In 1919, James Playfair purchased a 124-acre tract near the town of Midland, envisioning a magnificent nine-hole golf course. In the early ’90s, Doug Carrick was called in to refurbish a few holes from the original Nicol Thompson layout (he redid the bunkers and extended the fairways on 16 and 17). As of late, Carrick has added two throat bunkers on either side of the third-hole fairway; on the fourth he has contoured the traps; on the fifth he has changed the shape and placement of the traps. The semi-private course is on the short side, but the slim fairways and thick forest rough make this no easy walk in the woods. The 403-yard eighth hints at what’s in store around the turn. On your second shot, dig your best swing out of the bag; the lie is uneven, the elevated green fast and almost impossible to stick. Bunkers are filled with Temisca white sand; greens are above average.