Taking a Swing at Something New

Twin Birch Golf Club introduces new restaurant, amenities, and events

By Rachel Pasche

Golf is a quintessential pastime during northern Michigan summers. Is there a better way to enjoy the long days of sunshine and verdant, blooming landscapes than spending a few hours out on the links? For Kwin Morris, owner of the recently updated Twin Birch Golf Club, the answer is definitely not.

Twin Birch sits just northeast of downtown Kalkaska. The par-72 course is bordered by statuesque pine trees and runs along the Boardman River, allowing guests to experience the quiet, natural beauty that being Up North provides. (Morris says golfers might spot some deer or turkeys on the course while they’re out playing.) Combine the picturesque setting with 18 holes, putting and practice greens, a driving range, clubhouse, and restaurant, and you’ll start to see what makes this newly renovated space so special.

The Course

Twin Birch Golf Course had only nine holes when Ron Cross designed it back in 1967. It was expanded in 1989 by Joe Roeske, a well-known golf architect who made the course the 18 holes it is today. The course is a daily fee course with an “open to the public” guest policy.

Morris’ family bought the property in 2013, but it wasn’t until the summer of 2021 that Morris took up the reins. He is a teacher and says that teaching virtually at the start of the pandemic made for “a really tough year.” That spurred him to look for a fun side project.

“We [my family] had the course but I wasn’t involved in it,” Morris explains. “And we decided as a family, let’s revamp this thing and build a brand-new, awesome clubhouse, and that really got me excited to do something unique and offer something lacking in Kalkaska.”

In the last two years, the property has undergone a major upgrade to elevate the entire experience at the club, from the course to the on-site restaurant. (More on dining below!) According to Morris, all of the buildings have been given a facelift, down to the cart barn, where 52 new golf carts in the fleet help the club manage the busy summer season. Morris also says he’s working with the Northern Michigan Mountain Bike Association to construct a single-track around the property to give golfers and nongolfers alike another way to enjoy the area.

“It’s a place with live music that you can bring the family biking, camping, hiking— and golfing, of course—and get an amazing chef-crafted meal,” Morris says.

The course itself garners positive reviews across the board, with 98 percent of players recommending it on NBC’s GolfPass, a site where users can rank courses around the country. Twin Birch consistently gets strong marks for its condition, pace of play, and the friendliness of the staff. The value is also a big draw.

Morris says they’ve made a concerted effort to make golfing accessible to more members of the community, including offering discounted rates for seniors. Nine holes plus cart rental is $30 Monday through Thursday and $35 Friday through Sunday. Similarly, 18 holes plus cart rental is only $40 Monday through Thursday, and $45 Friday through Sunday. Senior and twilight rates (past 3pm) are $25 Monday through Thursday and $35 Friday through Sunday—both rates include cart use.

The Restaurant

On the dining side, Morris has brought in a new chef who constructed a menu with a focus on handcrafted food that’s perfect for both a quick bite or a relaxing dinner. (In addition to the lunch and dinner menus, the club also offers breakfast on the weekend for some pre-tee fuel.)

You’ll find classic apps like Spinach Artichoke Dip, Soft Pretzels, and Chips and Salsa, but also creative shareables like Buffalo Cauliflower, Tempura Mushrooms, and Brisket Burnt Ends. Friday nights offer a shrimp and fish fry, while Saturdays are dedicated to a prime rib special.

Morris says some of the most popular menu items are the steaks and fish entrees (Scottish Salmon and Panko Parmesan Crusted Whitefish stand out), though their burgers, wraps, and salads are regular picks too.

Inside the restaurant, large windows and wood ceilings and beams lend the space a contemporary rustic feel, and an extensive wine and beer list gives golfers plenty to choose from whether they’re grabbing some drinks for the links or cooling off after a round.

Speaking of beverages, the Twin Birch Mug Club sold out almost immediately, but there’s a waitlist for those who want their chance at a mug on the wall. Free coffee and soft drinks, $1 off all drafts, and extra treats on birthdays are all part of what make a membership so coveted. The perks extend past the restaurant, too: Mug Club members can also enjoy deals on apparel at the pro shop and discounted rates to enter into tournaments and other events at Twin Birch. The membership is $60 for the first year and $50 for each following year.

The Events

If you can’t get into the Mug Club, then by all means get into the summer golf leagues and activities. The weekdays at Twin Birch Golf Club are stacked with different types of events, from the Monday Night Scramble with cash prizes, a sold-out men’s league on Tuesday nights, two women’s leagues on Wednesday, and the Jack and Jill Scramble (a couples’ scramble) on Thursday, not to mention live music on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays throughout the summer.

Part of Twin Birch’s mission, Morris says, is to make golf feel fun for grown-ups and kids alike. In addition to events for adults, Twin Birch offered its annual youth golf camp July 17-19. The camp consisted of golf instruction and etiquette for ages six to 16 and cost $40.

Morris feels that by offering affordable prices, hosting regular events including live music, and serving up great food in the restaurant, Twin Birch has the entire package for anyone in the region. “You can come here to have an event, play with your family, or have a laid-back golf experience. It’s a great spot to enjoy northern Michigan without breaking the bank,” he says.

Learn more about Twin Birch Golf Club— the course, restaurant, and events—at twinbirchgolf.com or by calling 231-258-9651.

The Aristocrats Wow! Things went literally and physically south on July 11 at a press dinner on New York's Upper East Side in support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign. According to Page Six, as Kennedy answered questions, someone posed one about climate change, but before Kennedy could answer, Doug Dechert, the event host, screamed, "The climate hoax!" Which brought a scold from art critic Anthony Haden-Guest, who called him a "miserable blob." The two continued their exchange, with Kennedy calmly looking on, until Dechert loudly released a "prolonged fart" while yelling, helpfully, "I'm farting!" After attempts to change the subject and more verbal antics, the evening wound down. The next day, Dechert told Page Six, "I apologize for using my flatulence as a medium of public commentary in your presence." How do I get on this guest list?

Creme de la Weird

Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman, who sat out some of last season with Wake Forest University, underwent surgery in August 2022 to remove blood clots and the rib closest to his collarbone, 247Sports. com reported. Hmmm, what to do with that extra rib? Hartman's mom, a nurse, is making a necklace for him with the bone. "It's actually clean. It is well on its way to becoming a necklace," he said. "I asked her to try and make it like a puka shell-type deal with the riblike shark's tooth at the end." Hartman said the jewelry might appear in a couple of pregame warmups. "It won't be worn a lot."

Awesome!

Australian sailor Tim Shaddock, 51, of Sydney and his dog, Bella, became stranded in the Pacific Ocean after they set out from Mexico for French Polynesia, a 3,700-mile trip, in April. The boat became damaged in storms, the BBC reported, and Shaddock drifted until mid-July, when a helicopter spotted him. A tuna trawler picked up the pair, who were in surprisingly good health. Shaddock said they ate raw fish and collected rainwater, and he sheltered from the sun beneath the boat's canopy. "I have been through a very difficult ordeal at sea," he said. "I'm just needing rest and good food."

Buh-Bye

In Glastonbury, Connecticut, 11 boats took off from the Seaboard Marina on July 12 -- make that with the marina. WTNHTV reported that a 200-foot section of dock with 11 boats attached broke off and started floating down the Connecticut River, later passing through Cromwell, Portland, Middletown and Haddam. One part of the errant dock was still floating downstream the next day; officials said it was likely that flooding in Vermont had caused the high waters that set the structure free. Teddy Charton of Middletown said he "got a call that my boat was floating down the river ... It ended up all the way down in Chester." Eventually all but one of the boats was recovered.

Ewwwww

Multiple wrecks tied up northbound

I-95 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on July 17, all attributed to one cause: A tractor-trailer was leaking human waste onto the roadway, which caused a motorcyclist to lose control and crash, the Associated Press reported. Several vehicles crashed into each other or concrete barriers on the slippery roads, and another truck skidded into a state police cruiser, which then rammed into another cruiser. No one was seriously hurt in the pileup. The driver was charged with reckless endangerment and reckless driving, as officers believed he knew of the gross leak but kept driving.

How Hot Is It?

To demonstrate the deadly heat inside a closed car, the staff of the National Weather Service in Midland, Texas, baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies on a car's dashboard on July 18, United Press International reported. While it was 105 degrees outside, the dashboard registered 190 degrees -high enough to bake the cookies in about 4 1/2 hours. "Even though ours weren't golden brown, we can confirm that they are done and delicious," NWS employees wrote on Facebook.

It's Come to This

When a backyard bunny breeder bundled their belongings and said bye-bye to Jenada Isles, a community in Wilton Manors, Florida, they left behind between 60 and 100 lionhead rabbits, who have now infiltrated the neighborhood and are driving residents bonkers. Click Orlando reported that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has declined to intercede, so resident Alicia Griggs is heading up an effort to raise the money needed to capture, neuter, vaccinate and rehome the rabbits -- to the tune of $20,000 to $40,000. "People don't realize they're exotic pets and they're complicated," Griggs said. "They have to eat a special diet. You can't just throw any table scraps at them." Residents complain that the bunnies dig holes, chew wiring and leave droppings on sidewalks and driveways. Others think the rabbits are cute, but experts say their heavy coats and finicky digestive systems aren't conducive to living wild in Florida. "They are not equipped to thrive on their own," said Eric Stewart, executive director of the American Rabbit Breeders Association.

Bright Idea

Michael Raduga, 40, founder of the Phase Research Center in Russia, but -critically -- NOT a doctor or neurosurgeon, nearly lost his life in June when he tried to implant a chip in his brain on his own, in his living room in Kazakhstan. The Daily Mail reported that Raduga lost more than a liter of blood in his quest to control his dreams. He said he practiced on five sheep's brains and watched hours of neurosurgery on YouTube before starting on his own head. "During the first 30 minutes I was ready to give up many times because ... I was afraid I could just lose consciousness," Raduga said. "I finished the surgery, I took a shower and I worked for 10 hours straight. People didn't know." But neurosurgeon Alex Green of the University of Oxford wasn't having it. "This is an extremely dangerous thing to do," he said. "We are probably decades away from being able to synthesize new experiences."