October 23, 2022

FREELAND, MI — The Captains Club announced today that Apple Mountain in Freeland, Michigan has been added to the proposal list for the 2023 Carl Spackler Open. This is an adequate golf course having all the elements for a fantastic venue.

Apple Mountain is a very interesting design. Its front nine loops through scattered trees, over several ponds and wetlands, and up and down that hill, while the back nine plays among more lakes and some homesites on nicely rolling topography reshaped from flat farmland. The bunkering on holes like the par-3 seventh, par-5 12th, and par-4 13th are massive but shallow, and the 18th is a crazy, zigzag go-for-it par 5 with both water and sand in front of the green.

"The golf course has a mostly flat layout with lots of sand and water hazards," said Captains Club member Marty Whalen after a September scout of the golf course. "The greens are a little bumpy, but playable. The bunkers are not going to drain when it rains. That is a concern along with a steeper price for beer and food."

Freeland, Michigan is located outside Saginaw, Michigan. There are numerous hotel options in Saginaw and the airport.

"It's certainly an option, but up against other competition nationwide,' says Marty Whalen. "I do not see this as a highly desirable selection for 2023."

Apple Mountain Golf Club joins two golf courses in Virginia, Island Hills in Michigan, and Cypress Landing in North Carolina with availability for June 22. An announcement regarding the event the venue location is coming soon. The date chosen is June 22-25.