Gaylord, MI

golf travel 297 Reasons to Visit

Imagine a golf resort area with eleva-

tion changes from tee to green, the likes of a ski slope to test your endurance… natural tree lined fairways to focus your energy and define your game… and a smorgasbord of the ‘Finest Golf Course Architects’ that will take your game to the next level. Websters Dictionary defines a “Mecca” as an area that attracts many people. Add in those 297 holes of golf from 17 Golf Courses and 5 Resorts within a 45-minute radius and some of the friendliest people in golf… and you have found, Northern Michigan’s… Gaylord Golf Mecca. “Although golf began in the 1920’s with the Gaylord Golf Club, it wasn’t until 1987 when the Gaylord Golf Mecca came into existence with the opening of the ‘Masterpiece’ designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., course at the newly renamed, Treetops Resort,” Paul Beachnau, Executive Director of the Mecca, mentioned in our welcome meeting. Paul went on to explain, “when Jones stood on the 6th tee of what was then called Sylvan Resort, he explained to the late owner Harry Melling, and Rick Smith, PGA Teaching Professional… ‘All I can see is the tops of trees… you should call this place Treetops!’ When the course opened in 1986 it was the highest slope rating in all of Michigan. People were talking about the area and coming to Gaylord to take the Masterpiece Challenge.” Gaylord experienced the slow down in early 2020 from the Pandemic, but when it was determined that was safe because of being outdoors… golf came back with a roar. “We didn’t see our friends from Canada or the South, but what we did see were a lot of people at the spur of the moment, jumping in their cars and coming to see us in the Gaylord Golf Mecca,” said Kevin Henley, general manager at The Natural. Kevin continued, “People who had stopped playing for one reason or another were coming back. Bringing their families and friends. We also found that so many people were starting to play golf for the very first time, through lessons and clinics we were offering.” Possibly one of the most affordable Golf Resort areas I have ever found, there is something for everyone in Otsego County. For me… the Gaylord Golf Mecca = Quality Golf and Affordable Rates. So… if it is not golf (Imagine that!)…

or you just need a break, we experienced the swift moving cool water rafting adventure on the Sturgeon River. With the headspring of the river beginning in Otsego County and flowing North some 45 miles to Lake Michigan near the Mackinac Bridge. Although we only floated down stream for about 2 ½ hours, it was just enough time to relax before preparing to take on ‘Jones’ Masterpiece course at Treetops Resort in the afternoon. Maybe river rafting is not your cup of tee (sorry… I just had to do that) as a mixer to golf… there is fly fishing on Sturgeon River for Trout… or the many cycling and mountain biking trails… or the hiking trail system in the area. There is something to do for everyone in the Gaylord Golf Mecca. But wait a few months and golf transforms in to skiing the slopes… or cross-country skiing – this is a 4-Season Resort Area. It’s time to plan to visit the Gaylord Golf Mecca. HOW DO WE GET THERE?

Flying in? – Look to Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) for ease and convenient. A regional airport, TVC is serviced by American, Delta and United, and is just a scenic 60-minute drive to the Gaylord Golf Mecca. Driving In? - I-75 heads North into the Northern Lower Peninsula. Gaylord Golf Mecca is a beautiful drive with rustic woods, farms, and picturesque waterway along the way North. The Tribute - Hole 18

WHERE DO WE STAY?

The Mecca has 21 lodging partners. From smaller Mom and Pop type housing to the name brands that we are accustom too… but when you have 5 of the resorts providing housing on-site as well as food and beverage… maybe that is something to consider. All lodging partners can talk Stay and Play packages, so you are definitely in charge of your own budget. Great Designs and a Tremendous Variety Add to the Gaylord Golf Mecca We were able to squeeze in 7 courses during our visit. That’s a lot of golf but looking at what we missed. Looking through the Northern Michigan Golfer

Guide, by the Gaylord Golf Mecca, there is a second trip in our plans.

The Masterpiece – Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (1987) at Treetops Resort The anchor to the Gaylord Golf Mecca, this course set the tone for others to follow. Rumor has it… when the Masterpiece was complete, Jones never played the course. He said, it may be too difficult for his game. Aptly named Treetops by Jones… when you get to the 6th tee box, you will understand very visibly what he saw. The dramatic 6th hole is a simple 180-yard, par 3 hole from the tips. Chose your club wisely on this hole… it could range between 3 or 4 clubs less than

you are thinking because of the 120-foot vertical drop to the green.

The Tribute – Designed by Rick Robbins and PGA Tour Player and NBC golf analyst Gary Koch (2002) at Otsego Resort An unbelievable 1,100 acres of hardwoods has been transformed in a true test of golf at the Tribute. Spacious Greens and expert bunkering, Robbins and Koch created as real golf challenge Masterpiece - Hole 8

as the Signature Course at Otsego Resort. An interesting design to give Risk – Reward area. But you will soon find out… if there is not a lot of challenge in the fairways to for the player… you will find severe undulating greens… and vice versa… if you have been through the ringer on the way to the green, you’ll have a little flatter putt. Not much… but at least it is a good thought. Playing the 18-track a thought came to mind… and to share one of Gary’s quotes used quite often on NBC… this course… “is better than most.”

The Natural at Beaver Creek – Designed by Jerry Matthews (1992) Beaver Creek Resort Designed to accentuate the natural beauty of the area, Jerry Matthews set out to create a peaceful track, winding through elevated forested terrain and around some of the most scenic wetlands in Northern Michigan. Playing this course, you will find yourself connected to nature. A different view and feeling with each hole. Heading to the first tee… don’t forget to take a picture of the Beaver… welcoming you to your adventure with The Natural.

Lakes of the North – Bill Newcomb and Jerry Matthews Bill Newcomb in 1968 first designed a nine-hole links style course in upand-coming community, just North of Gaylord. In the 1980’s Jerry Matthews was asked to create a back-nine in the Northern section of the community, which combined to create a unique golf experience. Gentle rolling terrain and more open and forgiving fairways make this golf course manageable for everyones game. With 5 sets of tees, Lakes of the North ranges in distance from

5,004 yards to just over 7,000 yards. One incredibly unique asset to this course is the private landing strip on the property. Although no lodging is on-site… this location gives the private pilot a distinct advantage with close proximity to Gaylord.

The Fountains Course – Michael Benkusky (2010) – Garland Lodge and Golf Resort Originally built in 1995, The Fountains experienced a total redesign at the hands of Michael Benkusky. Although yardage from 4,617 to 6,760, don’t let the length of this course fool you. Plan for some major adjustments and calculation to find the correct location of these undulating green complexes. Offering the unique 6-6-6 design – you’ll be faced with several risk – reward challenges with the numerous par 5’s.

The Pines – (1980’s) Michaywe’, Michigan Featuring secluded fairways winding though white birch forests and pine forests along the AuSable River, The Pines truly lends itself to a walking course. But just because it may be somewhat flat, the challenge still surrounds this course. A little narrower fairway, a smaller green complex footprint, and The Pines steps up to make this course one of the favorites for qualifying events of the Golf Association of Michigan. We met the President of the Gaylord Golf Mecca, Judy Mason, LPGA Professional at The Pines, who commented, “The Mecca is a collective reflection of many talented individual designers. We may not be as popular as some of the best known ‘Golf Destinations,’ but the Gaylord Golf Mecca has some of the finest golf courses at incredible values, that overshadow those other locations.”

Threetops – Rick Smith – Treetops Resort “This is the golf course that will keep me coming back to the Gaylord Golf Mecca.” Threetops is a simple Par 3 course at the Treetops Resort. Okay… far be it from me… to call this a “Simple Par 3 Course.” The sign at the first tee explained this is the “Most Difficult Par 3 course in America.” The next sign you see said… “Steep Grade… Use Extreme Caution.” And… this is the first course that I have ever had to sign a cart liability waiver. That being said. Rick Smith asked to create a true test of shot making on a grand scale. A total of 1,435 yards from the tips… this will challenge every iron in your bag. Through the years legends such as Nicklaus, Palmer and Floyd… as well as stars of today in Mickelson and Couples, just to name a few have played the Threetops. This year (2021) is the 20th Anniversary of the shot heard round the world, by Lee Trevino at Treetops #7. Lee playing in the Charity Match hit a Hole-InOne on number 7 that won him a cool $1,090,000. There is a commemorative plaque from the point where Trevino contacted the ball. Legend has it… according to Christy Walcott, Director of Marketing and Communication, Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau, “if you tap the plaque before taking your shot… that good things will happen for you.” Okay… I proved that theory is only a wife’s tail. Nothing but a solid par 3 for me on Old #7 for me. This is truly a “Bucket List” golf course. To only come to play this par 3 a few times would be shameful with all the other courses in the Mecca… but if that is all there is time for… “This is the one!” Masterpiece - Hole 11