Elk Ridge Golf Club, Atlanta, Michigan - An Upscale Golf Course in the ``Elk Capital'' of Michigan

Elk Ridge Golf Club is located in Atlanta - not Georgia, but Michigan - the state's "Elk Capital,'' about midway between Gaylord and Alpena in Northeastern Michigan As such, the course is one with nature and some of the largest elk herds in the state roam the fairways. Golfers should also not be surprised to encounter wild turkeys, bobcats, eagles and bear.

The Jerry Matthews-designed course opened in 1991, and was laid out so as not to interfere with the wetlands, duck marshes and native wildlife. The course is what golf in Northern Michigan is all about, and features the customary rolling fairways, marshes, wetlands, fast, undulating greens, and an abundance of trees that golfers have come to expect.

There are also good elevation changes and elevated tees, providing for the fun of those big drives downhill as well as some stunning views of the area. The course also features a number of doglegs, some strategic bunkering, as well as water in the form of lakes, wetlands, ponds, and streams all coming into play. The result is a good variety of well-groomed, contoured holes sculpted out of the Northern Michigan woodlands.

The 18-hole, par-72 course covers 400 acres of land and plays to 7,058 yards from the longest tees, with a USGA rating of 74.7 and a slope rating of 143 on Bent grass. That 400 acres represents a sprawling amount of acreage, which allowed the course designers to make golfers feel secluded from the world, even when the course is packed.

Some of the more noteworthy holes include No. 10, a par-3 that plays to only 164 yards from the Gold tees. This is one of the best elevated tees on the course, and the drop from tee to green is more than 100 feet. That will make the hole play even shorter, but golfers must be wary of the bunker that guards the right side of the green. It's said to shaped like a pig, but is a bear to get out of.

No. 16 offers golfers more stunning views of Northern Michigan from an elevated tee. The par-4 hole plays to 381 yards from the back tees, and doglegs left around water and wetlands. Golfers can eliminate more of the dogleg by hitting a longer drive, but the approach shot that follows plays back uphill into an elevated green. This hole was voted one of "The Best 18 Holes You Can Play'' by Golf Digest in 1997

Elk Ridge has received a number of accolades since opening, including being rated by Golf Digest in 1992 as the second-best new public golf course in the U.S. That same publication also ranked the course #47 in 1996-97 among the Top 75 Upscale Public Courses in the country.

Practice facilities at Elk Ridge include a driving range and putting green, and rental clubs are available. The course also features a distinctive clubhouse, designed to resemble Indian teepees, and features authentic Indian artifacts on display. The clubhouse also offers a restaurant and snack bar.