Pierce Lake GC - Chelsea, Michigan

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Great Course, pics inside...

This past weekend I met up with fellow Golfwrx member JNewsted to play Pierce Lake Golf Course right outside of Ann Arbor, Michigan in Chelsea. The course is located about 1/2 mile right off of I-94. Although I played like crap, and lost more golf balls than I ever have in a round, I really liked this golf course. You had better take the time to score well (I didn't) on the front 9. This collection of holes was VERY FUN and it is a strong layout which is laid out over rolling terrain. It helps a lot if you have a little local knowledge on these holes. The back 9 holes is another story, almost a nightmare. It is laid out though the woods and wetlands and is strong as well. So strong, it can overpower you (it did). Many of these holes have long, forced carries and are extremely TIGHT. One of the par 3's on the back had a CARRY of 200 yards, hit it short and the ball is gone here. We played the gold tees which measured out at about 6600 yards (71.2/131). The tips play to 6914 here (72.5/135). You simply have to hit it far and straight on the back nine with little room for error. The greens, although not super fast, were tough to putt well on. Many of the greens here are average in size, not huge by today's standards. 18 holes with cart for a non-resident on a weekend was $47.00. Good call on this golf course Jon, I liked it!

[3_Jack_Par]

I played Pierce Lake for the first time this year today, and unfortunately, the greens on the holes on the back 9 that are set in the forest are all in really bad shape. I'm not sure if it was winter kill or what, but a lot of bare spots and really bumpy. It's unfortunate, because I really like the layout -- one of my personal favorites in Southeast Michigan.

[Guest]

Played it two weeks ago and found the same thing. Moose ridge had problems too.

Rain hasn't been an issue but it has been unusally hot the last 6 weeks. Both still worth playing.

[Guest]

I live not far from there, the last time I played her was just after it opened, the greens were horrible then too. It's a shame, because it is one cool course. How did you find the speed of play? Did it move along pretty good or did you spend all day there? My last round there ran close to ten hours, and I have never been back.

[3_Jack_Par]

[quote name='Michael W' timestamp='1281928763' post='2641241']
I live not far from there, the last time I played her was just after it opened, the greens were horrible then too. It's a shame, because it is one cool course. How did you find the speed of play? Did it move along pretty good or did you spend all day there? My last round there ran close to [b]ten hours[/b], and I have never been back.
[/quote]

WTH?
Pace of play was fine -- had no one in front of us until we caught someone on the 9th green. It was a little slow for a couple of holes early on the back, but the groups ahead picked it up, and we had a couple holes searching for my dad's ball, and after that, we waited for the group ahead one or two more times the rest of the way.
I had the bright idea of walking (in 92 degrees and high humidity). I probably lost about 10 pounds during the round.

[3_Jack_Par]

Played Pierce Lake again today, and I'm happy to report that the greens are starting to come back from the turf issue that they were experiencing earlier in the year. The dead, bumpy patches are mostly gone. The greens, especially on the back nine, which had the biggest problems, looked to have been aerated 2-3 weeks ago, and they're a little shaggy and slow, but it's worlds better than it was in the middle of the summer.