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| The Loop at Forest Dunes | |
|---|---|
| Name | The Loop at Forest Dunes |
| Location | Roscommon, Michigan, United States |
| Established | 2019 |
| Designer | Tom Doak, Ben Crenshaw (consultant) |
| Par | varies |
| Type | Public / Resort |
| Holes | 9 (reversible) |
The Loop at Forest Dunes is a reversible nine-hole golf course located at Forest Dunes Resort in Roscommon, Michigan. The Loop is notable for its innovative reversible routing, links-style features, and association with designers who include Tom Doak and advisory input from Ben Crenshaw; it forms part of a larger resort complex that also includes an 18-hole championship course and practice facilities. The project has attracted attention from participants in professional golf, landscape architecture, conservation groups, and regional tourism organizations.
The Loop sits within the Forest Dunes Resort campus alongside the Forest Dunes Championship course, connecting to regional landmarks such as Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake, and portions of the Huron-Manistee National Forest. Its reversible routing allows play in two directions, a concept that resonates with examples like the Old Course at St Andrews, Pinehurst No. 2, and Lofoten Peninsula layouts. The facility has been covered by media outlets including Golf Digest, Golfweek, Sports Illustrated, and local Michigan publications, and it interacts with organizations such as the United States Golf Association, PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, and various state tourism bureaus.
The Loop originated as an experimental project at Forest Dunes Resort, conceived by Tom Doak's design firm in collaboration with Robin Kelchner and advisors including Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore on adjacent projects. Funding and support drew from investors familiar with resort development models seen in Bandon Dunes, Pebble Beach, and Pinehurst. Construction engaged contractors with experience on projects for the American Society of Landscape Architects, National Golf Foundation clients, and regional contractors who had worked on courses for Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Pete Dye. The opening followed consultations with representatives from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Roscommon County officials, and heritage groups concerned with the Au Sable River watershed and local tribal entities.
The Loop's nine holes incorporate reversible tees and greens, bunkering inspired by links courses such as Royal Troon, Royal Portrush, and Carnoustie, and landforms reminiscent of links architecture promoted by designers like Alister MacKenzie and Harry Colt. Shot values change when played clockwise or counterclockwise, a quality shared with courses like Cape Kidnappers and Ballybunion that challenge players familiar with strategies from the United States Amateur, Ryder Cup, and Walker Cup venues. On-site agronomy practices reference research from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and institutions like Michigan State University and Penn State. The routing emphasizes wind, angle of approach, and green complexes that echo features seen at Augusta National, Shinnecock Hills, and Royal Melbourne, while incorporating native prairie plantings common to landscapes studied by The Nature Conservancy and Sierra Club.
While not a regular stop on the PGA Tour or European Tour, The Loop hosts resort-level championships, college events affiliated with the NCAA, and qualifiers associated with the USGA and state amateur championships. The venue has welcomed clinics led by teaching professionals with ties to the PGA of America, Ladies Professional Golf Association instructors, and charity tournaments benefiting groups like Ducks Unlimited and Rotary International. Its flexible routing has been showcased in demonstration matches involving players from the PGA Tour Champions and Korn Ferry Tour alumni, and it has been featured in regional invitational events promoted by Michigan State University athletics and local economic development agencies.
Forest Dunes Resort combines The Loop with amenities such as a clubhouse, practice range, short game area, lodging facilities, and dining outlets; these services align with resort models employed by firms such as Troon Golf, ClubCorp, and The Resort at Pelican Hill. Membership options reflect public resort access similar to Bandon Dunes and Sand Hills, with stay-and-play packages marketed through travel partners that include regional chambers of commerce, Visit Michigan, and national hospitality brands. Instructional programming involves coaches associated with the PGA, LPGA, USGA coaching initiatives, and university golf programs from institutions like the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.
Environmental stewardship at The Loop involves partnerships with conservation organizations such as the Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, and state conservation agencies, drawing on best practices from LEED projects, the Golf Environment Organization, and research conducted by land-grant universities. Native vegetation, water management strategies inspired by watershed work on the Au Sable River, and habitat enhancement for species monitored by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are central to the project. Practices include integrated pest management informed by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, erosion control methods paralleling U.S. Army Corps of Engineers guidance, and monitoring consistent with standards used by wildlife agencies and ecological researchers.
Tom Doak Ben Crenshaw Forest Dunes Golf Club Roscommon County, Michigan Houghton Lake (Michigan) Higgins Lake Huron-Manistee National Forests Old Course at St Andrews Pinehurst Lofoten Islands Golf Digest Golfweek Sports Illustrated United States Golf Association PGA Tour Korn Ferry Tour National Golf Foundation Bandon Dunes Golf Resort Pebble Beach Golf Links Alister MacKenzie Harry Colt Royal Troon Golf Club Royal Portrush Golf Club Royal County Down Carnoustie Golf Links Cape Kidnappers Ballybunion Golf Club United States Amateur Championship Ryder Cup Walker Cup Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Michigan State University Penn State University Augusta National Golf Club Shinnecock Hills Golf Club Royal Melbourne Golf Club The Nature Conservancy Sierra Club PGA of America LPGA Ducks Unlimited Rotary International PGA Tour Champions Michigan State Spartans men's golf Troon Golf ClubCorp The Resort at Pelican Hill Visit Michigan LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals Audubon Society Golf Environment Organization Michigan Department of Natural Resources LEED U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program United States Army Corps of Engineers University of Michigan Michigan State University men's golf USGA National Audubon Society Au Sable River Roscommon, Michigan Forest Dunes Forest Dunes Championship Course Jack Nicklaus Arnold Palmer Pete Dye Bill Coore Robin Kelchner Landcare Heritage Conservation Travel Michigan State Historic Preservation Office Nature Conservancy Canada Golf architecture Resort development Hospitality industry Economic development Environmental impact assessment Integrated pest management Watershed management Wildlife conservation Habitat restoration Prairie restoration
Category:Golf clubs and courses in Michigan