Island Resort & Casino to Open New Golf Course

Island Resort & Casino, a casino and hospitality property in Michigan, is preparing to expand its entertainment offering with a new golf course. The new course will complement the resort’s two existing courses and cement it as a top place to enjoy gaming and golfing alike.

The Property Already Has Two Courses

As mentioned, Island Resort & Casino in Harris already boasts two courses. Both are 18-hole courses, with one of them, the Sweetgrass Course, ranking among the top ten public-access courses in the entire state. The other course, Sage Run, is not far behind either.

The resort is now preparing to add a third course that will be designed by the mastermind behind its two existing courses – Paul Albanese. It will be called the Cedar Course and will also be referred to as Kishki, meaning “cedar” in the Potawatomi language.

For context, Island Resort & Casino is operated by the Hannahville Indian Community, a federally recognized Potawatomi Indian Tribe.

The New Course Is Set to Open Next Year

The Cedar Course seeks a middle ground between the Sage Run and the Sweetgrass Run. The new course will be less steep than the former, but more diverse in terms of elevation than the latter.

The course will feature assets inspired by Golden Age architecture. In addition to that, the Cedar Course will sport fresh takes on popular hole templates. The broader venue will take inspiration from famous golf courses, such as New York’s National Golf Links and Scotland’s Prestwick.

The overall idea is to provide golfers with a pleasant, yet strategic experience that rewards their skills.

The Cedar Course is set to open in 2027, although preview play will kick off later this year.

A Meaningful Addition to Island Resort & Casino’s Portfolio

Island Resort & Casino’s leadership expressed excitement about the new addition to the resort’s roster of offerings. Tony Mancilla, the property’s general manager, noted that the new course comes in response to an increasing demand for golf. He said that the Cedar Course will allow his team to better serve its guests, calling it a “meaningful addition” to the overall Island Resort & Casino experience.

Paul Albanese, the new course’s designer, was similarly pleased and admitted that the Cedar Course might be his favorite one out of all the courses he has designed for Island Resort & Casino.