Project Snapshot

Status: Open

Our Role: Development · Experience Curation

• Oversaw $17M transformation of a 27-hole public course into three new courses with a hybrid private-public model

• Designer: Raymond Hearn, Golf Course Architect

• Opened: Fall 2024

• Hosted the 2025 LIV Golf Championship

The Vision

The Pulte Family Foundation sought to reimagine Saint John’s golf as a premier destination that blended exclusivity with accessibility. The goal was to create a golf experience that felt like a private club — complete with elevated amenities and prestige — but remained open to the public.

Our Approach

Boutique Hotel Professionals guided the full redevelopment of the golf program:

• Redesign: Closed the 27-hole course in fall 2023 and worked with Michigan-based architect Raymond Hearn to create three new courses:
  The Cardinal — championship 18-hole course
  The Little Cardinal — 7-hole short course
  The Cardinal Putting Course — 18-hole putting course

• Hybrid Membership Model: Introduced a “private-public” concept — open to the public, while offering a limited number of memberships with exclusive perks, including the signature Cardinal Club Jacket.

• Experience Curation: Elevated the golf journey with amenities, landscaping, and design details that reinforced Saint John’s prestige.

The Results

The redesigned courses reopened in fall 2024 to strong demand and widespread acclaim. In August 2025, The Cardinal Golf Course hosted the LIV Golf Championship, earning global recognition. The innovative membership model created both prestige and accessibility, positioning The Cardinal as one of Michigan’s top destinations for both local players and traveling golfers.