Heather

Everett Kircher bought 40 acres near Boyne Falls, Michigan in 1947. The person who sold Kircher the land laughed at the idea of building a Ski Resort in such a remote location and hence gave him the land for $1. The Resort, known today as Boyne Mountain, was the first resort in the Midwest to have a chair lift. Kircher eventually made money off of several patents for chair lifts and snow making/grooming equipment. In 1964, Kircher bought a 2nd ski resort, known then as Harbor Highlands and renamed to Boyne Highlands.

Boyne Mountain was the first Ski Lodge in the Midwest to offer golf, a course that Kircher built himself. For Boyne Highlands, Kircher hired Robert Trent Jones, Sr. to build the “Heather” which opened in 1967.  The Heather is presently ranked #70 on the list of Golfweek Magazine’s “Top 100 Resort Courses.”

The Heather is a little over 7,000 yards from the Tips and slopes at 141. The finishing hole is a terrific challenge. Playing at 451 yards, and going downhill from the tee to a pond, a long drive from the tee can reach the water. You are going to be left with at least a 160 yard shot over nothing but water going for the green on your 2nd shot. Bailout position is to the left.

Each May I go on an annual golf outing “Up North” with anywhere from 28-40 people. We call it the “Long John” golf outing as we have had to wear “Long Johns” because of the widely varying temperatures in early May. For 7 years in a row we went to Boyne Highlands and always had our last round at the Heather. For the first six years I put one in the drink as a bunch of drunk golf buddies were jeering from the behind the green on #18. I am happy to report, the last time I played the Heather, I was the only one in my group to hit the green, landing one 20 feet from the cup as our group went on to a par, winning the annual outing.