Angels Crossing Golf Club (Vicksburg, MI)

For anyone who has ever daydreamed about playing the famous template holes found around the world, Angels Crossing will be an absolute delight. Biarritz, Redan, Cardinal, Bahto all are present with Bruce Matthews III interpretation of these classical architectural features. 
(The 453/412 yard eighteenth has a 210 foot green known as the “plank”. While very long, it is not very wide, and requires a very precise long iron. A par will be an excellent score. The view of the tidal marshes as you wait to putt out is breathtaking. You’ll definitely want to take your time.) 

Angels Crossing enjoys a setting that very few courses can match. Behind the clubhouse and next to the putting green are expansive views of the tidal marshes. It’s so relaxed and 

peaceful that one can’t help but gaze out at the openness and forget about life for a while. The course is not visible from either vantage points, and one must take a wooden bridge to get to the first and/or tenth tees. 

Angels Crossing was designed by Bruce Matthews III in 2004. It was built for Jim Thompson who wanted a big bold course that was unlike any in Michigan. They settled on building several template holes, and to say they got them right would be an understatement. Quite simply, they are excellent! 

(The 204/195 yard par three sixth is a great Bairritz green. The center is over four feet lower than the front and back tiers. The strategy of playing this hole is as varied as they come. Theoretically the back tier can be accessed by a low shot that hits the middle and climbs. Either way, being in the center is no good if the pin is not located in it. This particular version has enough room to fly it to the hole.) 

(The 556/535 yard eighth features the Bahto green that was shown in his book “Evangelist of Golf”. There’s a two and half foot depression or thumbprint on the right side of the green. The player really has to decide how precise he wants to play the hole. A pin in the print, or worse above on the upper level both short or long, can make for maddening putt or chip.) 

(The 255/224 yard twelfth is a Redan that slopes more than four feet from front right to back left. The bunker is eight foot deep and guards 4/5 of the green. The play is suppose to be a low draw that catches the front right and slingshots down to the lower pins. I feel this one doesn’t have enough of a kickplate to gather the ball in. Matthews did a huge service by making it deeper than the template would call for, so there’s room to carry the bunker and hold the putting surface.) 

Before one thinks this is a gimmicky course, the non template holes hold their own on any discussion of the layout’s best. Matthews bold greens will have you playing and comparing notes on how to approach various pin locations, and the slopes will keep you engaged throughout the round. 

(One of the coolest holes I seen was the par three third. This is the view from the shorter tees at 143 yards...
...but the 170-205 tees rotate a full ninety degrees and approaches the green with a carry over wetlands. I’ve seen other architects do this (Strantz did it at Tobacco Road) but this is one of the best. It’s two completely different holes based on tee location.) 

(The par five thirteenth is 564/530 yards. The Cardinal bunker in center of pic forces a decision on how to attack the days hole location. If the pin was in the front, a shot directly over the sand would have a chance to reach, but today’s location (note players) is in the rear. Being where the carts are will allow a low shot that can negotiate the slope as the green runs away in that section.) 

I found myself dropping balls and hitting shots all day long here. This may have been the most fun I had on the golf trip. Truth is, not many courses offer this much variety where a highly skilled player can really shine with his ability to hit a plethora of short shots. I’m sure the average golfer will appreciates all the subtleties and nuances too. 
(The 533/510 yard par five seventeenth features a Cape style approach where players can cut off yardage and reach the green in two shots...
...this view shows how short the actual carry needs to be. It’s a great risk/reward hole and coming near the end of the round, it can provide an exciting finish. Note how the weaker player never has to challenge the hazard.)

(The rich texture of of the native grasses add to the ambiance of Angels Crossing. This is a view of the 360/328 yard par four second hole. The tee is to the right of this picture.)

The recession hurt Angels Crossing and it was sold to the city of Vicksburg. The course was great shape, and it seems like the city has really embraced the jewel it now possesses. It’s a wonderful course and one that I would not hesitate to drive the four hours to play. I’m not sure who deserves the most credit between Jim Thompson and Bruce Matthews III. I’m just glad Bruce enthusiastically welcomed Jim’s vision and designed a course any golden age architect would call their own. Angels Crossing is a very high 7 (great)(worth driving 3-4 hours to play).

(Another View of the Redan twelfth. Look how deep that bunker is and also note, how even from this distance, the putting surface cannot be seen.) 

(Enjoy this final picture of the tee shot on eighteen. Angels Crossing is truly a beautiful place.)