Staff WriterHarbor Shores, the Lake Michigan golf destination already boasting a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design course, is about to get a little bigger by going smaller.
This Labor Day weekend, the resort will unveil its latest attraction: the Wee Course, a nine-hole pitch-and-putt designed by Hall of Famer and two-time KitchenAid Senior PGA champion Colin Montgomerie.
Kids will play for free, parents can join in without breaking the bank, and—most importantly—Monty’s creation promises to be a place where golf finally loosens its tie.
“I’m thrilled to be part of this special project with Harbor Shores, a place and community I hold close to my heart,” Montgomerie said. “The Wee Course is more than just a golf amenity—it’s a gathering place for every generation.
Having seen how short courses bring people together around the world, especially in Scotland, I know this course will create the same sense of community here.
With nine holes that can be played in under an hour, resort guests, families, and youth will find it a fun, affordable way to spend time outdoors, away from screens, while learning the values and etiquette that make golf so special.
It’s an investment in both the game and the community that will pay dividends for generations.”
Big Fun on a Small Scale
Montgomerie has packed plenty of mischief into just five acres. Holes stretch from 20 to 80 yards, modelled after nine of the most iconic designs from the Nicklaus course next door. Yes, that includes a pint-sized version of Nicklaus’s notorious 10th green, where the Golden Bear once rolled in one of the most outrageous putts ever witnessed.
Golfers can take their pick of two tee boxes: the longer “blue” set for trickier pitch shots, or the “white” tees for kids, beginners, and anyone who fancies putting their way from tee to green. Mix and match both, and you’ve got yourself an 18-hole adventure that’s less Augusta, more family picnic.
Building a Community, Not Just a Course
For Harbor Shores, the Wee Course is more than a novelty—it’s part of a broader mission. PGA General Manager Joshua Doxtator put it bluntly:
“Growing the game is at the heart of what we do and making the game affordable and accessible for all is the real vision behind the Wee Course. The excitement and anticipation in the community has been electric.
From novice to skilled players, the Wee Course provides entertainment value never seen before in SW Michigan. Colin has been exceptional to work with, and his understanding of community impact has been designed into the entire project.”
The new addition comes with its own sideshow: the Highlands Greens Putting Course, an 18-hole, 15,000-square-foot playground with floodlights, music, and Monty’s Place—an outdoor hangout complete with firepits and seating for 60.
If you can’t make a two-footer after that, you’ve probably had too much fun at the bar.
Affordable Access for All
Prices start at $30 for nine holes, $40 for 18, and $50 for an all-day pass that includes the putting course. Juniors aged 13–17 play for $20 with an adult, while kids under 12 get in free.
Season passes will be available for locals who plan to treat the Wee Course like their backyard.
Jeff Fettig, former Whirlpool chairman and a driving force behind the expansion, believes the project will do more than keep kids out of the house.
“The opening of the Wee Course is another milestone in our mission to make Harbor Shores a true catalyst for community growth,” Fettig said. “This project is about more than golf—it’s about inspiring the next generation.
With support for programs like First Tee Benton Harbor and the Boys and Girls Clubs, First Robotics, as well as our three local public-school foundations, we’re creating a place where area youth can learn, grow, and experience the game in a fun and accessible way.
The design, with multiple tee options and lighting for evening play, ensures this course will be a gathering place for families, friends, resort guests, and the entire community. We couldn’t be more excited about the impact it will have, both today and in seeding the future.”
A Wider Impact
The Wee Course isn’t arriving alone. Backed by major corporate sponsors including the Whirlpool Foundation, Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital, Indiana Michigan Power’s Cook Plant Foundation, and United Federal Credit Union, the project builds on Harbor Shores’ track record of community investment.
The annual Whirlpool Community Charity Golf Event already funnels more than $3 million each year into youth programs, raising over $37 million across two decades.
Doxtator says the Wee Course will only add fuel to that fire: “Through innovative programming and special events like putting leagues, junior leagues, mixed and late-night leagues, the Wee Course will have something to offer everyone.”
More Than Just Golf
Harbor Shores is also expanding beyond fairways and greens, with new parks along the canal on Riverview Drive and growing networks of walking and biking trails. But make no mistake—the Wee Course is the headline act, a place where golf stops being intimidating and starts being fun.
In a sport that too often takes itself too seriously, Harbor Shores and Colin Montgomerie have managed to bottle the one thing golf needs most: joy.
