| The story goes that Alister Mackenzie was not particularly enthused to be diverting his travel from California to Georgia to head to this remote destination on the shores of Lake Michigan, but that when he caught his first glimpse of the incredible sleeping Bear Dunes upon which the course were to sit, his attitude improved dramatically. Those dunes provide the landscape for an unparalleled golf experience in the region, with nary an even lie to be found and creativity at a premium on the similarly bold contours of the greens set into their surroundings so naturally and beautifully. The front nine, the 10th, and the 18th spill out over the open rolling terrain, while the second nine loops out and back through a rugged transition area (home of the 11th and 17th) and gently swaying stretch of land atop the bluff of Lake Michigan. Playing to a par of 70, one would be advised to abandon their scorecard concerns during a tour of THE DOWNS, and instead devote their focus to the pure joy of interacting with this incredible land served so well by golfs greatest course architect. |