Hole 1 – Cedar (Kish Ke)
Par 4
Cedar is one of the four traditional medicines of the Potawatomi people. As healing medicine, it is used in tribal ceremonies and sweat lodges. Cedar features highlight this opening hole.
Shortest Par 4 on the Course
Longer hitters can reach the green with their drive. If the pin is up front, a layup shot leaves a full swing on your approach.
Hole 2 – God’s Kettle
Par 4
Over 250 years ago, a great kettle made of copper was discovered by Weme-gen-debay, a noted chief and great hunter. It was used for boiling maple sap into sugar and for the “feast for the dead”. “God’s Kettle” sits on the right side of the fairway.
Straight Away Par 4
Favoring the left side of the fairway off of the tee, will give you a good angle into the green with your second shot.
Hole 3 – Wolf (Me ing gen)
Par 3
Potawatomi families are identified by animal clans. Clans bond the people together and assign responsibilities. The Wolf clan is a defensive clan of protectors and warriors. This hole is heavily defended by mounds and bunkers.
Par 3 With a Narrow Green
If the pin is in the middle or in the back of the green, use one less club. It is important to note that the front third of the green slopes away from you. The ball will release.
Hole 4 – Michigami
Par 4
Needing allies to survive, the Wyandotte and Ottawa joined with the Potawatomi to build a fortified village known as Michigami. In the 1650’s, this fort was used to repel attacks from the Iroquois. Wood posts represent the remains of a fort.
Long Dogleg Right Par 4
A tee shot to the right side of the fairway will give you a better angle and shorter shot into the green.
Hole 5 – The Serpent and the Flood
Long Par 4
The story of the Great Flood is about a deity named Neben Manito, the water god. From a great flood, and fighting against the Great Serpent, Neben Manito created the earth and spread people throughout the world.
A Par 4 That Slightly Doglegs to the Right
Favor the right side of the fairway for the best angle into the green. Approach shot is a little uphill so consider using an extra club.
Hole 6 – Sacred White Deer
Long Par 5
Deer have long been an important food source for the Potawatomi. However, the white deer is sacred and is never harmed. Watch for the “sacred white deer” waste bunker as you approach the green.
Long Par 5
Layup short of the waste area with your second shot (starts around 130 yards short of the green). A long tee shot may give you the option to carry the waste bunker.
Hole 7 – Rabbit
Par 3
The rabbit is a common character in Native American lore. There are stories about the rabbit shooting the sun, shooting the moon, fooling the coyote, and stealing from the otter. Beware of the rabbit hole bunkers.
Uphill Par 3
Make sure to use plenty of club to get there.
Hole 8 – Zoie
Par 4
The Potawatomi people live in tight communities where the sharing of lands, foods, and medicines are a way of life. This hole is dedicated to Zoie Brozowski, a friend of the Hannahville Indian Community, whose generosity helped construct this course.
Straight Away Par 4
Beware of the bunker in the middle of the fairway. Ample fairway to the right of the bunker makes for a tougher angle into a middle or back pin placement.
Hole 9 – Trailing Arbutus
Par 5
This hole reflects the yearly coming of spring. The daughter of Old Man Manito (winter) blows her warm breath every year to melt the snow and ice. In her footsteps grows the spring flower — the trailing arbutus.
Par 5 with Water Along the Left Side of the Fairway
A long drive will give you a chance to go for the green in two. Beware of the water in front of the green.
Hole 10 – The Firekeeper (Bodewadmi)
Par 4
The Three Fires Tribes consist of the Potawatomi, Chippewa and Ottawa. The Chippewa are the Keeper of the Faith, the Ottawa are the Keeper of the Trade and the Potawatomi are the Keeper of the Fire. The fire symbolizes the light of the Creator.
short but Narrow Par 4
A good drive will leave you with a short approach to the green.
Hole 11 – Good Harvest
Short Par 5
The Potawatomi believe mother earth provides a bounty for the people and should be protected. This hole has water, trees, farmland, low lands and wild game…all provided by mother earth. As harvesters of this bounty, the hole is dedicated to Douglas Good, whose family farmed this land for over 100 years.
short but Narrow Par 4
A good drive will leave you with a short approach to the green.
Hole 12 – Maple Sugar (Zi za ba kwet)
Par 3
Maple sugar is both a food and a preventative medicine. It is preventative medicine due to the work required to harvest the sap through a wooden flue, and once boiled it produces a natural sweetener.
A Par 3 with Biarritz Green
Pay attention to the pin placement for the correct club selection.
Hole 13 – Eagle (Ke no)
Par 4
The eagle is sacred to native people. From its perch, the eagle watches over the tribe and serves as the messenger between the Creator and his people.
Long Par 4 that Doglegs Left
A tee shot to the left side of the fairway will give you the best angle to the green.
Hole 14 – Legend of the Snowbirds
Par 4
Two young Indians traveled to deliver gifts to their grandmother. Caught in a snowstorm, they slept to the afterlife. The Creator has since sent two birds that warn of approaching snow. The snowbirds lie in the bunkers behind the green.
Short Par 4 with Hazard and Waste Bunker Down the Right Side of the Fairway
Favor the right side of the fairway off of the tee for the best angle into the green.
Hole 15 – Turtle (Mshike)
Par 3
Turtle Island represents the United States in Potawatomi culture. Turtles are wise and well respected. There is a Turtle Clan within each of the Three Fires Tribes.
Par 3 with an Island Green
Choose your club wisely. Pay attention to wind and yardage.
Hole 16 – Ogeema Muckwa
Par 4
The Bear Clan leads, protects, and provides medicines. This hole is dedicated to Kenneth Meshigaud, Ogeema Muckwa, who has been the Chairperson of the Hannahville Indian Community for over 20 years.
Par 4 Long Dogleg Right
A tee shot on the right side of the fairway will give you a good angle into the green. Favor the right side of the green with your approach shot.
Hole 17 – Wisdom (Bwakawen)
Par 4
Wisdom, one of the Seven Grandfathers, encompasses experience, knowledge and balance. The turtle guarding the approach to the green, represents wisdom in the animal world.
Great Par 4
A tee shot on the right side of the fairway will give you the best angle into the green.
Hole 18 – Seven Grandfathers (Noeg Gmeshomsenanek)
Par 5
Potawatomi tradition tells us there were Seven Grandfathers given the responsibility by the Creator to look after the people. The grandfathers taught us wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility and truth. There are seven bunkers on the final hole.
Par 5 with Water Down the Entire Right Side
Layup with your second shot to the left of the green or short of the water in front of the green.
