[COURSE CLOSED IN 2019]
6500 Nicklaus Drive, Gaylord, Michigan 49735
Office
+1 (231) 585 7090Pro shop
+1 (231) 585 7090The Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined parkland. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Woodland.
Designer:
Wilderness Valley course designed by Al Watrous (1971). Black Forest course designed by Tom Doak (1991).
Above distances are for the Black Forest course. Starting from the same clubhouse is the 18-hole Wilderness Valley course (par-71, 6397 yds from back tees, designer Al Watrous, opened 1971).
44.867009
-84.805689
15 mi SW of Gaylord.
Black Forest, MI
Black Forest Golf Course at Wilderness Valley: COURSES PERMANENTLY CLOSED IN 2019.
[Original Where2Golf description]: Starting out from the same clubhouse, and located in a housing-free and roads-free natural environment, the Black Forest and Wilderness Valley golf courses are both well-rated and always popular places to play. These tree-lined parkland layouts are imbued with many attractive features and several excellent holes to enjoy.
The Black Forest layout (at one time known as the "New" course) was one of Tom Doak's earliest examples of minimalist golf course architecture. Each hole is carved through a canvas of pine, oak, and maple trees. The dramatic bunkering on Black Forest contrasts with the verdant forest backdrop.
The gentler but equally scenic Wilderness Valley layout (known for a time as the "Old" course) also presents an enjoyable golfing challenge for golfers of all abilities. Definitely a golf club to include on your play list if you are in the area.
Course permanently closed in 2019.
Walking permitted on the Wilderness Valley course; golf cart compulsory on Black Forest. The Black Forest course starts o.5 mi from the clubhouse, with the 18th green located 1 mi from the clubhouse, in between is a 7.5 mi journey around this roaming woodland course.
Limited
Black Forest's designer and Michigan resident Tom Doak, originally studied his craft under legendary course architect Pete Dye. Doak was also strongly influenced by the design philosophies and work of Dr Alister MacKenzie. Among an impressive portfolio of projects, Pacific Dunes in Oregon, Ballyneal in Colorado, Barnbougle Dunes in Tasmania and Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand are perhaps his best known designs.
The Sentry: known for many years as the Tournament of Champions, the PGA Tour’s 2025 season-opener gets underway on Kapalua’s Plantation course (Jan 2-5). Chris Kirk defends.
Tournament of Champions: the LPGA Tour’s 2025 season is launched at Lake Nona with the their Tournament of Champions (Jan 30-Feb 2). The 2024 edition gave Lydia Ko her 20th LPGA Tour title.
Attahya Thitikul: also known as “Jeeno”, the Thai golfer won the LPGA Tour’s 2024 CME Group Tour Championship … and an eye-watering $4 million, the richest first-prize in women’s golf.
Rory McIlroy: scooped the 2024 European (DP World) Tour season-long Order of Merit title, joining Seve Ballesteros as a six-time winner of this prestigious award.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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