Discovering the Undiscovered



The captivating finishing hole at ArborLinks

ArborLinks, located in Nebraska City, NE is yet another sleepy destination club that has been largely off the radar by golf course bloggers and critics. Although the Palmer name is not normally associated with a lot of strong designs, Links Confidential will share with the readers next week experiences with a course that takes everything Palmer design does and turns it on its head. Its a damn good course, and even better destination club that deserves more attention.

Uncovering the Destination Club

The stunning double green complex at Ballyhack. A Destination Club founded in 2009.

Ever since Dick Youngscap founded Sand Hills Golf Club, there have been numerous individuals who have been inspired by the destination club model. Over the past 9 years, I've had the opportunity to visit a few and consult with many. In numerous conversations I have with friends, the question always revolves around the overall success of the project....how can these places work?

After visiting Ballyhack Golf Club in Roanoke last week, I have created a brief overview of the concept along with how projects have both succeeded and failed throughout the years.

The Destination Club
Founded on the premise of discovering an ideal site for golf, the course's architectural quality is paramount to the success of the project. Located normally in a remote area where both commercial and private travel can be challenging, the quest of getting to the club is half the reward. Destination Clubs are not created to make large returns on investment. They are created by people who have a passion for the game, have discovered a property which can present a thrilling challenge of golf, and offer an exclusive membership experience that is second to none.

Common Amenities of the Destination Club:
--18 holes of compelling, high quality golf. The course IS the reason people are coming
--A modest clubhouse that can provide minimal items in pro shop, dining for members and guests, a great bar, and outdoor gathering areas
--On-site lodging that normally accommodates a minimum of 4 people per unit. Each unit would feature 4 bedrooms along with 4 bathrooms
--A small, but quality practice area

Features of the Membership
--Golf purists who are looking to have a "core" experience via golf, dining, camaraderie
--National membership: normally placed in remote areas where population would never be able to sustain project
--Initiation fee is moderate: The ability to "get in" is always harder than the initiation fee. Most destination club models thrive on a membership level of 150-200 members respectively
--Annual Dues are low: The overall club model to profitability weighs on usage rather than the traditional monthly dues model as seen in private clubs

How the Model is Sustainable
--Ownership group is well capitalized. The project is not laden with debt, and ownership is committed to covering operational shortfalls during early stages of membership development
--Successfully collecting revenues through lodging, guest fees, dining from both member and sponsored play
--Carefully accepting at-large, unsponsored play at a premium rate
--Product truly is world-class. The golf course motivates people to travel great distances to experience
--Staff is cross-trained to handle numerous duties, therefore eliminating specialization that is prevalent at most traditional country clubs
--Membership is comprised of diverse, wealthy individuals and corporations who value premium experiences and are willing to pay above market prices
--Ownership Group is representative of powerful individuals who have a passion for the game and a large network of contacts to invite to membership

Why Destination Clubs are Failing
--Under-capitalized: Ownership is unable to fund project with necessary dollars to cover operating shortfalls, debt service, and needed capital expenditures
--Over Supply: This product appeals to less than 1% of the current golfing population. A recent influx of destination properties has saturated what already is a restrictive market.
--Built at the Right Price: Excessive facilities construction quickly rises project costs well above amounts able to be recovered by membership and operations.
--Ownership does not have deep enough contacts to lay foundation of first 100 members for the Club
--Product is not world-class

So what's the future for this model? Outside of having an ownership group who is well-capitalized or identifying a foreclosed property at below-market-values, not much. This is "dream land" golf where all of us wish we could build our ultimate retreat for our buddies. If you are lucky enough to play one, don't hesitate at the chance. If you are dreaming of developing this model, be aware of the harsh realities.

The Road Less Traveled

The treacherous 9th at The Kingsley Club

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

The words of Robert Frost resonated in my mind as I traveled down the lone dirt path enjoying the transitioning foliage colors that fall provides in northern Michigan. There were no signs to the Kinglsey Club, just the blind trust to follow the directions I received from the staff. As the path winded through the forest, I began to question the reward of such a journey. Will the course live up to the expectation? Will it offer the respite that so many core golfers have been shouting about quietly since it opened?

I continued on the almost claustrophobic path framed by talk birch trees until I stepped out of my internal analysis of both a course and experience for which I had not played when I realized through my rear-view mirror I had passed a small sign and humble entrance to what would be a savory experience. Hours later I would look back happily at my conviction to travel down this dirt path to enjoy great architecture and enjoy the company of welcoming strangers.

The Kingsley Club is a national destination club located just outside of Kingsley, Michigan. Located about 25 minutes from Traverse City, the course was designed by Mike DeVries, a relatively unknown golf architect on a national scale. The site is a product of glacial movement from thousands of years ago, and the rugged terrain featured on the front side is complimented by a more classic feel within the tall timbers. Capturing the spirit of Alistair McKenzie from his past influences of nearby Crystal Downs, The Kingsley Club features fescue fairways that are intended to play firm and fast with green sites that provide the player limitless options.

Throughout the round, my host, David Plassman (Membership Director at The Kinglsey Club) educated me on the lack of earth moved to construct this compelling course. Outside of some major tree removal on the back nine (for which has vastly improved the overall integrity of the layout in my humble opinion), DeVries did a masterful job creating a fabulous destination Club that is now enjoyed by a membership that represents well over 30 states nationally. Although many of the staff remarked about the temporary clubhouse facility, I felt that its quaint nature only complimented the rugged layout I was getting ready to challenge before my round. Settled high above the 17^th hole are 2 well-appointed cottages for which I was lucky enough to enjoy thanks to the gracious invitation of my playing partners for the day, Steve and George.

Within each hole, the angle of approach from 150 yards was constantly fascinating to me.  To compliment the strategy-based session you will have with the approach game, the green sites promote both a natural feel with intriguing undulation that will challenge any golfer’s ability. I cannot stress enough the high compliments I have for the dedication of the maintenance department to provide the players with a fescue service that was properly cared for and allows for the balls to bounce and roll off the natural contours that DeVries intended so.

My ultimate takeaway from The Kingsley Club can be summed up by this moment:
After making eagle on the 17^th hole, our foursome celebrated my putt and casually strolled up to the 18^th tee which is surrounded by a hand-laid stone wall. Earlier in the round, I had nearly aced the beautiful 12^th hole within inches. My emotions were already running high both with the experience on the course, the camaraderie of great members, and an 18^th hole that transported brought me to immediate memories of Prairie Dunes.

David immediately broke me out of my thought as he strolled over to the wall, reached down to a well-hidden metal box concealed ever-so-carefully within the wall, and opened the door. Within a moment, a fresh bottle of Jameson was hoisted in honor of the feat at 17, and we all savored the harsh bite of Irish whiskey at a moment in which the course was ours.

Holes of Note:

Hole #1: Par 5, 602 yards
This hole immediately sets the tone with a massive set of bunkers carved 240 yards in the middle of split fairway. The ideal line is to aim to the right side of the fairway towards a small juniper. The contouring, along with the seasoned fescue will receive well-placed tee shots and deliver drives an extra 30 yards down the hill. After a strategic secondary shot, your approach introduces you to what will become an on-going study in strategy-based design. Protected with a hillside, the undulating green offers a fair defense, smartly positioned to challenge the player with a normal west wind.



Hole #3: Par 4, 426 yards
An absolute beast in both yardage and angle of approach. The suggested play off the tee was to direct your drive to the right side of the fairway, barely avoiding the bunkers awaiting poorly designed shots. This will leave you with visible shot towards a sloping green from left to right and a pin placement that can be protected with a nasty front bunker. In contrast to directions, a poorly-played tee shot to the left will send the player to the left-hand side, leaving a blind approach which demands 100% carry to the protected green.




Hole #5:  Par 3, 222 yards
A fabulous par 3 that features a saddle-shaped green nestled within the natural dell. A small tongue of turf on the front of the green will accept and push shots towards the center. Based on our pin placement today which was back left, the opportunity for aggression was impossible. Best to settle with par and move on.


Hole #6:  Par 4, 396 yards
By far the most rugged tee shot on the course. When I stood on the tee box, I immediately felt as if I was at the Old Course of Ballybunion with a tee shot that was part strategy, and the other on the rub of the green based on which mound it hit. A focus towards the right-hand side of the fairway will properly receive and release balls into the lower left-hand side for a relatively straightforward approach. A green with closely-mown turf on all sides awaits poor shots. As before, the options were abound for recovery. I chose to utilize my putter off the tightly mown turf. Its wonderful design to give players so many choices around the green.  As you move through this layout, you truly appreciate how DeVries rewards creativity to the bold player.



Hole #14: Par 5, 615 yards
By far the greatest hole on the property. The tee shot is fairly straightforward. Upon arriving to your tee shot, you are presented with a green-site and bunkering that rivals the best in the country. Once again, the third shot to the green provides the players with numerous options. Although a knocked down 8 iron was not executed by the player, the design welcomed this creativity if the player can make the shot. Although surrounded by hardwoods, the overall ruggedness of the bunkering and turf conditions are impeccably consistent throughout.


Hole #15: Par 4, 465 yards
A very controversial hole awaits the traditional golfer who wants consistency in design…..but isn’t this a destination club? Aren’t you traveling down a dirt path for adventure?? When I say that the green at this hole is tiny, I am not doing it justice. Considering most players are coming in with anything from hybrids to 4-irons, a miraculous 2^nd shot is demanded to even THINK about making par. In addition to the green, the openings on 3 sides feature closely mown turf which laugh and reject the normal amateur’s meek attempts at greatness.


The Verdict
I had never stepped foot on the soil of Michigan before this occasion, and I vow to be back. Its beautiful here….and I mean the kind of beautiful that makes you truly wonder how you can quit your job, become independently wealthy, and stroll the rugged contours of The Kingsley Club while also taking in the tall timbers, great lakes, and genuinely friendly people. Regarding The Kingsley Club, the final description I have for it is that is offers an understated membership with a layout that would be fun to play on a repeatable basis. You would rarely have the same conditions, lies, or scores at this links.  I am glad that I made my first journey to The Kingsley Club, and I hope to be so privileged again in the future.

My special thanks to not only David Plassman, but to Steve & George-- 2 outstanding members for whom I will never forget.

On a final note, I am going on record to say that I HATE Google's photo application for the Blog. My sincere apologies for the lack of alignment to the holes for this article....obviously a work in progress.

DeVries making the player choose strategic positioning off the tee

The fantastic Par 3 5th

Lay of the land prevails: The Par 4 6th at The Kingsley Club

The Club's finest hole: Unlimited approach options at the 14th

Controversy meets interest at the 15th