Blackshire ☆ Follow

The 18-hole Blackshire course at the Lakewood Shores Resort facility in Oscoda, Michigan features 6,898 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. Designed by Kevin Aldridge, the Blackshire golf course opened in 2001. Blackshire, designed by Kevin Aldridge, recreates the look and feel of the famous Pine Valley C.C., though not a replica, it offers a similar rugged feel with hardwoods, large sand waste areas, and undulating greens. Encompassing less than 200 acres, Blackshire has a classic turn-of-the-century feel, and with short walks from green to tees, it also provides a classical walking experience if desired.

Aldridge created large waste areas by lopping off sections of the fairway, exposing the sandy soil beneath. The waste areas are more for visual contrast than actual hazards, but they are in play on several holes -- most notably surrounding the greens on several par 3s and off the tee on the par-4 13th and the par-5 18th. The mix of long and short par 4s and the fact that you'll probably use four different clubs on the par 3s are the course's design strengths.