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By VW
Formerly Berrien Hills Country Club, an exclusive course and club, Berrien is my home course and the source of so many memories from my life. Any man that has had the good fortune to sit in a stag bar, whether in their youth or adulthood, can commiserate with the experiences that I had coming of age around this course. Situated along the bed of the St. Joseph River, Berrien Hills is a short, tightly-wound track. While there are only three waterfront holes, the balance will challenge shot-makers and heavy-hitters alike.
| #1 |
There is nothing like teeing up your first shot with an audience. Groups hover around this par 4 hilltop tee box. Avoid the tree line and bluff on the left and the creek on the right. A straight tee shot down the left side leaves a wedge into a green guarded front right by a large bunker and overhanging tree. One of my favorite opening holes in golf. |
| #2 |
After playing down into the river bed on the first hole, you will climb to the elevated tee box on this par 4. Even blasting a tee shot down the center of the fairway will leave you a mid-iron into the slightly elevated green. The neck of this green is extremely narrow with a bunker front left and, once again, trees crowding the periphery. This hole always seems to play 25 to 30 yards longer than the card indicates. |
| #3 |
The number one handicap hole on the course, this par 4 plays at 369 yards. Again, the card tells you one thing and your second shot another. The challenges vary on this hole; avoid the creek on the left, the trees on the right, and the impending two-tiered green that recently petitioned for statehood. Club selection is absolutely key here. Too little and you are a time zone from a pin set back. Too much and you are playing from the hillside that serves as the background to the green. |
| #4 |
The slight downhill grade of this par 3 can play tricks on your sense of distance. From 150 yards, take one less club to a green with bunkers left and right. |
| #5 |
You have two options off the tee on this par 4. You can cut the corner to the left if you can clear the willows or play a safe iron to the middle of the fairway short. If you are successful with option one, you leave yourself a ¾ wedge to the green. The danger in option two is overshooting the fairway and having to play from among the trees and the long grass. Your approach shot should target the front of the green as everything moves in that direction. Par or better can be achieved here. |
| #6 |
The first of the riverfront holes, this par 3 requires a shot to carry the gap over a minor bay in the river. That is a challenge in itself. But, if the pace allows, take a shot from the tips. It is just good old fun. |
| #7 |
This par 5 can be reached in two with a very accurate tee shot. The landing zone sits squarely between a marsh and two large fairway bunkers. Play for the left edge of the first bunker. This will effectively remove the threat of the O.B. to the right and put you into position A for your second shot. There is a bail-out to the right if you don't have the shot to hit the green in two. The green runs fast to the front, so drop your approach on the front side. |
| #8 |
Head back up to the top of the bluff for this par 4. You truly have to thread the needle off the tee here. Homes front the right side of the fairway and are O.B. and the hill you just climbed runs the length of the fairway. I have seen golfers nearly drive the green on this hole, but most will have a full wedge into a green with a lip on the back that will bring approach shots back toward the center. |
| #9 |
If you trust your driver, tee it up to the far left of the box and cut over the trees on the right. 250 yards will put you 70 to 80 yards off the green in the center of the fairway. Otherwise, play a long iron or fairway wood to the corner and come in from 130 to 145 yards. Bunkers front right and left guard the green. Par is great, birdie even better considering the turn. |
| #10 |
After a stop off at the clubhouse, head to this par 4 for the first of many frustrating angles that make up the back nine. While not a difficult hole (#8 Handicap), you have a decision to make. A mid-iron shot will take you to the center of the fairway. Either way you choose, you will have an intimidating green awaiting your second shot. This green runs like Secretariat to the front. |
| #11 |
Following the recurring theme of playing longer than imagined, this par 4 runs along yet another creek and the driving range. Do not go right! There is no joy in searching among thousands of balls that look eerily similar to the ball you just pushed to the right. Your approach shot will have to carry water to a green that again moves violently to the front. Always one of the top five hardest holes on the course. |
| #12 |
This is one of the few forgiving par 4's on the back. There is relief to the right and the 11th fairway to the left. Play the right side to avoid the tree line that comes into play further down the left side of the fairway. An easily manipulated green once you reach it. |
| #13 |
This is where the fun starts on the back. This dogleg right turns at an uncomfortable distance for most drivers, but requires more distance than most 3-woods. A typical second shot is from either short of the corner behind a line of huge trees or from the left under similarly huge trees. Second shots require nearly 200 yards into a narrow green. |
| #14 |
The longest of the par 3's playing 180 yards. Despite the distance, this is a routine par 3. |
| #15 |
This par 5 is a three-shot hole for almost every golfer. Hug the left side of the fairway and play 200 to 220 yards out. The fairway opens past the first dogleg to the left. Second shots should be played to the left fairway side bunkers. The gutsy play is over the tree line down the right. However, this play only cuts 25 to 30 yards off the approach shot. You have to carry the creek that fronts the green. Follow the old adage on the green and favor the read to the water. |
| #16 |
This is a short par 3 that threads its way through the trees hanging over the green and the canopy over the green. Ignore visual distractions and play to the left side of the green to avoid the front right bunker. |
| #17 |
Playing just over 500 yards, this par 5 runs parallel to the St. Joseph River. The prevailing wind is off the water and right in your face. Target the center of the fairway off the tee. Left gets wet and right takes you into the woods and the 14th green and fairway (and possibly the large bunker off of the 14th green). The green is heavily guarded by fairway bunkers and mounds. Once on the green, the putt should be simple despite the slight tiering effect. |
| #18 |
The finishing hole at Berrien is a 269-yard par 4. Bag the driver for the safe play to the corner of the dogleg left. I have tried on several occasions to drive the green, but the trees on the left make for a blind shot to an elevated green. Most drives end one of three ways; lost, lost, or sitting on the 11th green (where you will be heckled by golfers enjoying the 19th). A mid-iron will give you a short-iron into the green. Distance is critical here as you will either roll back toward the creek (for the last time thankfully) or bury in the hillside behind the green. |
| Like many of our weekend warrior golfer friends, my home course is so much more than 18 holes of joy and pain. It is a hundred wonderful memories of times spent with business associates, close friends, and family members. That said, even those that visit Berrien Hills for the first time will be impressed by the design, maintenance, and friendliness of the entire staff. Look me up if you come to town. A round here is always an event for me. |
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| 1) |
Fee Factor
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19
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| BHGC is holding over their 2008 rates. At $53 for 18 with a cart, this course is now one of the best deals in the area. |
| 2) |
Friendliness Factor
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20
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| It is hard to be objective when you are a friend of the course. That said, the guys that run the course and pro shop are some of the best around. I've had equally good times in the pro shop and on the course. |
| 3) |
Fringe Factor
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16
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| The remnants of the country club are still here. The range is sufficient, but on busy days, you will have a hard time getting a spot. The putting green is expansive and well-maintained. |
| 4) |
From 1st Tee to Handshake Factor
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15
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| The grounds staff has made significant improvements since turning the club public. An improved drainage system has made a world of difference as anyone that has lost a shoe near the creek can attest. However, there is still work to do. |
| 5) |
Fun Factor
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18
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| You can and will have a great front nine. Enjoy the moment. The back will test your mettle. Enjoy a cold one and a dog on the deck overlooking the 11th green and heckle the futile efforts of passing golfers. |
Website: http://www.berrienhills.com/
Check out the Where to section: for where to eat, drink, and stay in southwest Michigan.
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