Arcadia Bluffs and Forest Dunes have battled for the status of Michigan's best public course for several years, so it should come as no surprise that construction of a second course will begin on Nov. 1 at Arcadia. And there's no better place to begin another round of our "offseason" travel-related golf reports.
Forest Dunes, in Roscommon, had a soft opening for its unique Tom Doak-designed reversible course - a layout that can be played both clockwise and counter clockwise - this season and it'll be in full swing in 2017 to provide an alternative to the respected Tom Weiskopf-designed main 18-holer.
Arcadia's second course will be on the unusual side as well. Called the South Course at Arcadia Bluffs, it'll be located about a mile from the present 18-holer and - unlike its companion layout - it won't be on the water.
Architect Dana Fry is planning an inland course that will be noted for its huge putting surfaces that will be either square or rectangular-shaped. Planned opening is in the summer of 2018.
