U of M Extends Anniversary Celebration Offer to Golfers

(Ann Arbor, MI) - Golf fans visiting Ann Arbor this summer or Wolverine football fans taking in games at the Big House this fall, can check off another achievement from their bucket list, thanks to an offer from the University of Michigan.

“The university is extending an invitation to unaffiliated guests to play golf on the school’s two premier courses, designed by legendary Hall of Fame architects, Dr. Alister MacKenzie and Pete Dye,” said Corbin Todd, director of University of Michigan golf courses.

“Players can choose either course or experience both as part of a special package set up for unaffiliated guests,” Todd said. “The package includes green fees, riding cart, welcome gift, and a concession stand voucher.”

The limited number of packages available each month offers a discount for playing both courses on back-to-back days.  

The special offer this season comes as the university celebrates the 50th anniversary the Radrick Farms Golf Course designed by Dye in collaboration with his wife, Alice.

The Blue course, designed by MacKenzie near the Big House stadium opened for play in 1931.

Radrick Farms was one of the first 18-hole courses Dye created in his long career, and the one that he credits for launching him to the status he enjoys today as the most influential golf architect of modern times. In the 50 years since Radrick Farms opened, Dye who is now an active 89 years old, designed some 150 courses in this country and 27 others around the globe.

The Blue course is one of less than 20 MacKenzie designs in this country. MacKenzie was an iconic British 19th century architect who abandoned a career as a surgeon to design golf courses. With the legendary Bobby Jones, MacKenzie designed and built Augusta National, the home of the Master’s tournament. He also created Crystal Downs Country Club on Lake Michigan in Frankfort, recognized among the top golf courses in America.

“Not only are we are celebrating our 50th anniversary of Radrick Farms we are also saluting the tremendous generosity of the Matthaei family and their legacy of stewardship and service,” Todd said. “We are celebrating the beautiful property and world-class architecture from Pete and Alice Dye that has provided many valuable experiences to our community over the past 50 years.”

Frederick C. Matthaei was a former regent at the university who donated the land and funds to build the Radrick Farms golf course. He died in 1973.

Dye, an Indiana native, said he was recruited by former U-M president, Dr. Harlan Hatcher to build the golf course. Hatcher played and was impressed by the first course Dye designed, a nine-hole layout, Eldorado, near Indianapolis.

Todd said a committee comprised of veteran members at Radrick Farms is planning a season-long celebration to fete the course’s 50th anniversary.

A fall weekend celebration with the Dyes around a football Saturday is also in the works.

Alice Dye said she and her husband are planning to attend that weekend fete. Radrick Farms and Ann Arbor has a special place in their lives, she said.

“It all started for us with Radrick Farms and we haven’t stopped since,” she said.