conduct an event for the next three years on The Heather course at The Highlands. The resorts’ courses haven’t been lacking for players, but pro tour events are another matter. “We’ve never done a tournament like that,’’ said Griffin. “Pre-Covid we were close to getting a Champions Tour event, but negotiations fell apart.’’ Rain problems and tournaments aside, the beat goes on with new projects at the resorts. “We’re re-investing at a higher level than I’ve ever seen,’’ said Griffin, who has worked for the resorts for 16 years. Here’s what’s been happening at each Boyne resort: Boyne Mountain is the oldest and celebrated its 75th anniversary last year. The Mountain location opened the very impressive SkyBridge Michigan in 2023, plus Hearn supervised major upgrades on their two courses, the Alpine and the Monument. The Mountain currently has two courses, but that could change. Legendary architect Pete Dye designed a course for that resort about 20 years ago. Center lines were cut, then work ended abruptly, because Boyne Mountain management saw the declining trend in golf, at the time and instead built a water park. It opened in 2004 and is now the largest indoor water park in Michigan. Consideration is being given to either finishing the Dye course, or developing a fifth course at The Highlands. Only time will tell. “There’s no further design plans for a course, but we know that we have the space for one,’’ said Griffin. There are four courses at The Highlands and renovations to the Donald Ross Memorial course American Golf Journal
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