July 10, 2006

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 6th position in 2002 for the best new affordable golf course in America.

"Each hole is independent of the next and very unique," says Jason Watson. "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 and Mountain Valley," says member Chad Long. "Thunder Hill especially has a place in my heart. This is the 2nd best venue ever and light years ahead of the Neuse."

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. "Surinder Punia 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 17 minutes southeast in Brooklyn. "The entertainment opportunities were vast even when you consider 60-72 guys," says Greg Long. "There are 4 outdoor outstanding activites along with 2 indoor activities through the week."

Jackson, Michigan was ranked America's fourth best golf city in 2003. The criteria included course conditions, weather, affordability, tee time accessability, and star ranking. The small city fell in the 2005 list to #74 out of 330 towns/cities from all 50 states.

A Grande selection would ensure a very northern climate and almost eliminate very hot sticky temperatures.

The 2007 Carl Spackler Open is scheduled to begin in 335 days. The Legacy and Grande are in the mix for 2007 venue. Old Silo in Kentucky is also top notch opportunities. Research continues through July and August before budgeting season begins in early September.