Benton Harbor, MI
Harbor Shores
A Senior PGA stage on Lake Michigan's south shore — Nicklaus golf, beach-town evenings.
beach-townharbor-nightlifenicklaus-designsenior-pga-host
The place
Jack Nicklaus threaded Harbor Shores through dunes, hardwoods and the Paw Paw River on Lake Michigan's south shore, and the Senior PGA Championship has made it a regular championship stage — the elevated par-3 over the river bend is the shot everyone remembers. The twin towns of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph supply the rest: beaches, breweries, an arts district and harbor-front dinners. Supporting rounds fill the week affordably, and for the connected, Point O'Woods — the famed Robert Trent Jones Sr. course that long hosted the Western Amateur — sits minutes away.
The courses on property
| Course | Designer | Notes | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harbor Shores | Jack Nicklaus | The Senior PGA Championship venue — dunes, river bends and the famous elevated par-3. The centerpiece. | public |
| Lake Michigan Hills | — | The honest local supporting round minutes from the harbor. | public |
| Blackthorn Golf Club | — | A well-regarded parkland test south toward South Bend — the away day. | public |
| Point O'Woods | Robert Trent Jones Sr. | The storied longtime Western Amateur host nearby — members and their lucky guests only. | members |
Where you crash
The resort
The Inn at Harbor Shores
The harborside hotel between the course and downtown St. Joseph — water-view rooms and dinner within walking distance.
◆ The private house
The Private House
A St. Joseph beach house above the lake — sunset deck, beach stairs, and the first tee ten minutes away. Summer rentals run deep along the shoreline.
5-6 BR · sleeps 10-12 · ~$600–$2,000/nt
The 5-day plan
- 1
Arrive lakeside
AM Travel morning — on the south shore by early afternoon.
PM Check in, beach hour, harbor-front dinner and the week's wagers.
- 2
Lake Michigan Hills
AM The local warm-up round.
PM Brewery crawl through the arts district; sunset on the pier.
- 3
Blackthorn away day
AM The parkland test down the road.
PM Charter fishing or beach afternoon; whitefish dinner in St. Joseph.
- 4
Harbor Shores — the Cup
AM The Senior PGA venue for the team match — survive the river-bend par-3 with the lead.
PM Trophy dinner at the Inn; cigars on the harbor.
- 5
Beach sunrise & home
AM A beach walk or a fast nine, then the trip home.
Why it wins
Play the Jack Nicklaus course that hosts the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, then walk to dinner in a lake town with real beaches and a working harbor. Championship golf and boardwalk ease in one compact trip.
Booking notes
Book Harbor Shores tee times direct or through the Inn at Harbor Shores' packages; summer weekends fill with wedding and beach traffic, so lock lodging early. A Point O'Woods invitation takes a member — worth asking the network.