Course of the Week: St. John’s Resort debuts three Hearn-designed courses

(Photo: St. John’s Resort)

Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth, Mich., opened its new Raymond Hearn-designed 18-hole championship golf course, The Cardinal, to the public on June 22. In addition, the resort also debuted its Little Cardinal par 3 short course, Cardinal Putting Course and Doyles Irish Pub. The project is the region’s first high-end public golf development in more than 20 years and part of a $50 million resort transformation that began in 2021 under the property’s ownership group, the non-profit Pulte Family Charitable Foundation.

“We are very excited to be opening this new championship golf course, par 3 course and putting course. It has been over a year in the making, and everything has been meticulously maintained for the past six months. The course conditions are the best I have seen for a new course opening,” said Stan Witko, executive director of golf for Saint John’s Resort. “This new championship golf course, combined with the short course and putting course, creates the perfect golf entertainment venue for golfers of all abilities, golf groups and families to enjoy together. The facility serves as a foundation for building a passion for the game, offering a welcoming entry point into the world of golf. On top of that, 100 percent of the profits from the resort, including golf, goes to charity.”

The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort stretches across 200 acres of rolling land. Hearn’s team removed the original 27 holes to create the new golf course. According to St. John’s Resort, The Cardinal presents an original experience with no two holes that look or play alike, having been routed in all directions to factor in elevation, wind, terrain and scenic beauty for optimal strategic shot values. The course also takes full advantage of the flow of the land and 100-year-old trees that were saved during the project and now frame many of the holes. Several holes also feature Golden Age green contours and bunkering.

(Photo: St. John’s Resort)

“The land was a perfect setting for me to draw on my inspiration from previous Donald Ross, Tom Bendelow and Willie Park Jr. projects and one of my favorite courses, The Old Course at Sunningdale by Willie Park Jr., which I implemented on both the championship course and the short course,” said Hearn. “Our goal was to create a fun golf experience. I believe we have achieved that, and then some, with this project.”

The Little Cardinal and Cardinal Putting Course is a seven-hole short course and two-acre putting course.

Also designed by Hearn, The Little Cardinal course is set among 7.5 acres of rolling hills in a parkland setting, giving golfers a variety of fun, short shots into some inspired green complexes. The holes, ranging from 44 yards to 112 yards with names like Punchbowl, Volcano and Postage, provide a unique experience for all ages and abilities. To make the game easier for golfers, the course has incorporated innovative synthetic turf tee boxes with a shock-absorbing rubber foundation, replicating natural grass tees and providing a more forgiving surface to hit shots.

(Photo: St. John’s Resort)

The Cardinal Putting Course is a two-acre 18-hole putting course. The course, which was inspired by the Himalayas Putting Course at St. Andrews in Scotland, features a variety of humps and swales. The 18 holes can also be set up in four different versions.

“These exciting golf attractions provide a relaxed environment focused on fun and offering a less intimidating introduction to the game, encouraging newcomers to want to participate, learn and improve,” said Witko.

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