Harbor Shores, the acclaimed Lake Michigan golf destination anchored by its Jack Nicklaus Signature Design course, has unveiled its newest addition: the Wee Course. This family-friendly short course, crafted by World Golf Hall of Famer and two-time KitchenAid Senior PGA Champion Colin Montgomerie, will welcome players for preview rounds over Labor Day weekend. Kids play for free, and youth-focused programming will be central to the course’s mission.
Set across five acres, the Wee Course features nine holes ranging from 20 to 80 yards, totaling 275–500 yards. Each green is modeled after one of the most iconic holes on the existing Nicklaus layout, including a miniature version of the famed 10th green where Nicklaus once holed one of his most memorable putts. The design emphasizes fun, creativity, and accessibility.
Players will find two sets of tees: forward white tees ideal for kids and beginners, and blue tees offering more angles and variety for experienced golfers. From the forward tees, golfers can even putt their way around the course, adding a unique twist to every round. Combining both sets of tees allows for an 18-hole experience.
“I’m thrilled to be part of this special project with Harbor Shores, a place and community I hold close to my heart,” said Montgomerie. “The Wee Course is more than just a golf amenity—it’s a gathering place for every generation. Having seen how short courses bring people together around the world, especially in Scotland, I know this course will create the same sense of community here. With nine holes that can be played in under an hour, resort guests, families, and youth will find it a fun, affordable way to spend time outdoors, away from screens, while learning the values and etiquette that make golf so special. It’s an investment in both the game and the community that will pay dividends for generations.”
Complementing the Wee Course is the new Highlands Greens Putting Course, an 18-hole, 15,000-square-foot putting attraction inspired by St. Andrews and Pinehurst. With lights, music, food, drinks, and a new gathering area called Monty’s Place—complete with fire pits and casual seating—the space is designed for fun and community connection well into the evening.
Harbor Shores Wee Course
Pricing for the Wee Course begins at $30 for nine holes, $40 for 18, and $50 for all-day play, which also includes the putting course. Kids 12 and under play free with an adult, and juniors (ages 13–17) can play for $20 with an adult. Season passes will be offered.
Jeff Fettig, former Whirlpool CEO and a driving force behind the project, emphasized its community impact:
“The opening of the Wee Course is another milestone in our mission to make Harbor Shores a true catalyst for community growth,” said Fettig. “This project is about more than golf—it’s about inspiring the next generation. With support for programs like First Tee Benton Harbor and the Boys and Girls Clubs, First Robotics, as well as our three local public-school foundations, we’re creating a place where area youth can learn, grow, and experience the game in a fun and accessible way. The design, with multiple tee options and lighting for evening play, ensures this course will be a gathering place for families, friends, resort guests, and the entire community. We couldn’t be more excited about the impact it will have, both today and in seeding the future.”
The project has received strong backing from corporate partners including the Whirlpool Foundation, Corewell Health Lakeland, Indiana Michigan Power’s Cook Plant Foundation, United Federal Credit Union, and many individual donors. It builds on the momentum of the annual Whirlpool Community Charity Golf Event, which has raised more than $37 million over 22 years, impacting over 10,000 youth each year.
Looking ahead, Harbor Shores envisions innovative leagues and events at the Wee Course, from putting leagues to junior and mixed leagues, making it a vibrant addition to Harbor Shores and the broader Benton Harbor community. The opening also coincides with other local enhancements, including a new outdoor park along Riverview Drive and expanded walking and biking trails.
With its focus on youth, families, and community, the Wee Course promises to be a landmark addition to Harbor Shores—and a place where fun and golf meet for generations to come.
Harbor Shores, host of the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship from 2012 through 2024, has established itself as Southwest Michigan’s premier golf, resort, and waterfront destination—just 90 minutes from Chicago in the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph area.
Benton Harbor itself has a storied past. More than seven decades ago, the city thrived as an industrial hub. During World War II, Whirlpool Corporation—now one of the world’s leading appliance manufacturers—repurposed its factories to produce components for fighter planes as part of FDR’s “arsenal of democracy.” The community flourished through the 1950s and 60s before experiencing steep industrial decline in the following decades.
The arrival of Harbor Shores, highlighted by the Jack Nicklaus Signature Design course and now the new Wee Course, has been central to the community’s renewal. Golf has always been at the heart of the development along Lake Michigan and the Paw Paw River, representing nearly $900 million in coordinated investments. With the Whirlpool Foundation and Whirlpool Corporation at the forefront, local leaders and organizations have worked together to create a revitalization project that continues to shape the region.
The acclaimed Harbor Shores golf course stretches across wetlands, riverside landscapes, and hardwood forests, with dramatic holes offering views of Lake Michigan. The 550-acre mixed-use community blends golf and recreation with luxury living, featuring a marina village, riverwalk, shops, restaurants, fitness center, deep-water marina, the four-star Inn at Harbor Shores hotel and spa, golf villas, parks, green space, and miles of trails. It stands today as a model for how sport, community, and natural beauty can come together to transform a region.
