New Course Sneak Preview for 2002- Hawk's Ridge and Hawk's Eye
by Art McCafferty

The Michigan Golfer TV cameras were able to take a sneak preview of two of our new golf courses coming on board in 2002 and 2003. The viewer will experience a course being born. You will not see gleaming fairways and sensational greens, rather areas that have been recently bulldozed, cleaned of rock and being readied for seed. However, our video will show you some of the spectacular land that is being prepared for yet another year of outstanding golf courses coming to Michigan.

Hawk's Ridge

Our first course is the new Hawk's Ridge Golf Course that is being constructed near Grayling, just off of I-75. Jerry Balmes is the owner of Skyline, having purchased the business a couple of years ago. Skyline has long been a ski destination for those going up I-75. It is the only ski resort in Michigan that does not make its own snow. It leaves its fate totally in Mother Nature's hands.

However, the golf course is a different matter as Balmes has left the course in the very capable hands of John Robinson. John, as you may recall, designed the Bellaire area's, The Chief and is in the process of bringing Hawk's Eye into focus.

Robinson is working with sharply defined terrain at both areas and has done a masterful job. The course at Skyline will be spectacular. It has the type of view you will find at the Otsego Club or the 15th tee at the Lake course. There was quite a bit of construction going on and we were only able to glimpse a few areas while there. Jim Neff will be bringing us a fine article on Skyline in our June issue.

However, we can bring you some video of the course and an interview with Jerry Balmes at the course. You can see the video at http://michigangolfer.tv and by then going to the Video Tap In link http://michigangolfer.tv/shorts/index.html . Enjoy

http://skylineski.com

Hawk's Eye

John Robinson will have left a profound impact on Michigan golf upon the completion of Hawk's Eye in 2003. In just a couple of years, he will have designed The Chief, Hawk's Eye and the new Skyline GC in Grayling

According to Tom Rowe, Hawk's Eye will open one of its nines this coming summer, with the other to open in the spring of 2003. Tom and his father, Grant are betting that the styling of Robinson will bring lots of golfers and new property owners to this two course complex at Bellaire.

The Chief opened last year to quite a bit of acclaim and the new Hawk's Eye will certainly add to the buzz. Mike Terrell will bring us a fine story of the course in our June issue.

The Michigan Golfer TV Show http://michigangolfer.tv caught up with Tom Rowe and did a sneak preview of the course. You just need to go to the site and click on the Video Tap In section at http://michigangolfer.tv/shorts/index.html Enjoy

http://www.golfthechief.com