Saint John’s Resort Brings Metro-Detroit’s First High-End Public Golf in 20+ Years

With the PGA TOUR at Detroit Golf Club this weekend, it’s hard not to step back and think, “What about public golf in Detroit?” And it seems that public golf has become an afterthought in the metro-Detroit area, who’s not benefitted from a new high-end property in more than 20 years.

Saint John’s Resort, fortunately, is looking to end the drought.

Currently home to a 27-hole course, Saint John’s is closing the course so it can debut an all-new Championship 18-hole, Par 72 course (playing to more than 7,00 yards), an exciting Par-3 course, and a natural grass putting course in 2024.

The Plymouth, MI project is the region’s first high-end public golf development of its kind in more than 20 years and is part of a $50-million-dollar resort transformation that began in 2021 under the property’s new ownership group, the non-profit Pulte Family Charitable Foundation.

Paul Wegert, CEO of Boutique Hotel Professionals and managing director of Saint John’s Resort, said:

“It’s hard to believe that a golf-rich state like Michigan and the Metro-Detroit area has not had a new high-end public golf facility in so long. We believe the area is prime for a new high-end golf product, and we are very happy that we have elevated the golf experience to match our resort transformation. Our golfers and guests, who visit from all over the country, will be excited when they see it.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Cardinal’s No. 3, Par-3

Designed by Michigan-based golf course architect Raymond Hearn, the new golf course, named “The Cardinal,” has undergone a complete transformation, including a new 18-hole championship golf course, a seven-hole Par 3 course with famous template greens, and a two-acre putting course to entertain all ages and skill levels.

Hearn has partnered with one of the industry leaders in golf course construction, LaBar Golf Renovations, to completely alter the Southeast Michigan golf property. LaBar Golf (LGR) is widely respected in the industry for its renovation work at internationally revered private golf clubs like Merion Golf Club, Muirfield Village Golf Club, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Winged Foot Country Club, and Oakland Hills Country Club.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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LGR Building a Practice Green at Shinnecock

The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort sits on 200 acres of rolling land where the original 27 holes were completely removed to build the new course. The golf course presents an original experience with no two holes that look, or play, alike, being routed in all directions factoring in elevation, wind, terrain, and scenic beauty to strategically deliver optimal shot values. The course also takes full advantage of the flow of the land and the beautiful 100-year-old trees that were saved during the project and now frame many of the holes, providing a classic design aesthetic from the golden age of golf course architecture. Several holes also feature classic Golden Age green contours and bunkering.

Hearn said:

“It has been a thrill to be able to work on this project for Saint John’s Resort and the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation. The land, with its natural glacier forms and beautiful hundred-year-old trees, was a great foundation to work with. We were able to save many of the old mature trees and create a routing that kept them in play around green sites and along fairways, which is a bit unique in today’s golf course architecture that focuses more on tree removal.”

Hearn continued:

“This also allowed me to draw on my inspiration from previous Donald Ross, Tom Bendelow, and Willie Park Jr. projects as well as one of my favorite courses, The Old Course at Sunningdale by Willie Park Jr. Our goal was to create a fun golf experience and I believe we have achieved that and then some with this project.”

Hearn, a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, recognized the importance of making the course entertaining and playable for all levels of players. He created fun and strategic golf holes with multiple teeing areas and approach angles. This was accomplished through a five-tee system on each hole, creating a variety of options and yardages. Golfers can have fun mixing up the tees playing different combinations.

Complementing the new championship golf course is a seven-hole short course, two-acre putting course, and a short game area. This multi-purpose golf entertainment venue will wrap around the resort’s Trackman driving range and Carl’s Golfland, one of the top golf retailers in the country. The short course offers inspiration from some of the game’s most famous green complexes like the Punch Bowl, Redan, and Biarritz to name a few, while the putting course drew its inspiration from great putting course experiences at St. Andrews and Pinehurst.

Wegert explains:

“The layout of our property, with the proximity of Carl’s Golfland and the range, was a perfect location to create a pure golf entertainment venue. We have also added a new food and beverage venue near the putting course, which will be a great gathering place for golfers, corporate groups, wedding parties, families, and kids.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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In 2021, the William J Pulte estate purchased the former Inn at St. John’s from the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit and donated it to the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, which has since rebranded the property into Saint John’s Resort.

In addition to the golf course development, the resort and hotel transformation includes updated rooms, a 6,200-square-foot pavilion, a 17,000-square-foot grand ballroom, a new wedding pavilion, a wine bar, and other interior upgrades throughout the resort.

While we’ll have to wait until next year to play The Cardinal and its Par-3 course brethren, in addition to taking into everything Saint John’s Resort has to offer, this is definitely an opening that we’ve already cleared our calendars for.

Cover Image Via Saint John’s Resort