Embarking on a round at the Monument Golf Course at Boyne Mountain Resort is akin to stepping into a living tribute to golf’s rich history.

Established in 1984 and dedicated by none other than golf legend Sam Snead, the course opened with a sense of prestige and purpose. Architect Bill Newcomb designed The Monument as a celebration of the game’s architectural greats – drawing inspiration from the strategic genius of Donald Ross, the artistic flair of Dr. Alister MacKenzie, the bold lines of Robert Trent Jones Sr., the drama of Pete Dye, and the innovation of George Fazio.

Each hole pays homage to a different legend of the game, blending design elements from these iconic figures into a cohesive and playable “hall of fame.” Add in the natural beauty of Northern Michigan’s rolling landscape, with dramatic elevation changes and scenic vistas, and you’ve got a course that’s as visually striking as it is thoughtfully constructed. The Monument challenges without overwhelming, inspires without intimidating – delivering an unforgettable experience for golfers of all skill levels.

If you’re planning a buddies’ trip or family getaway, BOYNE Golf is one of the Midwest’s premier golf destinations, boasting ten distinctly designed courses across three stunning resorts.

From classic championship layouts to imaginative mountain golf experiences, there are few better places to immerse yourself in great golf – and The Monument is a must-play cornerstone of the Boyne Mountain experience.

The Visionary Behind the Design: Bill Newcomb

An Homage to Golf’s Architectural Giants

The Monument’s layout is a testament to Newcomb’s dedication to honoring the game’s architectural pioneers. Each hole reflects the unique characteristics of these designers, offering players a diverse and enriching experience. For instance, elements reminiscent of Donald Ross’s strategic bunkering, Dr. Alister Mackenzie’s undulating greens and Pete Dye’s innovative use of water hazards are seamlessly integrated throughout the course.

This thoughtful amalgamation ensures that golfers not only face a variety of challenges but also gain an appreciation for the rich tapestry of golf course design. 

Experiencing the Monument as a High-Handicapper

As a high-handicapper, navigating The Monument Course is both a humbling and enlightening journey. The course’s design requires a complete game, with demanding fairways and undulating greens that reward careful putting. But make no mistake – this is a really well-designed golf course, and much of the adversity described throughout this review is entirely of my own making.

For more skilled players, The Monument offers endless opportunities to strategize and score; for the rest of us, it’s a beautiful battle that still delivers a deeply enjoyable experience.

Each hole’s unique tribute to a golf legend serves as both an inspiration and a reminder of the game’s rich history. While my scorecard may not reflect mastery, the experience of walking in the footsteps of golf’s greats, surrounded by the strategic brilliance of Newcomb’s design, makes every stroke a lesson in both humility and appreciation for the sport.

Here’s my hole-by-hole journey, equal parts admiration and adversity – with a sprinkle of sarcasm and soul-searching.

A Hole-by-Hole Overview of The Monument Course

Hole 1: “The Initiation” (the Byron Nelson hole)
Par 5, 531 yards

The adventure begins atop a ski hill, with a tee shot that feels like launching a golf ball off a cliff. The fairway sprawls below, daring you to aim for its narrow landing zones.

As someone whose drives have a mind of their own, I quickly learned that gravity is both a friend and a foe. The elevated tee makes the hole play shorter, but it also magnifies any errant shots. Sharp dogleg right. A par here feels like a birdie; a bogey feels like a rite of passage.

Hole 2: “The Awakening” (the “Chick” Harbert hole)
Par 4, 359 yards

After limping through the first hole with your dignity mostly intact, you’re greeted by this charming beast: a split-level fairway that gently nudges your dead-center drives into the right rough – because gravity has a sense of humor. From there, your next shot will require a heroic left-to-right curve, ideally threading through a collection of overhanging trees that appear to have personal vendettas against golf balls.

The savvy play? A tee shot down the left side. The high-handicapper’s play? Aim vaguely in that direction, close your eyes and hope your ball doesn’t end up in another zip code. Make it through, and you’ll be rewarded with a totally fair, slightly terrifying iron shot into a green that’s as welcoming as a tax audit – guarded, sloped and ready to humble you.

Hole 3: “The Test” (the Peggy Kirk Bell hole) 
Par 3, 151 yards

A picturesque par 3 that lulls you into a false sense of security. The green is guarded by a massive bunker, and the undulating surface ensures that two-putts are earned, not given. It’s a hole that whispers, “Welcome to the Monument; leave your confidence at the door.”

Hole 4: “The Temptation”
Par 4, 387 yards

This hole presents a wide fairway that beckons you to swing freely. But beware, for hidden hazards lurk, waiting to punish the overzealous. It’s a classic bait-and-switch, much like my golf game – promising off the tee, disastrous by the green.

Hole 5: “The Descent” (the Walter Hagen hole)
Par 5, 505 yards

A downhill par 5 that seems inviting, but the narrow fairway and strategically placed bunkers remind you that easy holes are a figment of your imagination. As my ball ricocheted between trees, I pondered the life choices that led me here.

Hole 6: “The Mirage” (the Paul Runyan hole)
Par 4, 306 yards

A short par 4 that tempts you to go for broke. However, the well-protected green and tricky approach shots make you realize that caution is the better part of valor. I opted for restraint, which, unsurprisingly, still led to a double bogey.

Hole 7: “The Gauntlet” (the Jim Flick hole)
Par 4, 398 yards

Bunkers lurk down the right side, like sand-filled traps of broken dreams, eager to welcome any tee shot with just a hint of ambition. Sure, you could try to carry them for a better approach, but for most of us, that’s just a scenic detour into regret. The wiser play is to the left – though “wise” might be a stretch, considering we’re standing over a ball with a swing that hasn’t been updated since the Clinton administration.

Come up short and the false front will send your ball rolling back like it forgot something. The green is generously large, which is nice, because it gives you ample room to three-putt from anywhere. It runs back to front and left to right—just enough contour to make you question every life choice that led to this moment.

Hole 8: “The Corridor”
Par 4, 360 yards

A tight, tree-lined fairway that feels like threading a needle. For someone whose drives have a proclivity for exploring uncharted territories, this hole is a masterclass in forestry.

Hole 9: “The Ascent” (the J.P. McCarthy hole)
Par 3, 198 yards

A charming little par 3 designed to punish optimism. The tee box is tucked into a narrow tree-lined chute, making it nearly impossible to judge the wind – though that doesn’t really matter when you’re not entirely sure where your ball is going without wind interference. The green is guarded by a bunker sporting dramatic railroad ties, giving your chunked sand shot the chance to ricochet theatrically before vanishing from sight.

There’s ample bailout room to the right, which sounds comforting until you realize that’s where everyone ends up – on purpose or not. Go left, and you’ll find yourself in what the locals call “jail,” though it’s unclear if they mean the trees, the lies or the emotional aftermath.

Hole 10: “The Vista” (the Kathy Whitworth / Glen Johnson hole)
Par 5, 551 yards

Off the tee, you’ll be aiming into the great unknown, as the fairway bunkers are thoughtfully hidden – like little surprise parties for your golf ball. Even for those who consider themselves “big hitters,” reaching this green in two is more fantasy than strategy. Most of us will need two solid swings and a short prayer just to get within range.

A lovely pond guards the front of the green, patiently waiting to collect the hopes and dreams of anyone who gets too bold – or just misjudges a layup by 30 yards. The right side is lined with bunkers, which, if nothing else, are consistent in their ability to ruin good intentions. The smart play? Pick a layup yardage you might actually hit, and try not to visit every hazard along the way.

Hole 11: “The Abyss” (the Gene Sarazen hole) 
Par 4, 386 yards

Arguably the most difficult tee shot on The Monument, the 11th hole may be short in distance but more than makes up for it in emotional damage. Your drive needs to carry a pond, thread the needle between hazards on both sides, and – ideally – land somewhere that isn’t followed by a deep sigh.

Survive the tee shot, and you’re rewarded with a green that’s bunkered like it’s expecting a full-scale invasion, plus another lovely pond guarding the front-right, just in case you were getting too confident.

Make a par here and don’t celebrate – just nod solemnly, tip your cap to the golf gods and walk away before the course changes its mind.

Hole 12: “The Mirage”
Par 4, 454 yards

Fresh off a sandwich and some false confidence at the 19th Tee, you’re greeted by a slightly uphill par 4 that’s ready to humble your back-nine ambitions. The smart play is toward the left-center of the fairway – assuming your post-lunch swing isn’t still digesting.

Down the right side lies a pond, just waiting for you to over-fade your drive while telling your playing partners, “It felt good, though.” Make it past that, and you’re not in the clear yet. The green is large, but don’t let that fool you – its right side slopes like it’s trying to roll your ball off on principle alone.

Hole 13: “The Serpent”
Par 3, 227 yards

Welcome to the first of two long par 3s on the back nine – because one just wasn’t enough. At 227 yards, this par 3 is a beautiful beast. Most will reach for a wood, which adds a layer of intensity. With subtle undulations and a green that challenges from every angle, it rewards thoughtful club selection and execution – a great test of modern skill on a hole inspired by the game’s timeless traditions.

Miss the green and you’ll be faced with an up-and-down that requires touch, creativity and possibly a short game you left at home. Par here feels like a small miracle. Bogey? Honestly, not bad.

Hole 14: “The Oasis” (the Bobby Jones hole)
Par 5, 557 yards

Finally, a tee shot you’re actually invited to swing hard at – this hole offers a generous landing area that practically begs you to let one rip. And if it goes sideways? No worries. Even a poorly executed drive has a decent chance of being found, dusted off and sent back into play.

The second shot brings you into what can only be described as a “fairway staircase” – four charming little steps sloping left to right, specifically designed to deflect your ball into the least helpful position possible. Guarding the green are two massive trees on either side, standing like bouncers at an exclusive nightclub, daring you to thread the needle. The alley to the flag is narrow, unforgiving and mostly theoretical.

Hole 15: “The Gauntlet”
Par 4, 324 yards

A challenging par 4 with a narrow fairway and a green guarded by bunkers. It’s as if the course is daring you to find the one patch of grass not protected by sand or water.

Hole 16: “The Tribute” (the Everett Kircher hole)
Par 4, 306 yards

As I approached the 16th tee, I was greeted by a fairway bunker with a peculiar mound. Legend has it that this mound was constructed using remnants from the resort’s original ski lift, a nod to Boyne Mountain’s rich history. The hole is dedicated to Everett Kircher, the visionary founder of Boyne Resorts. The fairway slopes gently, guiding your ball toward the green – assuming you avoid the bunker that stands as a monument to Kircher’s legacy. I, however, found myself paying my respects a bit too personally, as my ball nestled comfortably into the sandy tribute. 

Hole 17: “The Reflection” (the Chuck Kocsis hole)
Par 3, 189 yards

This par 3 demands a precise tee shot over a serene pond that mirrors your anxiety. The green is flanked by bunkers, ready to catch any shot lacking conviction. As I stood over the ball, I couldn’t help but ponder the philosophical implications of water hazards and their uncanny ability to attract golf balls. Naturally, my ball found solace in the watery depths, leading me to reflect on my life choices and the futility of resisting the magnetic pull of aquatic obstacles.

Hole 18: “The Pinnacle” (the Sam Snead hole)
Par 5, 379 yards

The final hole is a majestic par 5 that encapsulates the essence of The Monument Course.

The fairway meanders through a corridor of trees, leading to an elevated green that offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. It’s a hole that tempts you to unleash your inner John Daly, but wisdom (and experience) suggests a more measured approach. As I tapped in my final putt, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment, having navigated a course that pays homage to the legends of golf while humbling those of us who dare to tread its fairways.

A True “Monument” to the Game We Love

The Monument Course at Boyne Mountain Resort is more than just a round of golf – it’s a thoughtfully curated tribute to the legends who shaped the game. Every hole offers a different voice in golf’s grand conversation, from Ross and Mackenzie to Dye and Jones. As you make your way through, you’re not just hitting shots – you’re walking through history, with each swing echoing the philosophies of golf’s greatest minds.

As a proud high-handicapper, I’ll admit this course had its way with me more than once. But the beauty of The Monument Course isn’t in how well you score – it’s in how much you take away. Despite the occasional tree-limb ricochet or sand trap saga, I found myself smiling more than sighing. The course challenges your game, yes, but it also rewards your appreciation for the nuances, the stories and the soul of golf course design.

It’s a round that stays with you, long after the final putt drops. A true “Monument” to the game we love, it’s a place where golfers of all skill levels – even those of us prone to the scenic route – can feel the weight of tradition, the joy of a well-played hole and the humility that makes this game so endlessly endearing.

Add The Monument Course to your next visit to BOYNE Golf in Michigan, and for more on the course be sure to check out their website.

The Monument Course at Boyne Mountain Resort

All photography in this article original to WiscoGolfAddict and taken by Paul Seifert, Brian Murphy, Rich Bauer and Troy Giljohann