September 16, 2017

JACKSON, MI — The Grande Golf Club is situated 7 minutes south of downtown Jackson, Michigan. It is a lush golf course that continues to boast a Golf Digest 4 1/2 star ranking. It also held the 2007 Carl Spackler Open.

"Each hole is independent of the next and very unique," says Captains Club member Bill Bateson. "To describe The Grande is not doing it justice. It is Michigan with tall dense forest unlike anywhere else."

The Grande has 48 huge plush sand traps that are designed with unique thin cloverleaf shaped ends.

"The Carl Spackler Open has seen great character venues with Thunder Hill, Raven, and Poplar Grove," says fellow Captains Club member Chad Long. "Poplar Grove especially has a place in my heart. This is the 2nd best venue ever and light years ahead of other venues."

The Grande challenges everyone and will astonish with breathtaking scenery unmatched by most courses. Course architect Raymond Hearn designed the course directly into its natural features that include sprawling wetlands and forests.

"Simply the widest fairways on earth," says Greg Long. "Chris Milam and Jon Munksgard will hit 60% of the fairways. I will take bets on that." The fairways are indeed wide and allow hooks and slices of 75 yards from center. "The greens are monsterous," says Long. "They are both huge and with mounding. I have never seen a golf course where the 150 yard stake mean't nothing without pin depth and placement. Probably the first course where Don Creighton uses the yardage book exclusively." The conditions at the Grande are outstanding and lush.

The Jackson surroundings include plenty of lodging and entertainment. The lodging option is 10 minutes north in Jackson. "There is an entertainment opportunity that looks great even when you consider 60-72 guys," says Greg Long. "The entire setup is stellar."

A Grande selection would ensure a very northern climate and almost eliminate very hot sticky temperatures. "The single problem is the NASCAR schedule and proximity to Michigan International Speedway," says senior member and Michigan resident Marty Whalen. "The availability of hotels are in question."

The 2018 Carl Spackler Open could be headed to North Carolina, South Carolina, or Michigan. All three options include top notch opportunities. Research continues through October before budgeting season begins in early November.