GOLF
1943
Ryder Cup
1947
PGA Championship
1957
Western Open
2023
US Open Qualifier
If you agree with that standard of greatness, then Plum Hollow is a must.
Garnering national recognition as one of Golf Digest’s Top 100, and host to numerous national tournaments (1943 Ryder Cup, 1947 PGA Championship, 1957 Western Open, 2015 Michigan Amateur, 2022 GAM Championship, 2023 US Open Qualifier), Plum Hollow’s championship course seamlessly fuses the game to its surroundings with sweeping elevations and one of the best routings in the United States. An 18-hole course with a storied past, world-renowned architects Harry Colt and Charles Hugh Alison designed the course during the city’s peak, when golf was becoming the game of America’s leading industrialists and those who wanted to be like them. What they built was special. Famous for the masterpieces of Muirfield, Royal Portrush, Sunningdale, Milwaukee Country Club and others, Colt and Alison are regarded by golf aficionados across America as giants in the industry.
The Rouge River watershed lies at the heart of the design, running through the property and bisecting every hole except for #3 and #4. Each of the remaining holes has 5’ to 50’ of elevation to navigate around, over, or in-between. It is this ingenious use of the land, coupled with the best set of par 3’s in the state that allow the course to challenge the best, while being beautiful and fair for all. In addition to the five par 3’s, there are five par 5’s that allow for many birdie opportunities, as well as many disasters. Signature holes 5, 12 and 18 are unforgettable to anyone who has ever played them.
After opening in 1921 the club quickly became a destination for lovers of the game in search of a singular experience. Over the years we’ve played host to many national events. The 1947 PGA Championship was held at Plum Hollow with Australian Jim Ferrier prevailing over Chick Harbert 2 & 1 in the 36-hole final. The field featured luminaries of the game including Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, Bobby Locke, and former Plum Hollow Head Golf Professional and World Golf Hall of Fame Member Jimmy Demaret. The professional tour returned to Plum Hollow 10 years later with the playing of the 1957 Western Open. Doug Ford was the champion but only after surviving a 4-man playoff. In addition to these legends, the club has also hosted numerous Men’s and Women’s USGA Qualifiers as well as the 2015 Michigan State Amateur. Another notable fun fact: Sam Snead took the only competitive 10 of his career on #4 to lose the ’57 Western Open by one shot.
Drew Rogers Golf Course Improvement Program
Game Improvement and Instruction
Course Overview
Hole No. 1
Yardage: 472
Par: 5
Summary: Plum Hollow’s opener is what many would consider aptly as “comfortable handshake” – a rather short par-5 by modern standards, but also a firm test given the presence of the deep ravine crossing the hole at its midpoint.
Hole No. 2
Yardage: 173
Par: 3
Summary: The first of Plum Hollow’s quintet of par-3’s makes great use of the terrain and the site’s landforms. The hole also has a great green site, situated across the deep draw and on a raised plateau.
Hole No. 3
Yardage: 426
Par: 4
Summary: This par-4 gives you the green light to tee it up and let it fly. Watch out for the left-side fairway bunker. With a large green complex, you’ll be smiling!
Hole No. 4
Yardage: 464
Par: 4
Summary: A strong par-4 at Plum Hollow, the 4th is also one of the narrowest and situated along 9-Mile Road on its right boundary. It’s the start of a challenging 3-hole grind.
Hole No. 5
Yardage: 193
Par: 3
Summary: The second par-3 at Plum Hollow – and it is a brute! The tees are situated on a steep hillside with a forced carry over a ravine with a floodplain and creek running through it.
Hole No. 6
Yardage: 595
Par: 5
Summary: The second of the par-5’s at Plum Hollow is also the longest – nearly 600 yards from the back tee!
Hole No. 7
Yardage: 318
Par: 4
Summary: Great strategic par-4! It is the sort of short, risk-reward hole that can be played multiple ways.
Hole No. 8
Yardage: 505
Par: 4
Summary: In contrast to the 6th, the par-5 8th is barely over 500 yards and the sort of hole that most players feel inclined to attack.
Hole No. 9
Yardage: 202
Par: 3
Summary: Another strong par-3 that finishes off the front nine with greenside bunkering that is bolder and deep.
Hole No. 10
Yardage: 441
Par: 4
Summary: The longest par-four on the back nine and second longest four-par on the course, the 10th has its main tees set tightly against the clubhouse, playing over a deep valley to a straight fairway.
Hole No. 11
Yardage: 339
Par: 4
Summary: The hole is a mid-short par-four… a drive and pitch, as they were normally referred to in the old days. This hole has perhaps the most dramatic natural feature on the course – the steep drop along the right side.
Hole No. 12
Yardage: 236
Par: 3
Summary: Plum Hollow’s longest par-three is one possessing great beauty as well. Tees are positioned on a high plateau with long views over the nearby floodplain and stream and on to the well-scaled green complex, benched into the opposing slope in the distance.
Hole No. 13
Yardage: 378
Par: 4
Summary: You have options on this par-4. Tee it up and choose what side of the creek you want to land on. After that, with your approach shot, you’ll want to watch out for the monster greenside bunker that can swallow you up.
Hole No. 14
Yardage: 173
Par: 3
Summary: While the par-three 12th has all the muscles, the 14th has all the charm. Around the green, you’ll find a front bunker on the left and a back bunker that will hopefully save you if you go long.
Hole No. 15
Yardage: 431
Par: 4
Summary: This par-4 has a tee box representing one of the best views on the golf course. As you attack the green, watch out for the front left bunker!
Hole No. 16
Yardage: 489
Par: 5
Summary: An opportunistic par-5. New tees that are pushed well back can have the shorter hitters play the hole as such. For the longer hitters, it’s your chance to hit the green in two!
Hole No. 17
Yardage: 599
Par: 5
Summary: There’s really no debating the 17th as a beautiful par-five. On your approach, watch out for the bold, greenside bunker that fits into the slope fronting the left half of the green.
Hole No. 18
Yardage: 459
Par: 4
Summary: One of the best finishing holes in SE Michigan, this par 4 is framed by 2 beautiful Oak trees. As you land on the green, watch your speed!
Course Overview
1
HOLE NO. 1
Yardage: 472
Par: 5
Summary: Plum Hollow’s opener is what many would consider aptly as “comfortable handshake” – a rather short par-5 by modern standards, but also a firm test given the presence of the deep ravine crossing the hole at its midpoint.
2
HOLE NO. 2
Yardage: 173
Par: 3
Summary: The first of Plum Hollow’s quintet of par-3’s makes great use of the terrain and the site’s landforms. The hole also has a great green site, situated across the deep draw and on a raised plateau.
3
HOLE NO. 3
Yardage: 426
Par: 4
Summary: This par-4 gives you the green light to tee it up and let it fly. Watch out for the left-side fairway bunker. With a large green complex, you’ll be smiling!
4
HOLE NO. 4
Yardage: 464
Par: 4
Summary: A strong par-4 at Plum Hollow, the 4th is also one of the narrowest and situated along 9-Mile Road on its right boundary. It’s the start of a challenging 3-hole grind.
5
HOLE NO. 5
Yardage: 193
Par: 3
Summary: The second par-3 at Plum Hollow – and it is a brute! The tees are situated on a steep hillside with a forced carry over a ravine with a floodplain and creek running through it.
6
HOLE NO. 6
Yardage: 595
Par: 5
Summary: The second of the par-5’s at Plum Hollow is also the longest – nearly 600 yards from the back tee!
7
HOLE NO. 7
Yardage: 318
Par: 4
Summary: Great strategic par-4! It is the sort of short, risk-reward hole that can be played multiple ways.
8
HOLE NO. 8
Yardage: 505
Par: 4
Summary: In contrast to the 6th, the par-5 8th is barely over 500 yards and the sort of hole that most players feel inclined to attack.
9
HOLE NO. 9
Yardage: 202
Par: 3
Summary: Another strong par-3 that finishes off the front nine with greenside bunkering that is bolder and deep.
10
HOLE NO. 10
Yardage: 441
Par: 4
Summary: The longest par-four on the back nine and second longest four-par on the course, the 10th has its main tees set tightly against the clubhouse, playing over a deep valley to a straight fairway.
11
HOLE NO. 11
Yardage: 339
Par: 4
Summary: The hole is a mid-short par-four… a drive and pitch, as they were normally referred to in the old days. This hole has perhaps the most dramatic natural feature on the course – the steep drop along the right side.
12
HOLE NO. 12
Yardage: 236
Par: 3
Summary: Plum Hollow’s longest par-three is one possessing great beauty as well. Tees are positioned on a high plateau with long views over the nearby floodplain and stream and on to the well-scaled green complex, benched into the opposing slope in the distance.
13
HOLE NO. 13
Yardage: 378
Par: 4
Summary: You have options on this par-4. Tee it up and choose what side of the creek you want to land on. After that, with your approach shot, you’ll want to watch out for the monster greenside bunker that can swallow you up.
14
HOLE NO. 14
Yardage: 173
Par: 3
Summary: While the par-three 12th has all the muscles, the 14th has all the charm. Around the green, you’ll find a front bunker on the left and a back bunker that will hopefully save you if you go long.
15
HOLE NO. 15
Yardage: 431
Par: 4
Summary: This par-4 has a tee box representing one of the best views on the golf course. As you attack the green, watch out for the front left bunker!
16
HOLE NO. 16
Yardage: 489
Par: 5
Summary: An opportunistic par-5. New tees that are pushed well back can have the shorter hitters play the hole as such. For the longer hitters, it’s your chance to hit the green in two!
17
HOLE NO. 17
Yardage: 599
Par: 5
Summary: There’s really no debating the 17th as a beautiful par-five. On your approach, watch out for the bold, greenside bunker that fits into the slope fronting the left half of the green.
18
HOLE NO. 18
Yardage: 459
Par: 4
Summary: One of the best finishing holes in SE Michigan, this par 4 is framed by 2 beautiful Oak trees. As you land on the green, watch your speed!