
Black Lake Course
Black Lake Golf Club



About this course
Black Lake Golf Club sits in the forested landscape of northern Michigan's Presque Isle County, near the small town of Onaway. The course was designed by Rees Jones and opened in the early 1990s as part of a residential development in a region known for its natural lakes, dense woodlands, and relative remoteness compared to the more heavily trafficked resort areas farther south. Greg Muirhead collaborated on the project, contributing to a layout that works with the rolling, wooded terrain characteristic of this part of the state. The routing moves through stands of hardwoods and conifers, with elevation changes that provide variety in shot-making and visual interest. Several holes play along or near the shoreline of Black Lake itself, incorporating water as both a hazard and a scenic element. The design emphasizes strategic bunkering and green complexes that reward accurate approach play, typical of Jones's work during this period. The natural setting remains a defining feature, with limited development visible from many parts of the course. Black Lake operates as a private club and has maintained a low profile compared to Michigan's better-known resort courses. It serves primarily a membership drawn from seasonal residents and those with ties to the region. The course has not hosted major professional tournaments but is recognized within the state for its conditioning and the quality of its design work in a relatively undeveloped area of northern Michigan.
Quick facts
- Location
- Onaway, MI, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 2000
- Designer(s)
- Greg Muirhead, Rees Jones
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,035 yards
- Difficulty
- 74.8/143
Getting there
Black Lake Golf Club lies deep in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, a destination best reached via Pellston Regional Airport - a compact gateway roughly thirty minutes north - or the larger Traverse City hub an hour and forty-five minutes southwest. The final leg trades US-23 for winding county roads that tunnel through dense hardwood and conifer forest, the landscape growing quieter and more remote with each passing mile. This is not a place stumbled upon; arrival at Black Lake feels earned, the seclusion itself a promise that what awaits beyond the clubhouse has been worth the pilgrimage into Michigan's wild interior.

FAQ
Common questions about Black Lake
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Black Lake was designed by Greg Muirhead and Rees Jones.
Yes. Black Lake is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Black Lake is 72.
Black Lake plays 7,035 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Black Lake is 143.
Black Lake is a 18-hole course.


