measuring over 440 yards from the tips. Ten is all downhill from the tee. Twelve is more flat, slightly uphill and requires a solid tee shot.

The two par 5s, in my opinion, highlight the inward nine. They’re different and they’re fun, especially seventeen. You can get major carry off the tee if you hit your drive just right, and you’ll appreciate every yard on the 607-yard hole. My advice, however, is play this hole like a true par 5 and enjoy it for all its worth. There’s trouble (water) up around the right side of the green you won’t readily detect the magnetism of this hazard until you’re in it.

Number 18 affords the perfect conclusion to a great day of golf: a par 4, 350-yard cupcake from the white tees that should leave you with par or better.

New to The Chief at Sky Lodge and Hawk’s Eye package is a bodacious 21,000 square foot clubhouse with restaurant and private member facilities. Two-day, two-night stay and play packages begin at $179 with unlimited greens fees. Several Northern Michigan casinos are within minutes of the lodge and golf courses, as is Torch Lake.

The Chief at Sky Lodge and Hawk’s Eye define the golf Mecca that is Bellaire, Mich. I invite you to visit their Web site at www.hawks-eye.com.

The Chief
Slope: 119-145
Course Rating: 66.4 - 72.6

Hawk’s Eye
Slope: 126-140
Course Rating: 69.3 - 74.6