A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new Wee course at Harbor Shores Resort in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The nine-hole pitch-and-putt layout will be created by Colin Montgomerie’s design firm.

The Wee course will consist of holes of 60 yards and less and are inspired by nine holes from the resort’s Jack Nicklaus Signature layout. Montgomerie’s team has also planned for an expansive putting green.

“I am very excited to be a part of such a wonderful project with the Harbor Shores Resort, a place and people that I am very close with, and to collaborate with them to create a wonderful golf amenity that will positively impact the community,” said Montgomerie. Children will be able to play the Wee course for free. “Golf is a game for all ages and generations. Courses like the Wee course will attract parents who play golf and want to introduce their children to the game, and grandparents who might not be able to play 18 but can bring their grandchildren along for nine holes. Children can be introduced to golf through friends and bring along their parents, who have yet to try the game. From my personal experience around the world and especially in Scotland, short courses can bring together communities and form a foundation for the whole area.”

The new course is being built on five acres next to the golf villas located along the first hole.

“This piece of land deserves this,” said Montgomerie. “It will be another great asset to the community and bring a beautiful landscape along the roadway for the community to enjoy. It will also be a great complement to the Harbor Shores golf course, which, hole-by-hole, is one of the greatest courses in America.”

Jeff Fettig, former chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation and a leading contributor through the Fettig Family Foundation, and the visionary behind this Harbor Shores expansion, sees this amenity having a major impact on the youth in the community. “We’re so excited to work with Colin to create this new Wee Course to have an even greater positive impact on our area youth,” he said. “When we developed Harbor Shores, our mission was all about being a catalyst in the Benton Harbor community for economic development, recreation and tourism. This project is about seeding the future.”

Marcus Muhammad, Benton Harbor’s mayor, said: “The Wee course will be another testament of the ongoing commitment and collaboration of Whirlpool Corporation, Harbor Shores and the City of Benton Harbor. This new development will bolster our First Tee programme, youth participation and community engagement.”

The pitch-and-putt course will open in 2026.