Point O’ Woods Golf Club
– Benton Harbor, Michigan
Year Opened: 1958
Society Delegate: Alex Craig (630-310-9086)
Website: www.pointowoods.com

In 1954, five residents met to discuss building a premier country club for the greater St. Joseph-Benton Harbor area and asked renowned architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. to assess 350 acres of land owned by Donald H. Ross for development. After careful study of the terrain, he reported enthusiastically that it was an ideal location for a championship 18-hole layout. Work began in 1957 and the golf course opened for play one year later. The club’s logo is an illustration of the “Ross Cabin” – a historic landmark that overlooks the signature 9th hole – witnessing tee shots and welcoming all to Point O’ Woods for the past 60+ years.

In 1958 the course opened for play and was soon recognized as Southwest Michigan’s “hidden gem.” In 1963 The Point was awarded the Western Amateur, hosting the event exclusively from 1971 – 2009. Golf legends like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, Phil Mickelson, and Tiger Woods have competed at Point O’ Woods. The course has been ranked in Golf Digest’s Top 100 for over 40 years.

As the name implies, Point O’ Woods is a tree-lined course that weaves through the natural woodlands of southwest Michigan. Robert Trent Jones masterfully incorporated long winding ravine into his layout. The ravine forces a skillful carry on the risk/reward par-5 second hole, as well as on the par-3 ninth hole. It also comes into play as a picturesque greenside hazard protecting the par-4 finishing 18th. Notably, the ninth hole was featured prominently in George Pepper’s The 500 World’s Greatest Golf Holes.

Overall, the course is a clear testament to Robert Trent Jones’ architectural style. It features many of his trademark characteristics – long runway tee boxes, massive greens that place a premium on putting with both obvious and subtle undulations, and a pair of diabolical risk/reward short par-4s (#8 and #14).

Forced carry over the ravine on the par-5 second

Forced carry over the ravine on the signature par-3 ninth. The Ross Cabin sits directly behind the tee box in this photo.

Deep woodland features embodied on the par-5 fifteenth – This photo is for the cover slide.