Comparing Treetops’ Five Championship Courses
The Evolution of Golf Course Architecture
Nestled in the rolling hills of northern Michigan, Treetops Resort stands as a living museum of golf course architecture. With five distinct championship courses, each crafted by a master architect, Treetops offers a unique opportunity to witness the evolution of golf course design firsthand.
Let's embark on a journey through time and style as we compare these magnificent layouts, exploring how each course reflects the changing philosophies of golf architecture.
The Masterpiece: Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s Classic Vision
Our architectural tour begins with the aptly named Masterpiece, designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1987. This course embodies the classic principles of Jones' design philosophy, which dominated much of the mid-20th century:
- Strategic bunkering that demands precision
- Large, undulating greens that test every aspect of your putting game
- Wide fairways that offer multiple paths to the green
- Dramatic use of natural terrain to create challenging shots
Jones Sr.'s approach at the Masterpiece reflects the transition from the penal designs of early course architecture to a more strategic approach. The course challenges players to think their way around, rather than simply punishing errant shots.
Signature Hole: The par-3 6th, with its 120-foot drop from tee to green, exemplifies Jones' masterful use of elevation changes to create both challenge and spectacle.
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The Premier: Tom Fazio's Modern Marvel
Fast forward to 1992, and we see Tom Fazio's vision come to life in the Premier course. Fazio, known for his aesthetic brilliance, brought a more modern touch to Treetops:
- Artfully sculpted fairways that blend seamlessly with the natural terrain
- Risk-reward options that tempt the bold and punish the reckless
- A masterful use of deception, where holes appear more daunting than they play
- Increased emphasis on visual appeal from every angle
Fazio's design at the Premier illustrates the shift towards courses that are not just challenging, but visually stunning. This reflects the growing influence of television on golf, where courses needed to look as good as they played.
Signature Hole: The par-4 8th, with its downhill tee shot to a fairway bending right, showcases Fazio's ability to create holes that are both beautiful and strategically intriguing.
The Signature: Rick Smith's Scottish Tribute
1993 saw the debut of Rick Smith's first design at Treetops, the Signature. Inspired by Scottish and Irish links, Smith brought a taste of the old world to Michigan:
- Wide fairways reminiscent of classic links courses
- Strategically placed bunkers that evoke coastal hazards
- A design that emphasizes the ground game and creative shot-making
- Incorporation of natural elements like long grasses and undulating terrain
The Signature represents a bridge between classic links golf and modern American design, showcasing how traditional elements can be adapted to inland settings. Smith's approach here demonstrates a growing trend in the '90s of architects looking back to golf's roots for inspiration.
Signature Hole: The par-3 7th, with its steep drop and green nestled among the trees, combines links-style challenge with the beauty of northern Michigan.
The Tradition: Smith's Homage to the Golden Age
With the Tradition opened in 1997, Rick Smith took a different approach, paying tribute to the golden age of golf course architecture:
- A more open, walkable layout reminiscent of early American courses
- Subtle contouring that demands strategic thinking
- A focus on angles and positioning rather than sheer length
- Less severe hazards, allowing for more options in shot selection
The Tradition demonstrates how modern architects can capture the essence of classic design while creating a course that stands up to today's players. It reflects a growing appreciation for the nuanced challenges of golden age courses.
Signature Hole: The risk-reward par-4 7th, which tempts players to drive the green, embodies the strategic choices central to golden age design.
Threetops: Innovation in Short Form
While not a full 18-hole championship course, we can't ignore the revolutionary Threetops. This par-3 course, another Rick Smith creation, opened in 1992 and showcases the potential of short-form golf:
- Dramatic elevation changes that create exciting, memorable shots
- A variety of distances that test every club in the bag
- Compact layout that offers a complete golf experience in less time
- Proof that a great golf experience doesn't require 18 holes
Threetops represents the industry's growing recognition of the value of alternative formats, catering to time-constrained players without sacrificing quality or challenge. It foreshadowed the current trend of high-quality short courses at major resorts.
Signature Hole: The 219-yard 6th hole, with its 130-foot elevation drop, gained fame when Lee Trevino aced it for $1,000,000 in the 2001 Par-3 Shootout.
The Evolution on Display
Walking these five courses is like flipping through the pages of a golf architecture textbook. From Jones Sr.'s classic challenges to Fazio's aesthetic marvels, and Smith's varied tributes to different eras, we see the evolution of design philosophy:
- A shift from penal to strategic design
- Increased emphasis on visual appeal and "playability"
- Greater variety in hole lengths and shot requirements
- Adaptation of traditional elements to modern play
- Innovation in course formats and lengths
- Growing appreciation for the ground game and strategic options
- Balancing challenge for skilled players with enjoyment for average golfers
Comparative Analysis
When we look at these courses side by side, several key evolutionary trends emerge:
- Hazard Placement: Jones Sr.'s Masterpiece uses hazards primarily as penalties, while later designs incorporate them more strategically to influence play.
- Green Complexes: We see a progression from Jones' large, undulating greens to more varied and intricate green designs in the later courses.
- Fairway Width: There's a noticeable trend towards wider fairways, especially in Smith's designs, encouraging more strategic play off the tee.
- Visual Appeal: Fazio's Premier marks a shift towards designs that are not just challenging but visually spectacular from every angle.
- Homage to Tradition: Both the Signature and Tradition courses demonstrate a growing trend of looking back to golf's roots for inspiration.
- Alternative Formats: Threetops showcases the potential for high-quality golf experiences outside the traditional 18-hole format.
A Living Laboratory
What makes Treetops truly special is the opportunity to experience these different design philosophies side by side. In a single visit, golfers can:
- Test their skills against the strategic challenges of different eras
- Appreciate how architects adapt their vision to the same terrain
- Understand how course design impacts strategy and scoring
- Witness firsthand the evolution of golf course architecture over decades
- Experience the interplay between traditional design elements and modern innovations
The Future of Golf Course Design
As we look to the future, Treetops stands as a reminder of where we've been and a hint at where we're going. The resort's five courses demonstrate that great golf architecture is about more than just difficulty – it's about creating memorable experiences, challenging players of all levels, and harmonizing with the natural environment.
Current trends in golf architecture, such as minimalism, sustainability, and multi-use designs, can all trace their roots to principles displayed at Treetops. The resort's success with varied designs suggests that the future of golf may lie in diversity – offering players a range of experiences rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
For golf enthusiasts and architecture buffs alike, Treetops Resort isn't just a place to play – it's a place to study, appreciate, and fall in love with the artform that is golf course design.
From the classic to the contemporary, from full 18-hole championships to innovative short courses, Treetops offers a comprehensive look at the evolution of golf course architecture. It's not just five courses – it's five chapters in the ongoing story of golf design, a story that continues to unfold with every new innovation in the world of golf.
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