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West Michigan has 4 seasons and fall or autumn is one of our favorites.
The foliage on the trees is yellow, red, orange, shades of green, and
brown. It all combines to paint lovely colors all over our landscape.
We captured a few photos of the fall season here in Ada Michigan
on the Thornapple River this last weekend. All were take from
Thornapple Pointe Golf Club near the Gerald R Ford International
Airport, just southeast of Grand Rapids.
In fact, we joke that it is the TCPB course here…….trains, cars,
planes, and boats can all be seen and heard from the course.
We had an airboat travel down the river while we were playing
but I didn’t get my camera out in time to catch it in a photo.
Technorati Tags: west michigan golf course,thornapple river,ada mi 49301,grand rapids mi autumn color
Westbrook Realty ~ Grand Rapids Real Estate
Copyright 2009 all rights reserved
Call 1-616-292-7263 or email me: terry@terrywestbrook.com
This was captured yesterday playing golf at Thornapple Pointe Golf Course
on the Thornapple River in Grand Rapids Michigan.
My friend, Paul, and I got in a quick 18 holes in the afternoon.
The golf course was pretty open which left me time to snap a few shots
of our local scenery. This little maple is putting on quite a show!
Westbrook Realty ~ Grand Rapids Real Estate
Copyright 2009 all rights reserved
Call 1-616-292-7263 or email me: terry@terrywestbrook.com
We all love a success story. This one is about a local Kentwood
graduate, Matthew Harmon, who was Michigan’s Mr Golf 2002-3,
went on to play golf for Michigan State University
and is now on the Nationwide and NGA Hooters Golf Tours trying
to make it to the PGA Tour. He got a big break this week.
Let us tell you his story:
He was 2 under par playing his final qualifying round for the Buick
Open when his caddy (and brother-in-law) Nick, stepped into a
bunker and then raked his tracks. Matt was in the other end of
the bunker hitting out and didn’t see what Nick did until it was
too late. He thought it was a 2 stroke penalty. He consulted the
officials. They didn’t know for sure either, but to be on the safe side,
assessed the 2 stroke penalty, which put Matt at 4 under and
1 stroke over qualifying for the final Buick Open.
Oh, well, another day of golf, and on to Houston, Texas to play in
another tournament. He was at the Minneapolis airport when he
got the call from the officials at the Buick Open. They had received
a play cancellation and because of the penalty Matt assessed himself
(which is still in contention), they offered him a spot in the Open.
Now all he had to do was get back to Grand Blanc and get his
clubs and equipment there – which were on their way to Houston
by this time. He got a ticket back to Grand Rapids and drove to
Grand Blanc, and his clubs and gear arrived in time, somehow.
He is performing like a champion at this tournament. He was 4 under
yesterday and had the daily record for the longest drives. He is 2 under
today, tied for 18th place. This could be his very first major tournament
to place in the money. Our local TV channel had an interview that aired
on the 11:00 pm newscast last night. We are watching closely, this
could be his big break into the PGA events.
A few pictures I took yesterday of Matt and that other guy, Tiger Woods
playing at Warwick Hills, The final Buick Open.
Did I mention I used to play with Matt and his Dad when he first started
to play golf? He must have been 10-11 years old. He could hit the ball
a long way even back then. I never dreamed he would one day play on
the PGA Tour and I would be in the crowd cheering him on!
Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
Photos by Terry Westbrook
Kent County Michigan Amateur Golf Championship Tournament
here on July 11th & 12th 2009
This is the kind of real estate I prefer to all others, especially on
the weekend. No hassles, just blue sky, green grass, and an
18 hole challenge.
I didn’t play particularly well today, but the course was in good shape, and
I had 3 new friends to share the morning round.
I took a few pictures so you can see a sampling of what this course looks like.
It is hard to believe to you are about 10-15 minutes away from downtown
The First Tee – water on the left & right.
The fifth hole from the right of the fairway, yes I made par.
The 2nd Green
The 14th Tee – better hit it straight or you will be in the woods.
The 18th Green
Another player is out near the green, wonder if he found a stray ball.
Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate
Copyright 2009 all rights reserved
photos of LE Kaufman Golf Course by Terry Westbrook
Watermark Country Club in Cascade Township has a wonderful pool facility.
We are not members but being members of the golf course we are allowed
to use the facility several times a year at a small charge.
Yesterday was POOL DAY!! Our grandson, Jeffy is up from Indianapolis for
his yearly “Grandparents Camp Week” with us. The pool is one of his favorite
places to go.
It was in the eighties and humid—perfect pool weather, even though the
clouds looked menacing. We had tried on Monday but got rained out before
we could get wet. The pool staff keeps a sharp eye on the weather and closes
the pool if a storm threatens. Watermark has lunch available poolside and
we had hamburgers and a hotdog to keep our energy up for the big day.
We took a couple of pictures, so you can see what a great place it is.
This is a shot of both pools, the adult pool with slide tower in back, and
the kid’s pool in front. There is a putting range behind the storage
building in the background for the kids to use.
The kids pool is THE MOST popular area – a small slide, 2 water shooting
animals to ride,and the dumping pails tower in the center make this fun
for big and little children.
The pool house has a men’s and women’s locker room with showers,
toilets and changing stations. An additional restroom is located close
to the pool. Grilled burgers and other lunch favorites are available until
the pool closes at 8 pm.
The sand box is a draw for big and little children. A small play structure, a
large play fort with slide, and a swing set are all set in this huge sand box.
Jeffy is on the right heading for the water spigot, he is excavating a water
trench with buckets and shovels.
That’s me taking a few swings at the driving range – just over the fence
from the pool.
If you would like further information about Forest Hills Homes, please
contact me directly: 1-888-240-1968
Grand Rapids Michigan Real Estate – Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
Photos of Watermark pool area by Bonnie Westbrook
Crystal Springs Development in Caledonia, MI is a large, residential
suburban housing development that was started in the late 1980’s and
most construction was finished in the 1990’s although some newer homes
have been built since 2000. There are also a few vacant lots left to develop.
This development covers a large area around the Crystal Springs Golf Course
grounds south of 68th Street to 72nd Street and encompassing Kalamazoo
Avenue on the east and west. This development has single family homes and
condos, many located right on the Crystal Springs Golf Course. (See related
article on the acquisition of Crystal Springs Golf Club)
The public school system is Kentwood, even though the address is Caledonia.
Crystal Springs is close to the shopping plaza at 68th and Kalamazoo,
Kentwood High School, and a short hop to M-6, which is the south beltline for
the Greater Grand Rapids area connecting US 131 on the west and I96 on the
east side of the city.
September 2008 Real Estate
Residential Market Report
Crystal Springs Neighborhood
29 For Sale, 2 Pending, 17 Sold
Address Price Sq Ft $/SqFt DOM
FOR SALE:
1424 Silver Springs 219,900 2544 86.43 95
1285 68th St 159,900 2349 68.07 7
1481 Crystal Valley 299,900 2270 132.11 52
6958 Fairway Vista 169,900 1504 112.96 163
7535 Barn Swallow Ct 169,900 1516 112.07 119
1931 Hollow Creek 184,900 2000 92.45 171
6950 Kalamazoo 189,900 1765 107.59 150
6892 Crystal View 199,900 1714 116.62 86
1634 Sweet Grass 199,900 2000 99.95 164
2026 Blackmountain 219,000 2112 103.69 8
7211 Meadowgrass 229,900 2164 106.23 142
1563 Old Lantern Ct 234,900 2402 97.79 228
7450 Missoula Dr 207,609 2736 75.88 239
7439 Stillwater Dr 449,900 3200 140.59 18
7320 Old Lantern 249,900 2016 123.95 46
1845 Hollow Creek 224,900 2000 114.95 101
7277 Misty Morning 259,900 2270 114.49 171
7272 Misty Morning 275,000 2386 115.25 160
7036 Crystal View 279,000 1683 165.77 150
7368 Old Lantern 279,900 2390 117.11 170
7394 Old Lantern 289,000 3100 93.22 49
7387 Old Lantern 289,900 2875 100.83 45
7096 Summit Hill 299,900 3022 99.23 23
7095 Crystal View 315,000 2555 123.28 95
7350 Old Lantern 349,900 3031 115.44 53
1907 Landoshire Ct 214,900 1820 118.07 36
6882 Crystal View 249,000 1806 137.87 41
1438 Silver Springs 289,900 2628 110.31 25
7350 Heather Rdg 350,000 3500 100.00 28
PENDING:
2078 Eaststone St 169,900 1924 88.36 84
1588 Crystalline Dr 104,900 1620 64.70 148
SOLD:
1361 68th St 226,500 1771 134.10 182
1460 Crystal Valley 213,000 2652 90.12 85
6950 Old Lantern Dr 145,100 2671 54.32 6
2086 Eaststone 145,500 1644 88.50 46
2116 Glen Canyon 153,000 1368 110.38 47
7377 Misty View Ct 161,000 1407 114.42 104
1776 Spring Meadow 165,900 1592 103.95 102
7193 Meadowgrass 166,500 1536 108.39 30
7079 Old Lantern Dr 175,000 2135 81.96 8
7561 Barn Swallow 178,000 1189 149.70 88
7458 Misty View Ct 219,000 2112 103.69 36
7474 Old Lantern Dr 270,000 2500 108.00 40
7361 KingsCrossingCt 280,500 3220 87.11 71
1370 KingsCrossingDr 390,000 4954 78.72 105
7350 Royal Ridge 335,000 3900 85.89 77
7429 Old Lantern Dr 298,000 3800 78.42 77
7222 Crystal Stone 155,900 1504 103.65 48
550 homes have sold so far this year in the Kentwood
School District and the average price is $121,303.
If you would like additional information about Caledonia
or Kentwood Homes, please contact me directly at
1-888-240-1968 ext 0
Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate Copyright 2008 All rights reserved
photo of birdhouse by Bonnie Westbrook
If you are a golf addict like me, you will be watching the Ryder Cup this
weekend.
My friend and Watermark Golf Pro, Mark Wilson, will be the Chief Referee –
The Big Cheese –The Ultimate Decider – concerning the rules of the game
of golf. Mark, along with team captains, Paul Azinger and Nick Faldo, have
formed the “captain’s agreement,” a document that covers several
contingencies: the sealed envelopes with the lineups, the pace of play,
and local rules on the host course, among other things. Mark has
officiated at the Ryder Cup before, but not as Chief Referee.
The Ryder Cup is one of the golf world’s most prestigious tournaments.
It pits an European team and an United States team against each other.
Europe & The United States each put together their “dream team” to win
the Ryder Cup.
Europe won in 2006, the United States last won in 1999, so are anxious to
reclaim the Cup. “It elevates the game and makes each player more intense
because they are playing for the team, not themselves” says Chief Rules
Official Mark Wilson.
Mark Wilson, Chief PGA Rules Official Ryder Cup 2008
Mark has officiated at other major tournaments, such as
The Masters, The British Open, and other PGA Tournaments since 1990.
The Ryder Cup Tournament takes place at Valhalla Golf Club,
Louisville, Kentucky this weekend. Hurricane Ike has dumped a
storm on the Louisville area on Sunday and they are scrambling to
clear the course of debris before the first ball is teed up. Power was
still out in the area last nite as the Ryder Cup teams flew into the airport
to prepare for the big event. Let’s hope they have power restored in
time to put this event on the air. Opening ceremonies at at 4 pm
Thursday EST will be broadcast on the Golf Channel.
All of us here at Watermark Country Club in Grand Rapids Michigan
will be watching and keeping an eye out for our Pro, Mark Wilson,
to make a rules decision.
Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate Copyright 2008 All rights reserved
Mark Wilson photo courtesy of Watermark Country Club website
Once you have played this course, you understand why they named it
“Thousand Oaks Golf Club”. I had the chance to play this course the
other day and leaped at the opportunity.
What a treat! Located north of Grand Rapids at Five Mile near the
Grand River, this course wraps around literally thousands of
oak trees. Which makes for a gorgeous nature outing this time of year.
Golf Digest rated this Rees Jones designed course one of the 25 best
courses to play in Michigan.
This course is quite deceptive. Because it fluctuates in elevation, you
might need a few more strokes to get up to the hole, or a little less
club if the green is down hill. All I can say is: don’t go in the woods,
or you will be reaching in your bag for a new ball.
What I didn’t know is that they have a Golf Academy, where PGA Golf
Master Instructor, Charles Vandenberg with the aid of state of the
art facilities can analyze your swing or putting stroke. Then they give
you a Dvd to take home with lesson plans to improve your game.
I took a few pictures so you could get an idea of what the course looks like:
First Hole
The first hole with the Clubhouse in the background.
View of a fairway
An elevated tee with the green nestled in the trees.
Green with oak trees surrounding
A fairly tight green with trees and bunkers waiting for your ball.
Golf Academy
The front entrance to the Golf Academy.
Practice Range
The practice range behind the Golf Academy.
Thousand Oaks Clubhouse
The Thousand Oaks Clubhouse and Restaurant
Statues of Children Golfing near the entrance
Bronze statues of children golfing near the entrance.
Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate
Photos by Terry Westbrook
We have known Mark Wilson since the late 1970’s, when he first became
the golf pro at Hickory Hills Golf Club or was it Forest Hills Golf? Lots of things
have changed at our course but he hasn’t changed a bit, he is still the
friendliest, most professional golf pro we have ever known.
Mark is going to be inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of
fame on Aug 21, 2008. An honor Mark has well earned.
Let me tell you a little about Mark’s accomplishments. He is a Michigan native
and has resided in Grand Rapids since graduating from college. He is also a
Rhodes scholar, lest you think golfers aren’t cerebral.
Mark has been fascinated and personally involved in the PGA Rules of Golf
for as long as I can remember. These days you might see him on TV standing
next to Phil Mickelson or Tiger Woods at any premier PGA event and
giving some unwelcome news about his golf ball and/or penalty strokes.
You see, Mark is the Chairman of the PGA of America Rules Committee.
He travels around the world to PGA golf events to be available for a ruling.
Be aware if you ask a question about the rules, he will quote the page number
or decision rendered about your question.
Members at Watermark have tried for years to stump Mark but we finally have
given up. When you see him, ask “When was the last time you played
golf? With all his duties he seldom has the time. Maybe after this year when
his term as chair of the PGA rules expires.
An excerpt from the Watermark Newsletter about Mark:
Mark Wilson, our Head Professional, has served the
membership of Watermark Country Club for over 25
Years. He is responsible for overseeing the total golf
operation at Watermark. His exceptional attention to
detail has produced years of quality and consistency
in both our regular and tournament play. Mark is
currently the chairman of the PGA of America Rules
Committee. He has served at all the PGA Tour major tournaments, several
European Tour tournaments as well as every Ryder Cup since 1995. Our
membership is proud to have him as our pro and look forward to many more
years with him in that role.
The Residences at Watermark are on and near Watermark Golf
Course off Cascade Road. If you don’t like golf, or like to look
at a well manicured course, or get defensive when a stray ball rolls
into your “yard” you probably would be better off not buying a
home or condo here. Of course you would be missing out on the
best golf course in Grand Rapids (no prejudice here, just the facts,
folks)
Yes, I play Watermark golf course every chance I get. It is a
premier course with a friendly group of players.
The Single family homes and Condos make this a very attractive
place to live. There is access off Cascade Road and Spaulding Drive,
you are close to the airport, close to 28th Street shopping, close to
I96 expressway and close to Cascade, Ada, and Forest Hills
schools and shopping areas.
Watermark Residences July 2008 Market Report
2 Sold, 3 Pending, 8 For Sale
Address Status Price Sq Ft $/Sq Ft DOM
1991 Talamore Ct For Sale 475,000 1908 248.95 38
1664 Watermark For Sale 459,900 2085 220.57 177
2020 Watermark For Sale 525,000 2130 246.47 152
2064 Watermark For Sale 559,900 3423 163.56 124
1803 Watermark For Sale 599,000 2958 202.50 173
2201 Watermark For Sale 625,000 3137 199.23 125
1969 Watermark For Sale 724,900 3720 194.86 171
1908 Talamore Ct Pending 499,900 2115 236.35 10
2093 Stickley Dr. Pending 465,000 1908 243.71 116
2202 Watermark Pending 449,000 2860 156.99 85
2024 Feathery Ct. SOLD 525,000 3146 166.87 103
2096 Watermark SOLD 650,000 2388 272.19 79
If you would like further information about Cascade Homes,
please contact me directly.
Terry Westbrook – Five Star Real Estate – Copyright 2008 All rights reserved
photo of Watermark Residences Entrance by Bonnie Westbrook
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