The Beginning

Daniel G Thorne while working at the Ford Rouge Plant in 1962 was invited by a friend to try some golfing. After a few holes at several golf courses, he started to visualize and dream of building his own course. He shared his dream with others, some would respond saying it's only a pipe dream, down deep he knew he could do it.

With his wife Rosalie and children, weekends were spent looking for farm land. With the funds from selling their home and saving bonds they were able to purchase land in Carleton, MI near Exeter township.

Living in a trailer with his family, he continued to work full time at Fords during the day, while evenings and weekends were spent building a new house.

Daniel spent every minute he could in clearing off the land, cutting down trees and keeping up with the property in general. As, time went by and the children grew, it soon became a project the whole family took part in and enjoyed.

In the Fall of 1980, the land was ready and the first 9 holes were opened to the public in the front part of the land. It took several more years to earn enough money to prepare the back to open another 9 holes.

  1992, Daniel's dream again shown bright, the back was ready and 9 more holes opened up. Finally after many years of labor his course was finally built as he had dreamed.

Daniel Thorne