Forest Dunes
Forest Dunes is adding a twist to one of the premiere golf destinations in Northern Michigan, a new course designed by Gil Hanse that is a private membership club but offers limited access to resort guests.
When the new course – named SkyFall – makes its anticipated debut in 2027, its members will be paid out each year a portion of the revenue generated by limited public play that’s allowed. It’s a unique approach in the world of destination golf, and especially so in a state renowned for having the most public golf courses in the nation.
While maintaining the exclusivity of a private club, SkyFall will make a select number of tee times available on certain days and times to resort guests who stay on property and play its other courses (Forest Dunes, The Loop, and The Bootlegger). There are similarities to the limited access guests at Sand Valley in Wisconsin have at The Lido, although members there don’t get a piece of the revenue for “sharing” their course.
“We’ll allow as much publicly accessible play from the resort so as not to interfere with our members,” said Rich Mack, who is part of the ownership group that took control of Forest Dunes in 2021. “It’ll be non-peak times. It’ll be controlled; maybe 2 hours a day. After those two hours, the golf course is (for members only). We might allow 2 ½ hours on a Monday because of light play but this will feel and look like a private club.
“But there will be a special opportunity – and it might not be every day – where we allow 30 people to play it,” said Mack, who was the visionary behind the creation of the Streamsong Golf Resort in Florida.
It was at Streamsong where Mack first struck up a friendship with Hanse, who designed the Black Course at the central Florida destination. Now, for the first time in his career, Hanse has been hired by a course owner to build a second course at a different property. It’s another step in the transformation of Forest Dunes from a regional draw to an international destination; currently, about 65% of guests come from outside Michigan.
Forest Dunes
A growing collection of distinct golf experiences
Forest Dunes: The Original
Former British Open champion Tom Weiskopf’s design masterfully showcases two distinct personalities across its 18 holes. The front nine winds through the dense Huron National Forest, while the back nine embraces the natural sand dunes left behind by ancient glaciers. A unique 19th hole, featuring a bunker in the middle of the green, provides an exciting way to settle matches that remain tied after regulation play.
The Loop: A Reversible Marvel
Tom Doak’s innovative design stands as one of the only reversible golf courses in North America, utilizing the same 18 greens and fairways to create two distinct routings – the Black and Red courses – played on alternating days. The concept draws inspiration from Scotland’s earliest links courses. On months with 31 days, the resort hosts “The Dual,” a special 36-hole tournament where teams experience both Loop routings in a single day.
The Bootlegger: Short Course Character
This 10-hole, par-3 course, stretching 1,100 yards, was crafted by Keith Rhebb and Riley Johns, creators of the acclaimed Winter Park 9 course in Orlando. The Bootlegger name pays homage to the property’s colorful history – the South Branch Ranch was once run by the alcohol-smuggling Purple Gang, a Detroit-area mafia family, during the Prohibition era of the 1920s and ’30s. It’s conveniently located near the clubhouse between the property’s two existing 18-hole courses.
SkyFall: The New Private Experience
The forthcoming Hanse design will occupy 350 acres adjacent to the existing courses, featuring dramatic elevation changes up to 100 feet. The course promises to blend elements from several of Hanse’s acclaimed designs: the sandy, rustic expanses of Ohoopee Match Club (Ga.), the strategic elements of Castle Stuart (Scotland), and the historic charm of Boston Golf Club (Mass.) and Les Bordes (France). While maintaining a tree-lined look, SkyFall will alternate between woodlands and meadows, featuring unique elements like a punchbowl par-3 and a ninth hole inspired by Pine Valley’s famous second hole. And no, it’s not named after a James Bond movie, rather the brilliance of the sunrises and sunsets in the region.
Forest Dunes
Destination accommodations
As a dedicated golf getaway, Forest Dunes offers 147 beds across various lodging options. The Lake AuSable Lodge provides 11 standard rooms and two suites. Ten villas offer both two- and four-bedroom configurations, while ten cottages range from three to six bedrooms, with most accommodating eight guests. Additionally, six privately owned cottages are available in the rental pool, with the potential of more to come as additional lots are made available as part of the property’s secondary residential real estate push.
Elevated dining experiences
The culinary offerings at Forest Dunes have expanded significantly, particularly since Mack and fellow owner Tom Sunnarborg acquired the property. Options include:
- The Main Dining Room (elegant clubhouse dining)
- The newly themed Keeper’s Pub (Irish favorites including Guinness and cottage pie)
- Durant’s Room (private dining for meetings, small groups, and special events)
- The Chef’s Table (intimate dining with specialized menu and dedicated server)
- The Bootlegger Bar (casual and lively atmosphere for outdoor, post-round gatherings)
- The new Pavilion (Al fresco dining in the fresh northern Michigan air)
- The Clubhouse Patio (relaxing setting for cocktails and a cigar overlooking the Forest Dunes course)
- A pizza service adds variety for extended stays
Location and access
Nestled in the Huron National Forest, Forest Dunes is a secluded golf escape that ranks among the finest in a deep lineup of northern Michigan destination properties. While Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City (65 miles away) serves as the nearest major airport, private flights can access the closer Crawford County Air Terminal or Gaylord Regional Airport. The resort operates seasonally from May through October, providing an ideal summer and fall golf destination.
The property’s evolution into a national golf destination under Mack and Sunnarborg since 2021 has been remarkable. Their vision of creating a premier golf experience has been supported by continuous improvements, from enhanced practice facilities and music on the short course to expanded dining options and upgraded accommodations. With the addition of SkyFall, Forest Dunes will further cement its position as one of America’s must-visit golf destinations.
“There’s a lot of this going on in the country right now with the proliferation of golf courses,” said Mack. “It’s our job to replicate – not exactly what we did at Streamsong – but to provide an experience and environment in Northern Michigan that people say this is a really fun spot to be.”
Forest Dunes