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Belvedere Golf Club Named One of Golf Digest's "America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses"

Renovation to Classic William Watson Design Garners National Recognition for Historic Northern Michigan Course.

One of the Midwest’s most revered and classic golf properties, Belvedere Golf Club in Charlevoix, Michigan is ranked-- for the first time ever-- on Golf Digest’s biennial list of “America's 100 Greatest Public Courses.” The honor came after the 1925 William Watson creation underwent a caring restoration by Belvedere staff and architect Bruce Hepner, using long-lost blueprints of Watson’s original design, which were discovered, serendipitously, during the demolition of a building in downtown Charlevoix.

“What a tremendous validation for the restoration here and the timelessness of our William Watson design to have Golf Digest rank Belvedere in the Top 100,” Belvedere Head Professional, Marty Joy said. “It’s been a thrill to see people have
affection for a layout that’s sneaking up on 100 years old. We’re very proud of this honor.”

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Belvedere, named 2016 Michigan Course of the Year by the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association, has been a top tournament venue for nearly a century, having hosted the Michigan Amateur 40 times. Beginning in 1963, Belvedere hosted the event for 26 consecutive years. The 41st hosting of the Michigan Amateur at Belvedere will come in 2025, the club’s centennial year. Belvedere has also hosted the Belvedere Hickory Open annually since 2006 and the 2019 U.S. Hickory Open.

The course has long been a favorite of many golf greats, including legend Walter Hagen, who won the first Great Lakes Open at Belvedere, and five-time British Open winner Tom Watson, who as a youngster honed his game playing summers at Belvedere. He remains a member today and calls the short par-four 16th hole one of the great par fours in America.

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