ROTHBURY, Mich. -- New owners always bring uncertainty to a resort, especially when the game of golf wasn't always the primary focus in the past. On the plus side, they bring new capital and a renewed energy, too.
The new owners of the troubled Double JJ Resort have reportedly invested several hundred thousand dollars in the property since taking over in 2014.
Those efforts have revived Thoroughbred Golf Club, an Arthur Hills design from 1993 that at one time ranked among the top 25 golf courses in Michigan.
The Thoroughbred gallops through a breathtaking natural setting. The back nine wraps around Carpenter Lake, finishing with a C-shaped par 5 bending around the water. A smaller pond impacts the hilly par-5 fourth hole and unique par-4 12th hole.
With a slope of 147 from the tips, the Thoroughbred is one of Michigan's toughest public courses. Hitting the second green in regulation feels like mission impossible. The 446-yard par 4 plays to a tilted fairway bending around a cranberry bog. Good luck taming this wild stallion.
The Double JJ Resort -- with an indoor water park, arcade, horseback riding, multiple restaurants, camping, cabins and hotel rooms and suites -- is great for a family golf vacation if somebody wants to sneak away for a round. It can work for buddies too, if the group doesn't mind driving 45 minutes north to Ludington to find a bonus round at Hemlock Golf Club.
Thoroughbred Golf Club at Double JJ Resort - hole 2
The second hole is the most dangerous par 4 on the Thoroughbred Golf Club at Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, Mich.
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Thoroughbred Golf Club at Double JJ Resort - hole 3
The par-3 third hole on the Thoroughbred Golf Club at Double JJ Resort drops downhill.
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Thoroughbred Golf Club at Double JJ Resort - hole 4
After a wild downhill tee shot to a sloping fairway, golfers must hit over a wetland to safely reach the Thoroughbred Golf Club's fourth green.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Thoroughbred Golf Club at Double JJ Resort - hole 6
Hitting the plateau green on the par-5 sixth hole at the Thoroughbred Golf Club at Double JJ Resort is no simple task.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Thoroughbred Golf Club at Double JJ Resort - hole 8
Thoroughbred Golf Club's eighth fairway gets really narrow near the green.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Thoroughbred Golf Club at Double JJ Resort - hole 9
Wetlands and bunkers guard the par-3 ninth hole at The Thoroughbred Golf Club at Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, Mich.
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Thoroughbred golf course at Double JJ Resort - hole 11
Thoroughbred Golf Club's 11th hole is another par 3 that plays downhill.
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Thoroughbred golf course at Double JJ Resort - hole 12
Thoroughbred Golf Club's 12th fairway looks down upon the green.
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Thoroughbred golf course at Double JJ Resort - hole 14
The par-4 14th hole shows off Thoroughbred Golf Club's secluded setting.
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Thoroughbred golf course at Double JJ Resort - hole 15
Thoroughbred Golf Club's 15th hole plays along a lake.
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Thoroughbred G.C. at Double JJ Resort - hole 17
Slicers bring the wetland into play near Thoroughbred Golf Club's par-3 17th green.
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Thoroughbred G.C. at Double JJ Resort - hole 18
Thoroughbred Golf Club's dramatic, finishing par 5 wraps around a lake.
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(based on 3 reviews)