Harbor Shores Development

Jack Nicklaus course lives up to billing

Wow!

The GolfClub at Harbor Shores' nine completed holes left me mesmerized at the unbeliev­abletransformation the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course is making to the onceblighted area.

"The response so far has been tremendous," said RossSmith, head professional of the course that is the cornerstone of a multi-mil­liondollar, 15- to 20-year development aimed at helping to revitalize thecommunities involved. "It's very encouraging."

For those of you who have never had the opportu­nityto play a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, prepare yourself for a verymemorable golfing experi­ence.

The nine holes open for play include Nos. 1 and 2,Nos. 10 through 14, plus Nos. 16 and 17.

Four of the holes (Nos. 2, 11, 13 and 17) are par 3s,with Nos. 1, 12, 14 and 16 being par 4s, and No. 10 a par 5.

The course is open to the public on most Fridays,Saturdays and Sundays at a cost of $75 for nine holes and $25 for a repeatnine.

Powered carts are required and along with range ballsare included in the fee.

There will also be a special community day each monththrough October for Berrien County residents that will cost $40 for nine, and$25 for a repeat nine.

The first two community days (July 29 and Aug. 27)are already filled up, according to assistant pro Ebon Sanders. Two morecommunity days are tentatively scheduled for Sept. 24 and Oct. 8.

Suggestion: It sure would be great if more than onecommunity day was offered each month.

If you play the course, I hope during your round youwill realize the transforma­tion and cleanup of the land that was oncecontaminated by dumps and vacant industrial buildings. Please also take noticeof how much cleaner the Paw Paw River already looks. One can even see it now.

As an older duffer who has lost a lot of distance offthe tee, I would advise playing from the tees most suited for your game.

This course is not easy, and like most Nicklausdesigns, it features deep bunkers and very undulating greens. But its beauty issimply breathtaking. I can't wait to see the finished 18-hole tract expected tobe completed by next summer.

Tip: Spend more time on the practice putting greenthan on the huge practice tee.

Here's a brief preview of the holes now open for playwith their yardage from each set of four tees: No. 1 - Par 4, 423 (Blacktees), 384 (Grey), 367 (White), 306 (Blue).
  A slight dogleg rightfeaturing fairway bunkers about 150 yards from the green on the right side. Thegreen is protected by a sand trap on the left with marsh land on the right andin back.

No. 2 - Par 3, 177 (B), 137 (G), 118 (W), 97 (B).

A long, narrow green protected by waste bunkers fromtee to green, and a sand trap on the left side of the green. Behind the greenand to the right of it are cattails along the Paw Paw River. Both Nos. 1 &2 will nearly always play one to two clubs longer than anticipated due toprevailing westerly winds off Lake Michigan.

No. 10 - Par 5, 537 (B), 499 (G), 485 (W), 418(B).

A gorgeous par 5 thatruns parallel to Michigan 63. Its green will be the most talked about one inthe area, perhaps the state. The controversial two-tiered monster features a 60degree slope. A huge sand trap protects the left side.

No. 11 - Par 3, 143 (B), 133 (G), 114 (W), 90 (B).

A tough par due toanother two-tiered green, but this one is not as severe as No. 10's. The tophalf of the green is in front and the bottom half is in the back. In addition apond guards a portion the front on the right side of the green, and there's atrap on the front left side.

No. 12 - Par 4, 414 (B), 383 (G), 366 (W), 316(B).

A beautiful hole carvedout of the woodlands, featuring a large ravine in front of the tee boxes. Thesharp dogleg left hole is also protected by massive bunkers at the left cornerof the landing area.

Carry those bunkers and you have a short iron in.Play it safe to the right and you'll be 170 yards out. The green is surroundedby woods and a trap on the left front.

No. 13 - Par 3, 192 (B), 169 (G), 149 (W), 115(B).

An enjoyable par 3,which on most days will play way shorter than its yardage with prevailing windsat your back. The huge green is protected by a partially overhanging huge treeon the left and massive waste bunkers on the right. Hit it over the green andthere is very little room to keep your ball from reaching the steep cart paththat descends down behind the North Shore Inn.

  No. 14 - Par 4, 451 (B), 416 (G), 397 (W), 342 (B).

One tough par 4 that features a narrow entrance tothe green pro­tected by bunkers on the left about 30 yards from the green andheavy fescue and the Paw Paw River on the right. A long ridge runs through themiddle of the green from front to back.

No. 16 - Par 4, 421 (B), 383 (G), 365 (W), 306(B).

A sharp dogleg leftprotected by a marsh on the left that runs all the way to the left side of thegreen that is well-protected by sand traps. To date, it's assistant proSanders' favorite hole.

No. 17 - Par 3, 205 (B), 164 (G), 144 (W), 120(B).

An accurate tee shot isthe key here as a very deep bunker protects the left side of the greensurrounded by the Paw Paw River in the back and marsh land on the right.

Except for No. 10, it's cart paths only, so preparefor a 2 1/2-hour nine-hole round. But you shouldn't have to worry about holdingany other players up since all tee times are 20 minutes apart.

"We wanted to give people the feeling that they'rethe only ones playing the course," explained head pro Smith. "We feel we havesome­thing special here in the making."

I really don't understand how anyone could argue withthat. But see for yourself.

Al Arend is a sportscorrespondent for The Herald ­Palladium who has covered area golf for more than30 years. He also is a part-time starter/ranger at the course.