Boyne’s Doon Brae is Open – and Fun
Doon Brae is one of two Michigan short courses that opened in June 2025 – for golfers of all ages to enjoy.
I had the chance to try it out in mid-June the same week of the EPSON Tour event taking place at The Highlands at Boyne – joining two other media members to give the short course a mid-morning test run.
Carrying only a 7-iron, wedge and putter, I was able to birdie two of the nine holes that range in length from 150 to 57 yards – totally dependent on where you chose to tee it up. Even carrying those three clubs was fun because Boyne offers small ‘day bags’ at no charge to hold your clubs and throw over the shoulder.
Doon Brae cris-crosses one of the Highlands’ ski runs as golfers meander their way partially up, and back down, the side of the mountain. While that might sound like an ominous hike, you should know my wife – a non-golfer – was able to walk along with us even with a bum knee wrapped in a brace.
Speaking of my wife, her first comment on Hole 1 of the course designed by Ray Hearn for families and friends with both skilled and first-time golfers in mind: “It’s not for the faint of heart.” Golfer translation: it’s a layout that will challenge anyone, without being overbearing due to the multiple routes available to each green complex which are inspired by a variety of European classics.
The first hole has sod-faced bunkers reminiscent of Scotland, but all the other holes have a variety of styles. The greens have generous putting surfaces to accommodate tee shots, from a wide variety of locations, for all abilities.
I believe this short course is great for everyone and will attract new players as well as those looking to sharpen their short game skills or add another element to playing on their buddies’ trip with wagers/bragging rights on the line.
It took the three of us only one hour to complete – and a really fun hour it was.
The Sawyer at Garland Resort
The very next day after giving Doon Brae a try, I walked The Sawyer – a new short course that was dedicated that morning.
First impression: what an excellent design that looks and feels like a true northern Michigan championship course, yet one that simply plays shorter.
The Sawyer is placed on land just steps outside the pro shop door that had for a long time been designed as two holes but sat dormant from a course that wasn’t completed. Enter a new use for the space, and the short course was born.
The Sawyer is also designed reversable, adding yet another unique element for players to play the same layout but not feel like it, and for keeping the multiple teeing areas in great condition.
“Probably 80 percent of our business comes from group golf, players who come up for (several days),” said general manager David Sanderson. “We give them the option now to play two different courses on the same land. So, maybe they can play it more than once.
“This has most definitely exceeded our expectations. The course is absolutely beautiful with the grass bunker faces and the white sand – the rolling terrain. It couldn’t have turned out any better. Very proud of the team.”
One of the largest greens has an upper and lower tier, creating pin locations for two different holes. There is one pond in play, and the large greens have a nice gentle roll to them. All bunkers are flat bottomed, but most have high mounding around them that will feed bad shots into the sand.
The same day, staff from the First Tee Northern Michigan also toured the course for possibly being a location for the youth to practice and play. I think they would love it because the course feels like a high-level championship course, but remains very playable for those still learning the game.
“You see short courses popping up all over the country,” Sanderson added. “And it’s a dynamic of golf that won’t take you four hours. You can play it in the evening, the morning, go out and practice, take your kids along. So many different uses and you can do it in an hour.”
Short Course Under Construction at Harbor Shores
Harbor Shores, the Lake Michigan shoreline golf destination with its Jack Nicklaus Signature Design golf course, recently welcomed Hall of Fame golfer Colin Montgomerie to walk the site, finalize his design of the new Wee Course and take part in its groundbreaking ceremony.
The five-acre, 9-hole pitch-and-putt Wee Course will open in 2026 and will consist of holes measuring 60 yards or less modeled after the nine most iconic holes of the current Nicklaus layout, which hosted several Sr. PGA Championships in the past 10 years. Kids will play for free, and youth programming will be a priority.
“I think the two key words here are affordable, and opportunity,” Montgomerie told me on a June visit. “And this Wee Course as we’re calling it in true Scottish fashion, is going to be a very busy little course. It will help the community in huge ways. I think the children, the parents and the grandparents will come out here … for nine championship-quality par threes. For this community, that’s just great.”
