It's about a 25-minute drive from downtown Traverse City. King's Challenge consists of two courses, the Palmer course, which is in its second full year of operation, and a pre-existing North course. Bemis runs the operation owned by John Sills of Detroit, who is a summer resident of Glen Arbor. The courses are separate from Sugar Loaf, although most often mentioned in the same breath. You can see it.
Nothing is hidden.
No hidden tricks, no hidden water. The eighth, a 570-yard downhill par 5 with some 300 feet of drop from tee to green, is the signature hole. The drive must carry a valley and the second shot must avoid a water hazard guarding the green on the right. It's a three-shot hole and each one must be struck precisely. The seventh and 17th are par 3s.