Golf in Three Rivers, Michigan
61270 Lutz Rd Three Rivers, MI 49093
Web site: www.golfsauganash.com
In the spring of 1936 Albert Warren Tillinghast, “Tillie” to his friends, stepped aboard the New York Central in New York City’s Grand Central Station. The train transported Tillie to Detroit. He had been invited to assess a “re-do” of Oakland Hills Golf Course, the site of the next summer’s 1937 U.S. Open Golf Championship. Tillie, 60 years old, had just finished designing and constructing Bethpage, New York’s complex of golf courses – courses that changed public golf.
Tillie, wrapping up a one-hour tour of the Oakland Hills terrain, chugged towards the clubhouse in a chauffeured motorized golf carriage. Club president Judge John P. O’Hara waited on the clubhouse steps.
“Well,” the Judge said, “We were proud to host the Open in 1924, but we want to show even better next year.”
Tillie said, “This course needs nothing more to prepare it for next year’s Open.”
Club president O’Hara said, “You designed Winged Foot, everything can be improved. Give us one great suggestion.”
Tillie patted the cart twice and his driver motored off. He turned to Judge O’Hara, “What your golf course needs is to be left alone.”
Judge O’Hara looked away, towards Oakland’s 18th green, “The U.S. Open must be golf’s ultimate test in 1937.”
Tillie said, “Oakland Hills is one of the world’s finest golf courses, it will take one of the world’s finest golfers to win here.”
Judge John O’Hara said, “Tillinghast, you’re rejecting a sizable fee for long trip to Michigan.”
“Not a lost trip, Judge, got a re-do on the other side of your Michigan; little town known as Three Rivers. A nine-holer called Sauganash. Judge, are the roads to Three Rivers paved all the way?”
Judge O’Hara replied, “Hell, Tillinghast, I don’t even know where Three Rivers is.”
– Quote from Owner
In 2016 a new owner group purchased Sauganash Country Club. The course, a victim of golf’s economic malaise, had fallen into disrepair. The managing member of the new group, Roger “Rocky” Rathburn led me to the first tee.
“Albert Warren Tillinghast designed the front nine of Sauganash,” Rocky said as he swung, launching his ball off the first tee.
“Who’s he?” I asked.
“Famous designer, U.S. Open courses. Golf Hall of Fame,” Rocky explained, “Wait til you see the course. I’ll show you how we’ve brought Tillinghast’s nine holes back to life.”
Author Note: December 26, 2017, Roger “Rocky” Rathburn, age 55 passed away tragically as he worked on course improvements at Sauganash Country Club.
Why this place appeals to me
Tillie’s front nine at Sauganash plays friendly at 3,001 yards. Rocky Rathburn, owner/guide, led our play. Hole #2 is the single par 3 on Tillie’s front nine. Hole #6, the lone par 5 on Tillinghast’s front nine, is rated the toughest hole on the course. Three of the par 4’s on the front nine play less than 300 yards. Sauganash was carved from farmland in 1924. Baltrusrol Golf Club, like Sauganash, opened as a 9-hole course built on farm land in 1922. When Tillie arrived at Sauganash, Baltrusol was just weeks from hosting the 1936 U.S Open.
Sauganash currently charges $28 for 18 holes.
Tillie’s 1935 focus, the year before he came to Sauganash, was the design/construction Bethpage Black; the first public course to host a U.S. Open. His presence at Sauganash in 1936 in the village of Three Rivers, Michigan was an event.
The river bank of Sauganash CC is where the Prairie River feeds into the St. Joseph River. Rocky took aim with an imaginary shotgun at the Canadian goose defiling the 2nd tee.
“Bang, tomorrow morning you’re in my smoker,” Rocky said to the goose.
What golf legends teed it up at Sauganash CC? Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York, may have been Tillie’s most prestigious design. When they hosted the 1929 U.S. Open, Bobby Jones won. Who played Sauganash’s front nine?
How Far Down the Block?
[mappress mapid=”17″]Two miles south of Three Rivers, Michigan. Grand Rapids is the closest airport with significant non-stop service is located 75 miles north.
Why you might be nearby?
If you’re in the Midwest for a fall football weekend, Notre Dame is 45 miles south, Michigan State is an hour, 40 minute drive north, Western Michigan University is 40 minutes up US-131.
Kellogg produces cereal in Battle Creek, 45 miles north. Whirlpool has plants and their headquarters all over St Joseph county, home base for Sauganash.
Lesser Known Facts
Sauganash Country Club winds over rolling terrain, hugging the point where the scenic Prairie River tributary joins the St. Joseph River that flows into Lake Michigan. The new owner group has cleaned up the deadwood and scrub brush that for years hid Sauganash’s fairways from the waterways.
We paused on #13 as Rocky stopped by a pole barn to water twenty plants under his care. He described the resurrection of Sauganash’s greens.
When Tillie was inducted into the Golf Hall of Fame, he was credited with designing, re-doing 265 golf courses.
Local Recommendation
The Round Barn Winery is located 48 miles due west towards Chicago, on the back road to Chicago from Sauganash. They produce wine, craft beer – served with farm food grown on-site.
You’ll find Round Barn Winery at 9185 Union Pier Rd in Union Pier, MI 49129.
Something for Nothing
Wednesday is Stag Day at Sauganash CC; a tapped keg sits just inside the front door of the clubhouse. A stack of red plastic cups lies within reach. The Miller Lite is on the house on Wednesday for paying players.
After Labor Day in 2016 the greens fees were lowered to $15 for 18 holes.