The Mines - Michigan

Situated a couple of miles to the west of downtown Grand Rapids, the Mines Golf Course is built on the site of an old gypsum mine, with architect Mike DeVries setting out the bluegrass fairways and bentgrass greens for public play in 2005.

Discussing reclaimed golf courses, Tim Gavrich, Managing Editor of the Golf Vacation Insider newsletter, said; “the course embraces this heritage not just with its name but with one of the best public-course logos we've seen. Furthermore, materials from the mining operation were incorporated in the design of the course. An example of the minimalist design philosophy of Mike DeVries, the course only has 31 bunkers – including half a dozen bunkerless holes – so its main defense is a set of fun but potentially fearsome greens. There are not too many courses by name designers whose green fees top out below $54, but The Mines is no ordinary course.”

“The Mines is a rollicking little track that has proven quite popular,” commented Tom Doak in The Confidential Guide to Golf Course, “though it is much more severe in spots than one would script for a public golf course. The very first hole swoops sharply downhill on the second shot to a difficult green, and within a couple of holes you realize that hole is the rule for the course, not an exception. It’s just unfortunate that it is too hilly for most people to walk.”