Conveniently located near both I-96 and US-127 within one mile of Michigan State University, College Fields Golf Club is one of the most recent golf courses built in Michigan and is already considered a premier public golf club.
Though it was just finished in 2006, College Fields was designed with the history of golf in mind. The course topography is gently rolling and while walking may be less common today, it is still something golfers have the opportunity to enjoy on the course.
College Fields opened 11 holes in the fall of 2005 with all 18 championship holes to follow in 2006. The course was fashioned from the golden age of golf course design by David Savic of Nicklaus Design. Characterized by large rolling greens, impact bunkers and fairway surrounds, these 18 holes are among the most challenging and beautiful you will ever take a swing at.
“College Fields is the best thing that I have ever been a part of and will probably ever be a part of,” Savic said. “The golf course was designed and built at a time in my life and career when my creativity was at a peak relative to my age, my family, and my experience in the golf course design field.”
When asked about the course, College Fields Head Golf Professional Chris Hallead said the layout is what most people would describe as an open links style on the front with northern, wooded golf on the back.
“Instead of heavy rough, most of our greens are protected by fairway surrounds, which offer golfers more options when they miss a green,” he said.
With four sets of tees ranging from 5036 to 6623 yards, College Fields offers a challenge to golfers of all skill levels.
Distances, ratings and slopes at College Fields are:
|
Tee |
Yardage |
Rating |
Slope |
|
Blue |
6,615 |
72.6 |
136 |
|
White |
6,131 |
69.9 |
130 |
|
Yellow |
5,336 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Red |
4,871 |
69.5 |
123 |
“We have several different holes that people will say are their favorites, but one that gets mentioned a lot is the ‘Barn Hole’,” Hallead said. “The long par three fifth hole is guarded by wetlands off the tee, bunkers by the green and a vintage barn behind the green. The barn frames the hole and also shows why so many players choose this hole to take their selfies.”
In addition to the course, golfers have the opportunity to sharpen their skills on the practice fields which include a driving range, short game area and putting green. Surrounded by scenic farmland and abundant wildlife, golfers sometimes have share the practice area with a wild turkey or even a prancing coyote.
College Fields has hosted several events for the USGA, The Golf Association of Michigan, The Greater Lansing Area Golf Association and the Michigan Women’s Golf Association. The course also has a junior program throughout the season that more information can be found at: www.collegefields.net/junior-golf.
The course also hosts a fundraiser for Ele’s Place called the Closest to the Heart Golf Outing. The outing is an 18-hole scramble with some added twists that are sure to please everyone. For more information on the outing, visit: www.collegefields.net/closesttotheheart.
After your round of golf, be sure to hang around the facility and experience one of the area’s best outdoor bars and the full-service pro shop. For those who loved their round so much that a move to Okemos is on your agenda, College Fields is surrounded by beautiful neighborhoods with home sites still available.
To book your next tee time at College Fields Golf Club, call the Pro Shop at 517-332-8100 or go online to https://www.collegefields.net/.
– Sal LaFata, Member Services Associate
