Yarrow

[ramylson]

Augusta, MI

Prior to 2001, Yarrow was nothing more than a conference center primarily being used for business conferences and large church functions. Things had been like that since it opened in 1992. While there was talk about expanding with the construction of a golf course, there wasn't anything set in stone. And then, from the heavens, a storm of storms. In the fall of 2001 a major wind storm went through the area causing massive damage to the property. Land once covered with acres of forest, now was a complete mess of toppled trees. It's said that the damage was so severe, that patrons of the conference center in the past cried once they saw the damage.

From ruins to riches. Following the devastation, the owners acted on their prior conversations to bring in Ray Hearn to design a course. An up-and-coming designer through Michigan, he probably was the perfect person for the job due to his naturalist and minimalist architectural beliefs. As a result, the course was weaved through the corridors of fallen trees, developing holes that are unique, interesting, and, most importantly, flowed well from the first hole to the last. Hearn was quoted as saying that there were "hundreds of natural green and tee sites. The biggest challenge was finding a flow." In my opinion, he succeeded in that challenge.

With Yarrow, you'll find a course that is visually pleasing from the tees, but very minimalist when you hit into the green complexes. Don't be fooled, as the greens have very subtle slopes and ledges to give you fits if you're short game isn't on. The conditions were near perfect when we played, even though the fairways still had some aeration makes from the spring. Coming in with little knowledge of the course and it's layout, all of us left with positive things to say. It's a wonderful course that is demanding without a lot of the hazards designers might use to increase difficulty of a design. To score, you had to play the course as it came at you and smartly at that. While there's room around the edges, you'll still be penalized due to the rough and the nature of the greens.

Hearn's opinion, "The look of the layout of these holes on this land will have golfers of all different levels saying 'wow' eighteen different times. In terms of raw land, Yarrow has the greatest diversity I have ever seen." For the most part, I'd have to agree. This is a high quality layout and course that needs to be experienced. And while it sits in a very rural part of the state, it's a place that deserves to be sought out.

Yardages:
Front: 3553/3348/3176/3012/2597
Back: 3452/3140/3013/2817/2408
Total: 7005/6588/6189/5829/5005

Rating/Slope:
Black: 72.4/133
Evergreen: 70.2/124
Knotty Pine: 68.4/119
Burgundy: 72.7/123
Maize: 67.5/114

#1 - 588/565/542/524/438 (par 5; hcp 9)


#2 - 145/131/120/110/103 (par 3; hcp 17)


#3 - 426/400/376/351/283 (par 4; hcp 5)


#4 - 406/381/364/353/327 (par 4; hcp 7)



#5 - 404/378/352/326/296 (par 4; hcp 1)



#6 - 148/133/126/124/107 (par 3; hcp 13)


#7 - 571/542/525/501/425 (par 5; hcp 15)



#8 - 440/414/391/368/312 (par 4; hcp 3)



#9 - 425/404/380/355/306 (par 4; hcp 11)



#10 - 419/404/384/365/305 (par 4; hcp 6)


#11 - 540/505/478/452/379 (par 5; hcp 14)



#12 - 423/400/376/363/279 (par 4; hcp 4)


#13 - 396/366/342/317/294 (par 4; hcp 8)



#14 - 390/365/321/299/254 (par 4; hcp 12)



#15 - 198/175/167/142/110 (par 3; hcp 10)


#16 - 473/458/429/393/329 (par 5; hcp 18)



#17 - 188/165/148/138/122 (par 3; hcp 16)


#18 - 425/402/368/348/336 (par 4; hcp 2)

[dakotus]

Looks fabulous! Thanks for taking the time to write the review!

[mwk6403]

Of the five courses we played that trip, Yarrow was my favorite. It has a nice variety of holes and looks off the tee, challenging, well maintained and nicely spaced. It really seemed like every hole was unique and yet fit the course. My feeling is that to score well there, you really have to have your game in order. The course changes up the tee shots from wide open, bombs away type shots, to placement shots, some forced carries and many of the greens would punish you if did not play them correctly. Playing a second time with a little course knowledge would be a tremendous help. I would definately go back, but I would prefer an early tee time while the convention goers are still sleeping.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Great review/pics...

 

Yarrow is on my Michigan course radar!

[labillyboy]

I will have to play there when I am in Augusta in August...

 

Thanks!

[nwamrine]

Incredibly underrated course that is tucked away in the midwest's "Augusta". Don't pass this one up, every whole is an epic experience.

[JoeHead]

Man, it's ashame Iv'e never made the 1.5 hour trip over there. I am going to have to get over there this year. Thanks for the great picks!

[KzooGolf]

I live less than 20 minutes from Yarrow. This course is without a doubt a must play in the SouthWest corner of Michigan. If you decide to come play Yarrow, do yourself a favor and check out the Gull Lake View and Stonehedge Courses that are within 10 miles.

[JHR]

Great pictures and thanks for the review.

 

I will have to put that one on my play list, i never knew it was out there.