Eagle Eye GC - Bath, Michigan

Likely landing spots include water, a house,
or the marsh to the right.  Not the green.

After the trials and tribulations of Purgatory yesterday, we restocked our golf ball collection before turning our sights toward Michigan for our next round of golf.  Greeted by overcast skies that felt heavy with rain, we arrived at the Hawk Hollow clubhouse.  Don't worry, the sun came out before the turn.  Gearing up for our next 18, we warmed up at the driving range with raised tees.  While excited at the prospect of a new day of golf, Melanie was a little lethargic from the 100+ strokes she put forth yesterday.

Our first impression was green as far as the eye can see.  This course is immaculate.  Long-winding fairways and a great expanse of water extended from the mighty clubhouse.  We were paired with an older Canadian couple who were on their fifth round of golf for the week in the region.  Needless to say, we have a great deal to live up to.

We quickly each hole was vastly different from the rest and spread out.  We felt as if we were the only four out there playing.  Houses dotted the edges of some fairways, but we truly felt as though we were in a nature preserve away from it all for the majority of the 7323 yards.

The sea of sand on 12.

Some highlights were the 408 yard par 4 that looked as if it extended forever upon first sight.  A great wedge shot saved me on this hole, however we all favored the bank at the right--likely a result of the water to the left.  Darn water.  The tree-covered drive up to the twelfth tee had us pretty excited, but the sand monster to the left of the fairway quickly became a magnet to a couple of our group's shots.  Thirteen was truly a wow hole from its sheer size.  Water and a sand bar followed the edge of what was clearly a paradise for wild fowl.  Beautiful.  I could tell a story about every hole because they truly all are so unique, but I'll reserve my last comments for the the par 3 seventeenth hole.

13.  Gorgeous.

Pete Dye did an amazing job replicating his island green par 3 from the TPC Sawgrass 17th on this course.  We each took our turn holding our breath and taking a swing at what we hoped would be a shot on the green.  Somehow, I was the only one to land on the green.  Others may, or may not, have taken a second (or third) tee shot, but all eventually made it up to the green.  That's what drop zones are made for.

A view of 17's tee box from the island green. 

Shawn on the 17 green. 

Ultimately, this was a much tougher course than we ever anticipated.  The course proved to be as much of a mental challenge as it was physical.  Bring your camera to take in some of the beauty that surrounds you, even though my reflections back on my pictures leave me feeling as if the real deal was a little more impressive.

We both agree it was significantly more difficult than Purgatory, and one of the more difficult courses we've ever played.  It is easily the hardest course Melanie has ever played, but Shawn has a little more experience, considering he's played since he was seven.  It's number three on his list behind Double Eagle and Muirfield Village.  He hesitated to say Troon North was more challenging, but ultimately put Eagle Eye before Troon (got all that?).  This was a fantastic way to close out our holiday weekend, and we would love to come back, right after we've finished visiting all those other states!

Eagle Eye Website

Side note: For those interested, Michigan State is not far away.  We landed there after our round for our traditional post-game Starbucks.