What SE Michigan golf courses would be the best fit to host a PGA Tour event?

   Ever since the PGA Tour left Warwick Hills in 2009 after they lost Buick as the title sponsor, there have been no PGA Tour events in the Detroit area. Of course, Indianwood Country Club in Lake Orion stepped up to host the Senior U.S. Open last year but for a yearly event, there has been nothing. If anything is on the horizon, its hard to say but the following clubs could be candidates if the Tour decides to return to Michigan.

In order to host an event you need to think of things besides having a PGA Tour quality golf course.

First, there is the sponsorship issue. With the automotive industry being in a cyclical high, it is much easier for the marketing people to listen to PGA Tour people and a representative from a host course to throw their hat in the ring. Whether it is Ford or Cadillac that would have to give the go ahead, they would need to feel comfortable that the right fit would be in order in a long-term relationship. Automakers like any business are trying to project revenue for several years down the line and hope they are right.

Also, the infrastructure needs to be there. Parking or local access to parking, a nearby hospital, wiring, space for a gallery, volunteers, a willing club with membership willing to give up their course during a couple of week stretch during the peak of golf season. Saying that, here are four clubs and their chances. I know nothing in terms if a deal is forthcoming but here are the clubs and the odds.

Indianwood Country Club in Lake Orion. It is known that the Aldrich family would love to host a yearly event. Parking onsite is a problem but they did a spectacular job of hosting the US Senior Open and have a championship caliber golf course. At 6,900+ yards, they would have to lengthen the course but the pros could be interested in playing this course on a yearly basis. Indianwood is game if this could be worked out.  4-1

Katke Cousins in Rochester. Located near I-75 is a plus for the club and so is the golf course which gives almost everyone fits. The parking and infrastructure is there and so is the brand new clubhouse PGA Pro Bill Rogers would love to see the course host PGA Tour events and has hosted quite a few tournaments over the last few years. The Katke Cousins course is very well maintained and is a couple of drivers away from the Chrysler Headquarters. Is Chrysler interested in putting their name on a yearly event? 4-1

Shepherds Hollow- Clarkston- It is not known if they are interested in hosting an event but many people have speculated that this is a course that could host a PGA Tournament. One problem is the infrastructure issue. Parking is not possible onsite but patrons could be shuttled from another point such as Mt. Holly or even a lease from Great Lakes Crossing. The nearest hospital is quite a ways away and how the course would drain in case of rain or people would go in case of a storm is something that would have to be planned out.  20-1

Warwick Hills CC- Grand Blanc- The course is still in top shape and everything from the clubhouse, to the course is still ready if a sponsor could be found. Is the course still interested? Not only is that a consideration but are there any national sponsors willing to fund a tournament that is outside the Detroit area. Buick was great at the time but they are gone. Parking worked and this birdie fest is one that plays very tough for the locals but not so much for those that play the PGA Tour.  15-1

Fox Hills- Plymouth
The courses are off the beaten path but is only a few miles from M-14 and not too far from US-23, I-96 and 696. I would not discount a course in this area as people from Ann Arbor to Monroe to the entire Metro Detroit area could reach the course within 90 minutes. The Golden Fox was designed by Arthur Hills  The clubhouse is over 32,000 square feet and of the 63 holes of golf on the property.

Of the 63 holes of golf, really only the Golden Fox at 6,800 yards before tweaking is the one that might interest the Tour. It is not known if ownership is willing but parking could be placed within a few miles of the course located off of M-14. The ownership is excellent but who would be the title sponsor?  20-1

What are your thoughts? Could a tournament happen in Ann Arbor at one of the mid-Michigan resorts and would anyone come to make it economically viable?

Send in your thoughts. I am open to the TPC in Dearborn and a lot more.