The Pines at The Pines at Lake Isabella

The Pines at Lake Isabella sits in central Michigan's Isabella County, where Jerry Matthews designed a course that works with the region's characteristic rolling terrain and mature woodlands. The layout takes advantage of natural elevation changes and the presence of established pine and hardwood stands that frame holes and define playing corridors. The property's topography provides variety in both stance and approach angles, typical of Michigan's glacially-shaped interior landscapes.

Matthews, a Michigan-based architect active from the 1960s through the 1990s, built a reputation for creating playable courses that respect their natural settings without excessive earthmoving. His work at The Pines reflects this approach, routing holes through and around existing tree lines and incorporating the land's native contours into the strategic design. The course serves both the local community and visitors to the Lake Isabella area, which has developed as a recreational destination in the central part of the state.

The layout offers a straightforward test of golf that rewards accuracy and course management over pure distance. Wooded corridors demand thoughtful club selection off the tee, while greens of modest size and contour require solid approach play. The course operates as part of a residential community centered around Lake Isabella, providing a traditional Midwestern golf experience in a setting defined by forest and water.