Golf News

Candlestone More Than Home of Amateur Tourney
By Josh Slagter | The Grand Rapids Press
May 13, 2009, 9:30AM

BELDING -- In every direction, there is transformation.

Mike Husby, general manager of Candlestone Golf & Resort and a notable course designer, wants everybody to see the changes.

"And what's to come, too," he said.

Rockford's Steve Leach, with John Durkee and Catherine Farr, bought the resort last year and promised changes. The new owners are making good on that pledge with an estimated $1 million in improvements, including a redone sports-themed bar and Water Tower Grill restaurant.

The main facility boasts a new pro shop and hotel rooms being refurbished from the plumbing to the paint.

WEST MICHIGAN AMATEUR
What: 54-hole event for top male amateur golfers west of Lansing

When/where: Saturday and Sunday at Candlestone Golf & Resort, 8100 Storey Road, Belding

Cost: $75 (Entries accepted through Thursday)

Information: westmichigangolf.com or by calling 794-1541

Defending champion: Eric Atsma

The course: 7,016 yards, par 72, designed by Jerry Matthews with current restoration work by Mike Husby

Play rates: $21 to walk, $35 with cart for 18 holes on weekdays; $25 to walk, $39 with cart on weekends; special rates sometimes offered

As you walk outside, the golf course appears greener.

Yes, the "Stone" has finally been polished.

The West Michigan Amateur Championship, an event that has attracted the top male amateur golfers this side of Lansing since 1963, beckons this weekend. Those golfers will see a resort in full bloom as they battle for the title over 54 holes, including two final rounds Sunday.

Of importance to top players, all but a few holes feature new tee boxes, adding yardage that can stretch the course to more than 7,000 yards from the tips. Already a challenging course, especially over the difficult final four holes, it takes on a new dimension and shot angles from five tee positions.

Perhaps more important for the resort, each hole also features new tee boxes up front, which are most often for women and juniors. It's not just an afterthought collection of mowed places with red balls thrown down. Elevated tee boxes have been added with consideration for shot values.

"Honestly, we want to host USGA, GAM and PGA events for men and women in the future, so we want to have it right," Husby said. "And we needed to be fair to our women golfers here."

It's right on, and golfers will need to see the new back tee on No. 8. It's a real par 5 now for the big boys. And not that the 15th hole, a perched par 3, needed more distance, but it can be a 235 yard-plus score killer. Bring your long game.

"We're excited about what it can become," said Leach, who, with Durkee, was hands-on last week during construction.

While work continues inside, the outside is getting a modern look from the parking lot expansion to the new putting green and practice area, which will include a short-game area and learning center (former pro shop).

"We know what it takes to be a quality golf destination, and that's where we are headed," Husby said.

The greens have grown in well this spring. A bunker project with new sand, as well as addition, subtraction and relocation for strategy, is next on Husby's docket.

"This is a strong golf course, but we've always had to fight some image problems," Husby said. "We want to get it where its reputation lets people know what to expect."

Tree and branch removal to clear shot lanes while letting sunlight in for grass growth has been a big part of the offseason changes. It's a new look, and the best I've seen it look.

My first West Michigan Amateur as a reporter was 1984, and the first time I played the course was in '83. It never has looked better or played better, and the base 18-hole rates (from $21 to $39) remain the same for a third consecutive year.

Husby acknowledged Candlestone used to hang its golf hat on hosting the West Michigan Amateur. He envisions a time when tournaments can hang hats on being at Candlestone again.

"It will give us a new credibility," he said.

Leach, meanwhile, wants it to be a place where all golfers feel welcome to come play golf, dine, spend the night and play again the next day.

It's happening.

Candlestone Remodeling Update

Owner Steve Leach could not be more proud of what the new Candlestone looks like. “I gave Mike a few employees and a few pieces of equipment and he turned a good golf course into a great golf course." Candlestone open all of the 31 new tee complexes in early August and completed the work on the existing 28 sand traps and the new 34 sand traps in early November. “I will admit I was even surprised how good it has turned out”, said Mike Husby. Husby went on to say “that the support of the new owners has been incredible. I had 20 semis of sod delivered this summer and never once did they question the mission”.

The first major event to be played on the remodeled golf course will be in mid May when the prestigious field of the West Michigan Amateur tees it up in the annual classic.

Reported By:
Charlie Nelson
1/15/2010

Mike Husby Remodeling Candlestone

Candlestone Resort in Belding, Michigan announced that Mike Husby Golf has been selected to complete the renovation project of the 18 golf course. “Mike is designing and building 31 new tees, reshaping 36 bunkers while creating 6 new bunkers. He has laid out a fabulous new bag drop and staging area for our guests. He is also establishing a new putting green adjacent to our new pro shop and also giving Candlestone its first practice green and sand trap on the driving range,” said owner Steve Leach of Rockford.

Mike is taking the course from 6700 yards to over 7000 yards while establishing 5 separate yardage options for the players. The tee work is set to be completed by April 20th and ready for play by Memorial Day. The bunker work is slated for completion in early June. When the project is completed there will be an additional 85 new sprinklers required. Mike is working with a crew of 8 employees with additional assistance from Dean’s Excavation from Sand Lake, Michigan. The irrigation contractor has not been selected at this time.

The golf course work has been coordinated to compliment the massive multimillion dollar renovation of the restaurant, banquet facility and motel which are all reopening in mid April.

The changes will place Candlestone in position for hosting major golf events. 

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