December 11, 2006

JACKSON, MI — The Grande Golf Club is stocked full of character and prestine conditions. The 502-yard, par-5 4th is one hole with a good bit of "up North" Michigan ambiance, however some might think they are surfing in California.

"There are plenty of signature holes, but Hole 4 is my personal favorite," says Captains Club member Jason Watson. "The hole has Michigan flavor and risk reward written all over it."

The tee shot is uphill to a fairway that is comparatively narrow and lined with dense woods. From the top of the hill (nearly 300 yards from the tee), its all downhill to the green and a wild ride.

"Guys won't get a feel for how undulating the fairway is until they reach the green, which features a trough running left-right through it," says Watson. "Standing in this trough, desperately trying to read a triple-breaking par putt, I gazed back up the storm-looking fairway, and was overcome with the same sort of shortness of breath I get when standing chest deep in a gathering surf."

Watson added, "The fairway might be one of the tightest on the course, but substantial reward is available for tee shots playing with the left tree-line. Tee shots failing to hug the banked fairway high on the left side will be stymied by trees on the right. Birdie and eagle is available for approach shots from the extreme left side or maybe Jay Glover with his banana slice. This is where the course can change from wide open to Mountain Valley tight."

The skinny green does provide ample depth of 45 yards or 135 feet from front to back. The middle of the large green is 20-inches below the front and back creating a trough with multi-breaking putts.

The 2007 Carl Spackler Open Championship began November 15 with tournament registration. The deadline for registration is postmarked by December 28.