Playing Richmond Forest and Belle River

Rounds at Richmond Forest and Belle River Add To GolfBlogger’s Michigan Golf Course “Collection.”

The latest two additions to my “collection” of Michigan golf courses played were Richmond Forest and Belle River. They are located thirty to forty miles north of Detroit.

As I have been doing lately, I made the trip a doubleheader to make the gas expense more worthwhile. I played Richmond Forest in the morning and Bell River in the afternoon. I walked both rounds.

Richmond Forest is a Bruce Matthews III design that I found quite fun. The front nine has a linksy feel, with constant threat from large ponds. The back nine is where the forest part comes in, with tighter, tree-lined fairways.

Of note were some really interesting raised greens complexes. If I lived in the area, Richmond Forest would be a regular stop.

Belle River Golf Course is routed along the nakesake river near Memphis, Michigan. It is what I’d call a farmlands course. Mostly open, it has a smattering of trees and some interesting elevation changes no doubt carved by the river over the millennia. I have no doubt that before it was built in 1970, it was a waving field of corn.

While Belle River not a great course, there were quite a few out enjoying it, so I am sure it’s a favorite of the locals. I had a fun time; the fairways are wide, and there little trouble, so every tee shot was grip it and rip it.