THE STORY OF THE HIGH POINTE LOGO

The Story of the High Pointe Logo

Many of the most prestigious logos in golf are not great designs, but they convey excellence as they are synonymous with the iconic club they signify.  Rooted in history and significance, we aspire to have a logo that becomes as highly regarded as our beloved High Pointe. Tom Doak, who first saw this land in 1986, land which he would transform into the first course he would design, has said, “High Pointe was the start of something big, something different.”  And so our story unfolds.  On a warm morning in early May 2022, my first visit to the property, Tom and I walked High Pointe’s land together, discussing routing options. After walking the original holes, 10-15, we trudged east, eventually reaching the top of a ridge.  Unbeknownst to us, as we discussed this location as the clubhouse site, a photo was taken capturing us near a perished object, a tree which stood tall even after its demise.  That moment would yield the inspiration for our logo. 

High Pointe’s logo has two components. They tell the story of what High Pointe was, and what High Pointe will be. The perished tree pays homage to High Pointe’s first existence, legendary golf course architect Tom Doak’s very first masterpiece.  We found it standing guard over “the valley of golf” in the place where our clubhouse will reside, with west facing terraces perfectly positioned to appreciate Northern Michigan’s magnificent sunsets.  In preparing to preserve this icon, we discovered it to be a Red Oak, which we read as Re-Doak. Our tree shall be a reminder of High Pointe’s history and a respectful nod to everything that has come before us. 

The other integral part of our logo represents the reincarnation of this sacred land. Shining high above the icon is a uniquely shaped, high-pointed star. A star symbolizes renewal and shines for millions of years. High Pointe will shine bright long beyond our years.  Like MacKenzie, Colt, MacDonald, Tillinghast, and Dye; Tom Doak’s creations are spectacular and promise to stand the test of time.  Our star is also a reminder of our simple goal - High Pointe will be the high point of golf. 

When Tom first began work on High Pointe in the 80’s, he was 26. When we broke ground on its re-birth, he had just turned 62. Tom has come full circle.  Our logo often adds a ring which encircles our tree and star, bringing it all together, symbolic of Tom’s return to where it all began.  Our club colors are red, white and blue - in honor of the Stars and Stripes and all it represents.  We have tremendous respect for those who have served our country, especially those who fought and died defending our freedom. With this in mind, our member logo is red, white and blue, exclusively.  May God Bless America.

HISTORY

High Pointe Golf Club was the first golf course Tom Doak designed. In 1987, at 26 years old, Tom began construction including shaping all 18 greens himself - something he hasn’t done since. High Pointe opened in 1989 as a daily fee course. Shortly thereafter it enjoyed widespread acclaim- being ranked as high as #79 on GOLF Magazine’s list of Top 100 Courses in the United States. 

High Pointe was the first expression of Doak’s brand of minimalism. The characteristics introduced here now span the globe from Pacific Dunes to Tara Iti, Ballyneal to St. Patrick’s Links. Hallmarks of Doak’s style include reliance on the land’s topography to dictate the routing as well as the individual nature and movement of each hole. High Pointe was a masterpiece ahead of its time. Tom loved this place and has called Traverse City home ever since. Unfortunately High Pointe closed after the 2008 season, one of many casualties of an economic slump that hit the golf industry especially hard. A few years later the front nine was bulldozed to make way for a hop farm. Fortunately, much of the back nine has remained untouched, awaiting the return of golf. 

A new chapter has begun at the once lost property. The old back nine as well as a new parcel of adjacent land was acquired. In 2023 Tom and our team restored 6 holes from his original work and built 12 new golf holes. The reimagined course fuses the spark of a young genius with the hand of an old master, who now, at 62, boasts seven courses among the world’s top 100 courses. 

Now, in 2024 our course has been growing in for over a year. All 18 holes are ready for golf. High Pointe’s new chapter is well underway, this time with a new goal to become:

The High Point of Golf