Doon Brae and Back Yaird Now Open at The Highlands

The Highlands announces its new par-3 short course, Doon Brae, and the Back Yaird, a Himalayan-style putting course, is now open. Located on the backside of the Main Lodge, Doon Brae is the first modern golf course ever built on a ski hill.

“Having experienced some of the top resorts in the country with their short courses and putting courses they have created for guests, it was the perfect add-on to create that type of golf entertainment for our BOYNE guests,” said Bernie Friedrich, Director of Golf Course Renovations and Development at Boyne Resorts. “Whether it’s before the round or after the round to extend games, Doon Brae will be a great golf experience. It will also be a fun option for kids and beginners to try golf for the first time.”

The name, Doon meaning going down into a valley, and Brae, meaning steep bank or hillside in Scottish, is fitting as the routing of the course is on the site of the former Cuff Links nine-hole par-3 course set along the hillside that doubles as a ski slope during the winter months.

The Highlands guests will also enjoy the Back Yaird (Scottish word for yard), a 65,000 square foot 27-hole putting course featuring three nine-hole combinations. Inspired by great putting courses like the Himalayas at St. Andrews and Thistle Du at Pinehurst, this exciting golf experience features a variety of slopes and swales, providing endless excitement for golfers of all abilities, families, and kids. The location, just off the back patio of The Highlands, will be convenient for lodge guests.

“We are so excited about how this area has been reimagined and how the guests are already enjoying the uniqueness, character, and atmosphere around Doon Brae and the Back Yaird," said Josh Richter, Senior Vice President of Golf Operations for Boyne Resorts. “Add in the lights, music, fire pits, and food service; it will be a wonderful gathering space for golfers and families to hang out well into the evenings, creating a new energy level at The Highlands and fond golfing memories. It will be a great golf entertainment venue.”

Golf course architect Ray Hearn was selected to design the leading golf destination’s latest golf attractions. Although Doon Brae is routed on a ski hill, Hearn focused on minimizing the walking uphill. The course, which measures between 1050 yards and 678 yards, will feature a variety of fun yardages with downhill, flat, uphill, and sidehill lies, generally moving horizontally back and forth across the slope. Holes range from 57 yards to 150 yards, providing multiple angles and fairway options, with shorter-length holes having fewer bunkers on the path toward the greens, while longer holes provide more strategic angles with bunkers more in play.

“I wanted to make sure we were creating something fun and unique without being a difficult walk,” explained Hearn. “We also considered all the families taking their kids out to play the short course and then the putting course. Every time I visited Scotland with friends, I was always inspired by The Himalayas at St. Andrews. We just kept playing it over and over and never got bored. The Back Yaird will provide that kind of experience.”

Hearn's favorite part of the project was the creatively designed green complexes. “Drawing on our inspiration from the British Isles allowed us to create scaled-down versions of famous template greens highlighted by The Short at National Golf Links, a favorite of Stephen’s,” he said. “Other green inspirations include Eden, Punch Bowl, Redan, Reverse Redan, Whinny Brae, Steep, Postage Stamp, and Biarritz."

Doon Brae and the Back Yard putting course are the perfect additions to the continued reimagination of The Highlands, which has been ongoing for the past few years, with new lodge rooms, renovations, and future amenities being planned.

About The Highlands

The Highlands offers an idyllic setting in charming Harbor Springs, Mich. The resort is a family-owned destination providing the ultimate northern Michigan experience served with heartfelt hospitality. For more than 60 years, The Highlands has enriched the moment for vacationing guests with its all-season allure. The Highlands is a member of the Boyne Resorts family of resorts and attractions. To learn more, visit highlandsharborsprings.com.