TRAVEL: Michigan’s Island Resort & Casino

Hidden in Michigan, which may be one of America’s hidden golf destinations with places like Forest Dunes Golf Club, Island Resort & Casino provides a different vibe with some quality golf.

Located in Michigan’s scenic Upper Peninsula (near Escanaba), Island Resort & Casino has reopened to golfers and resort guests, including its acclaimed Sweetgrass and Sage Run golf courses and Island Resort’s assortment of dining options, gaming and spa.

And to ensure the health of resort guests is a top priority, Island Resort has developed new practices and standards–such as increased cleaning and sanitizing across the entire resort, clear social distancing guidelines, as well as various precautions and safety provisions throughout each area and amenity of the resort–that not only guarantee safety, but also maintain the superior service and quality experience that golfers and guests deserve.

The centerpiece of the Island Resort & Casino experience is the Sweetgrass Golf Club, a Paul Albanese design that features an open layout with some of the game’s most fun greens to putt (Redan, Biarritz, Island, and Double-Green), as well some wonderful strategic holes, including the famous island green No. 15 (named the “Turtle” and pictured immediately above), and spectacular finishing Par 5 holes on each side.

Sweetgrass also part of the “Road to the LPGA” with the Symetra Tour’s Island Resort Championship, is ranked among Golfweek’s Best Courses, as well as being named by GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest as a Best in State golf course.

Complementing Sweetgrass is the Sage Run course, which is also designed by Albanese, and provides a contrasting style from its sister course. Sage Run meanders through beautiful Upper Peninsula hardwoods and open vistas with very dramatic views.

Notably, a natural drumlin, or elongated hill or ridge formed by glacial ice long ago, is the primary feature on Sage Run. Holes were routed up and around the hill and offer a scenic variety of shots and create a challenging thrill for golfers. The variety of long and short golf holes with long fescue grasses lines the fairway and edging the bunkers, as well as creative short Par 4s with some blind shots, challenge golfers of all abilities.

Similar to Sweetgrass, Sage Run hosts some of the top collegiate players with The Island Resort Collegiate at Sage Run, and in 2019, Sage Run was named to Golf Digest’s prestigious list of Best New Courses.

And to help entice golfers to escape and play these top tier courses in the Midwest, Island Resort & Casino is offering golf packages that combine rounds at its Sweetgrass and Sage Run courses, lodging and gaming. The fully customizable packages offer 1, 2, 3, and 4-night lodging options with up to four rounds of golf. Package prices range from $95 – $758 depending on the time of year and single/double occupancy. In addition to the package savings, golfers will also receive five coupons: $5 promo cash, $5 off bingo, $5 off dining, one drink and $5 off services at the luxurious Drift Spa (perfect for that massage after your final round before heading home).

However, if that wasn’t enough, the “Perfect 4-Some” is a fully customizable package offering 3, 4, and 5-night lodging options at Island Resort with four rounds of golf. But this package, instead, offers some rounds at the best golf courses in the region led by the Island Resort & Casino with its Sweetgrass and Sage Run courses together with the highly acclaimed Greywalls course in Marquette and TimberStone in nearby Iron Mountain.

Similarly, Perfect 4-Some package prices range from $350 – $758 depending on the time of year and single/double occupancy, and golfers will also receive a hotel package containing various coupons for resort amenities. For more information, click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Cindy Moen (@cindymoen) on Jul 27, 2019 at 7:25pm PDT

In closing, Sweetgrass, Sage Run, and the growing popularity of gaming at Island Resort have been a huge success for the resort and result in a $30 million expansion that will be completed in 2021. The expansion consists of more than 100 new hotel rooms that will be added to the south end of the current 11-story Palm Tower. A high-end dining venue and convention space are also planned for the top floor, as well as a pool featuring water park attractions for kids and young adults.

Hopefully some patronage from dedicated golfers can bring us a new Albanese masterpiece and complete the trilogy.

Cover Image Via Instagram