Island Resort & Casino Announces $19M Golf Expansion Project

Island Resort & Casino in Harris, Michigan, announced a $19 million investment for expansion and development of a new nine-hole golf course, golf shop, and additional convention space on Wednesday. The project is expected to take about two years to complete.

Island Resort & Casino will build its new nine-hole course, the Cedar Course (Kishki), on the Sage Run Course site

Island Resort & Casino plans to add a new nine-hole course, the Cedar Course (Kishki), on the Sage Run Course site. The course will be designed by Paul Albanese, who also designed Sweetgrass and Sage Run.

According to the news release, the new course will be inspired by golden age architecture focused on natural landscapes and featuring popular template green complexes designed into the natural environment while offering beauty and strategic play.

Green complexes were inspired by C.B. Macdonald’s great National Golf Links and overseas links such as Prestwick.

“We are taking some great concepts from the golden age of course architecture in the early 1900s and incorporating them into the Cedar Course,” Albanese said.

“The course will feature some of the game’s most popular green templates like the Punchbowl, Double Plateau, and even a Juniper hole like the famous 6th hole at Augusta National.”

Furthermore, the name Cedar (Kishki in Potawatomi) is derived from being one of the four sacred medicines known for its protective and purifying properties.

The logo design will pay tribute to tobacco, another sacred medicine. Cedar complements the existing courses, Sweetgrass and Sage Run. In Potawatomi culture, the courses represent the connection to the earth.

Cedar will also offer a multi-hole complex featuring multiple greens with varying short and mid-level par 3 shots. The complex can be played in all directions. This particular golf experience can be played in about an hour.

New pro shop will overlook the 9th and 18th holes at Sweetgrass

Additionally, the new pro shop will overlook the 9th and 18th holes at Sweetgrass. Guests will have access to more than 3,000 square feet of new space, a full-service bar, and locker rooms.

The expansion of the Island’s convention center will include 16,900 square feet of extra convention space. It will feature high-volume ceilings, a high-capacity kitchen, and an outdoor courtyard area.

Per the news release, the new grand ballroom will have the capacity to accommodate an additional 750 guests seated. It can serve up to 1200 guests for larger expos and events.

“The new facility is designed to better accommodate larger events, including business conventions,” General Manager Tony Mancilla said.

“By offering expanded meeting space conveniently located between Lower Michigan and Northern Wisconsin we will meet the increased demand from regional groups.

“Many of these groups are looking to have multiple day events during the week. We are in the unique position to also provide hotel accommodations sufficient for these large conventions.”

The Island Resort & Casino is wholly owned and operated by the Hannahville Indian Community. The Hannahville Indian Community is a federally-recognized Potawatomi Indian Tribe that resides in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.