BOYNE Golf Continues Donald Ross Memorial Transformation with New Wannamoisett, Royal Dornoch-Inspired Holes

Renovations to Holes 3 and 10 advance multi-year effort to create a more authentic Donald Ross experience at The Highlands

(HARBOR SPRINGS, Mich.) – BOYNE Golf continues its ambitious transformation of the Donald Ross Memorial at The Highlands with newly reimagined 3rd and 10th holes inspired by Ross’s celebrated design at Wannamoisett Country Club and his home course, Royal Dornoch.

Working with Michigan-based golf course architect and Donald Ross expert Ray Hearn and Great Lakes Construction, the latest renovations mark another significant step in BOYNE Golf’s multi-year effort to create more authentic renditions of the original Ross holes that inspired the course.

“These two holes add something very different to the Ross Memorial,” said Hearn. “Wannamoisett’s third is a wonderful example of how Ross could create strategy and interest in a very short par-3, while Royal Dornoch’s 14th reflects the natural movement, contours and character that influenced so much of his work. Bringing those qualities into the Ross Memorial gives the course more variety and makes the overall experience stronger.”

Inspired by the short, revered par-3 third hole at Wannamoisett Country Club in Rhode Island, the new 139-yard version of hole 3 at the Donald Ross Memorial replaces the previous Oakland Hills 17th and adds another layer of variety to the round. Its strategic character comes from a single greenside bunker and a fall-off along the right side of the putting surface. The new hole will be fully open for the 2027 golf season.

In addition, hole 10 underwent an equally dramatic transformation and reopened earlier this year. It was rebuilt to more closely reflect the famed 14th hole at Royal Dornoch in Scotland, where Ross served as the club’s professional and greenskeeper and developed many of his architectural ideas under the influence of Old Tom Morris. The transformation included reshaping the entire fairway, enlarging and reshaping mounding on both sides, and adding fescue to better capture the character and inspiration of a Scottish links-style hole. The green was more than tripled in size and lowered approximately 4.5 feet, significantly improving sightlines into the putting surface.

“It’s been really encouraging how golfers have responded to what we’re doing,” said Bernie Friedrich, Director of Golf Course Renovation & Development for Boyne Resorts. “The Ross Memorial gives you a chance to experience some of these great Donald Ross holes that most golfers may never get to play, and you can do it all in one round. Since we started this work, it’s continued to be one of our busiest courses, even when we’ve had individual holes under construction. I think that says a lot. People enjoy the course, they understand what we’re trying to do with it, and they want to come back and see what’s next.”

More than 35 years ago, BOYNE Golf founder Everett Kircher envisioned a unique golf course paying homage to Donald Ross and the Golden Age of golf course architecture. The concept was to recreate signature Ross holes from many of his most celebrated courses east of the Mississippi River.

Today, the Donald Ross Memorial features renditions of holes from historic venues including Seminole, Pinehurst No. 2, Oakland Hills, Oak Hill, Scioto, Detroit Golf Club, Aronimink, Wannamoisett, Plainfield and Inverness. Boyne Resorts President and CEO Stephen Kircher continues his father’s vision of creating a distinctive Donald Ross experience for resort guests.

“My father’s vision was simple. Give golfers the chance to experience some of Donald Ross’s greatest holes in one place, including many they might never otherwise have the opportunity to play,” said Kircher. “More than 30 years later, we have access to historical information and technology that simply wasn’t available when the course was built. That gives us the opportunity to go back and make these holes even more true to Ross’s original designs. We’re not changing the idea behind the Donald Ross Memorial. We’re building on it, making the experience more authentic, one hole at a time.”

When the BOYNE Golf team initially developed the course, they relied largely on site visits, photographs, and firsthand observations. Today’s process incorporates Ross’s original drawings, historical imagery, Google Earth, CAD drawings, photography, and LiDAR mapping, allowing BOYNE Golf to reproduce dimensions, contours, bunkering, and green complexes with considerably greater accuracy.

The transformation has already resulted in extensive renovations to Hole 2, modeled after No. 4 at Plainfield Country Club; Hole 13, based on No. 15 at Seminole Golf Club; Hole 15, recreating No. 11 at Aronimink Golf Club; and Hole 16, modeled after No. 10 at Pinehurst No. 2. Among the most dramatic improvements is the rebuilding of the green complexes. For example, on Hole 16, the putting surface was expanded from approximately 4,100 square feet to 8,300 square feet to more accurately reflect Ross’s original design, with additional runoff areas created around the green.

The Donald Ross Memorial is one of four 18-hole courses at The Highlands and part of BOYNE Golf’s collection of 11 courses across the award-winning northern Michigan resort destination.

For more information and to book your 2027 BOYNE Golf package and experience the latest version of the Donald Ross Memorial, visit www.BOYNEGolf.com.

5 Reasons Winter Is a Great Time to Play Caledonia and True Blue

(PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C.) — Winter doesn't have to mean putting the clubs away, especially along South Carolina's Hammock Coast, where a sub-tropical climate and two of America's best public courses are practically begging golfers to make a quick trip.

Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue Golf Club, a pair of Mike Strantz designs ranked among America’s Top 100 Resort Courses, make for a bucket list getaway, regardless of the season, but winter – to the surprise of some - brings its own advantages.

Winter Golf Without the Winter Weather

While golfers across much of the country are dealing with snow, frozen ground and months away from the game, the Myrtle Beach area is a year-round destination.

Sure, the occasional cold spell rolls through, but in Georgetown County the average daytime high in January – the area’s coldest month - is 59 degrees, a number most players are more than happy to tee it up in.  

Two Mike Strantz Masterpieces, Two Distinct Experiences

There is never a bad time to appreciate the architectural genius of Mike Strantz, and Caledonia and True Blue spotlight his creativity while providing completely different experiences.

Caledonia, Strantz's first solo design, is a Lowcountry masterpiece, weaving through centuries-old live oaks and the marshy waters of the Waccamaw Neck. Carved from just 120 acres, it features an intimate routing, strategic challenges and one of America’s most famed finishing holes.

True Blue, meanwhile, showcases Strantz's imagination on a grander scale. Expansive fairways, sprawling waste bunkers, and large greens create a layout that is both visually stunning and intimidating.

Great Golf, Winter Value 

Caledonia and True Blue have earned national acclaim, and playing premier courses during a shoulder season delivers even more value. Winter is traditionally a slower time of year along the Hammock Coast, providing even more incentive to book a weekend getaway. Throw in holiday weekends in January and February and a last-minute trip becomes even more enticing. 

The Perfect Setting for a Winter Escape

A trip to Caledonia and True Blue is about more than golf.

Located in Pawleys Island, just south of Myrtle Beach, the courses are surrounded by natural beauty and the laid-back charm that help define the area.

Winter visitors can enjoy a quieter side of the destination, with easy access to local restaurants, Brookgreen Gardens, the rich history of Hobcaw Barony, and an evening along Murrells Inlet’s always enjoyable Marshwalk. 

A Winter Golf Getaway Worth Planning

For golfers tired of watching the winter weather forecast and counting the days until spring, Caledonia and True Blue offer a welcome alternative. With generally mild temperatures, attractive seasonal rates and two of America's most celebrated public courses, a winter trip to Pawleys Island might be just what your golf game - and your spirits - need.

For more information, visit CaledoniaGolfandFishClub.com, TrueBlueGolf.com, or CaledoniaGolfVacations.com. 

Ian Poulter Is Leaving LIV Golf to Spend More Time With His Family. Wasn't That WHY HE JOINED?

Ian Poulter is leaving LIV Golf to spend more time with his family. Wait a minute ... wasn't that WHY HE JOINED? Yep! The Postman is changing routes, and the No Laying Up podcast absolutely roasted the irony. Back in 2022, LIV offered big money and a lighter schedule. Ian Poulter Is Leaving LIV Golf for Family. Wait, Wasn't That Why He Joined?

Ian Poulter has apparently discovered something remarkable about professional golf: You can spend more time with your family by leaving LIV Golf. Of course, that raises an obvious question. Wasn't that one of the reasons he joined in the first place?

The 50-year-old Englishman is walking away from LIV ahead of its next chapter, LIV 2.0, explaining that he wants to reduce international travel, support his sons' golf careers, compete in senior events and devote more time to his YouTube channel, The Postman.

All perfectly reasonable goals. There's just one small problem: Poulter previously used remarkably similar reasoning to explain why he joined the Saudi-backed circuit.

And golf analysts haven't missed the irony.

During a discussion about LIV's future on the No Laying Up podcast, host Chris Solomon pointed out the familiar excuse.

"Can we circle back to Poulter's thing about going to spend more time with the family as his reason for dropping out, which was also his reason for going there?" Solomon asked.

Co-host Todd Schuster's response was brief: "That's so sick."

Translation: You can't make this stuff up.

Family Time: The Golf World's Most Convenient Excuse?

When LIV Golf launched in 2022, it offered players enormous financial incentives, guaranteed contracts and a schedule that supporters argued would provide more flexibility than traditional professional golf.

Several players cited family time as one of the attractions.

Now, as LIV prepares for a new era, Poulter is using that same benefit to explain why he's leaving.

Apparently, the family-friendly schedule works both ways.

Join LIV, spend more time with your family. Leave LIV, spend more time with your family. At this rate, professional golf's next big innovation might be discovering that spending time at home requires actually staying home.

To be fair, people's priorities change. Poulter is 50, his career is entering a different phase, and helping his sons pursue golf makes perfect sense. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be around for your kids.

But the timing makes the explanation particularly ripe for ridicule.

Poulter was one of LIV's most recognizable recruits when he joined in June 2022. He embraced the league's vision of challenging the established golf establishment and benefited from the financial opportunities it offered.

As recently as January 2026, he was defending LIV's progress in a conversation with Eddie Hearn, arguing that the league was still delivering on its original promise.

Now he's heading for the exit.

The obvious question isn't whether Poulter should be allowed to change his mind. Of course he should. It's whether the explanations players offer for their career moves tell the whole story.

The Postman Has a New Route

In his departure statement, Poulter said he had spent considerable time discussing the decision with his family and team.

"Ultimately, the opportunity to spend more time at home with my family, reduce international travel, focus on senior golf and have the opportunity to pursue other interests was something that I felt was right for me at this stage of my life and career," he explained.

His next chapter sounds busy enough.

Poulter wants to grow The Postman, his YouTube channel, while competing in senior golf events and helping his sons, Luke and Joshua, develop their own games.

Luke, a senior at the University of Florida, is pursuing his golfing ambitions, while younger son Joshua is still developing as a teenager.

Poulter says he is excited about shifting from chasing his own golfing dreams to helping his boys chase theirs.

That's an admirable goal. But it also invites another question: If family time was such a major selling point when LIV launched, why does it suddenly sound like a reason to leave?

Perhaps the schedule isn't quite what it was supposed to be. Perhaps Poulter's priorities have genuinely changed. Perhaps the uncertainty surrounding LIV's future has made other options more attractive.

Or perhaps professional golfers, like athletes in every sport, sometimes package complicated career decisions into simple, marketable explanations.

We may never know the full story.

LIV Has Bigger Problems Than One Postman

Poulter's exit comes at a difficult time for LIV Golf.

The league has faced serious financial uncertainty, including the reported withdrawal of support from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, according to the circumstances described in recent reports. A proposed new investment structure involving BC Partners Credit has been discussed as part of plans for a 2027 relaunch.

That leaves plenty of questions about LIV's financial future, its competitive structure and its ability to retain players.

Poulter's departure doesn't single-handedly determine the league's future. But losing a prominent original recruit certainly doesn't help the optics of a tour trying to convince everyone that its next chapter will be stronger than its last.

And when a player who once championed LIV walks away using the same talking point he used to join, it gives critics an easy punchline.

Family first? Absolutely.

But if family was the selling point in 2022 and the exit strategy in 2026, fans are entitled to raise an eyebrow.

Poulter can pursue whatever path he wants. He has earned that freedom after decades in professional golf.

Just don't be surprised when people remember what he said the first time around.

The Postman is changing routes. And golf fans are checking the return address.

What Are the Worst Golf Courses in Each State (Pennsylvania)?

Mainland Golf Course

Pennsylvania has some outstanding golf courses. But not every round is a memorable one for the right reasons.

From complaints about course conditions to criticism of the overall playing experience, some public golf facilities have attracted plenty of unhappy golfers. We looked at available Google ratings and online reviews to identify three Pennsylvania courses that deserve a closer look.

This isn't an official ranking of every golf course in the state. Review scores change, and ratings from Google, GolfPass and Tripadvisor don't always line up. But these three facilities have received low ratings in the available Google review data.

1. Mainland Golf Course — Harleysville

Mainland Golf Course is an 18-hole public facility in Montgomery County. The course is listed at approximately 2.2 out of 5 in the Google review data we found, based on 24 reviews.

Recent golfer feedback on golf-review sites includes criticism of the course's condition and layout. Some players have questioned the value of the experience, while others have found things to enjoy about the design.

The takeaway? Golfers considering a round at Mainland may want to check recent conditions and current green fees before booking.

2. Neshaminy Valley Golf Club — Jamison

Neshaminy Valley Golf Club

Neshaminy Valley Golf Club is a public, daily-fee course in Bucks County. Its available Google rating was approximately 2.3 out of 5, based on 18 reviews.

The course has drawn negative comments about the overall playing experience, although affordability is a consideration for golfers looking for a less expensive round.

As with any public course, expectations matter. Golfers looking for a budget-friendly day on the links may have different priorities than those expecting championship-level conditioning.

3. Grandview Golf Course — York

Grandview Golf Course

Grandview Golf Course rounds out the list with an available Google rating of approximately 2.8 out of 5, based on 436 reviews.

That larger sample makes Grandview particularly interesting. Online complaints include criticism of the greens, fairways and tee boxes. Those are important parts of the experience, regardless of whether you're a weekend golfer or a single-digit handicapper.

Grandview remains listed as a public golf facility, but golfers should check current conditions and tee-time availability before making the trip.

The Bottom Line

Mainland, Neshaminy Valley and Grandview are three Pennsylvania public golf courses with low ratings in the review data we found.

But there's an important distinction between a course with a low score from a small number of reviewers and one with a similarly disappointing rating across hundreds of reviews.

These ratings are snapshots, not permanent verdicts. Course conditions can improve, management can make changes, and a golfer's experience can vary significantly from one day to the next.

Have you played any of these courses? Do you agree with the criticism, or did you have a better experience? Let us know in the comments.

Research note: Ratings are approximate figures from available Google review data surfaced during research. They are not a verified, cross-platform average of Google, GolfPass and Tripadvisor ratings. Public access and seasonal tee-time availability should be confirmed with each course before visiting.

Alabama’s $100 Million Golf Vision: New Public Golf Destination Planned for Irondale

A proposed golf and recreation development in Irondale, Ala., could bring more than $100 million in investment, combining a public driving range, a lighted par-3 course, a golf hall of fame and a potential major renovation of a neighboring private country club.

Golf in Alabama could be getting a major new destination.

Plans outlined before the Irondale City Council call for a public golf and recreation complex designed to attract golfers, families, students and visitors while creating new educational and career opportunities in the golf industry.

The centerpiece is Golf House Alabama, a proposed $40 million public development near Interstate 459. Alongside it, Whispering Pines Country Club is considering a separate $30 million to $40 million redevelopment.

Longer-term expansion plans could push the combined investment beyond $100 million, although several elements remain subject to funding, approvals and additional planning.

Jim Gorrie, a director of the Alabama Golf Foundation and executive chairman of Birmingham-based Brasfield & Gorrie, presented the vision to city officials.

“We want people to be out there enjoying this,” Gorrie told council members.

Golf House Alabama would anchor the development

The Alabama Golf Foundation hopes to break ground on the public driving range as early as November 2026, with a target opening in spring 2028.

The planned Golf House Alabama facility, near Whispering Pines Drive and I-459, would serve as headquarters for approximately 15 golf organizations. Plans also call for a dedicated Alabama golf hall of fame.

The surrounding public golf complex would include approximately 30 driving range stations, covered hitting bays, a lighted par-3 course and a short-game practice area.

An event lawn and food and beverage facilities would provide additional reasons for visitors to spend time at the property beyond hitting golf balls.

The driving range and par-3 course could operate into the late evening, potentially until 10:30 or 11 p.m., depending on city requirements.

Gorrie said the public development represents approximately $40 million in planned investment, with the foundation having already raised more than $20 million.

Revenue generated by the golf facilities is intended to help cover operating costs, allowing donations to support additional programs.

The goal is to create a facility that serves experienced golfers while also making the game more accessible to beginners and families.

Whispering Pines Country Club considers a major renovation

The public project would be located next to Whispering Pines Country Club, the former Pine Tree Country Club.

Gorrie, who acquired the neighboring property through Pine Whispers LLC, outlined a separate potential redevelopment estimated at $30 million to $40 million.

The proposal could replace aging facilities and substantially update the private club.

According to Gorrie, a member survey found that approximately 80% supported the proposed improvements. Club members are expected to vote on the plan in the coming months.

The distinction is important: Golf House Alabama is the Alabama Golf Foundation's public development, while the Whispering Pines project is a separate private-club investment.

If both move forward, the developments could create a destination that combines public golf, private-club amenities and other recreational attractions.

College golf and career training are part of the vision

The proposed development is also intended to support the next generation of golfers and golf-industry professionals.

Gorrie described plans to provide practice facilities for golf programs at UAB, Samford University and Miles College.

The foundation is also exploring a one-year certificate program focused on golf course maintenance and groundskeeping, with Auburn University working with the foundation on the proposed initiative.

The program would aim to prepare students for careers maintaining golf courses and related facilities, addressing an important operational need across the golf industry.

These educational initiatives remain proposals, and the details of any partnerships and programs have yet to be finalized.

Could the project include a junior golf course and STEM center?

The vision extends beyond the initial public golf complex and the neighboring country club.

Gorrie discussed the possibility of expanding onto approximately 80 additional acres near the Irondale Civic Center. A potential public road connecting the development and Civic Center to Grants Mill Road could improve access to the area.

Other ideas include a public junior golf course and a STEM-focused learning center inspired by programs associated with Tiger Woods.

Such additions could broaden the development's appeal to children, families and schools, bringing education and youth golf into the mix.

However, these concepts are in the preliminary stages and would require additional planning, funding and cooperation with the city.

Gorrie said the larger vision would need to be developed in phases.

What does the $100 million figure mean?

Irondale officials have described the combined golf developments as representing more than $100 million in projected investment.

That figure includes the approximately $40 million public Golf House Alabama project, the potential $30 million to $40 million private-club redevelopment and possible future expansion.

It is not a guarantee that every component will be built or that the entire investment has been secured.

The Alabama Golf Foundation has reported raising more than $20 million toward the initial public project. The private club's redevelopment remains subject to a membership vote, while the additional acreage, road connection and proposed educational attractions require further work.

The City Council did approve a request to vacate approximately 0.554 acres of public right-of-way along Pine Whispers Drive. Gorrie also expressed interest in working with the city on future property and infrastructure plans.

No agreement for the additional acreage or a new public road was announced at the meeting.

Irondale Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. has identified ecotourism and recreation as priorities in the city's economic development strategy. City officials have connected the golf vision to a broader goal of generating $1 billion in economic growth by 2033.

What's next for Irondale's golf development?

The immediate milestone is the planned public driving range, with groundbreaking targeted for November 2026 and an anticipated opening in spring 2028.

Whispering Pines Country Club members are expected to consider the private redevelopment proposal in the coming months.

Beyond those initial projects, the proposed junior golf course, STEM center and additional land development will depend on future decisions and available funding.

If the plans come together, Irondale could become home to a significant golf destination that combines public recreation, private-club investment, youth development and workforce training.

For now, the $100 million-plus figure represents a long-term vision rather than a fully approved and funded construction plan. The next few months should offer a clearer picture of how much of that vision will move forward.

PXG Unveils the Next Evolution of Its Secret Weapon Mini Driver

A thinner face and optimized weighting advance speed, forgiveness, and control off the tee or turf

(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) – PXG® introduced the next evolution of its Secret Weapon® Mini Driver, designed to deliver driver distance with fairway wood control. Drawing on technologies also featured in PXG’s celebrated Lightning® lineup, the new model combines a thinner face, refined internal sole structure, and optimized weighting in a compact, 300cc clubhead to generate faster ball speeds and tighter dispersion.

“The original Secret Weapon was my favorite club in the bag, so I had high expectations for this one,” said PGA TOUR professional Jake Knapp. “I absolutely love it. It has everything I liked about the original, with more speed and forgiveness. Putting it in the bag was an easy decision.”

The new Secret Weapon’s face is more than 4-percent thinner than the previous generation. This allows greater deflection at impact for more efficient energy transfer and faster ball speeds across a larger portion of the face.

Using advanced finite element analysis, PXG engineers refined the internal sole structure to support the thinner face while distributing impact stress throughout the clubhead. Mass saved from the thinner face was repositioned around the perimeter to increase moment of inertia, helping the clubhead resist twisting and preserve distance and directional control on off-center strikes. A lightweight carbon fiber crown further allows additional mass to sit lower and deeper in the clubhead.

“The thinner face and refined sole structure work together,” said Caleb Kroloff, PXG Director of Woods Research & Development. “We reinforced the areas that needed support and moved saved weight to the perimeter. That helps us deliver more speed with more consistent performance when golfers miss the center of the face.”

PXG’s Precision Weighting Technology features four adjustable weight locations in the sole at the heel, toe, front, and back. Initially equipped with two 7.5-gram weights and two 2.5-gram weights, the technology enables golfers to fine-tune shot shape, spin, and swing weight. An adjustable hosel provides additional control over launch and trajectory.

The PXG Secret Weapon Mini Driver is offered in right- and left-handed configurations with 13 degrees of loft and a standard length of 43.25 inches.

To learn more, purchase online, or book a fitting, visit www.PXG.com.

Toptracer Unveils First Indoor Range at Golf Galaxy in San Antonio, Built in Partnership with Cover the Tees

(Dallas, Texas) — Toptracer, the world’s leading range technology, has announced the installation of its first indoor range experience at Golf Galaxy in San Antonio, built in partnership with Cover the Tees, the leading design and construction firm specializing in next generation driving range solutions.

The new, four-bay indoor range is powered by Toptracer technology, giving golfers another way to practice, play and experience their game through virtual courses, interactive training modes and fun competition for the whole family.

At a three-day grand opening event in San Antonio, local golfers experienced the new installation and participated in classic Toptracer games such as Long Drive, Closest to the Pin and more. In total, attendees hit over 4,200 balls over the course of the weekend across a variety of game modes. Attendees also had access to a Callaway Ball Fitting tool to help find the ball that’s optimized for their game.

With the new indoor range, San Antonio golfers will be able to reserve the bays by the hour for everything from individual practice to group outings. In addition, the indoor range allows customers to easily try out equipment, apparel and anything else they are interested in purchasing.

Peter Barry, Vice President of Global Sales at Toptracer, said: “We’ve seen firsthand how Toptracer transforms traditional driving ranges into dynamic social hubs, and taking that experience indoors was the natural next step. The enthusiasm in San Antonio during opening weekend proved that players want instant feedback and engaging game modes year-round, regardless of the weather.."

Matt Towell, Owner of Cover the Tees, said: “Collaborating with Toptracer inspired us to push the limits of how we design range concepts. Although our structures are typically built for municipal courses, private clubs, or golf resorts, this indoor version was the perfect vehicle to give customers a one-of-a-kind golf retail experience fusing technology and hospitality. The welcoming atmosphere of these non-traditional ranges provides more access to the game that helps grow the entire sport – that’s our ultimate goal.”

Ryan Bogosta, Vice President & GM at Golf Galaxy said: “Golfers today are craving immersive ways to experience the game and have fun practicing.  Installing Toptracer into our San Antonio location is an exciting way to serve that golfer. The experience bridges the gap between high-level club fitting, serious practice and casual fun, giving golfers in our community entirely new reasons to visit.”

Toptracer is poised to expand its indoor range footprint in the coming months. To learn more, visit Toptracer.com or golfgalaxy.com.