Golf Season Arrives at White Lake's Courses

Golfing season has finally come to White Lake Township.

At some point, the weather will indeed warm up permanently. But , and all officially opened their doors to golfers in early April. Granted, there have been a few days already during which each course was closed for inclement weather, but the hope among course administrators is that the worst of the weather is behind them.

White Lake Oaks

White Lake Oaks was built in 1930 and offers a traditional layout. With water hazards and sand bunkers scattered throughout the course, it's not the longest course in the area. But many holes, particularly on the back nine, force a golfer to hit a relatively straight drive down narrow fairways to have a clear shot at the green.

The course is just 5,703 yards from the back tees and 4,899 yards from the women’s tees and is a par 70 for all golfers. Covering 197 acres, there are plenty of tees that can get in the way of errant shots. A few years back, the course added a new clubhouse, pro shop, club room and garden patio. Banquet facilities for groups of up to 200 are also available.

Rates are extremely reasonable, ranging from $16-$35 this spring and summer. There are many leagues held at White Lake Oaks. Twilight golf, which can start at 3:30, offers a slight discount: $12 for walkers and $22 for riders. Seniors also get discounts. For more information call 248-698-1233.

Indian Springs Golf Course

Indian Springs is a par-71 course that measures 6,688 yards from the back tees. It opened in 1988 along White Lake Road when Indian Springs Metropark was finished. Unlike White Lake Oaks, there are no homes hugging the exterior of the course, giving golfers a bit of an “up north” feel. Last year, nearly 24,000 rounds of golf were played on the course.

The front nine offers an open layout, but the back nine is more challenging off the tee with some tree-lined fairways. It has a number of long par 4s that are about 400 yards from the white tees. The greens are typically sloping with plenty of undulation, said Golf Superintendent Anne Loncar. A couple of the greens have two tiers, and most are sizeable, leaving the potential for some long putts. 

Loncar is directing a few enhancements to the course this year. Green-side bunker renovation will continue on many of the 22 sand traps on the course. More natural areas have also been added, such as a pheasant habitat, and some of the green sprinkler heads will be replaced this year to help upgrade irrigation.

“We’ve created several wetlands areas on the course by the No. 10 green and in rough that separates No. 13 and No. 14,” Loncar said.

The course’s signature hole is a 600-yard (from the white tees) par 5 on the 13th hole with trees, sand traps and a difficult green.

Indian Springs typically draws a diverse group of golfers, Loncar said.

“We have a number of seniors who play here on a regular basis, but in the past few years, I have also noticed more women playing,” Loncar said. “I think, in general, more women are now playing golf. It’s a very comfortable atmosphere because you feel like you are away from things – houses, cars, work. It’s a peaceful setting.”

For hours and more information call 248-625-6640.

Brentwood Golf & Country Club

Brentwood Golf & Country Club offers a layout of 6,001 yards from the white tees, with greens fees ranging from $22-$45 for 18 holes, depending on the day of the week and time of the year. The course, built in 1995, features two distinctive types of design.

The back nine features a typical Scottish links design with few trees but plenty of other hazards. The wooded front nine requires accurate drives and a need to stay within the fairways. Many homes also line the rough of the front nine. Marshes, wetlands and ponds come into play on thirteen holes.

“We’ve done some work remodeling some of the tee boxes and other renovations to the greens, along with adding some drainage features,” said Brentwood Golf Superintendent Todd Arnott.

A scenic and short par-3 ninth hole includes a tee box near the clubhouse, and on the long 16th hole, water comes into play in the left rough and in front of the green. Both are considered among the course’s signature holes, Arnott said.

Beyond the course itself, Brentwood offers a recently renovated clubhouse and an outdoor ceremony site for weddings and other special events. The renovated clubhouse seats up to 225 people. 

“It’s a more modern clubhouse that offers a contemporary look,” Arnott said. “And it's a great addition for our golfers.”

For hours and more information call 248-684-2662.