Old Channel Trail is a 27-hole public golf course on the Lake Michigan shore. Nestled in Montague, the course is just six miles west of US-31, a 30-minute drive north of Muskegon and an hour west of Grand Rapids.
Featuring three unique nine-hole courses designed by three different architects, Old Channel Trail has something for every golfer, and has had golfers playing on its greens since the first nine opened in 1927.
The Woods, which is Old Channel Trail’s oldest course, was designed by Robert Bruce Harris. It is an original links style course that is strategically dotted with Scottish bunkers and 70-year-old maple trees.
The second oldest course on the grounds is The Meadow, which came along in 1966 and was designed by Bruce Matthews. It features typical long fairways and everlasting rolling greens.
The final course in Old Channel Trail’s trio of nines is The Valley designed by Jerry Matthews in 1996. The course wanders back and forth across a beautiful ravine and through stately pine trees.
The three courses overlook the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan.
Old Channel Trail provides golfers of all skill levels a great and challenging day of golf. The course features four sets of tees. Distances, ratings and slopes at Old Channel Trail are:
Tee |
Woods Course |
Meadow Course |
Valley Course |
Black |
3,222 yds |
3,332 yds |
3,383 yds |
Blue |
3,076 yds |
3,145 yds |
3,058 yds |
White |
2,963 yds |
2,950 yds |
2,785 yds |
Red |
2,574 yds |
2,430 yds |
2,430 yds |
Slope and Rating |
Meadow |
Valley |
Woods |
Black |
35.9/127 |
36.1/129 |
35.4/130 |
Blue |
34.9/119 |
35.1/126 |
34.8/128 |
White (men) |
34.0/109 |
34.2/115 |
34.0/121 |
White (women) |
36.6/125 |
36.9/132 |
36.9/130 |
Red |
33.7/112 |
34.1/109 |
34.7/118 |
The courses at Old Channel Trail are maintained in excellent condition, and the staff takes pride in being one of the nicest courses in the area, along with one of the most historical courses.
The practice facilities at Old Channel Trail provide the perfect setting to help you hone your game before or after your round, or as you learn the game. The course has a driving range, three practice holes, practice bunker, chipping area and two putting greens. The chipping area is available for you to work on those important shot savers and the putting green allows you to practice every type of putt you’ll encounter. The practice bunker will help you with those tough sand shots. The three-hole practice course gives you the opportunity to practice shot selection in a course setting.
Old Channel Trail offers seasonal memberships for individuals, couples, seniors and juniors. A membership gives you virtually unlimited play while limiting the amount you pay. All memberships include unlimited greens fees, eligibility for member events and leagues, unlimited play on the practice holes, and three events for members.
If you are looking to improve your game, Old Channel Trail offers golf lessons at both the beginner and advanced levels with PGA Professional Jim Kueny.
Old Channel Trail is one of the best public courses in the area in terms of design, conditioning, service and overall facilities. To find out more about the course or to book your next tee time, visit http://golfoct.com/ or call the Pro Shop at 231-894-5076.
-Sal LaFata, Member Services Associate