Dunham Hills To Be Redesigned As Proving Ground Golf Club

A renowned golf course architect is set to transform a metro Detroit gem, bringing a fresh vision to the region’s golfing landscape.

Traverse City-based Mike DeVries, celebrated for his work on Kingsley Club and Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club, has been chosen to redesign Dunham Hills in Hartland, located just 10 minutes from the M-59 and U.S. 23 junction. The revamped course, slated to be renamed Proving Ground Golf Club, pays homage to Detroit’s storied automotive legacy, complete with a logo featuring a sports car and a golf flag in the back seat. If funding goals are met, the course could welcome players by 2027, per Crain’s reports.

In December 2024, a group of dedicated investors, including Michigan Golf Hall of Famer Brian Cairns, acquired the property with a shared passion for golf. After over a year of meticulous planning, DeVries unveiled his new routing on May 31, setting the stage for an exciting evolution.

A Unique Vision for Proving Ground

Proving Ground Golf Club aims to stand out by blending accessibility with innovation. While open to public play, the club will draw inspiration from UK models, prioritizing a strong season pass membership program to reduce fees and enhance course maintenance. This approach, similar to that of the esteemed Belvedere in Charlevoix, ensures ample tee times remain available for all golfers.

The club stated, “Our goal was clear: secure exceptional land and partner with a premier architect. With Dunham Hills and Mike DeVries, we’ve achieved that. From exploring the site to refining Mike’s vision into a top-tier design, this process has been remarkable. We’re thrilled to see it come to life.”

Redesigning Dunham Hills

Originally opened in 1967, Dunham Hills spans 6,758 yards as a par-71, tree-lined course with efficient up-and-back routing for shorter walks between greens and tees. The terrain’s natural contours align with DeVries’ philosophy of letting the land shape the game. For now, the course remains open to the public this season.

DeVries’ reimagined design stretches to 6,859 yards as a par-70, featuring two par-5s and three par-3s on the front nine, including a compact 137-yard sixth hole. Notably, the back-to-back par-5s at holes 12 and 13 have been replaced, with a par-5 now at the 14th.

“What drives me is responding to the land’s natural features,” DeVries shared with Michigan Golf Journal. “It’s about crafting fun, engaging golf for all skill levels, tailored to the property—sculpting with heavy equipment to solve the unique puzzle each site presents.”

DeVries’ Michigan Legacy

Beyond Kingsley Club (2001) and Greywalls (2005), DeVries has left his mark on Michigan with Pilgrim’s Run in Pierson, Diamond Springs in Hamilton, and The Mines near Grand Rapids—each earning praise from golfers across the state.

Proving Ground Golf Club would mark southeast Michigan’s second upscale, newly built public 18-hole course in recent years, following The Cardinal at St. John’s, which debuted in 2024.

Stay tuned for updates on this exciting project at www.metrodetroitgolfers.com, your go-to source for news on Dunham Hills, Proving Ground Golf Club, and metro Detroit golf.