Video Interview with Mike Brown of A-Ga-Ming
http://youtu.be/zd7V2yd8ip4
 |
| The Condo's are really Nice |
 |
Number 7 on The Torch Course is
too Pretty for this Picture! |
 |
Spacious Kitchens, Livingrooms and
Bedrooms |
Michigan gets no better in the summertime than a drive up
north. The A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort located about 20 miles north of Traverse City
has all of the charm of being up north with condominiums and golf holes that
give visitors a view of Beautiful Torch Lake. A-Ga-Ming is primarily a resting
place for adults that want to get away and golf and many of the holes are
challenging and cut out the way you would expect a northern course to be. Mike Brown and his resort partners spare no personal expense to make sure golfers have a good time on their 54 hole resort and spacious accommodations for guests. Brown sums up the A-Ga-Ming philosophy. "We're known for being a medium-priced yet world-class quality golf course, said Brown." We're laid back here -- it's okay if you don't tuck your shirt in! We're fortunate to have some of the best lake views in the state. All courses are meticulously manicured, our maintenance staff are as good as they come, and all courses deliver on our promise of tremendous quality." While I did not see anyone take Brown up on being casual, the 3-18 hole golf courses will give you a serious or competitive challege depending on what experience you want. The condominium I stayed at had a spectacular view of Torch Lake and the eighth hole where I watched golfers shoot approach shots while I enjoyed BBQ and a beer.
Located right off of Highway 31 in Kewadin, Michigan, you will have between a four and five hour drive depending on where you live in the Detroit area and plenty of shopping, sight seeing, wine and beer tasting or just pure relaxation are waiting for those that want to kick back and forget about the grind you left earlier in the day.
 |
A-Ga-Ming has Banquet Facilities
including a Reception Area |
 |
| Just Add Beer! |
The condos are especially spacious at the resort and are as
clean as you can get for a week or weekend stay. With beautiful balconies that
overlook the course and the wildlife, you are likely to see everything from
deer to turkeys to perhaps a special surprise. The open kitchen with
appliances, two bedrooms each with their own bath and cable tv, you can feel
free to bring your own supper to cook at the grill adjacent to the condos or go
into Elk Rapids to shop at the local grocery store.
While A-Ga-Ming has three 18 hole courses, they just acquired Antrim Dells this past winter after operating the course the last few seasons. It starts out as a wide open affair on the front side but the back side will really make you hit the ball straight and make shots. Antrim Dells has a restaurant that operates on weekends in season and has an excellent fish fry. Designed by Jerry Matthews who has put his stamp on quite a few courses including Hunter's Ridge in Howell, has done a nice job with the terrain and has carved some strong holes. "It's a wonderful golf course. It's always been one of my favorites and it always will be, said Matthews. The layout is sculpted from the natural, hilly terrain that features mature
forests of hardwoods and pines, strategically bunkered fairways and greens, and
scenic water hazards.
 |
The First Hole Demands a Great
Tee shot that is Well Placed |
There are 3 sets of tees that play to distances and slopes measuring 6622
yards/125 slope, 6163 yards/121 slope, and 5342 yards with a slope of 121 for
women hitting from the front tees. As these slopes indicate - this is a player
friendly experience - with conditioning and scenery that makes it worthwhile for
all levels of players. Golfers will find yardage markers at 100, 150 and 200
yards (stakes and blocks), and pin position markers on the flagsticks indicate
front, middle or back hole locations. As for the course, the very first hole starts off with an obstructed view with a reward for a nice carry. The first hole plays at 511 yards from the blues (which I advise those with handicaps of 12 or less and a well played drive will give you about 250 to the pin. Yes you can get on in two but a short wedge will help those who want to hit a lazer at the flag. Par is a good score here and birdie should give you a good shot at a skin.
 |
The trellis is a nice touch. Water and a
bench will help you if you are waiting. |
The fifth hole plays as a 149 yard par three that plays tricky as you will hit it downhill over a lake. You cannot see the water in this picture but it will gobble up any poor shots.
One hole that characterizes the tight play on this nine is the 543 yard par five. A three shot hole for most players, it plays tight and a well struck tee shot will not be penalized by fairway bunkers. Your second shot will be struck with your best metal wood and you will have any number of irons out of your bag. I was about 30 yards from the green and hit it to within 4 feet and the twister went in. that was one well-earned birdie!
|
| 15 plays as a tight 382 yard par four. Trees come into play from the left. |
 |
On 18, Everything Slants to the Right.
Anything hit on the Right side will end up with Tree Trouble. |
 |
Number 17 is Very Tight. It is a par five that is reachable at 491 yards in two.
Tree Trouble Everywhere! |
=============================================================
 |
| The Clubhouse at the Torch and Sundance |
 |
The First Green at the Torch
|
The Torch Course was actually the first course built for the A-Ga-Ming resort and was a nine hole course for the first ears of the resorts existence. The first hole at the Torch is pretty wide open but will tighten up toward the green.
The 7th Hole at The Torch is the Chamber of Commerce momment. With a view overlooking Torch Lake, you will almost forget that this hole plays anywhere from 122 to 235 yards and is one tough hole to par. With a steep valley in front of the green and sand and kick bunkers on either side, you will be hard pressed to par this hole as the green is undulated. Take one more look at beautiful Torch Lake as it will make you forget the bogey you most likely made.
Similarly, the eighth hole is really a dandy. You still see the lake from the tee box and are very surprised to see you can hit the ball to the edge of the pond on the 346 yard par four.
  |
The Eighth Green from the Condo Above.
The Back Nine Starts out with the Dandy 10th. Not far from the outdoor reception hall is a 394 yard delight where you weill throw up your hands and think you are on a rollercoaster. With woods to the left and right and a drop of somewhere around 100 feet, you will feel relief if you hit the ball down the dropoff.
 |
| This picture does not do Justice to the Hill that is in Mid Picture |
A pond guards the green and there is some serious undulation. My advice is to hit your three wood if you can. The woods does not give up golf balls hit into it.
|
In my mind, the course I really enjoyed was Sundance. Sundance is really a well thought out golf course and will make you think about how to manage your clubs. It opened in July 2005 and was awarded the third best course in the United States for new builds that year. In my mind the course is a masterpiece. Like Antrim Dells, Sundance was designed by Jerry Matthews, the course is an 18 hole wild ride that starts from the moment you tee off on number one and guides you turn for turn around the links. Playing from the tips at 6,935 yards this course managed by Mike Brown and Larry Lavely is a must play.
The very first hole gives you an idea of what a wild ride you face. Playing downhill to the tune of 368 to 392 yards, it plays very downhill and the bunkers to either side look like they are on top of your tee shots. While you can hit them they really are only in play if you are wild off the the tee. Your second shot will be downhill so you will have to move the ball up in your stance and then hit a mid-iron to the green. This hole is definitely a birdie hole or a par for sure but it is sure a whiff of horseradish to start the day. The undulations of the fairways, fescues and rolling fairways that constantly take you uphill on one hole and down hill on other holes are in play.
 |
| Got Sand? |
The mother of all tough holes at A-Ga-Ming is the
(562-608) yard par five ninth. Hit through a chute over a long carry, this hole could make you post a big number before you get started. The woods are on both the left and right sides and you really need to hit a big shot.
You can see part of the uphill dog leg right layout for your second shot but between the 13 sand bunkers, the highly undulated green and penal grass to the left, the hole is brilliantly designed by Matthews and can leave those having a bad day prefering to be yelled at by your mother-in-law while nursing a migraine. I love the hole and hit it well off the tee and on my second shot but my third uphill was the equalizer as bogeys are common.
The 17th Hole looks to be a lot of fun to play based on looking at your scorecard. As a par-3 playing from 182-201 yards, this downhill par three is beautiful as you tee off from a high elevation which overlooks Torch Lake. With a green that rises above the floor with sand bunkers guarding it in the front, golfers have a huge green to work their tee shot par is a good score here. Birdies are available but you better hit the green and tuck it in close. Its very possible to hit the green but the green is tricky.
The 18th hole is a par four that golfers can hit in two but you have to think about your second shot as a pond sits in front of the green. The fairway actually runs to the left of the green. Most golfers will elect to fly a ball over the pond as it is the right play but does have the water danger. At 460 yards most golfers will hit a long iron into the green. If you are prone to hit one fat, definitely aim left and hope you one-putt.
Sundance has many more memorable holes and the 4th with the split fairway is really a treat and there are several more holes that will wet your whistle.
A-Ga-Ming is a superb bang for the buck venue. You get plenty of golf and a relaxing time with plenty of privacy. If you get a chance to go up north this summer, give them a call as Mike, Larry and the rest will take care of you.
Traverse City is located about 20 miles south of Charlevoix and 20 miles north of Traverse City on Highway 31.
Golf Specials for Sundance and other A-Ga-Ming Properties.
To Book 1-866-998-7260
http://www.a-ga-ming.com/
