Stephen9729894

Have been playing for years. This round was Red Course and White Course. Red Course fairways were in good shape, greens not up to normal Mistwood standards. White course both fairways and greens in good shape.

Biggest disappointment was the destruction of the signature 7th hole on the White course. Rumor is they sold the fairway to a private party to build a house on a duck pond adjacent to the course. They have turned the most challenging par 4 on the course into a par 3 so now there are three par 3's on the 9 hole White course including two back to back. Sad.

Course used to have links style rough, smooth fast greens, great fun to play. Most of the natural rough has been mowed down which significantly reduces the challenge of the layout. Greens are slower than they used to be. They are gradually turning a fine golf course into a nothing special course.

Played second week in April. Fairways quite bare and greens in bad shape. I assume the course conditions will improve considerably as we move through spring. Appears that in better condition it can be a nice track.

Mountain Ridge is the fancier of the two Crystal Mountain courses. Guy working the pro shop was not very cordial. Kid working the carts outside was quite friendly and helpful.
Course was extremely well maintained - fairways and greens in excellent shape. Lots of wildlife on the course. Even though the course is called Mountain Ridge, for the most part it is quite a flat layout. From the whites, it is of moderate length and difficulty. Fairway traps are well placed to force you to keep tee shots in the fairways.
This is not a walking course. Many holes have quite a drive to reach the next tee.
It is a nice course, but there are a lot of nice courses in northern Michigan. I feel the normal green fees are excessive for the Mountain Ridge course, which may help explain why the course was pretty deserted on a beautiful Wednesday summer afternoon.