Bird Creek at Bird Creek Golf Club

Bird Creek Golf Club sits in Port Austin at the tip of Michigan's Thumb region, where the state's eastern peninsula meets Lake Huron. The course occupies terrain characteristic of this agricultural and lakeshore area, with relatively modest elevation changes and open vistas shaped by the region's farming heritage and proximity to the Great Lakes. Bruce Matthews designed the layout to work with the natural contours and existing landscape features of the site.

The routing takes advantage of the property's rolling farmland character, incorporating natural drainage corridors and stands of mature trees that frame individual holes. Matthews, known for his work on accessible daily-fee and municipal courses throughout the Midwest, created a design that balances playability for a range of skill levels with strategic interest. The course features a mix of hole lengths and angles, with hazard placement that rewards thoughtful course management rather than demanding exceptional length.

Port Austin's location makes Bird Creek part of the broader golfing landscape in Michigan's Thumb, a region less densely developed for golf than areas farther south or west in the state. The club serves both local members and visitors exploring the quieter stretches of Michigan's eastern shoreline. The setting offers views across open farmland and, depending on the property's exact boundaries, potential sight lines toward Lake Huron in the distance. The course reflects the straightforward, unpretentious character common to golf facilities in smaller Michigan communities.