IRON MOUNTAIN – TimberStone’s new golf pro has moved from palm trees to pine trees.

Dave Johnson, who spent the last seven years as the golf pro at Grand Cayman Hyatt Regency Golf Club, begins today the change in climate with the TimberStone at Pine Mountain season-opener.

“It is an amazing golf course,” Johnson said. “The terrain is pretty unique. A lot of it is built on the side of a mountain.”

Johnson has viewed his share of golf courses over the years, attending high school in Stuttgart, Germany, and playing at Eastern Kentucky and University of Maryland.

He also played a “little bit” on the European Tour.

His first job was with the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy at Bay Hill. That position led to 30 years in the Florida golf business.

The last 10 years have been in the Caribbean. A winter vacation in northern Michigan brought word that TimberStone had an opening.

“We came north to have some time off,” Johnson said. “When you work in the Tropics you work year round with two weeks off a year.

“The true motivation was to find a seasonal job.”

The 262-acre site with 6.2 miles of cart paths may appear daunting but Johnson says all levels can enjoy TimberStone.

“It can be played long,” said Johnson, noting six sets of tees. “It can be played by a fairly new golfer. It can be fun, too.

“The course is extremely challenging if you play from the back (tees).”

There’s room to survive errant shots.

“The fairways are wide enough and receptive to not perfect tee shots,” Johnson said. “The greens are good size. They’re bunkered but fair. There’s plenty of room to hit the shot and hit the green.”

Publications have ranked TimberStone among the best in the state and country. GolfWeek had the majestic course No. 6 in a poll of Michigan’s public courses and among the top 100 resorts in the U.S.

Golf Digest gave five stars to TimberStone.

Superintendent Kevin Kretz is responsible for the 7,000-yard layout. This summer will be his 14th year working on a golf course.

“My grandfather owned two golf courses in Saginaw and I started at 15 years old,” Kretz said.

He attended Michigan State University for turf management, followed by an internship and two years as assistant superintendent at The Club at Olde Stone in Bowling Green, Ky.

Kretz’s path to TimberStone also included stops at Lost Dunes Golf Club in Bridgman and South Lyon Walnut Creek Country Club.

He got word of TimberStone’s superintendent position from a friend working at Greywalls in Marquette.

“It’s unlike any course anywhere in Michigan and Wisconsin with it being built in the side of the mountain,” said Kretz, in his second season with TimberStone. “There are other courses built into the side of a mountain but the mountains are clear cut so you don’t have to deal with the trees.”

The trees can make it difficult for the superintendent and crew.

“The roots are competing with the grass for water and nutrients,” Kretz said. “The trees also create shade and block the wind to keep the air flow down. The air flow moves the stagnant, humid air out of the way. This brings in fresh air which is better for the plants.

“That is a little challenging.”

TimberStone’s grounds crew maintains 80 acres of turf grass.

“One of the biggest challenges is getting the guys around and getting them around quickly to stay efficient,” Kretz said.

Many fundraising tournaments and golf clinics are planned this season. Contact Johnson at 906-776-0111 or dave@pinemountainresort.com for details.

Michaela Sweig, in her seventh year with Pine Mountain Resort, has the duties of inside golf administrator. Myke Stephens is the beverage manager.

An open house to meet the TimberStone staff will be held Sunday, May 22.

“We’re expecting 80 degree (for today’s opener),” Johnson said. “It should be a good start.”