The aura of quality begins with the spacious and gorgeous clubhouse. A couple of the greens were showing the signs of damage from the past winter, but as that was a once-in-a-century spell, I think that likely the exception. I saw no notices to that effect when I visited, but it has been noted in further reading that I’ve done on Pilgrim’s Run.Ĭonditions on the day I played Pilgrim’s Run were excellent. You can read more about Van Kampen in his New York Times obituary.Īlso interesting, but perhaps not surprising: no alcohol is allowed on the course. Van Kampen also owned one of the largest collections of bibles in private hands. He authored three books on “eschatology,” the theology of the end times. It turns out that Robert Van Kampen was-like many in Western Michigan-a religious conservative ( West Michigan is a center of the Dutch Reformed Church). The ninth at Pilgrim’s Run is a 372 yard par 4. From the whites it plays to 5,737 abd is a 67.4/122.Īlso unusual: Each of the holes on the course is named for a passage in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress: Pleasant Arbor, Difficulty, Slough of Despond, Deception, Sleepy Temptation, Vainglory, Bottomless Pit, Error Hill, House Beautiful, Wicket Gate, Giant Despair, By-Path Meadows, Dark Valley, Straight Way, High Mountain, Valley of Humility, Narrow Way and Entice. The blues measure 6,471 and play to a 70/9/128. From the back tees, Pilgrim’s Run stretches to 7,093 yards. One byproduct of its unusual design is that Pilgrims Run is a par 73. Pilgrim’s Run’s eleventh is a 549 yard par five I’d love to play the course three or four more times. The views are generally spectacular and each hole isolated from the rest. I found the entire course challenging, but eminently fair. Both Pilgrim’s Run and Greywalls have that “found the holes in the wilderness” feel, that take full advantage of topography. Having also played Greywalls, another DeVries course, I think that more of the architect’s influence than legend would suggest. Golf Architects Mike DeVries and Kris Schumacker were hired to oversee the project. According to story, the Van Kampens randomly chose six of their firm’s employees-none of whom was a golf architect-to design three holes each for the course. The course was built by Robert and Judy Van Kampen, who founded the investment banking firm Van Kampen Merrit. Much about the course is unusual, beginning with its design. Pilgrim’s Run Golf Course is a challenging and beautiful course that ranks among the best I have played. Teacher’s Comments: A Michigan must-play. The fifth at Pilgrim’s Run is a 429 yard par 4.
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