Lee Trevino’s Million-Dollar Ace
In 2001, Lee Trevino stunned viewers by holing out on the 7th during the ESPN Par-3 Shootout—claiming what was then the richest hole-in-one prize ever awarded. The roar and the legend still echo around Threetops.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Treetops Resort (Threetops Course)
Gaylord, Michigan
Established
1992
Architect
Rick Smith
Access
Resort
Par
Par 27
Length
978 – 1,435 yds
More at Treetops ResortYou're viewing: Threetops Course
The verdict
Short But Absolutely Unforgettable
Threetops delivers a punchy, exhilarating par-3 experience with jaw-dropping elevation changes and pure short-game drama. This is the rare short course that leaves every player buzzing, thanks to bold contours, wild shot values, and a vibe that’s pure northern Michigan fun.
Course DNA
Difficulty
68
Scenery82
Conditioning78
Shot Variety73
Walkability65
Green Complexity81
Wow Factor85
Design Quality79
Don't miss
Stop by the third tee—this spot offers one of the most breathtaking drop-shot views in all of Michigan golf, a must for photos and pre-shot nerves.
At a glance
Quick facts
Holes
9
Course Style
Dramatic par-3, heavy elevation
Host of
ESPN Par-3 Shootout (1999–2006)
Resort Access
Open to all via resort
Famous Hole
No. 3, 219 yards from the tips
Architect
Rick Smith
State Rankings
Regularly among Michigan’s top short courses
The design
The architecture
Rick Smith’s Threetops is a masterclass in par-3 fun, unleashing creative shot demands over plunging slopes and sneaky green sites. The course’s routing capitalizes on the property’s wild topography, with a different type of challenge on nearly every tee and sweeping, camera-ready vistas from almost every green. Instead of length, Threetops uses bold contours, exhilarating elevation changes, and well-defended greens to keep golfers engaged and entertained from first tee to last putt.
Rick Smith harnessed northern Michigan’s rugged slopes to craft a par-3 thrill ride packed with memorable shots and infectious energy.
Defining features
- Major elevation changes on every hole
- Compact routing with dramatic vistas
- Deep, sculpted green-side bunkering
- Greens with tiers and slick runoffs
- Demanding tee-shot variety: wedges to long irons
- Legendary short-game shot requirements
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 3
The Fearsome Drop
PAR
3
YARDAGE
219
Towering above the rest, the third is Threetops’ show-stopping beast—stretching 219 yards from the back tee and framed by forested hillsides, it’s the hole every visitor remembers. The tee shot plummets to a green that demands both nerve and flawless contact, testing even the steadiest player’s control.
Play it smart
Choose your weapon carefully—this plays long, with swirling winds and an intimidating forced carry. Hitting the correct tier gives you a chance at par; short-siding almost guarantees bogey.
Where it bites
A missed tee shot left or short finds thick rough or tangled slopes; miss long and you’re staring at a slippery, downhill recovery.
Course management
Shots to think about
Facing a downhill 200+ yard tee shot
Club down and trust trajectory—distance control is everything with this elevation drop.
Wind gusting across open slopes
Ignore the flag in strong wind and choose a conservative center-green line to find safety.
Pin is tucked over a green-side bunker
Take an extra half-club and play to the wide part of the green, avoiding a short-side miss.
Tight lie off the tee with a forced carry
Focus on a crisp, confident strike rather than muscling the ball—thin contact here is death.
Uphill or downhill green surface
Plan for the putt to break and gain or lose speed quickly—Threetops’ slopes rarely forgive lag-putting mistakes.
Fighting nerves on the first tee
Commit to your swing and aim for the fat of the green—the greens are more daunting than they look from the tee.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Crisp, well-maintained resort turf with fast greens and sharp bunkers.
Pace
Quick-moving rounds—usually under 2 hours unless photo ops and groups slow things down.
Vibe
Energetic and fun, with an emphasis on short-game adventure and camaraderie.
Dress code
Golf attire—collared shirts, tailored shorts or pants, and soft spikes recommended.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Pack Extra Wedges
You’ll have every type of short-iron approach, and spin control is the name of the game.
02
Check the Weather
Dramatic elevation makes the course extra sensitive to wind; bring layers and gloves.
03
Bring a Camera
Even seasoned golfers will want to capture the sprawling downhill views, especially on Nos. 3 and 6.
04
Play Ready Golf
Keep the pace moving—group patience and fast play make the round way more fun.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1992
Threetops Course opens as Rick Smith’s first design at Treetops Resort.
- 1999
Hosts inaugural ESPN Par-3 Shootout, gaining national recognition.
- 2000
Lee Trevino aces No. 7 during the Par-3 Shootout, earning $1,090,000—the largest hole-in-one prize in golf history.
- 2006
Par-3 Shootout concludes after an iconic eight-year run at Threetops.
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Birthplace of the Par-3 Boom
Threetops set the standard for short courses in the 1990s, inspiring similar dramatic designs nationwide. Its embrace of elevation, fun, and media spectacle sparked the modern par-3 renaissance.
Swing from Ski Slopes to Showdowns
Originally a ski area, Treetops transformed itself into a premier golf resort—Threetops was the pivotal project in turning winter slopes into a summer competition and adventure destination.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Hosted ESPN’s nationally televised Par-3 Shootout for eight years, drawing legends like Trevino, Palmer, and Mickelson.
2
Lee Trevino’s ace on the 7th in 2001 won him a $1,090,000 purse—the largest in one-shot history.
3
Built on former ski slopes, the course leverages wild elevation to create thrilling golf vistas.
4
Named 'America’s #1 Par 3 Course' by resort and third-party rankings.
5
No hole is the same yardage twice, maximizing variety in just nine shots.
Build the trip
If you're making a Gaylord golf getaway
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
The Masterpiece at Treetops
Resort
The flagship full-length course for a complete resort experience
Fazio Premier at Treetops
Resort
Tom Fazio’s only Michigan design, bold and playable
The Signature at Treetops
Resort
Rugged charm, strong test, part of the resort golf quartet
Boyne Highlands (The Heather)
Resort
Top-ranked northern Michigan championship course with public tee times
Mackinaw Club
Public
Uncrowded public option to round out your golf tour
Treetops Resort for the easiest multi-course access and a full northern Michigan golf adventure.
Course DNA
If You Like Threetops Course
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.3
Linville Golf Club
Linville, North CarolinaScenery
Why it matches: Linville Golf Club is a natural next stop after Treetops Resort (Threetops Course): it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.6
Crooked Tree Golf Club
Petoskey, MichiganWhy it matches: Crooked Tree Golf Club is a natural next stop after Treetops Resort (Threetops Course): it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match8.3
Roaring Gap Club
Roaring Gap, North CarolinaScenery
Why it matches: If Treetops Resort (Threetops Course) is your kind of course, Roaring Gap Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
The architect's other work
More from Rick Smith
Rick Smith Signature
Treetops Resort, Gaylord, MIHighly regarded resort championship course
Black Forest at Wilderness Valley
Gaylord, MIAcclaimed northern Michigan test
Grand Traverse Resort (The Bear - Co-designer)
Acme, MICollaborated on major Michigan destination
The Tradition (Treetops Resort)
Gaylord, MIAnother on-site design
Community Sentiment
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