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El Duelo (Men's Member-Member)

Arcadia Bluffs (Arcadia, MI)

Aug 23 - Aug 27, 2025

Two-man teams will compete in this three-day tournament filled with competition, gambling, food, beverage and special touches that make this one of the premier events on the Icon Golf annual calendar. This tournament will rotate each year amongst a small portfolio of very special courses that every golfer will want to challenge. The staff at Arcadia Bluffs is ready to roll out the red carpet for those competing in this year's El Duelo and members can expect nothing short of spectacular. Mike Rutkowski and James Bryant will be striving to defend their 2024 title from last year's Olde Farm event.

Arcadia Bluffs

Two Unique Golfing Experiences. The Bluffs Course resembles a seaside links course with views of Lake Michigan. It offers unparalleled world-class golf on a links style layout. Undulating and open, The Bluffs Course is revered for its wind-swept native grasses, sod-walled bunkers, wide fairways, spacious greens, and stunning views of Lake Michigan. It is renowned for the challenges each of its unspoiled, artfully crafted holes presents the mind and body.

The South Course is a tribute to a bygone era in golf course design that few have experienced. The inspiration for the South Course was born out of a desire to present the guests at Arcadia Bluffs with a golfing experience unlike that of any other golf destination in America. To present players with the opportunity to play a golf course that would stand as a testament to the challenges and emotions experienced only at a few select classic private courses from golf’s earliest days. The objective for the South Course would be to design a golf course by strategically positioning a collection of elements, serene in their appearance, ultimately creating a veil of simplicity over the complexity of the challenges that await.

Members will unwind at the end of the day in a mix of Lake View King Lodge rooms or the comfort of four-bedroom cottages on the second hole of the Bluffs Course, overlooking Lake Michigan.

Arcadia Bluffs Website
STAY

The Lodge at Arcadia Bluffs is located on the second level of the beautiful Nantucket coastal estate-style clubhouse, and accommodates 15 comfortably appointed guest rooms with 1 King bed each and 1 Suite. Most rooms face west with breathtaking views of our Bluffs Course and Lake Michigan, while some offer sunrise views.

The Cottages at Arcadia Bluffs and The Dozen are ready for your stay. These 1900 square foot, four bedroom, four bath cottages provide the same world-class comforts as The Lodge and The Bluffs Lodge

GOLF

The Bluffs Course offers unparalleled world-class golf on a links style layout. Undulating and open, The Bluffs Course is revered for its wind-swept native grasses, sod-walled bunkers, wide fairways, spacious greens, and stunning views of Lake Michigan. It is renowned for the challenges each of its unspoiled, artfully crafted holes presents the mind and body.

The inspiration for the South Course was born out of a desire to present the guests at Arcadia Bluffs with a golfing experience unlike that of any other golf destination in America. The routing of the South Course is two distinct nine hole loops, each containing a balanced mix of north, south, east and west facing holes. Golfers will notice the distinct lack of trees on the course, making the ever present wind a consideration and affording long range views across the property.

EXPLORE

The Dozen is the newest addition to Arcadia Bluffs, featuring 12 holes, four guest cottages, a short-iron practice facility, and a day-style clubhouse situated on 160 acres. Located approximately 1.5 miles from The Bluffs and South Course properties, The Dozen is scheduled to open on July 1st, 2025. The 12-hole course consists of two, 6-hole loops, The North and The South, each with three par 3’s and three par 4’s. Each hole rises from the ground, perfectly matched to the terrain appearing as if it has always been in place.

On-site massages services are available by appointment only     *fees apply

TRIP SCHEDULE

Arrivals
All Day

Fly into airport of your choice (more information below)

Tournament Check In
All Day

Main Clubhouse | Sunroom South

Hotel Check In
3:00 PM

Arcadia Bluffs | Main Clubhouse

Optional Practice
All Day

Arcadia Bluffs

Welcome Dinner
6:30 PM

Main Clubhouse | Sunroom South

Breakfast & Bevies
7:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Main Clubhouse | Sunroom South

Warm ups
7:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Bluffs Course Driving Range

Practice Round
8:40 AM - 10:00 AM

Bluffs Course

Post-round Scoring
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Sunroom South | Enjoy brews and bites as the scores get posted

Team Putting Competition
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Bluffs Course Putting Green

Dinner & Calcutta
6:00 PM

Main Clubhouse | Sunroom South

Breakfast & Bevies
6:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Main Clubhouse | Sunroom South

Warm ups
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Bluffs Course Driving Range

Round 1
8:00 AM - 9:20 AM

Bluffs Course

Post-round Scoring
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Sunroom South | Enjoy brews and bites as the scores get posted

Short Course Competition
3:36 PM - 5:12 PM

The Dozen (Shuttles available for 5-minute ride)

Dinner
8:00 PM

Main Clubhouse | Sunroom South

Breakfast & Bevies
6:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Main Clubhouse | Sunroom South

Warm ups
7:00 AM - 9:30 AM

South Course Driving Range (Shuttles available for 5-minute ride)

Round 2
8:31 AM - 9:59 AM

South Course

Post-round Scoring
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

South Course Porch

Awards Dinner
6:30 PM

Main Clubhouse | Sunroom South

Breakfast
7:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Main Clubhouse | Sunroom South

Check Out & Departures
11:00 AM

Thank you for playing El Duelo and safe travels home! We'll see you at Erin HIlls in 2026!

What's Included

  • Four nights accommodations onsite at Arcadia Bluffs
    • Lakeview King Room
    • 4-bedroom Cottage
  • One practice round (18 holes Sunday)
  • Two days of tournament rounds (18 holes Monday & Tuesday)
  • Team Putting Competition (Sunday)
  • Team Short Course competition at The Dozen (Monday)
  • Golf cart for every round
  • Forecaddie for each of the three tournament rounds and The Dozen
  • Unlimited use of practice facilities (Sat – Tue)
  • Tournament prizes and awards
  • ALL food & beverages over the course of the event with the exception of:
    • On-course selections
    • Purchased bottles of wine from cellar
  • Complimentary cigars
  • Access to state of the art Fitness Center
  • Complimentary shuttle from Manistee Blacker and Frankfort Dow Airports to Arcadia Bluffs
  • Onsite shuttle service
  • Player gift package

Format & Rules

  • 36 holes of tournament play
  • Two-person teams
  • GHIN handicaps or unofficial handicaps approved by Jeff Goodsell and the golf staff will be used for scoring purposes. Handicap adjustments can be made as the Committee deems necessary
  • Scoring during the two rounds of tournament play will be done using a team Net Best Ball. Per USGA guidelines, each participant will receive 90% of their handicap for the duration of the tournament
  • CLUB LIMIT – 14 club rule is in effect
  • MUSIC – Music-playing devices are allowed
  • TEES – Participants will play from the Blue tees or the White tees, dependent on handicap index
  • TIES – Ties will be broken by the USGA recommended method of matching the scorecards from the most recent round. The Committee will compare the last nine holes if still tied; compare the last six holes, the last three holes, and finally the 18th hole. If the teams in question are still tied after going through this procedure, the tie will be broken using the second most recent score
  • RAIN – In the event of rain, the Committee may declare play null and void and cancel all scores for the round in question. A minimum of 18 holes will constitute a Tournament
  • HANDICAPS – The Committee reserves the right to set and adjust the handicaps of all Tournament participants for the purposes of Tournament Awards. All decisions of the Committee shall be final for the purposes of the Tournament

Entry Fee

$11,500 Per Team

(Lodge King Accommodation)

 

$12,500 Per Team

(4-bedroom Cottage Accommodation)

Transportation

AIR – The recommended airports are Cherry Capitol Airport in Traverse City (TVC) and Manistee Blacker Airport (MBL). Traverse City is about an hour drive and Manistee is thirty minutes. Frankfort Dow Memorial Field is another option and only twenty minutes away for anyone flying private.

GROUND – If flying into Manistee or Frankfort Dow Memorial, Arcadia Bluffs has a shuttle that can pick up arriving contestants. If flying into Traverse City, members will need to rent a vehicle or line up private car service. Do not forget to utilize your Icon Golf discount through Enterprise/National (Code: XZ09F10). Note, when renting with Enterprise and National, your rate may not always be the lowest across all brands, but that’s because we’ve included full rental insurance and liability coverage so you can drive with no anxiety while traveling. Also, when traveling with National, all members are ELITE status, allowing you to choose from the best vehicles in the Emerald Aisle.

Accommodations

For the four nights of the competition, contestants can relax, unwind and recharge in the comforts of either a Lakeview King room in the Lodge or their own King-bedded room in a four-bedroom cottage. Both have access to a 24-hour fitness center. See pricing details above.

Ship Sticks

Tired of waiting in long check-in lines and standing around at baggage claim? With Ship Sticks, getting your clubs to Arcadia Bluffs has never been easier! A service built by golfers, for golfers, provides door-to-door shipping services for your clubs and luggage directly to Arcadia Bluffs. Simply fill out the online form below, pack up your clubs, and apply the shipping label. You can also track your clubs in real-time and receive tracking updates and notifications along the way.

Click Here for your 10% discount on Ship Sticks

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