Monarch Offers a Regal Round

Monarch, built in 1990, has a layout that is one of Michigan’s longest golf courses, a formidable 7,188 yards from the back tees. But despite the length from the tips and the streams, ponds and lakes found on 14 of the 18 holes, this is one course that particularly appeals to women. The forward tees are set at 4,904 yards.

“This is a true championship golf course. It’s very demanding from tee to green,” said Tom Howell, assistant golf professional at Garland. “There are a lot of long doglegs and large greens and a decent amount of water.”

This course is also a favorite because of the nesting bald eagles that can be seen from one of the holes.

Be sure you’ve warmed up before you start the Monarch, because you’ll start with a bang. The toughest hole on the course is the par-4 No. 1 (451 yards from the back tees and 314 from the forward), followed by two more demanding holes.

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The starting hole is a dogleg right with water on both sides. The sticky issue here is your approach to the green which requires a shot over 20 yards of pond in front of the green. “You can hit your driver off the tee,” Howell said, “but some golfers might want to use a 3-wood because of the water. A mid-iron is needed for you approach shot.”

No. 2 is a shorter par-4 (413 from the back and 289 from the forward), but all the way down the left is a pond which creeps into the landing area. “On the right are a number of large pine trees, and the landing area is only about 15 to 20 yards wide,” Howell said. “Longer hitters will use a fairway metal or long iron off the tee.”

At the end of this straight but narrow fairway lies a green that is not very wide and has a valley in the middle of it.

Capping off this tough opening trio on the Monarch is a long par-3 (209 yards from the back and 166 from the forward). “Again you’re headed for a small green that is not very big for such a long hole,” Howell said. “And there’s not a flat spot on the green. If you score a 3 or better you’re stealing from this course. This is a very difficult hole.”

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For long hitters, No. 5 is a reachable par-5 (500 yards from the back and 345 from the forward). On the right of this dogleg right you’ll find water and tall trees. “The fairway slopes from left to right making it possible for a ball to roll into the water,” Howell said. “You’ll be hitting uphill to a small undulating green. You need precision off the tee and accuracy into the green.”

As you make the turn, you arrive at a series of holes – 10 through 13 – that Howell calls “our version of Amen Corner.” The first of these is a 581-yard par-5 (399 from the front tees). As you travel along this very straight hole, the fairway begins to narrow until it’s only about 15 yards wide. The rough along the sides is not forgiving; it’s virtually impossible to reach the green in two.

On to No. 11, a dogleg left par-4 (451 yards from the back and 260 from the front). Longer hitters can hug the left and cut some of the distance. If you hit to the right, it’s very open, but it makes a difficult shot to the green. “The right is safe, but there’s a long uphill approach,” Howell said.

This is an attention-getting golf hole, but the biggest attraction is the bald eagle nest built in a tree at the point of the dogleg. You’ll frequently see eagles flying in and out of this giant 100-pound nest.

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On the 11^th green, you’ll also be looking out on a massive lake where herons and fish make their home.

No. 12 is a 200-yard par-3 (135 yards from the forward tees). “This hole has one of the largest greens on the course,” Howell said. “From the tee boxes, you can’t see the subtle undulations to the green. From the tee, you’ll want to hit from a 7-iron to 4-iron because the green is so deep.”

The par-4 No. 13 offers the toughest test on the back nine. “You’re staring down a 435-yard long hole (270 yards from the front tees) with a fairway that’s only 30 yards in width,” Howell said. “On the left side is a huge pond. There’s no room for error on this shot. There are big bunkers left and right. If you hit over the left bunker, you can hit into water. On the right side, there’s no water but there’s a steep hill going up.

After that, relax and lighten up. One of the delights of the back nine is coming up -- No. 16, a par-4 90-degree dogleg left (438 yards from the back tees and 323 from the forward). You need a precise tee shot to get in position at the dogleg to take a good look at the green. Your second shot has to clear a pond. “Anything to the right means you’ll have a very long approach,” said Howell.                        

You’ll finish your round with a par-4 (440 yards from the back tees and 320 from the forward) that gives you a chance to hit a massive downhill drive off the tee. The fairway makes a slight bend to the right, but it’s not a dogleg. “Take your final putt and you’re back at the main lodge,” Howell said.

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Distances, ratings and slopes at the Monarch: 7,188 (75.6/140); 6,666 (73.0/137); 6,334 (71.2/131); 4,904 (69.5/123).

Click on the hole number below to view the hole.