Pinecroft GC - Benzonia, Michigan
Architect - Lee Stone/Jim Cole - 1991
Yardage/Rating - 6,447 - 70.9/124
Greens Fees - $39-$59\
A former fruit and Christmas tree farm is the site of one of Northern Michigan’s more surprising loops
Pinecroft, and its sister course Champion Hills, have been fairly high up on my list of must-play courses in Northern Michigan for a few years now. My father-in-law lives in nearby Traverse City and has been playing both since they opened in the 1990’s. He and I played a round in early August and I can see now why he has been such a big fan for 30 years. In the late 80s and early 90s the family owned Christmas Tree farm that was previously on the property began to be less than profitable. Thats when Lee Stone and Jim Cole decided to repurpose the hilly sand-based land into a 18-hole championship golf course with spectacular views of nearby Crystal Lake. Located just outside of Beulah, the drive in winds its way through flat farm land and rolling homesteads up a hill to the property. The clubhouse sits perched at the highest point of the property and has some sweeping views of Crystal Lake and a large percentage of the holes on the course.
Views from the deck of the modest clubhouse show the dramatic elevation changes with Crystal Lake in the distance
Pinecroft instantly presents the severe slopes that you will encounter thoughtout the round on the first tee. The first teebox has an extremely pronouced vertigo-inducing fairway that tilts hard from right to left. The hole the switches back uphill and to the right. Even seemingly well hit shots can filter down to the left leaving a tricky shot that never truely feels even. This offkilter feeling is reproduced over and over again on the property. Owing to the very similar land, Pinecroft has definite poor-man shades of nearby Kingsley Club and (from what I’ve seen, and dreamed of, Crystal Downs.) This provides some quality golf and unique holes.
The front nine meanders through the hills of the southwest side of the property. Much of it is heavily tree-lined and puts a massive premium on teeshot accuracy. The blind lay up on the par-5 3rd hole and the awkward site-line on the short drivable par-4 5th mean that course knowledge is cruicial for scoring well. There are gettable holes if you know where you can miss and which of the thousands of pines in the distance you should be starting your drives toward, otherwise there are plenty of high scores to be found. Both par 3s on the front are gorgeous and are the highlights for me on the front. The 2nd is a long significantly downhill hole that is wideopen, forgiving and will usually play shorter with the elevation, much like #11 at Bahle Farms. The 7th is beautiful mid-iron par-3 that is framed beautifully by short bunkers, a hill behind, and tall trees that don’t make it feel too tight. Personally, the 7th would make it on to my list of favorite par 3s in the state.
The 7th is a simple par 3 with perfectly placed bunkering and a Mutumbo-esqu false front that rejects shorter shots violently back off the green
The back takes you over to the northeast side of the property that continues the theme of elevation change and accurate shots. The 15th hole was the highlight for me on the back. If you dropped the short par-4 onto the back nine at Forest Dunes you wouldnt think twice about it belonging there. With a cleavaged waste bunker the hole forces a decision about whether or not to stay safe and straight, or bite some distance off to a very tiny window on the right for a better angle and a short wedge in. The green has a ton of character especially for one of the flattest holes on the property. It would be a ton of fun in a scramble. Overall, the back seems a little less impressive than the front, but there are spots where is shines like the stretch of 12-14 that features a drivable par-4, a egoboosting elevated tee box, and a treacherous long par 3.
The entire experience of Pinecroft was fantastic, from the friendly staff to the pure up-north family feel. Next up is it’s much heatherier linkish sister-course Champion Hill about a mile down the road. If you are in the Crystal Lake area and looking for a cheap excellent round, check out Pinecroft. Just make sure you bring your own drinks as they dont sell them in the clubhouse.
Birdhouses are used as 150y markers on each hole. Despite some of the greens appearing rather benign, most have teeth with unseen slopes and nasty undulations
Birdies: The views, the hills, the cost. Great greens throughout. Par 3’s are standouts.
Bogies: Treelined almost to a fault in spots. Sometimes feeling claustrophobic if you dont have a solid driver in the bag that day. No alcohol sales, espeically up north, always feels wrong.
Similar Courses: Devil’s Ridge - Oxford, Mi ; Belvedere Club - Charlevoix, Mi; Cherry Creek GC - Shelby Township, Mi
Favorite Hole: #15 - Par 4 - 394y; A relatively flat risk reward sandy hole with a bifurcated fairway that forces you into a decision off the tee. I’m a sucker for waste areas and this hole owns it.
Verdict: Northern Michigan is filled to the brim with quality golf and Pinecroft fits right in, especially for the price. Pair with with Champion Hill or Crystal Mountain golf resort and it would be a solid venue for an outing or buddies trip.
Vhelm ranking: US - #77/Overall - #67
A look back past the 5th green to the 6th fairway and 8th green, the most open area of the property.
The 10th green is protected by water up the left with another sloped fairway that forces a precise tee shot
The first green - The greens at Pinecroft don’t seem overly difficult under your putt is away and not heading in the direction you read