LOCATION: Mackinac Island ADDRESS: Mackinac Island, MI YARDAGE: 6,105 yards ARCHITECTS: Re-Design by Jerry Matthews YEAR OPENED: 1911 PHONE: (800) 33-GRAND WEB SITE: www.grandhotel.com

FOR THE GRANDEST OF MICHIGAN GOLF EXPERIENCES ONE MUST TRAVEL TO MACKINAC ISLAND, HOME TO THE 18th CENTURY BRITISH fortress and a 19th century national historic landmark. Boasting the world’s longest porch (more than the length of 2 football fields), a 500,000 gallon Ester Williams swimming pool, and 385 Victorian-style suites and rooms, the Grand Hotel is a destination like no other.

If golf is the allure, then you’ll be greatly rewarded with a walk around The Jewell, Grand Hotel’s course.

The Jewel is historic on its level. The original nine holes were shaped from the islands’ land formations in 1901. It was touched up in 1987. Jerry Matthews was commissioned in 1994 to add what is called the Woods nine. You’ll be escorted to the first tee via horse-drawn carriage.

Be assured that a hotel that plants one ton of tulip and daffodil bulbs each fall and 125,000 bedding plants each spring goes to great lengths to make their golf course look immaculate.

A native Michigander who’s entire life has been devoted to golf and course design, Matthews has fond memories of being called upon to contribute to the historical significance of The Jewel.

“ The hotel nine had real small greens, reminiscent of the period it was built. We totally rebuilt them to take out some of the difficultly in relation to the way the game is played today,” commented Matthews.

“ On the Woods nine, we created a completely different look,” added Michigan’s leading course architect. “It offered a tremendous amount of natural beauty on very limited acreage.”

Keep in mind, Mackinac Island prohibits the use of motorized equipment, making for a unique and interesting get away.

Rated among Travel & Leisure magazine’s Top 500 Hotels of the World, The Grand Hotel has no equal on the coastal Great Lakes.

Views of the Governor’s Mansion, Mackinac Bridge, Fort Mackinac and the island’s marina can be enjoyed from various vantage points on the course.