There are plenty of great golf destinations across the Midwest, but few have developed the kind of loyal following enjoyed by The Island Resort & Casino in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Golf groups return year after year, packages regularly sell out and demand for additional tee times continues to grow. And rather than simply enjoying the success of what’s already become one of the region’s premier golf getaways, The Island keeps finding new ways to make the experience even better.

The latest addition? Nine spectacular new holes at Sage Run Golf Club, designed by renowned architect Paul Albanese and inspired by some of the greatest holes and architectural concepts from golf’s Golden Age.

The Cedar Course at Sage Run, also known as Kishki, opened August 7, 2026, expanding an already outstanding lineup of golf experiences that has become known as Michigan’s “Perfect Foursome” – should it now be the “Perfect Fivesome?”

During my visit to The Island last August, General Manager Tony Mancilla explained that the decision to expand wasn’t about attracting an entirely new audience. It was about accommodating the golf enthusiasts who were already coming, many of whom wanted to extend their trips but couldn’t find additional tee times.

“The people are here and they want to use it – we don’t have to create a demand – it’s already there,” Mancilla told me during our conversation in 2025.

That speaks volumes about what The Island has built.

The resort’s golf packages combine Sweetgrass, its immaculate championship course located right outside the hotel, with the dramatic, rugged terrain of Sage Run just minutes away. They also incorporate two of the Upper Peninsula’s most unforgettable golf experiences: TimberStone in Iron Mountain and Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club.

Each offers something entirely different, and together they make for one of the most enjoyable and varied golf trips you’ll find anywhere in the country.

The golf is the main attraction, of course, but The Island itself is a big part of what makes these trips so popular. Comfortable accommodations, excellent dining – including the outstanding Horizons Steakhouse – lively bars, a sprawling casino and plenty of entertainment make it easy to spend several days here without ever running out of things to do.

I covered the original Perfect Foursome extensively following my August 2025 visit, including detailed reviews of all four courses, the accommodations, dining and overall experience. You can read that full feature here:

But when I returned this September, the biggest reason for my excitement was the opportunity to experience Kishki, which had opened about a month earlier.

Having photographed the course during construction the previous summer, I was eager to see how Albanese’s Golden Age-inspired designs had come together and how the new playing surfaces had matured.

After playing the nine twice and spending a spectacular morning photographing it from above, I came away incredibly impressed.

The design is creative, strategic and tremendously fun, the greens complexes are fascinating and the conditioning was nothing short of remarkable for a course that had been open for only a few weeks.

And perhaps most importantly, the Cedar Course (Kishki) feels entirely different from anything else in The Island’s already impressive golf portfolio.

It’s another outstanding reason to make the trip north – and another example of why this destination just keeps getting better.

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The Cedar Course at Sage Run (Kishki): Golden Age-Inspired Golf

For the third time, The Island Resort & Casino turned to golf course architect Paul Albanese to bring its latest vision to life.

Albanese, who also designed Sweetgrass and Sage Run, has played an instrumental role in establishing The Island as one of the Midwest’s premier golf destinations. But rather than creating another course similar to any of his previous work, the goal with Kishki was to offer something entirely different.

The inspiration came from golf’s Golden Age of architecture, drawing on famous holes and design concepts from legendary courses including National Golf Links of America, Prestwick, St. Andrews, Augusta National, Riviera and Chicago Golf Club.

Each of Kishki’s nine holes has its own name and architectural theme, incorporating recognizable elements from some of the game’s most celebrated designs while adapting them to the natural terrain on-property at Sage Run.

The result is a fascinating collection of holes featuring enormous bunkers, dramatic elevation changes, bold greens complexes and strategic decisions that reward thoughtful play as much as power.

Even the routing is unusual.

Playing 3,441 yards from the championship tees, the Cedar Course (Kishki) features three par threes, three par fours and three par fives for a par of 36. Rather than following a traditional nine-hole sequence, the middle six holes alternate between par fives and threes, creating a particularly entertaining stretch of golf.

The course’s name also carries special meaning. Cedar (“Kishki”) is one of the four sacred medicines in Potawatomi tradition, alongside sweetgrass, sage and tobacco, continuing the connection between the resort’s golf courses and the Hannahville Indian Community, which owns and operates The Island Resort & Casino.

Construction began with tree clearing and preliminary shaping in late 2024, followed by approximately five months of finish shaping and seeding during the summer of 2025.

Working alongside Albanese and the construction team, Sage Run superintendent Matt Sly oversaw an ambitious grow-in schedule that would have the course ready to welcome its first players the following August.

One of the most interesting differences between Kishki and its neighboring course is what lies beneath your feet.

While Sage Run features low-mow bluegrass fairways, Kishki’s greens, tees and fairways were planted with 007 XL bentgrass, producing tighter lies and a different playing experience. The roughs incorporate a blend of four low-mow bluegrass varieties, while the soil was amended with approximately 40% sand to help establish healthy turf.

A favorable seeding window during the late summer and fall of 2025 helped the course establish remarkably quickly.

The results of that work were immediately apparent when I arrived in September.

For a golf course that had been open for barely five weeks, Kishki looked and played like it had been welcoming golfers for years.

Playing The Cedar Course (Kishki): Nine Holes of Golden Age Inspiration

One of the things I enjoyed most about Kishki was how different each hole felt from the one before it. There’s an incredible amount of variety packed into these nine holes, with interesting strategic decisions, memorable bunkering and some of the most creative greens complexes I’ve encountered in quite some time.

Hole 1: Bottle | Par 4
⚫417 🔵394 ⚪383 🟡355 🔴323

The opening hole, Bottle, is a 417-yard par four inspired by the eighth at National Golf Links of America. A generous fairway is interrupted by an impressive collection of bunkers that progressively narrow the landing area, immediately introducing players to the strategic challenges that define the course.

I got off to a hot start on the Cedar Course here, putting my approach shot during our first round to less than a foot and a tap-in birdie.

Hole 2: Cardinal | Par 5
⚫580 🔵553 ⚪526 🟡474 🔴435

Things get even more interesting at the second, Cardinal, a long par five inspired by the famous third hole at Prestwick.

This was one of my favorites on the course.

The driving area is incredibly wide, but the enormous Cardinal bunker and a striking railroad-tie retaining wall separate the opening fairway from a second, elevated landing area that runs laterally toward the green. It’s a visually fascinating design that becomes increasingly demanding as you get closer to the hole.

The green itself is relatively modest in size, especially compared to some of Kishki’s other putting surfaces, with a hazard immediately to the right and steep runoffs to the left. Positioning is everything, and it’s a hole I’d love to play repeatedly to explore the different options.

Hole 3: Short | Par 3
⚫144 🔵132 ⚪118 🟡107 🔴83

The third, Short, is a perfect example of why a par three doesn’t need to be long to be memorable. At just 144 yards from the back tees, it features an enormous three-tiered green with a dramatic ledge separating the front-left portion from the higher sections toward the back.

Depending on the pin position, what looks like a straightforward wedge shot can become a surprisingly demanding test of distance control.

Hole 4: Leven | Par 5
⚫536 🔵509 ⚪482 🟡428 🔴318

Then comes Leven, the 536-yard par five fourth, which may have been my favorite hole of them all.

The fairway is generous, with trees and strategically placed bunkers along the left side encouraging players to favor the safer right side. But that’s exactly where Albanese’s design begins to reveal its brilliance.

As you approach the green from the right, an enormous mound – seemingly 20 feet high – completely obscures much of the putting surface. To get a reasonable idea of where you’re aiming, you may actually have to climb the mound and identify a tree beyond the green as a reference point.

I experienced this firsthand during both rounds. The first time, I hit a 3-wood halfway up the mound. The second time, I finished short of it, leaving a completely blind approach.

Both shots were safe, but neither gave me much chance of getting close to the hole.

That’s what makes Leven so fascinating. The safer route might keep you out of trouble, but players willing to challenge the hazards along the left side are rewarded with a much better angle into the green. It’s an outstanding example of strategic architecture, and one of the most memorable holes I’ve played this year.

Hole 5: Eden | Par 3
⚫251 🔵242 ⚪219 🟡203 🔴149

The fifth, Eden, is a demanding, 250-plus-yard par three inspired by the famous 11th at St Andrews. Its elevated infinity green is guarded by bunkers on either side, and the approach plays considerably longer than it looks. Over two rounds, I don’t recall seeing anyone in our groups hit enough club to reach the putting surface.

My advice? Take more club than you think you need.

Hole 6: Sahara | Par 5
⚫589 🔵565 ⚪535 🟡483 🔴378

The sixth is another wonderful par five, with a sweeping fairway that bends sharply from right to left as it approaches one of Kishki’s most extraordinary greens complexes.

The hole draws inspiration from the Sahara bunker concept, with an enormous sand hazard positioned short and left of the green. As the fairway turns toward the putting surface, the bunker becomes a significant consideration for players looking to advance their ball into scoring position. It’s a striking architectural feature that rewards thoughtful positioning rather than simply demanding a long carry off the tee.

But the real highlight is the enormous boomerang-shaped green, which wraps around another deep bunker and an area of native grasses. The front portion of the putting surface sits considerably lower than the elevated back section, creating dramatically different approaches and putting challenges depending on the day’s hole location.

The green also provides another interesting connection to legendary architect Alister MacKenzie, whose work includes the Double Plateau green at Crystal Downs Country Club and a similarly boomerang-shaped green at the University of Michigan Golf Course. Both courses are among MacKenzie’s celebrated Michigan designs, and it’s fascinating to see those architectural influences reflected in Albanese’s work at Kishki.

It’s my favorite greens complex on the course and another terrific example of the creativity Albanese incorporated into Kishki’s nine-hole routing.

Hole 7: Juniper | Par 3
⚫191 🔵181 ⚪172 🟡149 🔴122

The seventh, Juniper, is a downhill par three inspired by the sixth at Augusta National.

Playing 191 yards from the tips, it features a large, dramatically contoured green framed by trees, with a substantial bunker guarding the front-left side. The setting is beautiful, and the elevation change makes club selection especially interesting.

Hole 8: Riviera | Par 4
⚫343 🔵332 ⚪321 🟡288 🔴225

The eighth, Riviera, might be the least visually dramatic hole on the course, but it might also be one of the most fun.

Inspired by Riviera Country Club’s famous 10th, this short par four plays just 343 yards from the back tees and around 300 from the middle tees, making it a legitimate drivable opportunity for longer hitters.

The challenge is what happens once you reach the green. Its heavily pitched putting surface rewards approaches that finish toward the front-left portion, while less precise shots can leave some extremely difficult putts and recovery opportunities.

Here’s the thing: When you’re on a golf trip like this, you want to score well. But, sometimes you also want to try something a little crazy. Chances are you’re going to hit two tee shots on this hole. I know I did.

Hole 9: Punchbowl | Par 4
⚫427 🔵406 ⚪385 🟡359 🔴287

Kishki finishes with Punchbowl, a 427-yard par four featuring one of the course’s most distinctive visual elements: a massive set of Church Pew bunkers inspired by Oakmont Country Club.

This bunker system dominates the right side of the driving area, while the fairway works toward a dramatically elevated green. With additional trouble to the right, finding the proper position off the tee is critical.

But the real star of the ninth is the punchbowl putting surface itself.

Inspired by so many classic punchbowl designs including the 12th at Chicago Golf Club, the green is perched well above the approach and surrounded by contours that can help direct properly struck shots toward the hole.

The key is getting the ball up there in the first place. I’d recommend taking at least an additional club on the approach, trusting the contours to do some of the work once your ball reaches the green.

It’s a wonderful finishing hole, and an appropriate conclusion to nine holes that consistently reward creativity, positioning and an appreciation for great golf architecture.

Another thing that impressed me about Kishki was how beautifully the course played barely a month after opening.

When I visited in September, the fairways were lush and beautifully maintained, the greens were smooth and consistent and the overall conditioning was remarkable for a course that had welcomed its first players on August 7.

But as impressive as the playing surfaces were, it’s the golf itself that makes Kishki so memorable. While the architectural inspirations are a major part of its identity, the course never feels like a collection of gimmicks. The variety of holes, strategic bunkering and creativity of the greens complexes make for an experience that’s both challenging and incredibly enjoyable.

Both times we played Kishki during this trip, I found myself saying the same thing as we approached the final few holes: “I wish there were nine more holes just like these waiting for us.”

That’s about the highest compliment I can give a nine-hole course. I wasn’t ready for the experience to end, and I couldn’t help imagining what another nine holes of this same caliber might look like.

Perhaps most importantly, Kishki gives visitors another compelling reason to plan a golf trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It’s not simply an extra nine holes to squeeze in before dinner. It’s a terrific golf experience in its own right, and an exceptional addition to an already outstanding lineup of courses associated with The Island Resort & Casino.

Fortunately, there’s more to come. The resort plans to expand Kishki from nine holes to a full 18 within the next two to three years. If the next nine are anywhere near as enjoyable as the first, it’ll be something truly special.

Beyond Kishki: The Island Resort’s Outstanding Golf Lineup

As much as I enjoyed Kishki, it’s important to remember that these nine holes are joining an already exceptional collection of golf experiences.

The Island Resort’s popular golf packages combine two outstanding courses of its own with two of the Upper Peninsula’s most memorable layouts, offering tremendous variety for groups planning a multi-day golf getaway.

Sweetgrass Golf Club

Sweetgrass is where The Island’s reputation as a premier golf destination really began to take shape.

Another Paul Albanese design, Sweetgrass features beautifully manicured, links-inspired golf with creative bunkering, memorable greens complexes and a layout that’s as enjoyable as it is visually appealing.

Located right outside the resort, it’s also home to the annual Island Resort Championship on the Epson Tour and consistently delivers some of the finest playing conditions I’ve experienced in the Midwest – whether on public or private courses.

I’ve always loved Sweetgrass, and it remains an essential part of any Island Resort golf itinerary.

Sage Run Golf Club

A short (less than ten minutes) drive from the resort, Sage Run offers an entirely different experience.

Also designed by Albanese, Sage Run is a rugged, spectacularly beautiful golf course featuring tremendous elevation changes, rolling terrain and some of the most dramatic holes you’ll find anywhere in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

It’s demanding, especially on several uphill holes where club selection can become an adventure, but the scenery and memorable downhill stretches make it a wonderful complement to Sweetgrass.

And now, with Kishki located on the same property, there’s even more reason to make the trip out to Sage Run.

TimberStone Golf Course

Located in Iron Mountain, TimberStone brings another distinctive style of golf to The Island’s lineup.

Originally designed by Jerry Matthews with Paul Albanese serving as lead designer, TimberStone winds through heavily wooded, mountainous terrain with dramatic elevation changes and beautiful natural surroundings.

It’s a terrific contrast to the more open landscapes of Sweetgrass and another example of the remarkable diversity of golf available throughout Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club

Of the original four courses associated with The Island’s golf packages, Greywalls was the one I was most excited to revisit.

It had been more than a decade since I’d last played Mike DeVries’ extraordinary creation at Marquette Golf Club, and I’d almost forgotten just how outrageously fun this place is.

If you’ve played Tobacco Road in North Carolina, you’ll have some idea of what I’m talking about. Greywalls is an incredibly rugged, visually intimidating golf course where enormous rock outcroppings, dramatic elevation changes, wild fairway contours and severely sloped greens create one unforgettable experience after another.

There are holes where you can hit what feels like a perfect drive directly down the middle of the fairway, only to watch it ricochet off a massive rock face and disappear into the woods. There are others where an excellent approach shot can land on the putting surface and roll 20 or 30 yards away from where you expected it to finish.

Somehow, “getting Greywallsed” is all part of the fun.

The opening hole provides a perfect introduction to what’s ahead. After hitting an excellent drive and solid second shot down the hill, I found myself with a short wedge into the green and what appeared to be a terrific birdie opportunity.

My approach landed on the putting surface, continued rolling and eventually disappeared off the back. The recovery wasn’t much easier, and what looked like a relatively straightforward par quickly turned into a double bogey.

Welcome back to Greywalls!

The second hole offered another memorable lesson in the importance of local knowledge. Its fairway is generous, but the green slopes so dramatically from left to right that a ball landing anywhere but left of the putting surface can travel an astonishing distance before finally coming to rest – sometimes well off the putting surface or in the woods.

The greens were incredibly fast during our visit, and their dramatic contours made every approach and putt an adventure.

I finished with a 46 on the front and 42 on the back for an 88, but I honestly couldn’t have cared less about the score.

There are golf courses where a round like that can leave you frustrated and eager to get off the property. Greywalls is the opposite. Even when the course beats you up, you find yourself smiling, laughing and wondering what outrageous challenge the next hole has in store.

It’s one of the most entertaining golf experiences I’ve had anywhere, and a course I’d put up against just about anywhere for pure fun factor.

If you’re booking an Island Resort golf trip and have the opportunity to include Greywalls, I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s an hour and a half drive from the resort, yes, but I’d honestly drive five hours or more for a round here.

Greywalls is that beautiful, that well-designed, that unique and memorable.

Beyond the Golf: Staying at The Island Resort & Casino

Of course, what makes The Island such a terrific golf destination isn’t just the quality of the courses. It’s the entire experience that surrounds them.

With more than 450 guest rooms, multiple restaurants and bars, a sprawling casino and plenty of additional amenities, The Island makes it easy to spend several days enjoying outstanding golf without having to worry much about what to do when the rounds are over.

The accommodations are comfortable, and the oversized Golf Suites are particularly well-suited for groups looking to share a room and keep their trip affordable. Sweetgrass is located right outside the hotel, while Sage Run and Kishki are just a short drive away.

Dining is another highlight, with options ranging from quick, affordable meals to an upscale steakhouse experience. Firekeeper’s Restaurant is a great option for a sit-down breakfast before heading to the course, while The Reef offers casual, cafeteria-style dining with surprisingly tasty burgers, sandwiches and other favorites at reasonable prices. Signature Pizza is another convenient option, serving made-to-order pizzas and individual slices, while the Island Café offers coffee, pastries and frozen custard.

For a more memorable evening, Horizons Steakhouse, located on the hotel’s top floor, is an experience I’d highly recommend setting aside time for. Between the panoramic views, outstanding steaks and perfectly made old fashioneds, Horizons has been one of my favorite parts of my past handful of visits.

And when the golf is finished for the day, there’s no shortage of entertainment. The casino features slots, table games and plenty of opportunities to enjoy a lively evening with friends. For those traveling with family or looking to unwind, the resort also offers Splash Island indoor waterpark and Drift Spa. Drift Spa also has an adults-only pool and hot tub that is open late, and is where I’ve tended to end my nights at the resort.

What I’ve come to appreciate about The Island is how well everything fits together. With Sweetgrass right outside the hotel, Sage Run and Kishki just ten minutes away and TimberStone and Greywalls both within a reasonable drive, the resort makes an ideal home base for exploring some of the Midwest’s most memorable golf courses. And after a day on the links, you can return to the resort for a terrific dinner, drinks with friends or some fun in the casino, all without having to worry about driving anywhere else that evening.

It’s a combination that’s hard to beat, especially considering the value The Island continues to offer compared with many of the country’s other major golf destinations.

Final Thoughts: The Island Keeps Getting Better

There are plenty of golf destinations where you can play several terrific courses over a few days. One of the things that makes The Island Resort & Casino special is just how different each of those experiences can be.

From the immaculate, links-inspired fairways of Sweetgrass to the rugged terrain of Sage Run, the wooded mountain golf at TimberStone and the wonderfully outrageous architecture of Greywalls, there’s an incredible amount of variety packed into an Island Resort golf trip.

And now there’s the Cedar Course at Sage Run – nine remarkable new holes known as Kishki.

Nine holes that, despite having been open for barely a month when I visited, already feel like an essential part of the experience. The Golden Age-inspired architecture is fascinating, the conditioning is exceptional and the golf is just plain fun.

Maybe what I appreciate most about The Island is that it never seems content to rest on what it’s already built. The demand for golf here continues to grow, and rather than simply accommodating more players, the resort keeps finding ways to make the experience better.

With another nine holes at Kishki planned for the coming years, there’s plenty more to look forward to.

If you’ve been considering a golf trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, I can’t recommend The Island Resort & Casino highly enough. And if you’re among the thousands of golf enthusiasts who return year after year, the addition of the Cedar Course (Kishki) gives you yet another terrific reason to start planning your next visit in 2027.

The Island Resort Golf website

For bonus content, check out all the “highlights” from this visit as well as previous ones – Instagram stories taken on-site at The Island Resort & Casino and the properties we visited: