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<\/p>\nA map of the new golf course designed by Paul Albanese. (Courtesy image)<\/p>\n
HARRIS \u2014 Island Resort & Casino, one of the Midwest\u2019s premier golf destinations, announces that the new Cedar Course (Kishki), a nine-hole layout, is set to open for preview play in July 2026, with a full opening slated for 2027.<\/p>\n
The Cedar Course becomes the third course at the Upper Peninsula resort, joining the acclaimed Sweetgrass and Sage Run layouts.<\/p>\n
Designed by golf course architect Paul Albanese, the Cedar Course is rooted in the principles of Golden Age golf architecture, blending strategic design with a natural, land-driven routing. Built across less rugged terrain adjacent to Sage Run, the course offers a different golf experience\u2013less dramatic than Sage Run\u2019s elevation shifts and more contoured than the gently rolling Sweetgrass\u2013creating a dynamic and highly playable layout.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis may be my favorite site of all three courses we\u2019ve done up here,\u201d said Albanese. \u201cIt just sets up really well for some great golf. Cedar gives players a chance to experience the strategy, creativity and fun that defined the Golden Age \u2014 without it ever feeling forced.\u201d<\/p>\n
Inspired by iconic venues such as National Golf Links and Prestwick, Cedar incorporates classic design elements, including bold green complexes, strategic bunkering, and a variety of hole concepts that reward imagination and thoughtful shot-making. From the opening hole, \u201cThe Bottle,\u201d which narrows as players advance from the tee to the standout par-5 sixth, featuring a Himalaya bunker, a Sahara-style landing area, and a boomerang green, the course delivers a compelling mix of strategy and visual appeal.<\/p>\n
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Courtesy photo<\/p>\n
The drivable par-4 eighth \u2014 modeled after the famed 10th hole at Riviera Country Club \u2014 adds a risk-reward element, while templates such as Double Plateau and Punchbowl greens further reinforce the Golden Age inspiration throughout the round.<\/p>\n
The addition of Cedar also addresses strong demand at Island Resort & Casino, where peak-season tee times on Sweetgrass and Sage Run are often fully booked.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the past few years, the demand for golf has increased significantly, with our existing courses frequently at capacity,\u201d said Tony Mancilla, general manager of Island Resort & Casino. \u201cThe addition of the Cedar Course allows us to better serve our guests, whether they\u2019re looking for a quick round, an early tee time, or another reason to extend their stay. It\u2019s a meaningful addition that enhances the flexibility and overall experience of our golf offering.\u201d<\/p>\n
The course also carries cultural significance. Its name, Kishki \u2014 meaning \u201ccedar\u201d in the Potawatomi language \u2014 refers to one of the four sacred medicines, symbolizing protection and purification. Together with Sweetgrass and Sage Run, the new layout completes a meaningful trilogy that reflects the land, heritage, and cultural storytelling of the property.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith Cedar, we\u2019re not just adding another course \u2014 we\u2019re completing a vision,\u201d Mancilla added. \u201cIt\u2019s an experience that feels authentic, strategic, and lasting, and one that continues to elevate Island Resort & Casino as a premier golf destination in the Midwest.\u201d<\/p>\n
As one of the Midwest\u2019s largest golf, casino, and entertainment resort destinations, now with 45 holes (Sweetgrass, Sage Run, and Cedar), the Island Resort & Casino also features over 400 rooms, including golf suites, a top-floor steakhouse restaurant, and a full-service spa. The Vegas-style casino also offers a poker room, table games, bingo, numerous dining options, and live entertainment. Fully customizable packages offer three, four, and five-night lodging options at Island Resort and Casino, including rounds of golf at Sweetgrass, Sage Run, Greywalls, and Timberstone. <\/p>\n
More information may be found at islandresortgolf.com or 877-475-4733.<\/p>\n