Manitou Passage Golf Club

Address:	4600 S Club Dr, Cedar, MI 49621, USA
Phone:	+1 231-228-6000
Site:	manitoupassagegolfclub.com
Rating:	4.2

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 11

A Private User

Bob Kuras has always dreamed of having an 18-hole golf course at his beautiful Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor. Kuras, president of the resort, fulfilled his dream with the purchase of the former Kings Challenge course in nearby Cedar last year. Since then, he has poured his money, energy and spirit into reviving the Arnold Palmer signature course that had fallen into disrepair. Now that the newly named Manitou Passage Golf Club is in a better place, he can joke about the challenges along the journey. He compared the revival of the course to a home remodel. And we all know how painful those can be, both emotionally and financially. "You know when you paint the bathroom and it makes the bedroom look bad?" he told a small gathering of golf writers at Mondays media day. "And when you paint the bedroom, the kitchen looks awful. ... Every time we thought we were making progress, we found something else to do." Unfortunately, I never played the former Kings Challenge, but from what Ive witnessed during a tour of the course last June to today, the facility has had a complete facelift. The new clubhouse, which was all torn up during my last visit, is now a delight. Theres a little library area that honors the history of the "Manitou Passage," the narrow body of water visible from the stunning eighth tee. The cozy bar and grill serves quality food that is best enjoyed on the new multi-tiered patio overlooking the 18th green and a colorful bed of flowers and landscaping. The pro shop is stocked with logo gear. During media day, I teed it up with Stefan Carlsmith, a longtime instructor with the Dave Pelz Golf School at The Homestead. He was an excellent tour guide who went into greater detail on many of the course changes. Most of the work focused on the tees and bunkers. Several tees, notably on the fourth and 16th holes, were moved to soften dog legs and give players a better angle to the fairway. A new tee was added on No. 18 to transform a murderous par-4 into a go-for-broke 492-yard par-5 that longer hitters can eagle if they safely navigate the pond guarding the right side. The course now plays a slightly longer 6,668 yards from the tips. Dozens of bunkers were reshaped while others were moved or filled in. Even the signature hole, the par-5 eighth, was extensively reworked. The fairway used to be a hog-back shape that repelled shots into the woods. It was leveled to reward good play. Overgrown trees and weeds were removed throughout. For example, a fairway was added to the par-3 third hole. The changes were all made to make a tight course play a little friendlier. It still plays much harder than its yardage from the blue tees (6,257 yards) imply. The course conditioning is just beginning to round into form as well. The grounds crew has aerated the greens nine times within last year, bringing them back to life. They roll true. Once newly planted fescue grows in to define a number of fairways, the courses visual appeal should jump off the charts. "The changes have all really helped the golf course," Carlsmith said. Kuras has talked about bringing world-class golf to the Leelanau Peninsula. Hes well on his way to making the dream a reality.

Carsand Pars

Best part was the value. Paid $51. Cart had GPS, towel, and water bottles. Friendly staff. Nice layout, some of the greens and tee boxes were in rough shape, but overall a nice facility for the price. My one complaint was that after 9 holes, our threesome was 30 minutes behind because of slow play of a group three holes in front of us. We waited on EVERY shot. The foursome in front of us quit after 9 holes and left. I called the pro shop on hole 10 and they told me that a group of 12 ladies were the cause, as if that was acceptable. Very poor response and use of a ranger to keep pace of play.

David Buist

Wow! What a beautiful course. The views are awesome. The dog legs are subtle and do not seem out of place. I marveled to the couple from Denver that I was playing with how someone could take a piece of property and make a golf course so naturally fit. There are some long cart rides in between holes but this only means you have a fair amount of privacy when you play. The staff treats you like you are a Country Club member! And the prices are phenomenal. The couple said that a course like this would be $150 a round or more in Denver Add this course to your must play list.

Larry Ross

I played it today, I found it absolutely beautiful with a great staff! The fairways are somewhat generous but must be on the correct side on some holes! The greens were in great shape and rolled true! They were somewhat tricky to read as you tended to see more break than what was there! Mr. Palmer did a great job on thus course and I am happy it was brought back to life!! I have played over 150 of the top courses in the World and would recommend it if you are in Northern michigan!!!

Rayen Lindz

Came up north for a golf getaway with our group and thought we would try out this place. Ended up walking out and headed to another course. The man behind the counter was very short with all of us and extremely unwelcoming. Holding his finger up at me multiple times saying "just wait" sharply as an older local gentleman and him discussed next weeks lunch special for a league. And saying you have a practice area when having three little nets to hit into is really a turn off as well

Scott Zigman

The course layout is very nice. The day before I played it rained. My tee time was 4 PM. Some of the bunkers were not maintained you could see where the water was running through them. Also not sure how much rain was received within the entire season but most of Michigan has had good grass growing weather and the fairways were browning. Not what I expected for a $65 round. Overall the course is nice I would play again but needs better maintenance.

Robert Sisco

Great online fall rate, $26. As stated excellent gps carts, 8 th hole one of the prettiest with a sail boat seen from several miles away. Arnies layout very nice, foliage at peak. Wife loved it. As a skier was fortunate to ski Sugarloaf once back in 91, would love to ski it again. Cool teeing off under the closed lost Hall double chairlift on the 14th tips.eerie.

John Stevens

for what the course is wait until there are deals, worth playing if you can catch a discounted tee time but otherwise they are really trying to be something they are not. personally i wouldnt pay over $50 peak season to golf here

Kelly France

This course is beautifully carved out of the sugar hill mountain. It offers challenging shot making and putting surfaces. The staff is extremely welcoming, and prices are very reasonable for the family. Definitely a must play.

Chad Hanrahan

Most beautiful course that I have ever played. Paid $26.50 on GolfNow for a Hot Deal. Plays somewhat tight and OB is closer than youd like in some cases, but the beauty outweighs the loss of golf balls. Highly recommended!

ryan jones

Amazing course, amazing views including being able to see Lake Michigan from #8 tee box. Tough but forgiving in areas & well be back again next year for a golf trip!