The Meadows at Grand Valley State

The Meadows at Grand Valley State serves as the home course for Grand Valley State University's golf programs in Allendale, Michigan, located west of Grand Rapids. Designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan and opened in the mid-1990s, the course was purpose-built to provide a competitive collegiate venue while also functioning as a public facility. Hurdzan, known for his environmental sensitivity and strategic design work, created a layout that works with the relatively flat western Michigan terrain, incorporating wetlands and natural areas that are characteristic of the region. The routing takes advantage of the property's meadowlands and water features, with several holes playing alongside or over wetland areas that come into play both visually and strategically. The design emphasizes width off the tee in many places while tightening approaches to greens, a common Hurdzan trait that rewards accuracy on scoring shots. The course serves as a tournament venue for Grand Valley State's NCAA Division II programs, which have achieved considerable success in conference and regional competition. The facility operates as a daily-fee course open to the public, making it accessible to both university players and area golfers. The Meadows provides a straightforward test of golf without excessive length, relying instead on strategic bunkering, green contours, and the natural challenge posed by wind across open terrain. Its dual role as both a competitive collegiate venue and a community course gives it a practical, unpretentious character typical of university-affiliated facilities in the Midwest.