Famous designers plan new $32 million golf club in Michigan

Plans are advancing for a luxurious golf club, the Frontier Club, set to be designed by renowned architects Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner near Ann Arbor, Michigan. The exclusive club will span 333 acres of land in Lodi Township and is expected to cost $32.19 million, according to documents filed with the township.

The club will feature 18 holes, a 12-hole short course, a clubhouse, a driving range, 11 guest cottages, a maintenance facility, and 40 to 50 seasonal employees. With plans to limit membership to 300 individuals, most (at least 80%) are anticipated to be from outside the area, drawn by the club's unique allure.

The property, owned by Wayne Jones and Scott Kovanda, has been on the market since 1998, initially intended for personal residence, farming, and land preservation. However, the natural landscape features, such as water and rolling hills, prompted Kovanda to envision a golf course, which Hanse and Wagner ultimately crafted, emphasizing long-term land sustainability and minimal environmental impact.

The club's discreet design features a two-level clubhouse, men's and women's locker rooms, a kitchen, bar, dining space, wine cellar, and pro shop, complemented by guest cabins and a wellness cabin surrounding a large Himalayas-style putting green. Despite the club's prominence, it will be situated off the road, with a berm at the entrance and cornfields bordering the course to maintain a low profile.

While the exact membership fees remain undisclosed, the Frontier Club represents a growing trend of private golf destinations in Michigan, joining other notable clubs like Kingsley Club, High Pointe Golf Club, and LochenHeath Golf Club. This burgeoning trend underscores Michigan's emergence as a top golfing destination in the nation and worldwide.