As we are heading home and nearing the conclusion of the MN, SD, ND, +4: The Final Frontier – 50 in 75 Golf Adventure, we had a problem. Due to unforeseen events of nature, the +4 was still only +3 and we were running out of time and states. So on a whim, we decide to play Plym. Michigan was not on the original agenda, but as we drove east on I-80 in Indiana, Plym Park Golf Course in Niles, MI was only a few miles north of the Indiana border.
Adventure – defined as: engaging in an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous experience or activity especially of unknown territory. Let’s find out if Plym Park GC checked off any of these boxes!
We drove down the lane to a small parking lot and found a structure that was either the clubhouse or someone’s private residence. If not for the small sign and the pull carts at the back we could have easily been in someone’s back yard. We always research all the courses on our journeys, but this was definitely unknown territory – check 1!
Hole #1 is a straight-away 358 yard par 4 from the white tees. There are only two sets of tees on this 9-hole layout – White (3148 yards) and Red (2591). About two-thirds of the way down the fairway is a small creek that will continue to flow through the majority of the course. Hole #2 is a long par 5 that sweeps slightly to the right with many large mature trees that may prove hazardous to your wayward shots – check 2!
The third hole is an unremarkable par 4 of 306 yards. The large trees continue to cause issues down the left side. Hole #4 is a 178 yard par 3 with a green that is perched on an uphill plateau. You have to keep your ball to the right on Hole #5 because of the dense thicket on the left side of the fairway. Today the pin was placed right behind the bunker that fronts the green on the par 3 sixth hole. Evil, but not hazardous.
I’m tired of using the word straight. So let’s try beeline, direct, unbent, undeviating, invariable, linear, or just plain. That’s what you find at Hole #7 and most of the holes on the course. Unusual and exciting? Can’t check that box!
Hole #8 is an invariable par 4 of 425 yards. Watch out for the branches of the weeping willow that starts to creep out by the green. That same creek that meanders through the course crosses at about the halfway point of this fairway. Hole #9 is the easiest on the course from the white tees, but watch out for that pesky creek that bisects the fairway with either your drive or second shot on this linear par 5.
Rating – Par (36 out of 60): Well we added the +4 to the adventure. Was it an adventure? I’ll just say Plym was Plain. Nothing exciting or unusual, just a course with a layout that was an ordinary straight-out one hole and straight back the next, with very few twists and turns. The clubhouse was also very plain with not much merchandise if you need accessories for your round. It could have been someone’s house for all I know! If you need an emergency course to fill your +4, it was lacking golfers so we were able to get right out and play 9. Because you know there’s… Always Time for 9.
401 Marmont St., Niles, MI 49120; 269-684-7331; www.nilesmi.org
