The mission of SkyFall Golf Club (the “Club”) is to establish a spectacularly vibrant new golf community in northern Michigan that promotes the celebration of the game of golf. The Club will provide a high level golf experience to its Members, their families and invited guests, all who share a heightened passion and appreciation for the game, critically acclaimed golf course architecture, and all that the sport and northern Michigan summer life have to offer. The Club will have the unique advantage of being located at Forest Dunes Golf Resort, a preeminent national destination golf resort, and Members will have the added benefit of being able to access the courses and facilities at Forest Dunes both before and after the opening of SkyFall.

The Club will be a welcoming, private destination golf club that will provide extraordinary golf experiences for its Members. Initially, there will be two types of memberships to SkyFall: (1) Founding Members, and (2) SkyFall Members, respectively. There will also be a small number of memberships available to “Legacy Members” of Forest Dunes Golf Club as more fully described in this Q&A.

Founding Members will have a unique set of privileges that include, among other things, special access to the construction of SkyFall, priority tee time booking windows, designated times for course tours, preview play prior to opening of SkyFall, and memorable invitation only club events during the golf season.

Founding Members will pay a Founder’s Deposit that will be refundable over time. SkyFall Members will pay a lower Membership Initiation Fee which is not refundable after the start of construction of SkyFall (construction start will be defined as the date on which the construction of the golf course is declared to commence to Club membership as communicated by the Club) (thereafer the “Construction Start Date”). No interest or financial return is earned on a Founder’s Deposit or Membership Initiation Fee, respectively.

Founding and SkyFall Members will pay the same amount in annual dues. The Club will have a unique membership benefit comprised of an annual financial distribution paid back to the Club’s Founding Members to recoup their Founder’s Deposits. In order to provide for this benefit, and to assist in funding ongoing maintenance and capital costs necessary to provide a world-class golf experience, the Club will permit a limited number of non-member guests of Forest Dunes Golf Resort to access SkyFall on certain days of the week and during limited times of the day. This limited access will be intentional and carefully managed so as to not interfere with the enjoyment of the Club by its Members. SkyFall Members will pay a Membership Initiation Fee that is not refundable after the Construction Start Date of SkyFall.

Additional Information on Founders Deposits and SkyFall Membership Initiation Fees and associated annual dues for each membership category can be obtained by submitting an Indication of Member Interest Form on this website. The price for memberships at SkyFall may be changed at any time in the sole discretion of the Club.

SkyFall Members have the same rights and privileges as Founding Members, except that Founding Members will receive a financial distribution at the end of each year until their Founder’s Deposit has been repaid. In the event that a Founder’s Deposit has not been fully repaid by the 30th anniversary of a Founding Member’s membership at SkyFall, the remaining balance will be repaid on such date. In contrast, the annual financial distribution benefit does not apply to SkyFall Members as their Membership Initiation Fees are nonrefundable after the Construction Start Date of SkyFall.

It is anticipated that the Club will invite between 100 to 125 Founding Members and 150 to 200 SkyFall Members to join the Club. The number of Founding and SkyFall Members will be determined by the Club in its sole discretion and could change from time to time based on the needs of the Club. Of paramount importance will be promoting the enjoyment of the Club by its Members with an emphasis on ease of availability and pace of play.

Yes, the Club will offer between 150 to 200 SkyFall Memberships which initially will have a Membership Initiation Fee lower than a Founder’s Deposit for Founding Members. Unlike Founding Members, SkyFall Members do not receive a return of their Membership Initiation Fee through an annual financial distribution. Membership Initiation Fees are nonrefundable after the Construction Start Date of the new golf course at SkyFall.

Plans for the Club include an 18-hole championship golf course, an expanded and dedicated driving range tee area on the opposite side of the driving range at Forest Dunes, and a new private short game area and putting green at SkyFall (collectively the “Club Facilities”). A future modest clubhouse is anticipated to be built either at SkyFall or on Forest Dunes’ property near SkyFall if the Club reaches certain membership threshold goals. Members of SkyFall will also have the opportunity to access the golf, dining and lodging facilities at Forest Dunes at the rates then in effect and offered by Forest Dunes.

Founding and SkyFall Members who join the Club before SkyFall is open for play will be afforded access to play the critically acclaimed golf courses at Forest Dunes Golf Resort, including (i) Forest Dunes, designed by the late Tom Weiskopf, (ii) The Loop, designed by world renowned (and Traverse City native) Tom Doak, and (iii) the Bootlegger, designed by Keith Rhebb and Riley Johns, subject to tee time availability and certain limitations established by Forest Dunes. A Founding Member or SkyFall Member will be entitled to play up to three (3) rounds of golf per year on each of Forest Dunes, The Loop and the Bootlegger, respectively, at no additional cost (except for cart fees which are not included), subject to tee time availability as established by the Club. Additionally, such Members will be entitled to bring up to three (3) outside guests to play with them who will receive discounted member rates on applicable green fees. Normal rates will apply to all members of SkyFall who desire to play Forest Dunes, The Loop and/or the Bootlegger after the grand opening of the course at SkyFall. Forest Dunes will establish rules and procedures governing access to Forest Dunes by Founding or SkyFall Members. If a Founding or SkyFall Member withdraws from membership during the time frame when a Founder’s Deposit or Membership Initiation Fee is refundable, such Member will be responsible for the retail green fees that otherwise would have been payable for rounds played by the Member and his or her guests prior to the opening of SkyFall (such amounts will be deducted from the Member’s refund of the Founder’s Deposit or Membership Initiation Fee for SkyFall members, as applicable).

It depends. Founding Members will share in revenue generated by SkyFall from the limited number of Forest Dunes’ non-member guests who are permitted to play the course during restricted times as managed by the Club. The amount of an annual financial distribution will be a function of how much revenue is generated and how many Founding (and small number of Legacy Members, as discussed in this Q&A) exist during a calendar year. It is estimated that SkyFall will return between 40 to 60 percent of the revenue generated from Forest Dunes’ guests who play SkyFall during a given calendar year. The exact amount will be determined by the Club and will depend on, among other things, the cost of maintaining SkyFall in world class playing conditions, the cost to provide a memorable experience for Members and anticipated capital projects at the Club. In the event that a Founding Member (or Legacy Member) has not been repaid his or her respective deposit by the 30th anniversary of the grand opening of SkyFall, the Club will repay the remaining balance that exists on such date. No interest or financial return is earned on a Founder’s Deposit or Membership Initiation Fee, respectively.

Founding Members will pay a Founder’s Deposit and SkyFall Members will pay a Membership Initiation Fee, respectively. Founding and SkyFall Members will pay the same amount in annual dues. Individuals interested in joining SkyFall can submit an Indication of Member Interest Form to the Club by completing the applicable section on this website.

There is an incentive to become one of the first 25 Founding Members, after which it is expected that the amount of the Founder’s Deposit will be increased. Parties interested in joining SkyFall or learning more about the membership types should complete an Indication of Member Interest Form on this website.

The price for memberships at SkyFall, including incentives for early membership, may be changed at any time in the sole discretion of the Club.

Yes. Interested individuals will be asked to go through an application process and will be subject to approval by the Club, as determined in the Club’s sole and absolute discretion.

Founding and SkyFall memberships include the individual member and his or her immediate family, defined as a spouse and/or domestic partner (living in the same household) and their children under the age of 22. Discounted family rates for rounds of golf will apply to other members of the Member’s immediate family (e.g., parents, grandparents, etc.) as more fully outlined by the Club.

Founding Members and SkyFall Members will be permitted to transfer their membership one time (and only one time) to a family member, including a spouse, domestic partner (living in the same household) or child of such Member, subject to approval by the Club not to be unreasonably withheld. For Founding Members, if the Founder’s Deposit has not been fully repaid prior to the transfer to a permitted family member, the annual financial distribution will also transfer to such family member and will continue in effect until the Founder’s Deposit has been fully repaid. No interest or financial return is earned on a Founder’s Deposit or Membership Initiation Fee.

Transfers of memberships to non-family members are not permitted except in the most exceptional of circumstances which require the express written consent of the Club, which may be withheld for any or no reason, as determined in the Club’s sole discretion.

A carefully administered program will allow a limited number of guests who stay and play at Forest Dunes to play SkyFall during limited time windows and in accordance with rules established by the Club. A percentage of the revenue generated from this limited access will be distributed annually to the Club’s Founding Members (and Legacy Members) until the Founder’s Deposit has been fully repaid. It is expected that the demand from Forest Dunes’ guests likely will exceed the limited availability of tee times made available by the Club on most days. It is also expected that there may be days where non-Member play is not permitted at SkyFall to afford Members exclusive access and use of the course and Club Facilities. Rules will be established by the Club with an emphasis on member experience, including ease of access and pace of play considerations.

The plan is to operate the Club seven days a week during the golf season subject to an occasional closing for special events or maintenance needs.  

SkyFall is being created to be a special and unique environment for Founding and SkyFall Members, their families and guests to enjoy as a private golf destination. It is not currently envisioned that SkyFall will be converted to a resort course at Forest Dunes. Forest Dunes expressly reserves the right to convert SkyFall into a fully accessible resort course at any time, but would do so only if the Club was not successful under its current structure and if Founding Members and SkyFall Members were repaid their Founders’ Deposits and Membership Initiation Fees, respectively, in full. No interest or other financial return is earned on any Founder’s Deposit or Membership Initiation Fees.

The plan is to operate the Club seven days a week during the golf season subject to an occasional closing for special events or maintenance needs.

Yes. Real estate lots are available for anyone interested in building their dream northern Michigan getaway. Founding Members of SkyFall will be offered a 10 percent discount on real estate lots purchased from the Club (not from private owners or builders at Forest Dunes) if a lot is acquired and a residential home is fully constructed on such lot within three years of SkyFall’s grand opening. Specific lots available are listed on the Forest Dunes website at www.forestdunesgolf.com and current pricing information is available by contacting Forest Dunes. This real estate discount opportunity is exclusive to Founding Members only and does not apply to any other membership category at SkyFall, including SkyFall Members or Legacy Members.

No. There is no requirement that a Founding Member or SkyFall Member own real estate at Forest Dunes to become a member at SkyFall. Real estate lots are available at Forest Dunes to build your dream northern Michigan getaway. Lot availability and pricing information can be obtained by contacting Forest Dunes.

Yes, a member of SkyFall can also apply to become a member of Forest Dunes Golf Club (a separate membership distinct from SkyFall with access to Forest Dunes, The Loop and the Bootlegger courses) provided that such individual must own real estate at Forest Dunes. Members of SkyFall (and not Forest Dunes Golf Club) are not required to own real property to become a member of SkyFall.

Possibly. With the addition of SkyFall, Forest Dunes will be looking to add additional lodging options which may include, among other things, additional lodging units and rental homes as part of a lodging pool that would be available for Forest Dunes Golf Club and/or SkyFall members and guests. If you are interested in pursuing a real estate investment opportunity at Forest Dunes, please contact us to learn more. The Forest Dunes Co-Owners Association prohibits short-term rentals except for those limited rental properties managed by Forest Dunes with a rental management agreement.

The Club and facilities will be owned and operated by an affiliate of Destination Forest Dunes, LLC (also commonly known as Forest Dunes Golf Resort).

All memberships, whether for Founding Members or SkyFall Members, are non-equity based memberships. No ownership interest in the Club, Club Facilities, Forest Dunes, SkyFall or any of the associated facilities or assets comes with or attaches to any membership. Founding Members (and a limited number of Legacy Members as described in this Q&A) will be entitled to an annual financial distribution from the Club until the Founder’s Deposit has been repaid, as applicable. Membership Initiation Fees paid by SkyFall Members become non-refundable upon the Construction Start Date of SkyFall.

A Founding or SkyFall Member in good standing can transfer his or her membership one time (and only one time) to a family member (as defined by the Club), subject to the approval of the Club not to be unreasonably withheld. No other transfers are permitted without the written consent of the Club which can be withheld for any or no reason. For Founding Members, if the Founder’s Deposit has not been fully repaid at the time of the transfer, the annual financial distribution will subsequently be made to the family member to whom the Founder’s membership was transferred until the deposit has been repaid in full. No interest or financial return is payable on a Founder’s Deposit.

With the announcement of the Club, we are now actively accepting applicatons for membership. Interested individuals should complete the Indication of Membership Interest Form on this website.

Pricing information can be obtained by submitting an Indication of Member Interest Form in the section provided on this website. Founder’s Deposits and Membership Initiation Fees are subject to sales tax, if applicable. Applicants who are accepted to become members at SkyFall will be required to submit a refundable deposit upon the issuance of membership, with the remainder of their Founder’s Deposit or Membership Initiation Fee due six months prior to the Construction Start Date of SkyFall as determined by the Club.

Current members of Forest Dunes Golf Club can have memberships at both Forest Dunes and SkyFall so long as such member has applied for, and been accepted as, a Member of SkyFall, pays the applicable deposit for Legacy Members legacy deposit, and pays the annual dues applicable to a combined membership of both Forest Dunes Golf Club and SkyFall. The amount of annual dues for a combined membership is less than the a la carte memberships for Forest Dunes and SkyFall.

Amounts and payment terms for a Founder’s Deposit Membership Initiation Fee and/or annual membership dues may be changed from time to time by the Club as determined in its sole discretion.

Yes. For the first 50 members who join SkyFall resulting from a referral by a Founding Member or SkyFall Member who provides assistance in successfully having a new member join, the Club will pay a referral fee to the Founding or SkyFall Member making the referral, as applicable. Referral fees will be paid in the form of a reduction of the Member’s annual membership dues at SkyFall. Referral fees do not apply to Legacy Members who join SkyFall. More information on referral fees can be obtained by submitting an Indication of Member Interest Form on this website. The Club’s referral program can be modified or changed by the Club at any time as determined at its discretion.

If, for any reason, SkyFall is not built, including but not limited to, for business, commercial or governmental/permitting reasons, Founders’ Deposits and Membership Initiation Fees, as applicable, will be returned in full to the Founding and/or SkyFall Member. No Interest or other financial return will be paid on a Founder’s Deposit or Membership Initiation Fee.

The Club is excited to announce that Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner of Hanse Golf Course Design, Inc. will be the architects of SkyFall. This represents the second time the current ownership group of Forest Dunes has worked with Gil and Jim. Gil and Jim are among the most influential golf course architects of our time, entrusted to be the architectural stewards on some of the most meaningful projects in golf. In addition to some of the restoration and renovation initiatives for some of the most iconic golf clubs in the world, Gil and Jim also have a bourgeoning list of exceptional original designs in the United States and internationally. This will be the first 18-hole original design golf club by Gil and Jim in the State of Michigan, and will be their only original design in Northern Michigan. Gil and Jim recently completed a stunning restoration of Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, which will host the United States Open Championship in 2026 and 2051.

Here is a partial list of some of the most iconic projects undertaken by the Gil and Jim (the year represents when the relationship started and work on many of these continue today):

Lake Merced Golf Club (Lock and MacKenzie) (2020)
The Los Angeles Country Club (North Course) (Thomas) (2006)
The Olympic Club (Watson and Whiting) (2020)
Denver Country Club (Flynn) (2009)
Yale Golf Course (Macdonald and Raynor) (2021)
The Country Club (Reid, Flynn and Jones) (2009)
Myopia Hunt Club (Leeds) (2011)
Worcester Country Club (Ross) (2018)
Oakland Hills Country Club (Ross) (2015)
Baltusrol Golf Club (Upper and Lower) (Tillinghast) (2018)
Essex Country Club (Banks) (2004)
Plainfield Country Club (Ross) (1999)
Ridgewood Country Club (Tillinghast) (1995)
Country Club of Rochester (Ross) (2001)
The Creek (Raynor and Macdonald) (1997)
Fenway Golf Club (Tillinghast) (1997)
Fishers Island Club (Raynor) (1995)
Quaker Ridge Golf Club (Tillinghast) (2002)
Sleepy Hollow Golf Club (Raynor and Macdonald) (2006)
Winged Foot Golf Club (East and West) (Tillinghast) (2014/2017)
Southern Hills Country Club (Maxwell) (2015)
Allegheny Country Club (Ross) (2003)
Aronimink Golf Club (Ross) (2016)
Merion Golf Club (East) (Wilson) (2014)
Oakmont Country Club (Fownes) (2020)
Rolling Green Golf Club (Flynn) (2021)
Palmetto Golf Club (Leeds and Mackenzie) (2007)
Tokyo Golf Club (Ohtani) (2008)

In addition to restoration, Gil and Jim have performed the following notable renovation projects:

Pinehurst Resort and Country Club No. 4 (2016)
Burning Tree Golf Club (2019)
TPC Boston (2019)
Colonial Country Club (2017)
Royal Sydney Golf Club (2016)
Narin and Portnoo Links (2018)

Architectural creativity has been abound in Gil and Jim’s short list of original designs, including the following:

Ladera (Thermal, California) (2023)
The Los Angeles Country Club (South Course w/Geoff Shackelford) (2016)
Rustic Canyon Golf Course (Moorpark, California) (2002)
Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club (Jupiter, Florida) (2022)
The Park (West Palm Beach, Florida) (2023)
Streamsong Black (Bowling Green, Florida) (2017)
Ohoopee Match Club (Cobbtown, Georgia) (2018)
Boston Golf Club (Hingham, Massachusetts) (2005)
The Vineyard Club (Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard) (2015)
Mossy Oak Golf Club (West Point, Mississippi) (2016)
CapRock Ranch (Valentine, Nebraska) (2021)
The Horse Course at Prairie Club (Valentine, Nebraska) (2010)
The Cradle Short Course at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club (2017)
Applebrook Golf Club (Malvern, Pennsylvania) (2001)
French Creek Golf Club (Elverson, Pennsylvania) (2004)
Upper Course at The Golf Club of Tennessee (Kingston Springs, Tennessee) (2024)
PGA Frisco East Course (Frisco, Texas) (2022)
The Olympic Golf Course (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (2016)
Les Bordes Golf International (Saint-Laurent-Nouan, France) (2021)
Castle Stuart Golf Links (Inverness, Scotland) (2009)
Ban Rakat Club Ballyshear Golf Links (Ban Rakat, Thailand) (2022)
***COMING SOON*** SkyFall Golf Club (Roscommon, Michigan)

Strategic. Fun. Enticing. Alluring. Inspirational. Picturesque. Appropriate. Unexpected. All in the context of being part of the Huron National Forest and northern Michigan. SkyFall will not only be special for Michigan – the goal will be to make it highly regarded by golfers far and wide, domestically and internationally. The course will be a championship layout in every respect, capable of hosting any type of tournament that could be contemplated, but most importantly, it will be fun, strategic and memorable for Members and every day play. SkyFall will be an incredible complement to the world-class golf options that already exist at Forest Dunes.

Yes! The conceptual routing plan for SkyFall has been established and is posted on this website. While all conceptual routings inevitably may be tweaked in the field, SkyFall will be an amazing test of golf that will only further enhance the exceptional golf experience that Forest Dunes strives to provide to its members and guests. Enjoy!!

One of the great pleasures in the game of golf is a walkable golf course and SkyFall will be designed with that in mind. We will also make available golf carts for those who desire to use them. While we would like to establish a consistent and reliable caddie program, caddie availability will ultimately drive if and to the extent caddies will be part of SkyFall.

Yes and no. Yes, in the context that it is part of the approximate 1,300+ acres of land that comprises Forest Dunes Golf Resort. No, in the context that this part of the property is compellingly different, with an enticing ridge that splits the western and eastern portions of the site that will provide for more elevation change than either Forest Dunes or The Loop. This part of Forest Dunes has been described by several world-renowned architects as having the most enticing land for golf, with rolling terrain providing elevation changes in upwards of 60 to 80 feet which will be prominent in SkyFall’s design.

The exact timing of major course construction activities will be a function of how many Members join SkyFall and at what pace they join. It is desired to commence early-stage construction activities in the late 2025/early 2026 timeframe. Assuming this schedule remains, it is possible that some holes could be available for preview play in the Summer or Fall of 2027, with a course grand opening occurring during the 2028 golf season. Founding Members and SkyFall Members will be permitted limited access to Forest Dunes, The Loop and the Bootlegger between now and the opening of SkyFall consistent with the policies as established by Forest Dunes.