Michigan architect Ray Hearn did the design work as part of a series of projects he’s undertaken at the resorts. Each of the nine greens at Doon Brae has a different template, each reflecting a style of green — Ridan, Punch Bowl, Volcano, Postage — played in Scotland. Just as intriguing is the course’s location. “It’ll be the only course that we know of where golf is played in the summer and skiing is done in the winter,’’ said Griffin. Doon Brae will be a walking course near the base of the ski hill. The longest hole is 136 yards and only two holes require uphill walks. Though pushcarts and carry bags will be available, Griffin expects many players will simply carry a few clubs to play the short course. Despite the weather problems, affecting Doon Brae, upgrades are continuing full speed at all three resorts. Boyne Mountain built the very impressive Skybridge Michigan that opened in 2023 and has become a major tourist attraction, plus extensive work has begun on the lodge at The Highlands. BOYNE has also taken on a new tournament beginning next year. The Epson Tour will So, how does the Boyne management make those difficult decisions? It’s all about the tenyear plan that was drawn up in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic. “We have a 10-year plan for every hole on every course at all the resorts,’’ said Ken Griffin, the Director of Golf Sales and Marketing for the resorts. “There are very specific plans for continual upgrades.’’ And it’s been working – though not without an occasional hiccup. The biggest was at The Highlands, where the new par-3 course, Doon Brae was being built. They were almost finished last year when a super storm hit. “We only had two holes to go,’’ said Griffin. “Then we got seven inches of rain in a single storm, which caused flooding over the course. Two completed greens had to be rebuilt this spring, setting us back several months.’’ Work resumed in the spring but neither the course, dubbed Doon Brae (Scottish for “short walk downhill’’), nor the 27-hole putting course have opened to the public yet. The Grand Opening for both has been pushed back to 2025.
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