Coves at The Coves at Bird Island

The Coves at Bird Island occupies land along Grand Lake O' the Cherokees in northeastern Oklahoma, designed by Brent Wadsworth and Randy Heckenkemper. The course takes advantage of the rolling terrain and wooded landscape characteristic of the region, with several holes playing near or along the lake's shoreline. The routing incorporates elevation changes and natural features that define this part of Oklahoma, where the Ozark Plateau foothills meet the reservoir created by Pensacola Dam in the 1940s.

Wadsworth and Heckenkemper worked to integrate the layout with the property's coves and inlets, which give the course its name. The design balances risk-reward opportunities on holes near the water with more traditional parkland challenges through the interior sections. Tree-lined fairways and strategically positioned bunkers characterize much of the routing, while the lakeside holes provide both scenic variety and strategic interest depending on wind conditions.

The facility serves as part of a residential community in the Grand Lake area, a popular recreation destination in Oklahoma's Green Country region. Grand Lake attracts seasonal visitors and permanent residents drawn to water-based recreation and golf, and The Coves functions within this broader resort and residential context. The course offers a full-length championship layout that caters to both members and guests visiting the lake region.