Hessel Ridge at Hessel Ridge Golf Course

Hessel Ridge Golf Course sits in Michigan's eastern Upper Peninsula, in the small community of Hessel along the northern shore of Lake Huron near the Les Cheneaux Islands. Designed by Jeff Gorney, a Michigan-based architect known for working within natural terrain and creating courses accessible to regional golfers, the layout takes advantage of the area's wooded, rolling topography characteristic of the U.P.'s Precambrian shield landscape.

The course occupies forested land with elevation changes that provide variety in shot-making and strategic interest. Gorney's design philosophy typically emphasizes playability across skill levels while incorporating the existing landforms, and Hessel Ridge reflects this approach with routing that moves through stands of northern hardwoods and conifers. The natural setting offers views of the surrounding wilderness and, on certain holes, glimpses toward the nearby waterways that define this part of Michigan's resort and recreation region.

Hessel Ridge serves both local residents and seasonal visitors drawn to the Les Cheneaux area for its boating, fishing, and outdoor recreation. The course operates within the Upper Peninsula's relatively short golf season, typically from late spring through early fall. Its location makes it part of a network of northern Michigan courses that cater to golfers seeking a quieter, more remote experience away from the state's busier resort destinations farther south. The facility offers a straightforward golf experience suited to the character of its rural, forested setting.