Opening Up a Championship Experience: The Rick Smith Signature Course Transformation
Opening Up a Championship Experience: The Rick Smith Signature Course Transformation
Great golf courses evolve. Over time, trees grow taller, sight lines change, and turf conditions respond to environmental shifts. While mature trees add character, unchecked growth can gradually impact playability, turf health, and golfer experience.
That’s why, during the past off-season, we undertook one of the most significant maintenance projects in the history of Treetops Resort—removing over 10,000 trees to restore sight lines, improve turf conditions, and ensure long-term playability.
Just as the new season is getting underway, the difference is already undeniable. Grass is responding and thriving under increased sunlight, stressed tees and greens are recovering. Golfers this season will be experiencing a visually stunning, optimized course designed to elevate their Treetops golf experience.
This isn’t the first time Treetops has executed a bold, strategic transformation. Three years ago, the Smith Tradition Course underwent a similar renovation, dramatically opening up the topography to create an ‘inland links’ feel—a nod to the wide, windswept landscapes of classic coastal courses. In the years since, The Tradition’s redesigned spaces have matured beautifully, and the golfer response has been overwhelming. It’s become a go-to course, with increased demand and stronger player satisfaction than ever before.
Now, with Smith’s Signature, we’re replicating that success and then some, ensuring that every golfer playing this celebrated course enjoys championship-caliber conditions—for years to come!
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Why This Project Was Essential
Over time, trees bordering tee boxes and greens became overgrown, restricting sunlight penetration and airflow—two essential elements for healthy turf. Some tees received only a few hours of direct sunlight per day, weakening grass resilience and forcing golfers onto small, playable areas rather than utilizing the full box. In addition, dense clusters of trees tightened sight lines, limiting visibility into fairways and greens.
With this project, we set out to solve three primary objectives:
- Improve Turf Health: By increasing sunlight exposure and opening up airflow, we’re giving struggling tees and greens the consistent conditions they need to thrive.
- Enhance Playability: Widening sight lines into fairways allows golfers to visualize and strategize their shots more effectively, rather than feeling boxed into narrow landing areas.
- Unlock Scenic Views: Particularly from holes 16, 17, and 18, where players now enjoy a panoramic view of Sturgeon Valley, creating a stunning backdrop for the finishing stretch of a round.
Every tree removed was part of a precise, strategic process focused on improving turf quality without altering the integrity of the course itself.
The Science Behind the Removal
This wasn’t just about clearing spaces to make it crisp and clean—it was about studying sun angles, turf conditions, and course flow to make targeted adjustments that maximize playability.
- Restoring Sunlight to Greens: Trees that blocked essential light alleys were carefully selected for removal, ensuring that greens receive optimal sun exposure throughout the day, leading to better turf density, healthier root systems, and a more consistent putting surfaces.
- Opening Tee Boxes for Strategic Play: Previously, dense trees created tight tee complexes, forcing golfers to favor limited sections of a box rather than utilizing the entire area. By opening these spaces, players now have full flexibility in shot positioning—adding variety, strategy, and improved course flow.
- Enhancing Fairway Visibility: With sight lines now unobstructed, golfers can see and plan their shots more effectively, leading to a more engaging, rewarding round.
Immediate Impact
The results are already evident. With stronger turf growth, more playable spaces, and unveiled scenic views, The Signature is set to provide one of the best playing experiences in Michigan, and arguably across North America.
Golfers hitting the course this season will enjoy:
- Improved turf resilience—healthier greens and tees providing firmer, more consistent playing conditions.
- Expanded sight lines—better visualization from the tee for more strategic shot-making.
- Unparalleled views—especially from The Signature’s 16th, 17th, and 18th, where breathtaking vistas now frame the final stretch of a round.
And importantly, these enhancements don’t change the DNA of the course—they simply amplify everything that makes Smith’s Signature one of Michigan’s most revered golf destinations.
The Tradition’s Proven Success: A Blueprint for Excellence
This approach isn’t new to Treetops, nor is it untested. Three years ago, we took the same deliberate approach with the Smith Tradition Course, dramatically opening up the landscape to embrace an ‘inland links’ feel.
With its expansive, rolling topography, The Tradition has evolved into a course that plays differently, feels distinctive, and offers a truly immersive experience. In three short years, the removed spaces matured naturally, creating a playing environment that golfers have overwhelmingly embraced.
Today, The Tradition stands as a single-digit golfer’s favorite, with renewed demand and stronger satisfaction—proving that careful, strategic renovation can elevate a course without compromising its essence.
With Signature following in those footsteps, golfers can expect the same long-term benefits—only amplified.
Always Improving, Striving for Excellence
At Treetops, we believe that a great golf experience isn’t static—it evolves, improves, and adapts to create the best possible conditions for every player.
The Signature’s transformation is about precision—unlocking the full potential of the course while maintaining its championship pedigree.
So, when you step onto the first tee this season, look around. You’ll see new views and a course restored, refined, and ready to deliver championship-caliber golf—as it was meant to be played.
Come See For Yourself
To be rewarded with a spectacular golfing experience, make a tee time on The Signature at Treetops Resort. Bring your A-game and maybe a camera too.
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