Harbor Springs, Michigan
Boyne Highlands Donald Ross Memorial delivers a thrilling walk through the legendary holes of Donald Ross—without leaving Michigan. It’s a regionally elite, architecture-forward destination that makes Northern Michigan a bucket-list trip for strategy fans and classic design lovers alike.
Catch a peek at the ongoing hole-by-hole restorations—several holes may look or play strikingly different from prior years as Ray Hearn’s team works their magic.
The Donald Ross Memorial at Boyne Highlands brings the gold era of golf architecture to life in northern Michigan, meticulously recreating the strategic brilliance, bold green contours, and visual character of Ross’s iconic holes. Bill Newcombe and Everett Kircher’s vision—delivered through careful research and on-site artistry—blends elements from across Ross’s portfolio into an immersive, cohesive parkland landscape. Ray Hearn’s ongoing restoration ensures the turf, shaping, and green detail capture authentic Ross shot values, making each hole feel like both an homage and an original challenge.
The course is an imaginative tribute to Donald Ross, executed under Bill Newcombe’s routing direction and continually refined by Ray Hearn to deepen its architectural fidelity.
A demanding par 4 that stretches to 492 yards from the back tees and asks for both length and precision on every shot. Playing uphill with subtle movement, it channels the muscle and discipline of Ross’s toughest championship holes. The fairway is fair but the approach—often with a long iron or hybrid—must find a nuanced green with trouble on both sides.
Favor center-cut off the tee and hit your approach with conviction—avoid short-siding at all costs.
Miss left or right and face awkward recoveries over deep bunkers or runoffs; a bogey lurks for the over-aggressive.
Bentgrass throughout, with consistently polished resort surfaces and ongoing improvements on the restored holes.
Expect a steady but unhurried resort round, especially during high-demand summer weekends.
Laid-back Northern Michigan resort spirit—serious about architecture, friendly for all skill levels.
Standard resort golf attire: collared shirt and soft spikes required.
Read up on classic Donald Ross greens and strategies to better appreciate the homage—and the trouble spots.
Northern Michigan can turn brisk, especially in the morning or late afternoon.
Tee times at Boyne go fast—plus, you’ll want to compare this unique Ross tribute with The Heather or Bay Harbor during your trip.
Donald Ross Memorial course opens at Boyne Highlands
Named Golf Digest Best New Resort Course
Renovation kicks off with complete redesign of 10th hole
The Donald Ross Memorial is not a pure Ross original but a mosaic of the architect’s all-time greatest hits, built as a labor of love by Everett Kircher and Bill Newcombe to let golfers experience America’s most storied holes in one round.
After a 2024 restoration, the 11th hole’s sharply sloped green and demanding short par-4 play evoke the intimidating contours of its Ross inspiration more than ever—a new highlight in the ongoing renovation.
Although not a championship host itself, the course draws on the history of its inspiration holes, embodying the spirit of 14 U.S. Opens, 11 PGA Championships, and three Ryder Cups for every golfer who tees it up.
Construction in 2024 led to a temporary 17-hole course as green and fairway work unfolded—a quirky travel story for those who played during renovations but a sign of Boyne’s drive to improve.
Every hole is inspired by a real Donald Ross design, from Pinehurst No. 2 to Seminole.
Golf Digest named it America’s Best New Resort Course in 1990.
A multi-year renovation launched in 2024 is making each hole even more authentically 'Ross.'
The course’s history is a fusion of 14 US Opens, 11 PGA Championships, and 3 Ryder Cups—through its inspiration holes, not on-site events.
Lakefront drama and standout course design—often called Michigan's Pebble Beach.
Boyne’s flagship layout, a Robert Trent Jones original with storied pedigree.
Another strong test at The Highlands, ideal for pairing or double rounds.
Peaceful, approachable, and scenic—an underrated nearby play.
Harbor Springs or Petoskey for easy access to Boyne Highlands and Bay Harbor.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: If Boyne Highlands Donald Ross Memorial is your kind of course, ArborLinks is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Dormie Club a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Boyne Highlands Donald Ross Memorial.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Barefoot Resort – Fazio Course a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Boyne Highlands Donald Ross Memorial.
His most iconic original design
USGA and PGA Championship host
PGA and US Open venue
Top Southern Ross course
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