Brian Walters
Brian Walters
Brian Walters
Brian Walters
Brian Walters
Overview
The Cardinal is the first public course to open in the Detroit area in over 20 years. Designed by architect Ray Hearn, it replaces Saint John’s early 1980s 27-hole resort course with more spacious and strategically engaging holes that are either brand new or significantly redesigned. The excess holes were removed and transformed, giving Hearn room to add a fun 7-hole short course and large, Himalayas-style putting green. Part of a $50 million-plus renovation of the entire campus, The Cardinal is a much-needed reclamation of a scenic and moving piece of land that tended to get lost under the old design, with a less formal style of bunker and the latitude to explore different avenues into the greens. Though just 20 miles from downtown, the revamped feel of the wooded property whisks players to a place much farther away.
About
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
Reviews
Review
“The course is a lot more spacious than the old course. A nice improvement."
Read More2024
Review
“Very friendly staff"
Read More2024
Review
“Solid course addition to the public golf scene in greater Detroit."
Read More2024
Review
“All players will have a great time at this course. Good design, beautiful setting (on Holy Ground at a former seminary!) and conditions are superb. The tees are fair to all if you choose the correct ones. Women and seniors will like their options."
Read More2024
Review
“Firm and fast conditions with plenty of slope on the greens challenge the better player while the course is still playable for the average golfer."
Read More2024
Review
“The cardinal has 5 sets of tees making it playable and fun for everyone. For a newly opened course, it is in fantastic condition. The rock-lined ditches, ponds and lakes are distinctive. Although it is in a metro area, it seems like it is out in the country - no noise and no homes. It will quickly become a favorite in the local area."
Read More2024
Review
“has a little bit of everything. This Ray Hearn design has a few creeks, a few ponds, some hardwoods and some wetlands. He ties it all together on a decent price of property that has good movement. Some fairways were wide, and others were tight. My only negative was the backside, a few holes seemed squeezed together in a compacted area. The par threes were solid, but the distances were similar. Greens were very varied. My favorite holes included the par 5 fifth at 527 yards that had plenty of shot options from the tee shot to the approach whether it was trying to get home in two or laying up for a pitch short third. The 7th and 13th were similar — the 7th was 405 and the 13th was 418 yards both were tight with fairways slanting hard right to left and then uphill approach shots awaited. The 13th was more uphill. 18 was a difficult finish at 427 yards as the drive was uphill and semi blind out of a chute. To the left of the green was a pond."
Read More2024
Review
“A wonderful resort course in that it allows all levels of players to enjoy while providing adequate challenge for better players. Beautiful and exceptionally well maintained."
Read More2024
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