The Cardinal At Saint John's Resort

The St. John’s Resort in Plymouth, Michigan, has come a long way since I was there 5 years ago, especially their golf offerings. Plans were in the works to redo the golf courses and turn the place into a golf resort that visitors would not soon forget. At first glance – mission accomplished!

Since my last visit, William Pulte Family Management has purchased The Inn at St. John's from the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit. One hundred percent of the profits from the resort go to The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, which uses them to serve those most in need around Metro Detroit and the world.

The property began its transition from a Catholic seminary to The Inn at St. John’s in 2000 when the main buildings were converted into conference and event spaces where weddings and Catholic celebrations could be held. In 2005, the Grand Ballroom opened with enough space for 450 guests, and the following year saw the opening of 5ive Steakhouse and The Inn at St. John’s Hotel.

St. John’s opened as a nine-hole golf course and was expanded to 18 holes in 1979 when it became a public facility. During the property’s redevelopment in the 1990s, nine more holes were added, creating the 27-hole course that existed until a couple of years ago.

Little Cardinal is the name of St. John’s 7-hole par 3 course, designed by renowned Michigan golf course architect Ray Hearn. The course sits on 7 ½ acres of rolling parkland real estate with holes that range from 44 to 112 yards. Each hole is unique and comes with its own name, like Volcano, Punchbowl, and Postage, which all refer to various greens. There’s also a Redan and Biarritz-style green. You’ll hit a variety of shots from the synthetic turf tee boxes onto natural grass putting surfaces that roll as well as the do on the bigger course. I met a member who uses the Short Course as a warmup before heading to the first tee on the Cardinal Course.

Michigan winters can be brutal, but the St. John’s Resort has a way to keep your golf game in good shape and have fun with friends and family at the same time. Their four-season heated Trackman driving range and short game practice area are just the ticket. At first glance, you think it’s part of Carl’s Golfland, but it is owned and maintained by the resort. From a practice perspective, Trackman can analyze just about any part of your game and help you figure out what needs improvement. It also has golf courses programmed into it, so you can challenge friends to a round on the Old Course or play electronic games with the kids.

As for the hotel, each room is luxurious in its own right with flat-screen TVs equipped with Google Chromecast, WiFi, and independent thermostat controls. A pillow-top mattress and Egyptian cotton bedding make for an enjoyable night’s sleep, and the Nespresso Vertuo coffeemaker lets you enjoy your favorite espresso or cappuccino drink whenever you want.

One thing that hasn’t changed at The St. John’s Resort since our last visit is the service and attention to detail. Regardless of whether it’s in the hotel, in the restaurant, or on the golf course, the resort staff goes out of their way to make sure your stay is going well. This is especially true of John Cooke, General Manager at FIVE Steakhouse. He’s a very hands-on manager and doesn’t expect any of his staff to do anything he won’t do. That’s why you’ll see him doing a little bit of everything, from jumping on the production line in the kitchen to educating guests about their wine choices.

Speaking of Five, this is a must-try restaurant if you’re anywhere close. The culinary staff at FIVE creates tantalizing fare using food sourced from natural ingredients. Their seasonal menus are based on the availability of locally sourced ingredients from local purveyors and farms. Their selection of steaks and other meats is second to none, and their creativity shines through with dishes such as Coq au Vin and Pan Seared Scallops. These may sound like ordinary entrees, but FIVE’s accompaniments and presentation are impeccable. It’s food designed to excite all FIVE senses! It’s also a great place for breakfast before your round!

While much has gone on at The St. John’s Resort as they transition from a beautiful property to a luxury resort with first-class amenities, much is still to come. In 2025, the Resort will debut The Monarch, billed as Michigan's most amazing event space. The property will include NanaWalls, a movable glass wall system that can extend 17,000 square feet of indoor space to incorporate an additional 17,000 square feet of outdoor space.

If you fall in love with the Cardinal Course and all of the other golf amenities, you may want to consider membership at St. John’s Resort. They offer several membership options, including the Cardinal Club Membership, which offers unparalleled access to golf privileges, members-only games, and exclusive hotel amenities. As a Cardinal Club Member, you’ll enjoy unlimited play on The Cardinal Championship Course, advanced booking, range balls, and special discounts throughout the resort, including three nights of complimentary hotel rooms. You’ll also have access to the pool and fitness center.

The Shorty Club grants you access to the Short Course, where you’ll never pay greens fees and have access to advanced bookings and priority on all club amenities and clinics. Check the website for more information on these and other membership programs available at St. John’s Resort.

A little over-priced for what you get. Much better courses very near for the same and even lower rates. Three different nines, course is in decent shape and the greens were so-so.