Pilgrim’s Run Offers Peaceful Atmosphere and Challenging Greens
Just 30 miles north of Grand Rapids off US-131, Pilgrim’s Run offers a peaceful and serene golf experience for all levels of players.
Named as one of the Top 10 Hidden Gems in the United States by The Golf Channel in 2014, Pilgrim’s Run is challenging with its rolling terrain and undulating greens but also extremely playable from tee to green.
“We are built on 400 acres with no side-by-side holes and no real estate,” said PGA Professional Jeff O’Malley. “It is a great place for folks to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and play golf in a very relaxed environment. We really want people to enjoy the golf experience.”
Pilgrim’s Run features six sets of tees including two hybrid tees ensuring that golfers of all levels can go out and enjoy their round while feeling challenged at the same time. All 18 holes are named after chapters in Paul Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress: Deception; Wicket Gate; High Mountain; Giant Despair.
“I think part of our appeal is that each hole is very different from the next,” said O’Malley. “You are going to use a variety of clubs and there are a lot of tall pine trees and spacious areas between holes.”
The par-4 18th is the club’s “signature hole” and features water between tee and green and a fairway that jogs left, then dog legs to the right.
“It is a great risk-reward hole,” says O’Malley. “People play it all different ways. Some people like to cut off as much as they can trying to get to the green more quickly and some people will play it safe and hit to a landing spot.”
With its secluded location, it is not unusual for Pilgrim’s Run patrons to see various forms of wildlife on the golf course. Deer, turkey, porcupine, coyote and even black bear have been spotted on the fairways.
“People really like to come here for the deer,” says O’Malley. “They will come into the clubhouse and say they saw a 4-point buck or a baby doe on the course. We have couples twilight play seven days a week at 6 p.m. for people to come out and play nine holes with a cart and right there at twilight, the deer always come out.”
Pilgrim’s Run also offers stay and play packages – some that include fishing — in coordination with local hotels. The course offers specials for ladies and seniors on particular days and believes it offers a great golf experience at great value for a diverse group of golfers.
“There is no traffic, no housing, no out-of-bounds and we believe people get quality for their dollar,” said O’Malley.
Many golfers who play Pilgrim’s Run for the first time end up coming back year after year.
“We get quite a few people heading up north to resorts who stop here on the way up or on the way back down south,” said O’Malley. “We draw golfers from Chicago and Metro Detroit and I’ve even had people from Canada stop in. People always mention the course’s playability, serenity and friendly atmosphere.”
Visit http://www.pilgrimsrun.com/ for more information or to book a tee time.
