The Pines in St. Charles, Michigan was a brand new course in 2008 and within a week or so of opening, it looked as if it had been there for years. Cut out of a small plot of land, the short course starts off with a very short hole that allows almost every player an ace run. After hole 4 you'll jump into the wonderful Pine woods for play on many holes that go back and forth, holes that always pay due attention to the location of fairways around the major trees. Although a short course, don't expect to come out of the woods to hole 18 being way under par, there are too many requirements for great, technical shots. The St. Charles Park department has done a great job marking the tees, placing wonderful pine benches throughout; benches made from the trees cut to make the course and maintain the property as one would hope for. The local players have formed a group called The Saginaw Valley Chain Smokers and for a newly organized grouping of relatively new players to the sport, they're doing a great job running leagues, determining longer tee pads and maintaining the course with a large and dedicated group of volunteers. The tee pads leave a little to be desired, tee pads that are very small and made of asphalt and bordered by timbers and although 100% unofficial, I have heard talk of concrete pads in the future. If you have a desire to learn the game, have a group with a variety of age and experienced players or are an experienced player thinking that you can post a record low score to your stats, you'll definitely want to visit St. Charles, The Pines when entering or leaving the Saginaw Valley.
The Pines in St. Charles, Michigan was a brand new course in 2008 and within a week or so of opening, it looked as if it had been there for years. Cut out of a small plot of land, the short course starts off with a very short hole that allows almost every player an ace run. After hole 4 you'll jump into the wonderful Pine woods for play on many holes that go back and forth, holes that always pay due attention to the location of fairways around the major trees. Although a short course, don't expect to come out of the woods to hole 18 being way under par, there are too many requirements for great, technical shots. The St. Charles Park department has done a great job marking the tees, placing wonderful pine benches throughout; benches made from the trees cut to make the course and maintain the property as one would hope for. The local players have formed a group called The Saginaw Valley Chain Smokers and for a newly organized grouping of relatively new players to the sport, they're doing a great job running leagues, determining longer tee pads and maintaining the course with a large and dedicated group of volunteers. The tee pads leave a little to be desired, tee pads that are very small and made of asphalt and bordered by timbers and although 100% unofficial, I have heard talk of concrete pads in the future. If you have a desire to learn the game, have a group with a variety of age and experienced players or are an experienced player thinking that you can post a record low score to your stats, you'll definitely want to visit St. Charles, The Pines when entering or leaving the Saginaw Valley.