University of Michigan, Grand Valley State golf courses among 25 best U.S. college courses

If you are looking for a new golf course in Michigan to try out in 2024, you’ll be pleased to know that some of the best options can be found on the state’s college campuses.

Golf Digest has ranked the golf courses at Michigan and Grand Valley State as two of the top college courses in the country. The University of Michigan Golf Course was ranked third best, trailing only Yale and Williams College in Massachusetts, while The Meadows at Grand Valley State claimed the 23rd spot.

U-M’s “Blue” golf course has earned recognition as the best public course in metro Detroit and is among the best public courses in the state in recent years. Designed by Alister MacKenzie, the renowned architect behind Augusta National Golf Club and Ohio State’s golf course, the U-M course first opened in 1931. It underwent a multi-million dollar renovation in 1994 and a 23,000-square-foot clubhouse was added in 2017, providing a stunning view of the course.

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“There’s something to love about almost every hole at Michigan,” wrote Free Press columnist Carlos Monarrez in 2022. “For brevity’s sake, I’ll just mention my two favorites: The par-5 third hole plays downhill off the tee, then sweeps hard to the left around a blind corner to a shallow uphill green. There’s almost a roller-coaster feel to the journey.

“Then there’s the 18^th, which is probably many people’s favorite and likely the best finishing hole in the state. The highly elevated tee box provides a million-dollar view of downtown Ann Arbor.”

Golf Digest also praised the picturesque view and the unique opportunity to play alongside the largest football stadium in the United States.

“The scene at the Blue, as it’s often referred to, is also one of the best of any collegiate venue as it sits atop hilly terrain in the shadows of the Big House, the Wolverines’ famous football stadium,” Golf Digest wrote.

The Meadows at Grand Valley State, designed by award-winning architect Michael Hurdzan, opened its doors in 1994. It has become a premier championship course for both NCAA and MHSAA events, frequently selected as the venue for state and Division 2 championships. This links-style course spans over 7,000 yards from the tips.

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“There are very few doglegs on the course, allowing players to hit a variety of shots, though forced carries over natural areas, including at the par-4 18th, require players to make solid contact,” Golf Digest wrote. “With summer rates under $50, The Meadows offers tremendous value for a course that Golf Digest ranks as one of the top college courses in the country.”

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2 Michigan golf courses among 25 best college courses in America