Doak’s innovative design has captivated the golf and architecture industry
ROSCOMMON, Mich. (June 26, 2018) –When renowned golf course architect Tom Doak set out to create a unique design that would impress Forest Dunes owner Lew Thompson, he wasn’t sure if his dream of creating an 18-hole reversible golf course would be what Thompson wanted.
Thompson recalled the moment during a meeting in 2015 when Doak unveiled routings for two different golf courses.
“Tom asked me, ‘what if we build two golf courses?’
“I said Tom, let’s just build one and see how it goes before we build two.
“Then Tom said ‘what if I build you two for the price of one? Are you familiar with how golf got started at St Andrews? One day you would play it this way, and the next day you would play it that way.’”
Thompson said Doak then picked up another map and unrolled it next to the first one.
“He said ‘these are the same golf course,” Thompson said. “I can build you two for the price of one, and you will have, to my knowledge, the only 18-hole, 18-green, reversible golf course in the world.’”
Thompson was impressed especially when Doak indicated he had spent 30 years on the dream idea and drawings.
“All I needed was the right piece of property to do it,” Doak told him. “There are very few places that this could be done, and it can be done here.”
The Loop opened in 2017 to rave reviews across the industry. Golf Digest named it the Best New Public Course, and GOLF Magazine named it the Best New U.S. Course You Can Play.
Ron Whitten, Golf Digest’s Architecture Editor, wrote that the new 18-holes functioned as 36.“Without ever posing the sensation of playing the wrong way down a fairway,” he reported.
The Loop, with its revolutionary reversible design, is a walking-only experience featuring the option of professional caddies. The two different layouts, Black-clockwise and Red-counter clockwise, alternate directions on a daily basis.
GOLF Magazine praised the design by comparing it to a hit song with “one heckuva hook.”
Golfweek’s Brad Klein said: “It’s worth the journey, even if you have to spend an extra day to figure it out. One trip around each layout isn’t enough.”
In 2018 golfers will get the unique opportunity to make a trip around The Loop in both directions on the same day. At Forest Dunes the special event days will be called “The Dual.”
With the Loop’s normal rotation of alternating routings on a daily basis (Red on even dates and Black on odd dates in 2018) there are two more months this year – in July and August – with 31 days where the even/odd schedule does not work. In essence the calendar has created an opportunity for Forest Dunes to create a special event on the 31st day of each of those months.
The Dual days will feature a two-person best-ball team event, where golfers play one direction (course) in the morning, then play the other direction (course) in the afternoon for a 36-hole one-day experience.
The two one-day events are open to all levels of players with a registered GHIN handicap and will award both Net and Gross champions. Lunch and dinner are included at a cost of between $225 and $275 per person.
“The most popular question or thought among golfers after playing it in one direction, is ‘what is it like going the other way?’’ General Manager/PGA Director of Golf Chad Maveus said. “The Dual, playing both courses/directions in the same day, will be true bucket list golf. We have done it and I can honestly say there is nothing like this experience for golfers anywhere.”
Golfers building a stay-and-play golf package at Forest Dunes can experience a 54-hole package unlike any other with The Loop and Forest Dunes courses. Simply combine a lodging rate with the golf rates. Lodging options include the Lake AuSable Lodge, golf cottages, or the new golf villas. Rates can range depending on the time of the season from $59 to $149 per person. Golf rates on the original Forest Dunes course and The Loop course, depending on the time of season, range from $85 to $160.
In addition, Forest Dunes is providing a tribute rate during the summer months on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays on both courses for $85 for ladies, military and first responders as well as qualifying seniors age 55-and-over.
For more information and to book a stay and play package, go to www.forestdunesgolf.com/golf
