The Golf Explorer: Volume 5

ESCAPE TO MICHIGAN

Rounding the fairways: The Gaylord Golf Mecca

Explore Grand Rapids

M A RC H - OC TO B E R 2021 Harbor Shores Resort michigangolfexplorer.com

Sports betting arrives in Michigan

ESCAPE TO MICHIGAN

Rounding the fairways: The Gaylord Golf Mecca

Explore Grand Rapids

Sports betting arrives in Michigan M A RC H - OC TO B E R 2021 Garland Lodge and Golf Resort, Lewiston michigangolfexplorer.com

ESCAPE TO MICHIGAN

Rounding the fairways: The Gaylord Golf Mecca

Explore Grand Rapids Sports betting arrives in Michigan M A RC H - OC TO B E R 2021 Crystal Mountain Resort michigangolfexplorer.com

go round

for round

It’s where everything comes together. Where you can swing away the mornings and sip easy in the a ernoons. Where every fairway and friendly smile seems to remind you that you’re in a pre y great place.

TraverseCity.com

of Michigan

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, The Wolverine, Acme, MI Photo by Nile Young

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Ranked #20 in Michigan’s Best Public Access Courses, Golfweek 2013 America’s Best New Courses 2006, Golf Digest

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Contents

24 LOCHENHEATH TRANSITIONS TO

FULLY PRIVATE IN 2021 | the Williamsburg, Michigan golf club has announced their official transition for the 2021 season

26 RETURN TO SOUTH COURSE | Oakland

Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan reopens this year with a renovated South Course—and new play experience

28 GREAT LAKES ESCAPES | the latest

edition highlighting some of the great golf resorts where residents, members, and visitors alike can indulge in the competitive—and restorative—spirit

42 FAIRWAY SERENITY | a development at Thousand Oaks Golf Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan embraces the simple luxury and same serenity often found on the course

A-GA-MING GOLF RESORT BY NILE YOUNG

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46 FOR LOVE OF GAME AND COUNTRY | the

transformation of the former Grand Haven Golf Club into American Dunes, designed by Jack Nicklaus, will serve as a living memorial

48 THE DISH: MERTENS

PRIME | a conversation with

Paul Berglund, executive chef at Mertens Prime and winner of a James Beard Foundation Best Chef Award Midwest

50 ROUNDING THE

FAIRWAYS: GAYLORD | a list of some of the best places to stay, play, dine, and unwind in the Gaylord, Michigan region

SHOP

GET UP AND GO

DINE

The paradise of golf in Northern Michigan is more than a mani-

GOLF SPA

CASINO

cured green, orchard-lined fairway or battling The Bear. More than award-winning course design, spacious Clubhouse or veteran instructors. It’s having all of those things at your fingertips.

You won’t believe it if you haven’t seen it. Get up and go at grandtraverseresort.com/golf.

Owned and Operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

Contents 56 60 66

EMPOWER IN STYLE | a fashion industry veteran is transforming ready-to-wear golf apparel for women

SHAPE, IN MOTION | TaylorMade Golf Company builds upon the enhanced speed and aerodynamics of the original SIM line by redefining its construction with SIM2 GAME ON | a list of a few casinos and

gaming destinations—and their nearby golf courses—throughout the state

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THE GROUNDS TOUR | a few of the

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DIRECTORY

great places to play in Southwest Michigan and the Upper Peninsula

68 70 74 83

West North East Upper Penninsula

96 DISCOVER LANSING 100 COURSE Q&A: THE MICHIGAN

OUTLOOK | a conversation with several

professionals from courses across the state about 2020 and what they expect from the 2021 season

FANTASY FLORAL COLLECTION, COURTESY FORAY GOLF LLC

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104 HARBOR TOWN FAIRWAYS | a Lake

Michigan destination with a burgeoning downtown district—and golf courses carved into the landscape

106 AT THE TABLE: CHRIS ROWLEY | a

conversation with the Executive Director of Mt. Pleasant Area Convention and Visitors Bureau about the mid-state golf and travel destination

108 EQUITYAIR 110 ARRIVALS

From the editor In January 2020, at the cusp of a new decade,

the golf industry debuted the new year with a nearly 11 percent increase in rounds played nationwide compared to the same period in 2019, according to the National Golf Foundation, an association and community of individuals and golf businesses advocating for the industry and providing members with well-informed insights on the game.

While a strong start, bolstered by favorable weather, the industry was soon faced with an unforeseen challenge as courses, businesses, and communities throughout the country— and the world—shuttered windows and doors in the wake of COVID-19’s spread across the globe.

Though the global pandemic, an ongoing crisis that has had a painful and detrimental impact on so many lives, resulted in the loss of 20 million spring rounds played due to coronavirus-related shutdowns, the outbreak also led to innovation, collaboration, and a strengthened sense of community in many towns and cities. It also, in a silver-liningturn-of-events, inspired newfound interest in the game of golf as experienced players and first-time enthusiasts alike returned to fairways as courses opened up once more in early summer as a healthy, outdoor activity. The ability to participate in the sport again ultimately resulted in a 14 percent increase in rounds for 2020 compared to 2019, with year-end total play reaching about 500 million rounds, according to Golf Datatech.

It is a game that not only is a sport of both leisure and elite athleticism, but also an outdoor destination, a space for community, and a vehicle of philanthropy—and in this issue we continue to highlight the great places to play and stay in the Great Lakes State, as well as some of the innovative work taking place in the industry.

Welcome to The Golf Explorer: Michigan’s Journal to Incredible Golf.

Rachel J. Weick Editor | SVK Multimedia and Publishing The Golf Explorer: Michigan’s Journal to Incredible Golf

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element.

IN YOUR

Exceptional golf experiences happen here. Tall trees line the fairway and rolling hills lead to breathtaking views. Unique challenges offer the opportunity for unquestioned accomplishment. And there you are, in the middle of it all.

C R YS TA L M O U N TA I N .C O M

Designer note

ESCAPE TO MIC HIGAN

Rounding the fairways:

The Gaylord Golf Mecca

A spring like no other.

Following a winter of the likes we have not seen before, there is sure to be some excitement this upcoming spring when it comes to dusting off the clubs and getting out on the course. Three highly touted courses are those on this years covers. (right) Our top course is Garland Lodge and Golf Resort, followed by Harbor Shores Resorts, shot by Nile Young and then Crystal Mountain Resort shot by Brian Walters. We have put together another great issue highlighting a host of things that are new in Michigan.

Explore

Grand Rapids

Sports betting arrives in Michigan M A RC H - OC TO B

Garland Lodge and

HIGAN ESCAPE TO MIC

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Golf Resort, Lewisto n michig angolf explore r.com

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Rounding the fairways: The Gaylord Golf Mecca

plore Ex Grand Rapids

As always, I hope you enjoy the view.

Christopher H. Pastotnik SVK Multimedia and Publishing The Golf Explorer Michigan’s Journal to Incredible Golf

ESCAPE

TO MIC HIG

Sports betting arrives in Michigan

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Rounding the fairw ays: The Gaylo rd Golf Mecca

Explo Grand Ra re pi ds

2021 COVERS

Garland Lodge and Golf Resort, Harbor Shores Resort and Crystal Mountain Resort

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3/18/21

AMADOR ON THE ROCK

3:24 PM

I had the pleasure of being served by Tom Burns at the Alto Bar in Alto, MI. During my visit I talked with Tom and owner (and father) David Burns about their newly renovated interior, bourbons and some of the craft that come with making a fine drink. Being one that can appreciate a good bourbon when I can, I found this to be a great opportunity to try something new. Before we settled into a photo shoot Tom steered me toward the Amador. First word that came to me was dangerous — this bourbon was so smooth the taste of oak barrels is the only thing to stayed on my pallet. My new next buy with the guys. See Tom’s selection he made for us to share on page 112.

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Continued golf coverage after the round online at michigangolfexplorer.com

Become an explorer

LEGAL Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge

MichiganGolfExplorer.com EDITOR Rachel J. Weick SENIOR WRITER Riley Collins Brenna Buckwald CREATIVE AND DESIGN Chris H. Pastotnik PUBLISHER John C. Olsa ADVERTISING SALES John C. Olsa, johno@svkmp.com Kim Amesbury, Advertising Sales kamesbury@comcast.net CIRCULATION David Fant, Market Mapping Plus PRINTING AND MAILING Walsworth Printing & Holland Litho CONTRIBUTORS PHOTOGRAPHERS Brian Walters Photography Nile Young, Nile Young Photography

ACCOUNTING Pennell CPA Fred Pennell, CPA, CGMA Brian Furness, CPA FINANCE Lake Michigan Credit Union The Golf Explorer is printed once per year, with 100,000 copies.

PO Box 586 Hudsonville, MI 49426 (616) 379-4001 michigangolfexplorer.com/contact-us/ ©2021 All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or reproduced without written consent of publisher.

Advertising rates found at michigangolfexplorer.com SVK Media & Publishing is not responsible for unsolicited materials or contributions.

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Nile Young | PHOTOGRAPHER With a portfolio spanning more than 400 courses across the globe, Nile Young is among the foremost photographers in the industry. His library includes some of finest golf properties in the world, including: The Old Course at St Andrews, Michigan’s Arcadia Bluffs, Tucker’s Point in Bermuda, Florida’s StreamSong Resort, Wisconsin’s Whistling Straits, and Mexico’s Mayacoba. Nile’s expertise extends to lifestyle, portraiture, and architectural imagery for many of the world’s top resort brands, including Wyndham, Walt Disney World Golf, Four Seasons, World Golf Village, Hilton, and Waldorf Astoria, among others.

His work has been published in such notable titles as Golf Magazine, Golf Digest, and Links Magazine, as well as the Sports Illustrated and Jack Nicklaus calendars.

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12 courses. 12 challenges lie ahead.

Plan your golf getaway to Central Michigan today.

Visit www.meetmtp.com to start planning.

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LochenHeath transitions to fully private in 2021 Text: TGE Staff

L

ochenHeath Golf Club, located in Williamsburg, Michigan and founded in 2001, has announced their official transition into an exclusive private club experience, beginning in the 2021 season.

Since the Maitland family first converted their 75-year-old cherry orchard into the now scenic luxury golf and real estate experience in 2001, Lochenheath Golf Club has been open for the public to experience playing the scenic course designed by distinguished course architect, Steve Smyers.

The par-72 course at LochenHeath runs across more than 300 acres of what was previously a cherry orchard, featuring the unique quirks of the natural environment in Smyers’ course design—rolling hills, native grasses, and contoured greens, making for a fast and engaging game of golf. From 14 of the course’s holes, members will be treated to breathtaking views of Grand Traverse Bay. “We have always had the vision of LochenHeath becoming a private experience,” said Brent Maitland, LochenVest Board Chairman.

“With the investment from our owner group, strong leadership and service team, our commitment to maintaining world-class course conditions, and growing interest in the club membership, we feel now is the time to transition to a fully private experience.”

With the changeover from a public to a private course, local and national members and their guests will experience the club’s additional array of privileges and amenities in the 2021 season.

“With our location in beautiful northern Michigan, the dynamic views of the water, award-winning golf, exemplary clubhouse and culinary experience, private modern cottages, and our proximity to Cherry Capital Airport and everything the Traverse City region offers during the summer golf season, we are the perfect destination club for golfers across the country,” said Kevin O’Brien, general manager at LochenHeath Golf Club.

For O’Brien, it’s easy to see why golf enthusiasts both local and national would want

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to retain membership at LochenHeath. The Scottish links-style course rests on a bluff overlooking East Grand Traverse Bay and sweeps across land that was once a flourishing cherry orchard. Breathtaking views and a meticulous topographical design by Smyers are complemented by an equally memorable culinary experience courtesy of The Restaurant at LochenHeath and its generous patio overlooking the bay. A series of spacious, private cottages, called The Cottages at LochenHeath, are located a short distance from the club house and add a restful reprieve post-round.

“The clubhouse sits on a special piece of property,” O’Brien said.

“The land has great movement to it with elevation changes of up to 85 feet and because of this movement it makes for very interesting holes along with incredible views. Then in the backdrop you throw in the East Grand Traverse Bay with these elevation changes and we get some very dramatic vistas because of that.”

The quality of the land and LochenHeath’s attention to maintaining it are major reasons O’Brien favors the club’s privatization. The number of rounds hosted— which was about 7,500 in 2020—will lower in volume, reducing wear-and-tear on the course.

The move will also allow the club to focus on its membership, delivering on the qualities that come with the lifestyle choice of being a course member, and curating a distinctly LochenHeath experience.

“I think a lot of these golfers value this property that when they came out and played, they paid green fees; but now that it’s private they value it that much more as far as the whole facility and the club that they joined the club.

That speaks volumes for what LochenHeath is

all about and where we’re set—it’s very exciting,” O’Brien said.

When staying at LochenHeath, members can enjoy a fully immersed lifestyle experience that stretches beyond golf and its luxury amenities to the surrounding landscape, with outdoor dining, fire pits, nearby walking and biking paths, fishing, lake access, and proximity to Traverse City. Located a few minutes away from the club, members can also take advantage of the vibrant downtown amenities such as top-notch beaches, wineries, breweries, restaurants, shopping, hiking, biking, world-

class fly-fishing streams, lake fishing, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and events like the National Cherry Festival.

Apart from the club’s transition to private this year, O’Brien said the course will undergo a three-year bunker renovation starting in the spring to align with the quality conditions set by club ownership. Some additional cottages are also scheduled for construction at the end of the 2021 season.

“LochenHeath was always created to be a private club and residential experience and we are very excited to be able to complete this transformation,” O’Brien said.

PHOTOS BY DAVE SPECKMAN

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RETURN TO

South Course Text: R. Collins

S

outheast Michigan’s Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills is a fixture in the storied history of American golf, with origins dating back approximately 104 years, and a membership roster that has comprised Detroit industrial figures like Edsel Ford, and John and Horace Dodge. The country club’s South Course was designed before its North, by visionary golf course architect Donald Ross in 1916. It was followed in 1921 by the opening of the clubhouse, which was designed by Howard Crane—the same architect who designed Detroit’s famous Fox Theatre and Orchestra Hall.

From its noteworthy origins, Oakland Hills Country Club’s South Course has been layered throughout the years by topographical additions and rearrangements. Maple-and-elm tree coverage was added in some places and bunkers steepened in others; and then a sweeping modernization took place midcentury by the golf

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course architect Robert Trent Jones.

Eventually, the South Course had become fairly difficult for members to play, and in 2019, an effort to restore the design glory of its earliest years began to take shape, directed by American golf course architect Gil Hanse. Hanse, who launched Hanse Golf Course Design in 1993, has developed a portfolio of original and renovation work internationally at destinations like Pinehurst Resort and the Royal Sydney Golf Club in Australia.

“The first goal was to make the South Course more playable for the membership and the second goal was to bring [the design] back so that we would host a major championship.

That’s in our DNA and our mission statement and what we do here; those were the two big goals,” said Steve Brady, PGA Head Golf Professional at Oakland Hills Country Club.

Brady’s tenure at Oakland Hills Country Club began in 1997 when he became the club’s Director of Instruction, and since then he has

witnessed a major renovation to the South Course by Rees Jones in 2006, which involved repositioning bunkers, enlarging ponds, and building new tees that would stretch the course to 7,445 yards. In its new—yet vintage—iteration, the Hanse design team sought to revitalize former layers of the course’s personality, which savored the natural lay of the land and generous greens, with bunkers pulled away from them.

“Originally [the course] was built on farmland, so there were very few trees, but it was a beautiful piece of property with rolling hills and elevation changes from the clubhouse to the fifth green of about 90 feet,” Brady said.

Less tree coverage initially paired with these qualities for a breathy journey along the course that was tightened by increasingly cropped tree lines in time. The course’s original greens were also made to retain moisture, making them saturated during play.

The design team resolved both issues by reshaping some tree patches and removing oth-

COURTESY OAKLAND HILLS COUNTRY CLUB

ers, and unifying a modern approach to grass coverage on the renovated greens. Despite superficial changes in design, the South Course’s routing remained largely unchanged, save for two or three holes including the seventh hole.

This hole was shifted to the left to make room for a restored creek that had been replaced by a lake during the 2006 renovation.

“Gil Hanse came in and put in large bunkers especially around the holes that are in the view of the clubhouse to match the scope of the clubhouse,” Brady said.

“He’s an artist and golf course architect; he’s a good player so he understands how to put older classic golf courses back the way they were designed, but also allow the technology to make firm, fast and state-of-the-art turf grass— which is beautiful all year long. Mission accomplished; it’s beautiful,” Brady added.

It’s this view of the clubhouse from every vantage point that excites Brady the most about the renovation. The way the freshly renovated course highlights the contours of the land through clearer sightlines also allows for a unique new shadow play across its surface throughout the day. It’s an experience he is equally excited to share with visitors once Oakland Hills Country Club reopens this year.

There are only a few boxes left to tick in the renovation scheme, and Brady hopes for a late summer grand opening that befits the grand transformation of one of Michigan’s most prolific destinations for golf.

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Great Lakes escapes

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Text: Brenna Buckwald

T

here are not many sports that pair the competitive spirit with the pursuit of inner peace quite like golf as individuals strive to challenge themselves while connecting with the beauty of the surrounding natural landscape. Golf is a rather distinctive sport, as players choose to either enjoy it with a group of friends, colleagues, and family members, or opt to take a break from the stresses of daily life and book a golf vacation for one.

In this latest edition, The Golf Explorer: Michigan’s Journal to Incredible Golf, highlights some of great outstanding golf resorts for residents, members, and visitors alike can indulge in the competitive—and restorative— spirit.

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa 100 GRAND TRAVERSE VILLAGE BLVD. | ACME, MICHIGAN “At Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, it truly is a property unlike anything else, especially up here in Northern Michigan,” said Caroline Rizzo, public relations manager at Grand Traverse Resort.

“When you hear the word resort, you think of other places—I think of Mexico, or I think of going off to a tropical resort. That is what this place is in terms of features and amenities, just up here in beautiful Traverse City,” Rizzo added.

Home to The Bear, The Wolverine, and Spruce Run—three championship golf courses that pull in golfers of all experience levels— Grand Traverse Resort also offers many amenities for when golfers are ready to put down their clubs. Providing an array of lodging options, guests can customize their overnight experience by choosing a place to stay that best fits their group, from The Tower, The Hotel, and The Shores, to condominiums, suites, and nearby resort homes.

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN

EVERGREEN RESORT

“You’re not just coming here to golf.

You’re coming here to get a really nice experience overnight,” Rizzo said. “With the style of rooms that we have, the views that we are able to provide with the height of our tower— going up fifteen floors technically, and having panoramic views of East Grand Traverse Bay— you’re coming here and getting an incredible top-of-the-line stay.”

Within close proximity of Traverse City, Grand Traverse Resort has a number of activities to keep guests busy and entertained while off-course. Many attractions are just a short trip to the city, allowing guests to experience both resort-living and city-life, from wine-tasting at Bowers Harbor Vineyards, and visiting the Dennos Museum Center, to soaking in the sun on the beaches of Clinch Park, and shopping downtown.

For guests who want to shop even closer to the resort, the Tower Gallery of Shops features stores such as Whirligigs Candy & More; the classic toy boutique, Tumbleweeds; Mud Pie, a brand that primarily sells home décor, seasonal gifts, and baby décor; and others, offering sportswear, casual apparel, and fashion and accessories.

Onsite at the Grand Traverse Spa vacationers, can find relaxation with a variety of treatments to choose from. Its menu offers massages, facials, waxing, hair artistry, nail care, and an assortment of other self-care options.

Grand Traverse Resort also provides guests with access to its health club—a 100,000-square-foot space offering cardio and free-weight studios, five indoor tennis courts, and an indoor water playground for families to enjoy. The club runs a class schedule of instructor-led group fitness classes, such as aerobics, yoga, cardio, and cycling.

When it comes to dining options, Grand Traverse Resort has no shortcoming of restaurants for guests to choose from. On the 16th floor of the resort’s tower, Aerie Restaurant and Lounge offers guests a distinctive view of

LEFT: COURTESY CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN; TOP: COURTESY EVERGREEN RESORT

Grand Traverse Bay, as well as a menu that delivers bold dishes with locally sourced ingredients paired with either local beer or wine, as well as international and national selections.

Other onsite eateries include Sweetwater American Bistro, a family-style bistro nestled just off the Grand Lobby; The Grille Restaurant, located inside the Resort’s golf Clubhouse; and Jack’s Taproom, a modern microbrewery.

Nearby at Turtle Creek Casino, Bourbons 72 Steakhouse presents a fine dining atmosphere for its visitors.

“You can literally come to the resort and do every part of your vacation, right here on property,” Rizzo said.

Evergreen Resort 7880 MACKINAW TRAIL | CADILLAC, MICHIGAN In the heart of the Michigan landscape, Evergreen Resort spans nearly 327 acres just outside of Cadillac. It welcomes guests with a resort-stay of home-like amenities, complimentary breakfast in one of their two onsite restaurants, and promises of relaxation—and its two golf courses: Spruce Course and Norway Course.

Overlooking Lake Cadillac, the Spruce Course’s 18 holes are situated amongst a hillside, and winds through scenic pine forests with rolling fairways, small greens, and plenty of slope from front to back. Its sister course, Norway Course, is a short nine-hole course in the heart of Evergreen Resort property, offering a peaceful game experience for golfers.

The resort offers golf packages for guests to enjoy their stay with special perks and discounted rates, such as: the Fall Stay & Play package, which includes 18 holes of golf, free breakfast, and a gift; and the Couples Getaway package for couples that are looking for a quick trip together, which includes a one-night stay, a $20 food voucher for each adult, and free breakfast.

There are two eateries at the resort: Curly’s Bar and Grill, supplying guests with a pubstyle menu, local craft beers, flexible seating, MICHIGANGOLFEXPLORER.COM

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BAY HARBOR GOLF CLUB

TVs to watch the game, and karaoke every Friday night; and Passage North, a fine-dining restaurant which serves the resort’s complimentary breakfast each morning, and features floor to ceiling windows so guests can overlook the golf course as they enjoy their meal.

For fitness beyond golfing, guests can utilize the onsite fitness center or swim in the heated indoor pool, whirlpool, or sauna.

Crystal Mountain 12500 CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN DR. | THOMPSONVILLE, MICHIGAN Crystal Mountain delivers endless entertainment year-round. While often renowned for its 58 trails designated for downhill skiing and other sport activities, Crystal Mountain’s summer program brings 36 holes of championship golf to the Thompsonville, Michigan area with its Mountain Ridge and Betsie Valley courses.

Distinctive, yet equally memorable, the two courses bring a challenging and enjoyable experience to the fairways and greens onsite.

Mountain Ridge ascends to high elevations and winds through pine forests, while Betsie Valley, which recently underwent a $1 million renovation, brings a more competitive game play to the portfolio with protected greens, tree-lined fairways, and challenging bunkers.

Open to the public, Crystal Mountain also provides a 10-acre practice and learning center for golfers to sharpen their skills before hit30

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ting the courses. The center features a driving range, a covered hitting area, putting green, and two multi-tiered chipping greens with bunkers.

Guests can also take advantage of the resort’s Spa, and fitness center and indoor pool, or enjoy a number of the other outdoor activities available, such as: take a dip in the outdoor pool, sled down a curved 1,700-foot track known as the Crystal Coaster Alpine Slide, play outdoor laser tag, bike, or hike through the Michigan Legacy Art Park.

Crystal Mountain offers onsite mountain biking trails—and rentals—connecting to the Betsie River Pathway, and other local trails like Betsie Valley Trail, North County Trail, and Arcadia Dunes are just a short drive away from the resort.

Tucked into Crystal Mountain’s densely wooded 30-acre preserve, Michigan Legacy Art Park features 1.6 miles of hiking trails, with more than 50 sculptures representing a piece of Michigan’s history, poetry stones, and an outdoor amphitheater.

BOYNE GOLF Bay Harbor Golf Club 5800 COASTAL RIDGE DRIVE | BAY HARBOR, MICHIGAN Boyne Highlands 600 HIGHLAND DRIVE | HARBOR SPRINGS, MICHIGAN

Boyne Mountain 1 BOYNE MOUNTAIN ROAD | BOYNE FALLS, MICHIGAN Crooked Tree Golf Club 334 HEATHER DRIVE | HARBOR SPRINGS, MICHIGAN Ten championship-level courses span Boyne Golf’s three resorts— Boyne Highlands, Boyne Mountain, and the Inn at Bay Harbor— gifting guests an abundance of opportunity for unique golfing experiences, as well as enjoying the activities and amenities at each resort.

“Whether you want to play a course from the top of the mountain to the bottom, overlook Lake Michigan, or you want to play through an old blueberry bog, you have a lot of variety on all of our courses and anybody that plays them will say there’s a lot of variety,” said Ken Griffin, Director of Golf Sales and Marketing at BOYNE Golf.

At Boyne Highlands, guests can enjoy games on Arthur Hills, Donald Ross Memorial, The Heather, The Moor, or a short game free of charge on Cuff Links Executive Par-3, a nine-hole course at the base of Boyne Highlands Day Lodge.

Opened in 1966 and designed by Robert Trent Jones, The Heather was BOYNE Golf’s first golf course. With wide tree-lined fairways, sculpted bunkers and daunting water hazards, the championship course is a classic that has stood the test of time.

The Moor, an AJGA Championship course, COURTESY BOYNE

is widely regarded as a favorite by BOYNE members, as it features numerous doglegs, marshes, and waterholes and is suitable for both beginners and more advanced players.

The Donald Ross Memorial pays tribute to Donald Ross as a course that is a composite of the architect’s most renowned golf holes, recreated at Boyne Highlands. It includes holes from Oakland Hills, Seminole Golf Club, Pinehurst #2, Inverness, and Oak Hill.

Aside from Golf, Boyne Highlands offers guests musical entertainment with Young Americans Dinner Theatre, which has been a summer tradition at the resort since 1978.

Paired with delicious cuisine, the productions are comprised of young up-and-coming performers hand-picked from all around the country, presenting Broadway-style performances for guests.

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Other activities at Boyne Highlands comprise: mountain biking, horseback riding, swimming in the resort’s heated outdoor pool, hiking through miles of Boyne Highlands’ forests and fields, Segway tours, and beer and wine tours.

At Boyne Mountain, golfers can enjoy the one-of-a-kind experience of playing their way down the mountain, starting at the summit and enjoying breathtaking views as they work their way through the 36 holes from The Alpine, which is host to the annual Tournament of Champions, and The Monument.

At 88,000 square-feet, Avalanche Bay, Boyne Mountain’s own indoor waterpark, is the largest indoor waterpark in Michigan, and features seven waterslides and four pools.

Boyne Outfitters, located at Boyne Mountain, also offers guests the perusal of the finest gear

in fly fishing at The Fly Shop, as well as guide trips.

“If you’re into golf and into fly fishing, we have our own outfitters. They’re licensed guides; they guide not only on the local rivers up here, but also we have private waters on the original Everett Kircher estate, the Everett Kircher preserve,” Griffin said. “We take guided, private trout trips onto that water, where it is catch-and-release, but we can control the number of people on those private waters. It’s certainly not overfished.”

The Inn at Bay Harbor is home to two golf clubs—Bay Harbor Golf Club and Crooked Tree Golf Club— rounding out BOYNE Golf’s extensive list of championship courses with The Links, The Quarry, and The Preserve at Bay Harbor, and a course at Crooked Tree with panoramic views overlooking Little Traverse Bay. In summer of 2020, the hotel also opened a newly constructed fitness center for guests to use when they’re not golfing one of the four courses at the inn.

“A lot of great golf courses in the United States, they’re tremendous golf courses and resorts, but there’s not a lot to do when you’re there other than play golf. Here, it’s four-season recreation in the Petoskey area. We think it’s truly part of our experience. It seems to be getting more of the experience off the course,” Griffin said.

“At the resort level, you’ve got spas on all three properties, and you have numerous dining options. We’re also fortunate that all of the local communities are very active. Be it Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Charlevoix, or Boyne City, there’s so many things to do in each of those towns. I believe right now there are 14 wineries relatively between our three properties,” Griffin added.

Whether one is spending their stay with BOYNE Golf strictly golfing, or wants to take advantage of the other activities offered across the three resorts, vacationers at BOYNE Golf have a plethora of options to keep themselves entertained.

HARBOR SHORES RESORT Harbor Shores Golf Course 201 GRAHAM AVE. | BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN The Inn at Harbor Shores 800 WHITWAM DRIVE | ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN “I think Harbor Shores sets itself apart from many other destinations in the fact that we really focus on making sure that every person who steps on-property feels like a member for the day. There are little things that we do and focus on with every guest to make sure that we’re remembered for something more than just great golf—and that’s great people and trying to forge and create great relationships with all of our frontline team and every guest that steps on site,” said Joshua Doxtator, general manager at Harbor Shores Resort in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

COURTESY HARBOR SHORES RESORT

4 award-winning courses

from torch lake to charlevoix

3 Beautiful locations • 72-Holes of Championship golf

We are frequently asked, “What is A-Ga-Ming?”. A-Ga-Ming represents many things. To the Native Americans, it is a word meaning “on the shore.” For families across the Midwest and the nation, it is a beautiful vacation destination, complete with lodging, dining, and relaxation. To the golf community, it is a 72-hole golf resort nestled on the shores of Torch Lake and Lake Michigan, in three beautiful Northern Michigan locations.

For everyone, it means the perfect destination for group trips, membership & daily-fee-play, dreamlike weddings, celebrations and more!

The original A-Ga-Ming 18 holes, Overlooking Lake Michigan Antrim Opened in 2005 as the third best Dells is back to its splendor as one new course in the country, Sundance renamed Torch in 2005 for the famous lake that the course overlooks, of finest golf experiences in northern exemplifies the extraordinary natural continues to be a very scenic and Michigan. Former host of The beauty of northwest Michigan with views of both Torch Lake and Lake enjoyable round. The Torch is situated Michigan Amateur, the course is in the best shape of its life! Built by Michigan. With wide, playable majestically on the ridges offering Hall of Fame architect Jerry Matthews fairways, superbly sculpted greens, spectacular views of Torch Lake. who calls it one of his favorite designs, vast windswept bunkers, heather-clad A challenging shot-makers course that favors accuracy over length, Antrim Dells now features four sets mounding and spectacular vistas, water comes into play on 11 of the of tees along with some of the Sundance will delight the scratch holes, as do mature stands of woods “Sweetest Greens in the North.” golfer or a newly fledged beginner. throughout the course. The Torch is From your first tee shot until your Sundance continues to be one of one of the most scenic golf courses final putt you will enjoy the peace the premier golf courses in in all of northern Michigan. and tranquility of “The North.” northern Michigan.

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Golf Packages from $255 pp 2 Nights / 3 Rounds

1 to 4 Bedroom Condos overlooking Torch Lake!

Charlevoix Country Club is a four-star Jerry Matthews design that offers golfers beautifully manicured bent grass fairways and large undulating putting surfaces. Water dominates the landscape, as many holes weave their way across a nice mix of open and tree lined holes with expansive surrounds of heather. There are many birdie and par opportunities to be had, but the last 4 holes are among the most challenging finishing holes in northern Michigan. This course proves to be worth the drive!!

SHANTY CREEK RESORT

“There’s a lot of options for golf out there, but there are not a lot of options where you feel like you’re the most important person on-property,” Doxtator added.

Located in Benton Harbor, Harbor Shores Resort welcomes guests to their waterfront community and all of the attractions it offers, from hosting a lavish stay at The Inn and a multitude of dining options to a visit at Harbor Shores Spa, and its Jack Nicklaus signature course on Lake Michigan.

Harbor Shores offers a variety of overnight options, with 92 luxury rooms available for booking at The Inn, as well as the option of owning either a condominium or penthouse right at The Inn—for those looking to make Harbor Shores their primary or second home.

When meal time comes around, guests can enjoy waterfront dining at Plank’s Tavern on The Water, experience fireside dining at Torch & Tapas, or grab a drink any time of day at Rise & Vine, which serves both coffee and a selection of sophisticated wines.

The hotel also offers amenities like indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, a marina with seasonal slips, the Spa at Harbor Shores, 34

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12 miles of walking trails, kayak, canoe, bike rentals, and charter fishing and sailing.

“There’s something for everyone regardless of what you like to do,” Doxtator said.

Most attractive to golfers is the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, draped across Harbor Shores’ 530 acres. Doxtator said the course is unlike any other of Nicklaus’ design due to the previous conditions and the land he had to work with onsite.

“We are the only Jack Nicklaus Signature course on Lake Michigan,” Doxtator said. “At three to four times the size of a normal golf course, with the routing and things, we consider you play four different golf courses set in one, just due to the terrain that [Nicklaus] had to work with out here.”

Since 2012, Harbor Shores has hosted the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship every other year, and will continue to do so until 2024.

“There’s a constant focus to make this place the best it can be,” Doxtator said. “We host a major championship, so it’s our goal to make sure it feels and looks like that every single day for every single guest.”

A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort 627 AGAMING DRIVE | KEWADIN, MICHIGAN With 72 holes of golf offering lakeside views from both Lake Michigan and Torch Lake, and three different onsite lodging options—Maplewood Ridge, Cedar Hollow and Vista Town homes—A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort delivers a memorable experience.

“It’s just really high-quality golf at a great value,” said Mike Brown, part-owner and general manager at A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort in Kewadin, Michigan. “With green scenery and a northern-Michigan-feel overlooking Torch Lake, out of everybody that comes, I’d say usually 75-to-85 percent of the people come back year after year.”

The resort’s four established courses of Sundance Course, Torch Course, Antrim Dells, and Charlevoix Country Club offer golfers a distinctive gameplay with lakeside views.

The Sundance Course, which opened in June of 2005, is situated between Torch Lake and Grand Traverse Bay, and features wide fairways, vast windswept bunkers, heather-clad mounding, and spectacular vistas.

The original 18-hole course at A-Ga-Ming, BRIAN WALTERS PHOTOGRAPHY

renamed Torch Course for its spectacular views of Torch Lake in 2005, plays nearly 6,700 yards from the tips for a challenging game that favors accuracy over length.

Featuring a beautiful parkland setting on the front-nine, which transitions into woods and creeks on the back-nine, Antrim Dells has been a northern Michigan favorite among golfers for years. After playing a game, guests can have lunch or cocktails in the clubhouse overlooking the course.

“We’re located right on Torch Lake, so we get a lot of people from Grand Rapids, Michigan that will bring their boat, or their jet skis,” Brown said. “We have biking trails that go all the way up to Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Petoskey, and Traverse City.”

Looking ahead, Brown noted the construction of a 7,000-square-foot event center, as well as a new pro shop, are both scheduled to open of spring of 2021.

“It’s just a really good northern Michigan destination,” Brown said. “It’s a pretty relaxing feel, but still close to everything that you want to come up north for—wineries, and restaurants, and things of that nature.”

SHANTY CREEK RESORT Summit Village 5780 SHANTY CREEK ROAD | BELLAIRE, MICHIGAN Cedar River Village 2400 TROON S | BELLAIRE, MICHIGAN Schuss Village 1826 SCHUSS MOUNTAIN LN | MANCELONA, MICHIGAN “There are 72 golf holes within a five-mile radius. Shanty Creek, as a property, we’re about 5,000 acres in total. All of those courses are within that footprint, that acreage. Whereas a lot of other places, you have to drive really far to get a lot of courses,” said Lindsey Southwell, marketing director at Shanty Creek Resort.

Stretching across rolling countryside in northern Michigan’s Antrim County, Shanty Creek Resort ties in diverse qualities across three different villages—Summit Village, Cedar River Village, and Schuss Mountain—that together embody the resort as a whole.

Presenting the majority of the lodging options, Summit Village is often referred to as the original Shanty Creek. Guests who are drawn to the village for its Wellness Spa and Fitness Center, The Lakeview Conference Center, the Summit Mountain Alpine Tubing Park, or the two golf courses onsite, have many inns to choose from when planning their stay. The Lakeview Hotel and Crosswinds, Ridgewalk, Sawtooth, Timber Ridge, Trappers Lodge, and Windcliff condos all give guests an overnight stay filled with comfort and a multitude of amenities within arm’s reach.

Coined as “simple local social dining,” Summit Village’s restaurant The Lakeview presents a menu of steak, pasta, and homemade desserts, and a view of Lake Bellaire’s magical sunset each night.

The Legend and Summit golf courses are both located on the premises of Summit Village. A course by Arnold Palmer, The Legend highlights multiple elevation changes, water hazards, doglegs, and well-placed traps, making for an exceptional game; while the Summit is a par-3 design by William Diddel.

At Cedar River Village, home to the Tom Weiskopf-designed Cedar River course, vacationers can choose to stay in Slopeside and Golfside condos, or for guests desiring a more modern architectural style and a spacious suite, one- and two-bedroom suites at The

Lodge are available.

Overlooking the 18th green, The River Bistro at Cedar River Village stages an offering of chic appetizers and sandwiches, specialty sides, and fresh fruit cocktails. Guests can sit on the eatery’s year-round patio, observing Schuss Mountain’s north slopes and purple lift, or choose to utilize the bistro’s big-screen TVs or play billiards, air hockey, or darts while dining.

Although Schuss Village really comes alive for the winter ski season, with budget-friendly ski-in/out lodging options at The Schuss Lodge, Bergrand Condos, and Vienna Woods

SOUTH HAVEN, MICHIGAN

CHAMPIONSHIP G OLF C OURSE R E STAUR ANT

9 ROOM INN • COTTAGES From its exclusive setting less than two miles from Lake Michigan, and nestled between South Haven and Saugatuck, HawksHead Links offers world-class golf, fi ne dining, superb accommodations, special events, and beautiful weddings. The 7,003-yard, par-72 golf course designed by Arthur Hills, a renowned golf architect, winds through sand dunes and woodlands in southwestern Allegan County.

Vacation cottages

Four-bedroom, four-bathroom cottages—featuring a common kitchen and dining room—are located on the back nine of HawksHead and provide a serene golf or beach vacation escape for families or friends.

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Homes, the village is also home to Schuss Mountain golf course, and the grab-n-go eatery of Schuss Grill, which is only open for golf season.

“The biggest asset to Shanty Creek, as far as amenities go, is really what is off-campus, I would call it. We’re very close to Torch Lake, which is rated one of the most beautiful lakes in the entire world. There’s fishing, boating, pontoon rentals, and swimming and beaches.

Torch Lake and the chain of lakes is a really big asset to us,” Southwell said.

“Then there is downtown Bellaire itself.

We have a lot of food and beverage opportunities downtown, and we also have just a lot of shopping—like cool, unique, eclectic shopping experiences. You can get that on-property, but the whole bonus is you’re staying on resort and we have shuttles that take you and drop you off right in downtown Bellaire, so it’s really accessible to people,” Southwell added.

Shanty Creek’s shuttle system not only extends to-and-from downtown Bellaire, but 36

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also allows guests to travel freely among each of the resort’s villages.

“That’s something that is really important to Shanty Creek Resort, and it is somewhat unique to us, is just the overall guest experience. We seek to give people that up-north experience,” Southwell said. “When you’re here, you’re in the middle of nowhere, and there is a lot to do in this middle of nowhere, but it really makes you feel like ‘I really got away from it all, and I had a great time because they took care of everything for me.’”

Forest Dunes Golf Club 6376 FOREST DUNES DR | ROSCOMMON, MICHIGAN In Roscommon, Michigan, Forest Dunes awaits with 54 holes of golf winding through northern timbers and small-town hospitality.

“It is a pure golf escape,” said Don Helinski, director of operations at Forest Dunes Golf Club. “There is no pool or spa or anything like that—it is a purely high-end golf experience.”

With three lodging options and courses such as Forest Dunes, The Loop, and the resort’s new addition of the Short Course, vacationers seeking a pure-golf experience need look no further.

“The Forest Dunes course is unique in its own right. It has two distinct nines. The frontnine is a forest-nine—typical parkland style golf that you see in northern Michigan with tree-lined fairways,” Helinski said. “Then the back-nine is the dune side. It opens up to be more spacious and has a lot of native wasteland areas and natural sand dunes that are from the glacial deposits.”

Helinski noted the 19th hole on the Forest Dunes course has been a staple of the course for its chip shot over water with the green having a bunker in the center, reminiscent of the famous hole at Riviera that has a bunker in the middle of the green.

In 2016, The Loop, designed by Tom Doak, became the resort’s first reversible course, meaning it uses the same 18 greens and fairBRIAN WALTERS PHOTOGRAPHY

ways, but plays as two completely different courses depending on the day. On even calendar dates, The Loop-Red plays counter-clockwise and more traditional in design; while on odd days, The Loop-Black plays clockwise with a challenging start and easier finish.

“To experience the true genius of the design, you have to play it on back-to-back days or an even day and an odd day,” Helinski said.

“The Loop is heathland-style golf, which is basically links-style but not on the sea. It is very wide open, with firm and fast fairways that are fescue so there’s a lot of creative shot making. It has a very European look and feel to it. It plays like golf in the early days, how it was meant to be played.”

For golfers looking for a laid-back social golf experience, in August of 2020 Forest Dunes Resort opened The Short Course, a ten-hole course with holes ranging between 50- and 150-yards, playable in about an hour’s time.

“The goal of the short course is to get people together and have fun. It’s not necessarily about your score; it’s not a par-three course, there isn’t really a par. We don’t want you measuring yourself against how many strokes somebody says you should have on that given hole,” Helinski said.

“It is walking-only and you only need probably three clubs and a putter at most. We allow groups of up to eight players to play together,

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LAKEWOOD SHORE RESORT

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LAKEWOOD SHORES RESORT

and there’s people out there playing barefoot, playing music—it has thrown out some of the old standards and stereotypes of golf,” Helinski added.

The Short Course starts and ends at Forest Dunes’ outdoor pavilion.

Forest Dunes provides guests looking for an overnight golf trip with three different lodging accommodations. These include villas, which offer two- and four-bedroom configurations and are within walking distance of the clubhouse; cottages dispersed throughout the property, letting guests have more freedom of location, and more living space with three- to

five-bedroom options; and The Lake AuSable Lodge, featuring 11 standard rooms and two suites—located just 35 yards from the first tee of the Forest Dunes course.

Serving traditional American cuisine with a northern Michigan flair, Sangomore’s Restaurant offers guests the option of dining in the grand dining room, which features floorto-ceiling windows for picturesque views of the Forest Dunes course; the grille room; or covered outdoor seating, for a more casual experience.

“There’s a lot of people looking to escape at Forest Dunes. We’re in the middle of nowhere,

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but that is what we like about this place,” Helinski said. “You can leave your cares behind you when you come on property; it’s all about relaxing and enjoying the game of golf.”

Lakewood Shores Resort 7751 CEDAR LAKE RD | OSCODA, MICHIGAN At Lakewood Shores Resort in Oscoda, Michigan, courses with names like The Gailes, Blackshire, and The Serradella awaits—as well as a resort-stay in one of the property’s 152 rooms.

Designed by Kevin Aldridge, The Gailes features large double greens, meandering berms, sod-faced pot bunkers, and long fescue grasses—with blustery offshore winds from the lake recreating the feeling of playing seaside in Scotland.

Its sister course, Blackshire, was also designed by Aldridge, and features an ambiance akin to Pine Valley Club Course with its hardwoods, large sand waste areas, and undulating greens spanning less than 200 acres, making for shore walks from green-to-tees.

The Serradella, a Bruce Matthews design, is a classic parkland-style course with minimal hazards, wide fairways, and large greens, fea38

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turing more than 50,000 annual and perennial arrangements scattered throughout for golfers to enjoy as they work their way through the game.

Lakewood Shores Resorts offers accommodations and comfort for everyone with styles ranging from new hotel units to spacious oneand two-bedroom suites—many with in-room Jacuzzis and patios overlooking the courses.

When off-course, guests can dine in either the main dining room, or at Scotland Cove— the 19th hole eatery—serving soups, sandwiches, and quick snacks. A private beach at Cedar Lake is available for families staying with Lakewood Shores, which is a perfect destination for swimming, jet skiing, canoeing, and fishing.

Manitou Passage Golf Club 4600 S CLUB DR | CEDAR, MICHIGAN The Homestead 1 WOODRIDGE RD | GLEN ARBOR, MICHIGAN Manitou Passage Golf Club in Cedar, Michigan is home to an 18-hole, Arnold Palmer-designed course and Arnie’s Grill, and is located within close proximity to Sleeping Bear Dunes and Traverse City.

“We’re an Arnold Palmer signature golf

course. Obviously, Mr. Palmer was involved on the building and designing of the golf course, so that is a pretty unique thing. There’s a select few people in the world that can actually put that title with their course name,” said Kevin Grubb, clubhouse manager at Manitou Passage Golf Club.

Manitou Passage is set upon green meadows and coastal forests touching Lake Michigan’s beaches and rolling dunes. The course presents new challenges with every game, due to the topography and windy lake environment.

“Our piece of property is butted up back to the old Sugarloaf ski resort, so we have a lot of elevation change, especially on the front side of our golf course. You really get that true, western Michigan, rolling hills and elevation changes at Manitou. Being a downstate-person, I always say this is kind of what I pictured of up north golf; not the flatness we get downstate,” Grubb said.

The club has been tied to The Homestead in Glen Arbor, its sister property, since 2009, when a group of golfers led by the owner of The Homestead purchased the course with the intention of upgrading it and turning it into a BRIAN WALTERS PHOTOGRAPHY

destination course. Golfers playing Manitou Passage course now can take advantage of the splendid benefits of the partnership—including an onsite eatery, Arnie’s Grill, that hosts a menu created by The Homestead’s executive chef; as well as lodging at The Homestead and all of the amenities included when staying there.

A charming, lakeshore destination, The Homestead features four lodging options: The Inn, located where the Crystal River joins Lake Michigan; Stony Brook Lodge, featuring oneand two-bedroom suites in natural stone and wood-detailing; Little Belle, a romantic retreat with a plaza paved in brick and adorned with waterfalls, creeks, and gardens; and Fiddler’s Pond. The Adults Only suites at Little Belle feature a fireplace and two-person tub for couples to enjoy, as well as original art and antiques for a distinctive experience. At Fiddler’s Pond, guests are treated to cottage-like nostalgia in paneled rooms nestled in a pine forest line with sparkling ponds and a pool.

“I would say overall we’re a family-oriented resort. We really try to keep entertainment for all ages. Most of our clientele is families coming up,” Grubb said.

The four-season resort has pet friendly rooms available and boasts fun all yearround—and especially during the golf season, the play doesn’t end after a round of golf. For beachfront fun, guests can swing their racquets on the resort’s beachside, clay, tennis courts; enjoy the scenery of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore out on the water in a kayak, stand-up paddleboard or a paddle boat; or take a swim in the lake. Sleeping Bear Dunes offers miles of trails of all difficulty levels, many within walking distance of the hotels and condominiums at The Homestead.

Guests can also get together to play lawn games such as bocce ball, croquet, or horseshoes, provided by the resort; or take a charter fishing trip on Lake Michigan, fish along Crystal River, and bike on Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. The resort also features Spa Amira and Lillyjade, a Salon, for those interested in relaxation through body care, hair, facials, and massage services.

Committed to using local ingredients, The Homestead’s array of dining venues are united in the promise of a simple and good experience eating out.

“We have our main one, called Cavanaugh’s, basically that is a grocery store and little restaurant. We make pizzas and sandwiches in there. Right now, we’re doing some carry out food that our chef’s doing, so if you can’t have the restaurants open people can take it back to their rooms and warm up. We have alcohols available; wines, soda, and things of that nature,” Grubb said.

Whiskers Bar and Grill serves locally sourced beer and ciders for guests to sip on while enjoying company and the warmth of the bar’s indoor and outdoor fireplaces.

“The outdoor bar we typically do not run

all year. In the past, that’s just been a summertime operation, but with COVID-19 we opened it and we may change it in the future, because it’s been a hit,” Grubb said.

Open during the summer, Café Manitou is located down at the beach club, providing a finer dining experience for guests, with the option of eating either indoors or outdoors. The café presents views of Lake Michigan and The Crystal River.

“We switch to our other fine dining that’s over there in the winter; it’s called Nonna’s, that is Italian fine dining,” Grubb said.

Nonna’s provides a farmhouse setting and a rotating menu of classically inspired Northern Italian cuisine, only open in the winter season.

“It was obviously a challenging year for everyone, but I think what I saw this summer was kind of a renewed growth in golf, which was pretty global. We saw that all over the world,” Grubb said. “It’s our job now to try and keep and retain those people as golfers and keep them in the sport as much as we can.”

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Experience the best of Upper Peninsula golf! #13 Sweetgrass

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While you’re here, by placing a bet at our in-house sportsbook!

Award-winning golf has become a centerpiece of the Island Resort & Casino, home to both Sweetgrass and Sage Run Golf Clubs. Sweetgrass, consistently ranked among Golfweek’s Best Courses, features an open layout with some of the game’s most fun greens to putt (Redan, Biarritz, Island, and Double-green). The Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass is part of the Symetra Tour - “Road to the LPGA” and the future of women’s golf. Sage Run Golf Club provides a different kind of golf experience where holes flow through the hardwoods and around a drumlin ridge.

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Fairway serenity Text: Brenna Buckwald

or many, golf is a safe haven outside the hustle-and-bustle of everyday life. It is a chance to escape and reconnect with nature, finding inner peace in the tranquility of being on an open course away from inner city noise. When Whitmore Custom Homes of East Grand Rapids, Michigan started their development at Thousand Oaks Golf Club in Grand Rapids, called The Legends, it was this idea that drove the creation of a neighborhood and home that embraced the simple luxury and same serenity often found on the course.

Nate Whitmore, part-owner and director of sales and marketing at Whitmore Custom Homes, said the first home built in The Legends, which broke ground in 2017 and was completed in 2018, was done as a spec home.

“We had built a lot in that area over the course of the previous years, and we knew because of the school system, it was more of the empty nesters that were going to be buying in that subdivision, which it has proved to be the case,” Whitmore said. “We were designing it more for empty nesters, more luxury, and more

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aging-in-place, really. It has zero-step-entry; that type of thing.”

This home in particular was designed by LS Design Corporation of Conklin, Michigan; with Gallery Interiors out of Rockford, Michigan designing the interior. When the home was first being built in 2017, Whitmore said many of the new home-builds at the time were craftsman-designed homes. When pairing with Gallery Interiors to create the interior atmosphere inside the home, they wanted to achieve a design that was unique, but something still suitable to the area and comfortable for potential home buyers.

“Our goal was to do something different, but not too different. We were still trying to market to the masses being that it was a spec home. We kind of labeled this as a transitional design. It had a little bit more classic look to it, but, yet, still did have some of those craftsman characteristics,” Whitmore said. “It won the Parade Home of the Year that year, which was cool when most of the homes in the parade that year were craftsman-style homes.”

The home design paired with its location set just off of Thousand Oaks Golf Course

drew a number of potential home buyers as many viewed the surrounding environment as a package deal, while still being within close proximity to city amenities.

“Thousand Oaks in general is just a beautiful course. Everything is so well-manicured, it is very quiet all of the time. This particular house, the landscape had a water feature in it, and that was something that really stood out to us as we were building this home. When we finished this home, we’d go into the Parade of Homes and be the last one to leave, and being that we were the only house in there, it was just amazing; you’d hear the water feature and that’s it,” Whitmore said.

“Even as we were building the next houses that are in there, you’re standing there and all you’re hearing is water or birds. You’re within miles from multiple Meijer locations, and all the restaurants and convenience, yet it is so off the beaten path,” Whitmore added.

The interior of the home was also intended to reflect the same level of charm as its surrounding natural environment in its overall design. Mary Burns, ASID, owner and operator at Gallery Interiors & Rockford Kitchen Design DJZ PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC

in Rockford, Michigan, noted as a golf course development and due to its beautiful site, the intention was to create a home that felt like it belonged on that particular property.

“Every design is different, because the bones of the house are set by the architect; then it is up to us to build on those. If you start out with really good bones, it dictates what is going to happen,” Burns said. “The architect had so much glass on the back of the house, we wanted the interior and exterior to flow together. That drove some of the selections.”

To bring outdoor elements within the home, Gallery Interiors selected a color palette and materiality reflective of the natural elements in view through the full windows, as well as created unity between the interior and exterior of the home. The simple elegance of the wood flooring is echoed with niches in the ceiling emulating the natural woods onsite.

“We carried the wood floor up into the ceiling, creating what we call a focal point wall. The whole interior of the home was all painted trim, but because of the large, beautiful window that the architect designed on the back, living room wall, we decided to stain all of the wood there

brick on the exterior flowing into the blackpaned glass surrounding the front door, and the style is then carried to the custom iron on the stairway railing, continuing the color palette as one moves through the home. Sunlight shines into the structure through the massive exterior windows and an intentionally placed window draws that natural light even into the most interior of spaces.

“I wanted to put interior windows in the house so the light would travel through,” Burns said. “What happens when you run a kitchen in the interior of a home, if it’s not on an exterior wall and it doesn’t have any actual windows, the light dies; so, we positioned a glass interior window in the kitchen. It makes the whole interior of the home feel differently.”

When constructing the first home built in The Legends, one of the other goals of the project for Whitmore Custom Homes was for it to take the company to that next level. Whitmore said the company was building homes at a quality level that they were having to point out a lot of features to potential buyers and really wanted to get to a point where those elements were expected.

establishing their current home building company.

“We all have the engineering backgrounds, we’ve all led teams, and we are all very process-driven. We were all kind of experts in project management, so how that transferred into custom home building was we knew how to hire the right people for the right spot. We really value our core team, our core trades, our core vendors, and we do a good job vetting them. That’s really why people are hiring us to be there project manager,” Whitmore said.

“We keep really good processes and it equates to efficiency for our clients. There is less waste throughout our process. The key piece that we learned from the corporate world, was the importance of communication and setting expectations,” Whitmore added.

Since its establishment in 2013, the family-owned business has already built a history of satisfied clients and fantastic builds, and portfolio of award-winning projects. Whitmore credits their successes largely to their transparency with customers when building their dream homes, as well as their commitment to constantly evolve alongside the industry.

to draw your eye to that space when you walk in,” Burns said.

What originally had been bookshelves and cupboards surrounding the fireplace were redesigned by Gallery Interiors to create a fireplace wall made of live rock, emulating the outdoors with the dimension of real stone. The team also reshaped the fireplace to add curvature and to complement the high ceilings of the living room. The same stone was presented on the outdoor porch fireplace, pulling cohesion throughout the design.

“I call it common threads. It is a way I design homes,” Burns said. “I like them to have commonality throughout the home, not just room-to-room, but also from the exterior to the interior, which gives you a more cohesive, final product.”

The entrance became a focal point with the

“We created The Legends to be that next level for us,” Whitmore said. “We were stretching the price-point of the area. We were told by a lot of people that it wouldn’t sell, but we felt like if we could build a quality product, that was typically speaking for people who were downsizing, but weren’t quite ready, it would. Thousand Oaks has a ton of condos around the area, so we were really targeting the client who wanted their own yard and space, but wanted the quality and some of the features that a condo has, for aging-in-place.”

The Legends has nine lots in total, with lots five, six, and seven currently being built on.

Whitmore Custom Homes started in 2013 with three brothers from Michigan: Nate Whitmore, Ryan Whitmore, and Brett Whitmore.

All began their careers in corporate engineering, and carried their learned skillsets when

“We try to be as open as we possibly can, because many times clients haven’t been through this before, and they certainly haven’t been through our processes before, so just trying to stay in front of them and keep the questions answered before they even come up,” Whitmore said.

“We’re a company that tries really hard to not get set in our ways. We’re always morphing into what we feel is going to be better for our clients, our market, and we’re always trying to put together a better experience. That starts with the realtors that we work with and it goes all the way down to the bankers that we recommend, and the architects we recommend—we’re recommending these people because of the experience that our past clients have had,” Whitmore added.

DJZ PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC

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FOR

love game AND country

Text: R.J. Weick

F

or many, the act of 13 folds in the American flag is the ultimate symbol of freedom. Each fold represents an ideal and a tribute, resulting in a distinctive triangular shape that has come to be a symbol of hope to its bearers and a constant reminder of those who have sacrificed for their country.

Since its inception in 2007 by Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, F-16 fighter pilot and PGA Professional, Folds of Honor has held the folded flag as its logo and at the heart of its mission, in which it provides educational scholarships to families of America’s fallen and disabled service members while on active duty. With a motto of “Honor Their Sacrifice. Educate Their Legacy,” the nonprofit organization has dedicated the last 13 years to fundraising through campaigns such as Patriot Golf Day and providing more than 29,000 scholarships valuing at least $140 million.

The scholarships, which provide funding for primary and secondary education as well as post-secondary assistance for spouses and dependents of service members, were established to ensure the children and spouses of fallen or disabled veterans or active military members had the opportunity to pursue their academic dreams without added financial burden. Of the funds donated to help support this vision, 90 percent go directly to scholarships—of which had a 14 percent increase in applications from 2018 to 2019, according to the Folds of Honor Annual Report 2019.

It is an organization that has grown from the 2007 inaugural Patriot Golf Day hosted at the Grand Haven Golf Club in Grand Haven, Michigan to become a 28-chapter network spanning the country in places like Denver, Chicago, Minnesota, St. Louis, Texas, New

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OF

Mexico, and Georgia, among others. Now, more than a decade later, Lt. Col. Dan Rooney and Jack Nicklaus, legendary golf course architect and player—fondly known as the Golden Bear—have realized a vision to forever mark the birthplace of Folds of Honor after a nearly two-and-a-half-year-long endeavor flying into the wind.

On Sept. 28 and Sept. 29, 2020, Lt. Col. Rooney and Nicklaus welcomed founders, sponsors, and media guests to witness the transformation well under way of the former Grand Haven Golf Club into a living memorial as American Dunes.

“I’m thrilled, humbled, and proud the dream of American Dunes is now realized. It is a significant day in Folds of Honor history.

I’m grateful to Jack [Nicklaus] and his team for

their incredible work,” Lt. Col. Rooney said.

“This represents a collaboration of countless like-minded patriots who want this golf course to forever stand as a tribute to the men and women of our military, a safe haven for veterans who find rehabilitation through the recreation of the game, and a backdrop to celebrate our country and those who fought for its freedom,” Lt. Col Rooney added.

American Dunes, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, is a 7,213-yard, par-72 course sculpted through the iconic sand dunes inherent to western Michigan and the shores of Lake Michigan, with generous, rolling fairways, 30 bunkers, and Triple Seven bentgrass greens. Each hole was carefully designed by Jack Nicklaus and his team at Nicklaus Design and Nicklaus Companies LLC, and reflect an

LEFT TO RIGHT: JACK NICHLAUS, MICHAEL ARBOUR, CEO OF SEDGWICK, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR FOLDS OF HONOR, AND FOUNDER, LT. COL. DAN ROONEY COURTESY R.J. WEICK

artistic vision on par with the mission behind the American Dunes experience. Nicklaus, who donated his and his team’s services for the project, said it has been a privilege to be a part of the Folds of Honor legacy and the American Dunes project.

“It is an honor to be involved with Lt. Col. Dan Rooney and all the things that he has done and means to this country and the service he has given to it,” Nicklaus said.

Located on the property of the former Grand Haven Golf Club, American Dunes reimagines the former tree-lined facility into a course full of drama and reverence reflective of both its sand base and local topography, as well as its intent as a tribute to the military and a commemoration of Folds of Honor. Each hole not only is named after one of Nicklaus’ 18 major championships and features tees designated “Jet,” “Valor,” “Freedom,” “Honor,” and “Bear;” but also has a plaque honoring a soldier’s legacy and Folds of Honor recipient.

Nicklaus noted the golf course was designed to become more exciting as players move from the quieter, flatter area near the clubhouse.

“We left the trees on the perimeter to protect it and keep the golf course feeling like it was private inside the tree line and then started playing with it: started playing with the routing, started playing with the terrain, and how it flowed. Some of the corridors were there before; some of them are not,” Nicklaus said.

“It was a really fun project and the real fun of the project was knowing what you are doing is going to benefit a lot of families and a lot of kids. Barbara and I have been about kids for a long time and when you talk about educating kids of fallen warriors, that has been pretty special to all of us,” Nicklaus added.

Nicklaus noted for the property, making the course aesthetically pleasing was not a difficult task since its natural sandy topography is an ideal medium to grow grass and have longterm, low-maintenance courses—and uncovering the dunes to create a dramatic background on the tees was a matter of artistic look and feel.

“I think we have produced a spectacular golf course,” Nicklaus said. “We have utilized and maximized the natural sand dunes we uncovered, and retained areas of beautiful trees.

Playing though and around exposed dunes, as well as tree-lined holes in some places, creates a very special playing experience.”

For Lt. Col. Rooney, there is a moment—just like in most sports where it catches the breath— on the course that stands out to him.

“My favorite moment on the golf course is going up over number 11,” Lt. Col. Rooney said.

“It is a spiritual, emotional moment when you look out and can see six different holes from that point all traversing through the dunes and I think there are going to moments out here that are going to take your breath away. I think it plays with such an awesome cadence, from long to short and big greens to small greens. It’s so memorable.”

Lt. Col. Rooney also noted the team was COURTESY R.J. WEICK

intentional in creating a unique experience at American Dunes where everyone who passes through the clubhouse and onto the grounds will know it is the birthplace of Folds of Honor, have an appreciation that “freedom is not free,” and compelled to make a donation with time or talent to take the nonprofit’s mission forward.

“There will be a lot of people who will want to come play a Nicklaus Signature design. They are going to have a great time here, but we have not completed our mission if they leave here and don’t know really why they came to this site and the reverence of which we have created American Dunes,” Lt. Col. Rooney said.

American Dunes is meant to be a celebration of the game of golf, a place of fellowship, and an educational experience from clubhouse to fairway, and is run by a team of Doug Bell, PGA, general manager; Ian Ziska, PGA, head golf professional; and Joe Verduin, GCSAA, superintendent. For Bell, who has a personal tie to the foundation through his wife and step-children—both Folds of Honor scholarship recipients—the opportunity to be a part of the American Dunes story is an exciting one and an opportunity to give back.

Lt. Col. Rooney noted the stories, like theirs, are endless and American Dunes is very laser-focused in its mission, with 100 percent of the course’s annual profit dedicated to the Folds of Honor Foundation.

“We hope—we have a lot of work to do—it will take its place as a truly unique golf experi-

ence in all of the world where you shed a tear, you have a lot of laughs, but you understand that less than one percent of this country has the uniform on today and if called upon, they are willing to give their lives for the freedom just enjoyed playing a round of golf at American Dunes,” Lt. Col. Rooney said.

American Dunes will officially open to the public in May 2021 with a formal grand opening and is represented by its Golden Bear filled with stars and stripes, which was inspired by Nicklaus’ statement: “I love the game of golf, but I love my country even more.” American Dunes also has plans to build a 16-room lodge on the public course known as The Camp, which will feature 12 staterooms on the upper level and four suites on the lower level. Opening in 2022, The Camp will also feature a gathering space known as The Bunker, which will include a full bar, pool table, and golden tee arcade game, among other amenities.

Summer golf rates from May 3, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2021 for active military members and veterans are $75 and $100 for nine-holes and 18-holes, respectively; while the Patriot nineand 18-hole rates are $100 and $150, respectively. Fall rates for October 2021 begin at $50 for active military members and veterans and $75 for non-military players for nine-holes, and $75 and $100 for 18-holes, respectively.

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THE DISH:

Mertens Prime Text: R. Collins

A

mid dozens of restaurants in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, each ranging in culinary offering, size, and style, the former New Hotel Mertens emerged in 2017 to impress with its collection of French recipes, table-side service, and what are now three tiers of culinary venues. From the ground floor, the recently renamed Café Mertens serves quick, portable snacks like poutine and beignets, while the traditional French brasserie offered bistro classics like Ratatouille and Chicken Cordon Bleu, and a picturesque rooftop lounge, called Mertens Rooftop, capped off the concept with a customizable spritz menu.

Recently, the brasserie has been renamed Mertens Prime and introduced a new taste-

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maker to its culinary roster. Paul Berglund, a James Beard Best Chef awardee and former Executive Chef at The Bachelor Farmer, a celebrated Minneapolis-based, northern European inspired restaurant, has debuted his culinary vision for the Mertens Collection this winter.

Mertens Prime’s new dinner menu is split into starters, poutine—with regional variants—bistro mains, the Mertens Cheese Cart, the Mertens Steak Collection, and sides, with French house wine carafes served chilled. Filled with familiar French dishes in cross-cultural adaptations, such as French onion soup with dashi broth and New Orleans-style shrimp beignets, the new menus invite thoughtful explorations of classic French cooking and inspired interpretations of BerCOURTESY MERTENS PRIME GR

is a shrimp-stuffed beignet. I took the beignet that we do at Mertens and I wanted to make a play off of those, but put them in the context of an earlier part of the meal—not as a dessert.

One of the appetizers that we’re going to be serving are these shrimp-stuffed beignets and they’ll be in the spirit of a New Orleans, Café Du Monde beignet, but they’ll have this savory quality to them. They’re playful; we dust them with a white powder that mimics the powdered sugar of a beignet, but it’s a salty, savory, sweet [version]; which is fun.

glund’s own.

The Golf Explorer: Michigan’s Journal to Incredible Golf had the opportunity to talk with Chef Berglund, a University of Michigan graduate and former United States Navy officer, as he crafted Mertens Prime’s new menu program this winter. The final product shows a distinct new phase in Berglund’s own career, and is a tasteful shift within the vibrant local food scene already settled in the city.

TGE: I believe you’re coming from Minneapolis—what excites you about the food scene here in Grand Rapids?

Paul Berglund: I’m coming directly from Rochester, Minnesota, which is about 80 miles from the Twin Cities, but I spent most of the last decade in Minneapolis. I moved to Rochester a couple years ago because my wife was living there and I wanted to be closer to her.

We moved here so she could start a position at Spectrum Health. We chose to live in Grand Rapids for a few different reasons: we’re closer to her folks who live in Midland, Michigan, and Grand Rapids is a really cool city. Neither of us were that familiar with it before we came to check it out; it's an interesting city that’s quietly cosmopolitan. It's not on the radar for a lot of people in the Midwest, but has a really cool energy to it.

Between this new position at Mertens Prime and your work for the Bachelor Farmer, do you think you’ve changed as a chef and food maker?

Yes, certainly. I left the Bachelor Farmer three years ago and I think from a food perspective, in starting this role at Mertens I'm really excited to get out of my own comfort zone with food I've been really familiar with and cooked for the better part of a decade, and push myself to make things new and interesting, not just for the guests, but also for myself.

I'm trying to glean inspiration from classic regional French cooking, as well as French inspired cooking like New Orleans cooking.

Do you think we’ll see overlap between your Scandinavian roots and the French foundation Mertens has?

I don’t think we’re going to see a ton of Scandinavian-influenced dishes, but I can’t completely detach myself from my culinary background. When I think of the best of the Nordic region, I think of smoked fish and meats. I'm sure I'll take some inspiration from the things I've done in the past, but I'm really trying to make this a distinct chapter in my own cooking.

Are there different inspirations that you pulled from when making it?

Yes. I’m a cookbook collector, so I have lots

of really old French cookbooks from some of the greats, in both classics and more modern French cooking, so it’s been so fun and inspiring to go back through their cookbooks.

I'd say really before this millennia, French cooking dominated the western world’s understanding of good food. The French chefs of the 20th century were real powerhouses in western cooking. To read their cookbooks is to get in their minds a little bit; that's been really fun for me and I've been inspired by that.

Is there anything that you’ve created so far that you find particularly exciting?

A dish that I’ve spent a lot of time developing, because it’s a bit outside the box for me

A lot of our readers will have likely never been to Mertens; could you recommend a meal from start to finish?

One thing I can say is that we will have a traditional French brasserie menu that also has steaks on it so there will be French and French-inspired starters, and we’ll have some great salads and vegetable and seafood options in that course. One of our salads or, say, salmon rillettes are a great way to start if you want to make steaks your main course.

Then we also have sides for larger dishes, and we have some delicious non-steak options [as well]. We'll have a couple vegetable options on the lighter side and one or two fish dishes that I don’t want people to experience as foreign or novel, but that I think are going to be dishes that you won’t necessarily find on other menus, even in other French restaurants that pull from classic traditions, but have slightly modernized [aspects]. I think you could either go for a steak or not even think about steaks and have a meal that’s nice and light and vegetable-focused or have one that’s really robust and meat focused.

Menu “sampling” Starter - “Not French Onion Soup” Dashi broth, onion, crouton, Gruyere, and Emmentaler gratinee.

Poutine - “Montreal” - Traditional brown gravy and cheese curds.

Bistro Mains - “Ratatouille Stuffed Pepper” - Red bell pepper, arborio rice, ratatouille vegetables, Gruyere gratinee, and salad.

Mertens Steak Collection - Petit Filet Mignon Sides - “Michigan mushrooms en papillote” - Lemon, garlic oil, and thyme. From Pebble Creek Produce mushrooms in Caledonia, Michigan.

TOP: COURTESY THE JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION; BOTTOM MERTENS PRIME GR

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ROUNDING THE FAIRWAYS

THE NATURAL AT BEAVER CREEK RESORT

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Gaylord

BLACK LAKE GOLF CLUB

Text: R. Collins

V

isually distinguished by a friendly downtown shopping and restaurant district that evokes the architecture of the Swiss Alps; Gaylord, Michigan and its unique location on the 45th parallel is a getaway destination for casual vacationers and active golfers alike. Home to galleries, festivals, and microbreweries, the area offers much in the way of culinary and cultural exploration, while its miles of walkable trails, 90 inland lakes, and memorable golf destinations offer active adventures for outdoor enthusiasts.

The Gaylord area hosts 20 unique golf course locations that show visitors and residents the best of its serene ecosystems and seasonal changes. Stay and play packages abound year-round, as many of the golf resort offerings double as winter sport destinations for a unique vacation any time of year. The Golf Explorer: Michigan’s Journal to Incredible Golf compiled some of the best places to stay, play, dine, and unwind in the Gaylord area.

PLAY

Gaylord Golf Club 4893 W. M-32, GAYLORD, MI 49735 Founded almost a century ago, the Gaylord Golf Club is a publicly enabled course with private appeal, and a design that carves through hardwoods, hills, and plenty of strategic bunkering.

“We’re open to the public, but you come out here and you’re going to get the country club experience because it’s in phenomenal shape

and that’s what we pride ourselves on,” said J.T. Aude, PGA Golf Professional at Gaylord Golf Club.

The classic parkland design features a close proximity from greens to tees that allows for an enjoyable, brisk round; despite this feature, however, Aude, who noted his personal favorite is the eighth hole, assured that the course offers its fair share of interest.

“You hit good shots and you get rewarded by that; you hit bad shots and you’re going to be able to find them and knock them back out onto the fairway and still have a chance to make par, if not bogey on the holes, so it’s a very fair golf course and lots of fun,” Aude said.

The stretch features an uphill shot that rewards golfers with a framed view down to the challenging green, bunker, and scenic pond nearby. Returning to the first hole, golfers are greeted with a slightly uphill leftward dogleg that leads to a well-bunkered, gently sloped green. Before or after, you can partake in a grill and beverage menu serving beer, cocktails, wine, and traditional handheld snacks.

Lakes of the North Golf Course 8151 PINEVIEW DRIVE, MANCELONA, MI 49659 In a few words, Rob Diroff, head golf professional at Lakes of the North Golf Course, describes the course as affordable, playable, beautiful, and known for offering great service.

Though the course is also known for a challenging yet relaxing 18-hole, 7,000-yard layout, it is the quick, honest greens that stand out to Diroff, in particular those capping seventh, eighth, and ninth holes. In fact, the course’s greens have been named one of the top three

LEFT: COURTESY THE NATURAL; RIGHT: COURTESY BLACK LAKE GOLF CLUB

most consistent in Michigan by the Golf Association of Michigan, with a wide range of yardages for varying skill levels. “[It’s] a beautiful, championship-style golf course with two different style nines. The frontnine is cut through the woods and has a real northern Michigan golf course feel to it, with some truly amazing holes. Then the back-nine, built 20 years before the front-nine, is a little more playable,” Diroff said.

While the fairways can be forgiving, their borders boast a challenge, with tough rough and tree limbs to navigate before golfers can get to the supple, subtly broken greens just beyond.

The amenities offered through the Lakes of the North Homes Association offer extra activities, in things like an indoor pool and spa, game and exercise room, tennis and pickleball courts, horseshoe pits, and more.

Black Lake Golf Club 2800 MAXON ROAD, ONAWAY, MI 49765 In its entirety, Black Lake Golf Club offers the qualities for a full and satisfying golf outing: lodging—and campsites—as well as dining, a diverse practice area, and two courses that serve a variety of players of all age groups.

The 18-hole, championship-caliber, golf course designed by Rees Jones is carved into a wooded expanse and utilizes existing natural material like cranberry logs, natural foliage, and a sand quarry to form a charming, environmentally conscious design. Flexible tee boxes with an array of set placements create playable yardages for a variety of golfers as well.

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The Tribute, a Rick Robbins and Gary Koch design, is carved through more than 1,000 acres of valleys and forest along the Sturgeon River and hosts four sets of tees ranging from 5,100 yards all the way to 7,300 yards out. Elevation changes offer serene views of Michigan’s seasonal changes.

“The Classic is more straight forward, as it is an older layout, but still offers quite the challenge. Many people remember this course for the greens, because they are small and usually roll-true and speedy,” Laug said.

Both uniquely challenging, the courses are open to the public for universal views of scenic vistas packed with woodlands, riverside, and playable nature for beginners and discerning golfers alike.

TREETOPS RESORT

are no sites on the golf course so you’re always playing in the woods, not on top of another golfer,” said Nick Aune, general manager at Black Lake Golf Club.

Complementing the championship course is The Little Course, a nine-hole, par-3 designed for introductions to the game and to sharpen existing short game strategy. A practice area with a 350-yard, double-sided, bentgrass tee range, and four practice bunkers, chipping, and putting greens offer space to sharpen any kind of play, while the clubhouse, dining room, and lounge offer a relaxing reprieve after a round.

The course property is also home to an adjoined UAW Education Center that has been open since 1969.

“The facility there adds over 200 guest accommodations and sits right on the shores of

Black Lake. Plus, we have a 51-site campground, full sized gym, and indoor pool; lots of the kinds of amenities you like to find up north,” Aune said.

Otsego Resort 696 M-32 E. GAYLORD, MI 49734 Besides its lodging options, 32 ski runs, and trio of eateries—one of which rests at the bottom of ski hills along the Sturgeon River— Otsego Resort offers two distinct PGA championship course offerings.

“At Otsego Resort there are two courses: The Tribute and The Classic. The Tribute is the northern Michigan layout you have always wanted to play if you have not played it already,” said Cameron Laug, sport center manager at the Otsego Resort.

Treetops Resort 3962 WILKINSON ROAD, GAYLORD, MI 49735 Culinary experiences, a restful, full-service spa and salon, and a variety of lodging options from lodge to chalet, are just a few offerings at Treetops Resort, a wedding, golf, and ski destination in Gaylord. More than 81 holes contain dramatic views, contours, and land features that make the resort name ring true. Contributors to the layout design at Treetops include Robert Trent Jones, Tom Fazio, Rick Smith, Ray Floyd, Jack Nicklaus, and Lee Janzen.

“Each golf course has its own quirks and differences. We don’t have very open golf courses, meaning holes with lack of trees or anything like that. There is one course that’s a little more open, so even though they’re tree-lined, there are very expansive and generous hitting areas,” said Kevin McKinley, director of golf and skiing at Treetops Resort.

Treetops hosts five unique courses, including Premier, Masterpiece, Signature, Tradition,

OTSEGO RESORT, THE TRIBUTE

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TOP: NILE YOUNG; BOTTOM: COURTESY THE TRIBUTE

and Treetops—a nine-hole exclusive—and The Himalayas, which is one of three putting courses in Michigan. McKinley finds a favorite in the Masterpiece, which features beautiful looks backward from the green, and an up-close look at significant historical course design elements.

The Robert Trent Jones Sr. design features deep ravines, strategically placed sand traps, tough pin placement, numerous water hazards, and constant elevation changes. In the winter, find a ski destination on-site, offering everything from skiing to dog sledding and extreme tubing.

The Loon Golf Resort 4400 CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVE, GAYLORD, MI 49735 Golf course views complement resort-style accommodations—either in the form of townhome or hotel—at The Loon Golf Resort, which holds two resorts and three courses with on-property dining and full-bar service. Stayand-play packages come with their own perks, from included dining to shuttle service between courses.

These courses include The Loon, a Butch Harmon design in the form of a scenic route through gently rolling fairways, generous landing areas, and large greens; The Ridge, a classic northern Michigan woodland trail featuring dramatic elevation changes and senior and forward tees; and The Lakes, which offers six linksstyle holes, six scenic holes, and four holes that play around the beautiful Lake Michaywe.

Garland Lodge and Golf Resort 4700 N RED OAK ROAD, LEWISTON, MI 49756 Four championship golf courses set on about 3,000 acres of pristine northern Michigan land make for scenic golf outings for players of all abilities at the Garland Lodge and Golf Resort, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. Each course offers classic features and innovations of their own, which have come to characterize Garland as one of Michigan’s most notable golf destinations throughout the decades. The grounds even contain a variety of nesting wildlife like bald eagles, hawks, and wild turkey that visitors can find roaming through natural areas.

The Fountains course speaks for itself, with manmade and natural water features appearing throughout the par-72 course, which was redesigned in 2010. Water features are also prevalent across the Swampfire course, another par72 that will test a golfer’s patience. Garland’s longest course, Monarch, features large green complexes and wide breezy fairways; while Reflections is the shortest—though its routing through a forest warrants accuracy and strategy right from the tee box.

French villas and golf cottages pair with ski trails for comfortable winter lodging and activities that are energized by breakfast, lunch, and dinner options from Antlers Bar & Grill, Tamarack Dining Room, the tiki bar, and more.

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BLACK LAKE

Public Welcome!

GOLF CLUB

• Rees Jones Award Winning Design • Rated #69 on “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses” — Golf Digest 2013 • Rated #9 “Best Courses to play in Michigan” — Golf Week 2016

• Top 100 golf courses from 2012-2017 — Golf Advisor Rated #75 • Rated #6 for Top Courses in U.S. 2018 — Golf Advisor • Rated “Best Bargain Courses in Michigan” — Golf Digest 2018

www.blacklakegolf.com

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its own unique challenges. Besides The Pines course, golfers can utilize single, package, or custom lessons with Director of Golf Judy Mason and even take advantage of the course’s stay and play packages and long-term rentals for leisurely vacations year after year.

STAY

SNOWBELT BREWING CO.

Indian River Golf Club 3301 CHIPPEWA BEACH RD, INDIAN RIVER, MI 49749 Established in 1922 and with a reputation for being one of Northern Michigan’s friendliest courses, the Indian River Golf Club boasts a well-manicured layout that is challenging yet walkable.

Water features, elevation changes, and tree-lined fairways—with a few wide-open expanses—make for an 18-hole course that is as enjoyable to play as it is to observe. The club lies a short distance from the Indian River and its tributary into Burt Lake, which is nestled between a state park and nature preserve. Before a round, guests can warm up using the course driving range and wind down afterward with a meal from the full-service restaurant and bar

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known as the Greenside Grille.

Michaywé Pines Golf Course 1535 OPAL LAKE RD, GAYLORD, MI 49735 Just off the north branch of the Au Sable River and a short distance from Gaylord, Michigan, Michaywé Pines Golf Course is an 18-hole course with a classic layout that complements the standards of tournament golf. Tees range from 5,200 to more-than-7,000 yards, allowing guests to pick their own challenge, and a layout that forks around Whispering Lake elongates the scenic routing for a topographically breathable journey.

Strategic land features like bunkering and secluded fairways among white birch and pine forest thickets come in place of an abundance of water hazards for a drier round that still offers

This is a golf experience that every true golfer should have. The course continues to improve every season.

The course is challenging without being frustrating!

Go play this course, then play it again!

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989.732.5181

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The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort 4706 W OTSEGO LAKE DRIVE, GAYLORD, MI 49735 Another noted golf and staycation destination is Beaver Creek Resort, and its deluxe cabin accommodations at The Natural, a Jerry Matthews-designed course located on the west side of Otsego Lake.

On its scenic site in northern Michigan, the championship 18-hole golf course was designed to give golfers with different levels of ability an enjoyable challenge among the pristine setting, which is composed of wetlands, rolling terrain, and packs of birch, pine, maple, and oak tree coverage. The cozy log cabins at the resort offer a quintessential northern Michigan vacation experience that pairs with the distinctive scenery.

DINE

Snowbelt Brewing Co. 132 W MAIN ST, GAYLORD, MI 49735 Snowbelt Brewing Co. is a family-owned and -run brewery featuring house-made beer and cider varietals in downtown Gaylord. Ciders, lagers, and IPAs are accented by shandy and fruit beers to compose the drink menu’s offerings. A unique selection from the food menu is available to-go as well, with twists on classics like the Ghost Pepper Grilled Cheese or the Dr. Pepper and Sriracha Au Jus-soaked Brisket Sandwich. It is a local, four seasons brewery fit for travelers and locals alike to relax and enjoy downtown Gaylord, according to founders Nate and Angielena Muellenberg.

Big Buck Brewery 550 S WISCONSIN AVE, GAYLORD, MI 49735 The massive beer bottle-shaped silo that marks the entrance to Big Buck Brewery in Gaylord, Michigan indicates the experience indoors. About 18 draft beers and hot comfort

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The Fairfield Inn & Suites

by Marriott Gaylord 826 CARPENTER ST, GAYLORD, MI 49735 Just off Gaylord’s Main Street, near the city’s shopping district, the Fairfield Inn By Marriott offers accessibility and the easy-stay experience of the Fairfield collection. Free breakfast kickstarts each day and is followed by perks like free Wi-Fi, a pool, a fitness center, in-room Netflix and Hulu access, and well-lit suites with plenty of room for work and relaxation.

New times call for new cleaning measure at Fairfield Inn; enhanced cleaning technology like electrostatic sprayers sanitize hotel surfaces while air purifying systems combat surface and airborne viruses.

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foods are always available—everything from loaded waffle fries to hearty steaks and seafood.

It’s a fluid, creative menu that favors the local and seasonal, according to Executive Chef Ben Hammack.

“I like to be creative and not really follow suit with anyone else around. It’s American fare, but with the specials that I run it can be all over the board,” Hammack said. “We offer three different, blended burgers for example. I go to the farmers market for fresh vegetables and our steaks are all certified- angus, so we put a lot of effort into having high-quality food, but with a fun little twist because we are a brewery.”

The beer menu takes cues from Big Bucks creative approach and seasonal cravings; breakfast ales, light Kolsch ales, and stouts have been known to grace the beer menu, along with creative flavorings like melon hops, guava, and honey. Carry-out and delivery are both options at Big Buck Brewery, and the space is close to all the perks of downtown, from bike trails to hiking and fishing opportunities along the Pigeon River.

Porter Haus 3885 OLD HWY 27 S. GAYLORD, MI 49735 At Porter Haus, appetizing bites like portobello fries, Reuben rolls, and pork sliders tantalize the taste buds before soups, salads, and a generous selection of burgers and shareable baskets. These last offerings include spreads like fried shrimp and chicken tender baskets, and they’re precursors for dinner plates from steaks and schnitzel to Michigan Cherry Chicken and Lobster Shrimp Ravioli. It’s a varied menu that encourages guests to delve into something familiar or unexpected depending on their mood.

A generous happy hour lineup offers enjoyable

PIGEEON CREEK COUNTRY STATE FOREST TOP: PETOSKEY CVB; BOTTOM: COURTESY GAYLORD GOLF MECCA

VICTORIAN HOME

accents to the exploratory culinary program, and a kid’s menu and dessert trio rounds out the package.

UNWIND

Big Bear Adventures 4271 S STRAITS HWY, INDIAN RIVER, MI 49749 Outdoor adventures become even more memorable at Big Bear Adventures, which has been cultivating them for more than 30 years for guests of all ages and skill levels. Navigate the swift Sturgeon River through beautiful state forest by canoe, kayak, raft, or tube, or play the 18-hole Adventure Golf Course.

A ropes challenge course and bumper boats round out Big Bear’s activities. Big Bear Ad-

ventures disinfects all life jackets, watercraft, paddles, van seats and handles after each use.

In addition, putters and golf balls, credit card machines, and other high-touch areas are disinfected to ensure safe experiences. Newer to the Big Bear repertoire are ATV trail rides that navigate rolling hills, lakes, and muddy hardwood forests.

Alpine Maple Farms 3399 WILKINSON ROAD, GAYLORD, MI 49735 For family-accessible activities, Alpine Maple Farms offer groomed trails on its approximately 47 acres and tours of its maple syrup facility, and of course a variety of savory maple savory maple treats, from maple meat rub to maple candies and traditional maple syrup. Alpine Maple Farms also participates in the Gaylord Farmers Market, which is in downtown Gaylord and supplies visitors with everything from herbs, breads, meats, and honey to eggs, fruit, and fresh pressed apple cider.

Pigeon River Country State Forest 9966 TWIN LAKES ROAD, VANDERBILT, MI 49795 Just a short drive from downtown Gaylord, Pigeon River Country State Forest’s more than 100,000 acres are home to one of the largest, free-range elk herds east of the Mississippi River; a status that has given the area its reputation for prime elk viewing. The Department of Natural Resources maintains the habitat through careful forest management, but visitors can watch for elk at special viewing sites, which have a prime seat for the most active elk seasons in the fall and early-to-mid spring.

Apart from its singular elk viewing opportunities, the forest offers recreational opportunities like hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and hunting. Visitors can take educational workshops centered on the local ecosystem at the recently finished Discovery Center within the forest, and they can take advantage of rustic camping opportunities to round out the effect.

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Text: R.J. Weick

T

he grip, the stance, the swing: each is a fundamental in the game of golf, and yet it is often the intangible element that impacts the player the most. It is in the feeling, the motion, and the experience behind every hit that can define a drive, a chip, or a putt. The sensation of the palms on the club, the warmth of sun on the face, the chill of a crisp breeze on the arms, and even the restriction of fabric on the body can mark the difference between a successful navigation of hazards and green, and a bad shot.

For one fashion industry veteran, transforming ready-to-wear golf apparel for women has become a driving mission, where its collection of breakthrough style and performance-driven apparel is disrupting the market—and empowering its users.

“Our philosophy is to make women feel like their most authentic selves. I live in New York and I wear a lot of black, that is just how it is.

I never wanted to feel uncomfortable wearing a bright color, because I could only buy what I could find in the pro shop; it was so limited,” said Megan LaMothe, founder and chief executive officer of FORAY GOLF in New York City.

“Golfers are athletes and golf is a sport. You have to treat it that way and treat the apparel that way; that it is going to be on an elite athlete and design it that way. Form follows function: it is like evolution,” LaMothe added.

FORAY GOLF is a New York City-based women’s golf apparel company providing limited edition fashion collections for golfing enthusiasts and elite athletes alike. More than an athleisure or clothing endeavor, FORAY GOLF reflects the ever-evolving goals of its team of fashion industry veterans and a vision to empower women to play on the course with apparel that performs as well as they do.

LaMothe, who formerly served as Director of Design Operations and Integration at Victoria Secret in New York, said the company grew out of a need identified in the market, as with most entrepreneurial efforts, and a desire to be intentional about the product offering for female golfers.

“I had taken up golf as an adult and the thing that was hard for me was, at the time, I was working for Victoria Secret during the athleisure boom and we were seeing all this stuff happen—leggings became like pants—and I was working in sports bras. I saw behind-thescenes how much technical knowledge would go into building a product and how hard it was to make something that fit really well,” LaMothe said.

“I would spend my days working on that kind of excellence and on the weekend and I would go play golf and it was just absolutely 100 percent absent from all the product I found that was in the golf world. For us, we had the ‘aha!’ of ‘wow, nobody is paying attention’ and ‘let’s be really deliberate about what a female golfer wants and needs,’” LaMothe added.

COURTESY FORAY GOLF LLC

With the initial goal in mind to meet that need, FORAY GOLF launched in 2016 with an intention to how the apparel would be worn on the course, how it would be washed, and what the best fabric and materials would be to achieve those results. LaMothe noted it is about making product that women will actually want to wear—and inspires confidence—and the team is deliberate about designing from an aesthetic perspective that is relevant to what is happening in the industry.

“We look to what is happening on the runway. What is Gucci doing? What is Dior doing?

What is the actual trend forecast? What are the important colors this season? We pull that to the apparel. The goal of the company was to make something that really worked and so when we construct something, we do it with stretch, breathability, SPF, and all the things that are unique to golf,” LaMothe said.

“You move your body in a very unique way for golf than you do in any other sport. It was to make something that was functional and also really beautiful that you are going to feel good playing in and golf is one of those sports where [you think] ‘don’t hit in the bunker, don’t hit in the bunker,’ and it goes right in the bunker.

“Our philosophy is to make women feel like their most authentic selves.”

Megan LaMothe

FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF FOR AY GOLF IN NEW YORK CITY

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Your body and mind are connected in golf,” LaMothe added.

With every venture, LaMothe also noted initial goals and strategies evolve and change in time and while the company’s core offering and inspiration has remained steadfast, it has adjusted course in terms of delivery.

“For example, we originally conceived this company as an online company and people were going to come to us, but you throw open your doors on your brand-new company and web-store, people don’t know you. Why would they try?” LaMothe said. “We had to pivot.

More people buy at pro shops, so slowly we have grown our base of third-party pro shops around the country. Its more about the model of how we work and how we sell that has changed, but the thing that is important to me is we still make apparel that is limited edition.”

With a global run size ranging from about 20 to 300 pieces, FORAY GOLF collections are curated to include florals, prints, textures, and colors that reflect regionality, seasonality, and fashion trends using premium, Italian raw materials. The portfolio is driven by movement and a look to what is new, because as LaMothe said, once the collection is sold out, it is gone and it is on to the next thing.

“The point is we are constantly moving and we are constantly evolving,” LaMothe said. “[Our customer] has a certain attitude or psychographic profile. I think she is educated and I think she has a good eye. For our design aesthetic, we always do a texture, every season we do a floral—we are really known for our florals—and some of that bleeds into our fabric choice. We work with Italian raw materials mostly. I want the customer to feel like they are getting value out of the raw material, because there really isn’t a substitute.”

In terms of the collections themselves, FORAY GOLF strives to curate a portfolio that has a relevant aesthetic for every customer and golfer. For some, the inspiration depends on the season of which there are effectively three each year to ensure northern and southern clubs have unique offerings. The idea is to avoid having discounted pieces available at Florida golf courses, while Michigan clubs—which close during the winter—have items at full price.

LaMothe said the team approaches each collection by finding a hero floral and a hero texture and then play with it.

“Not every print relates itself to every style, but the thing we definitely do make sure there is match back within something that we call our core line. We can do this, because we run our raw materials and we run our prints in the same place in Italy, but every color is an exact match. If you see one of our skirts and there is a red or a navy in it, that is our core navy, which means you can sell—if you are a company or a pro shop—you can sell that print back to a solid that is a core color,” LaMothe said.

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“For example, it can be the same skirt, let’s say a tie-die skirt and it’s really pretty, but in Florida, we will sell it back to pinks and warm [colors], because that is really what our customer likes wearing down there,” LaMothe added.

That same skirt, as a multi-colored fabric, can also be paired with teal or warmer desert colors such as yellows and oranges in the southwest; while in the northeast—and the Midwest—it is often sold with navy pieces.

“It is what makes it really versatile, because we really think through all the different peo-

ple and how they are going to want to wear it regionally and differently,” LaMothe said.

While the team will “let the print do the talking,” they also look to what can complement each piece, considering what is missing in the line and what is meaningful to the customer. LaMothe said since they are watching the runway as well for inspiration, they often fold trends into their lines with a sport angle, such as the layering of fabrics in one collection.

“It is this really cool iteration of that where you have a technical fabric and believe it or not, it is a neoprene, which means it is wind-proof and is cool that it has been bonded with an Italian knit and the knit looks like a sweater, but it is actually an acrylic. It means it doesn’t hold odor and it is breathable,” LaMothe said.

“It ends up having an aesthetic of a really cool knit sweater in the same trend shape and that is how we do it. We figure out where the right

place for it is in the line and we make it relevant to what is happening now. Your golf clothing should seamlessly blend with what you would wear and see when you shop in daily life.”

FORAY GOLF has released more than 10 different collections since its launch in 2016, such as Fantasy Floral, Vanishing Point, Core 2.0, Birds in Paradise, Hot House, Chain Reaction, Frosted Floom, Club Quarters, and Queen of Clubs, among others. Each collection is distinctive and often features different types of apparel and accessories, like the Core Zip Front Jumpsuit with a short-sleeve, mid-length short cut and back patch pockets; the Fantasy Floral polo featuring a high-low, shirttail hem and bonded button placket and laser-cut center back logo; Queen of Clubs’ distinctive Queen playing card-inspired golf gloves, waistbag, and golf towel; and Chain Reaction’s Rococo-inspired gold, chain-printed skater-skirt and neoprene layered sweatshirt. Other pieces, such as the Club Quarters’ technical polo in Italian Jersey contrast a power mesh trim at the neckline as well as the length of the arm, creating an illusion of a racer-back tank; and the Birds in Paradise abstract print inspiration combine a front zip and dual-front patch pockets on a skirt made from four-way stretch, wrinkle-resistant performance fabric. The latter also feature silicone gripper leg openings and channel gusset construction intended to stay-put.

To LaMothe, good design in apparel is wearable, useful, and is often a balance of beauty and function to ensure proper fit at every single size.

“I think a good design actually compromises in both places to get something as optimized as possible, as close to perfect in those two arenas,” LaMothe said. “I was a math major, so I think about two lines approaching each other, but never exactly touching: it is function and beauty.”

While FORAY GOLF continues to deliver high-performing, disruptive apparel for women and golfers as a women-focused venture, at the end of the day, LaMothe said the company is also for her daughter and showing all young girls that they can do anything, build anything when they put their mind—and self-belief—to it.

“I have no business owning a golf company.

I am a mediocre golfer at best. There are people way better at the sport, but I am willing to work harder and longer, and fail small, but fail forward until we get it exactly right,” LaMothe said.

“I think that is the game of golf—hit it right, hit it left, and eventually hit it in the middle—but that is exactly what I want to show my daughter. I want her to see her mom work hard and achieve something. It is all parable. It is all about all of our daughters and optimizing their future and giving them the best opportunity that they can have,” LaMothe added.

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Text: R.J. Weick

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n 2020, TaylorMade Golf Company, a leading manufacturer of high-performance equipment with a long history of pushing the boundaries of traditional industry technology in its pursuit of innovation, redefined the shape of motion with the launch of its SIM series featuring a revolutionary asymmetric sole shape and redesigned Inertia Generator.

The revolutionary new design and shape of the SIM family—which also comprised SIM Max and SIM Max•D—not only delivered a combination of improved aerodynamics, but also increased forgiveness to improve confidence on the course.

The concept pushed the needle closer to the Carlsbad, California-based company’s ever-evolving target of high-performance golf equipment and was the foundation for a nextgen product that would challenge performance limits yet again.

Tomo Bystedt, senior director of production creation at TaylorMade, said even as SIM took the world by storm on Tour and in the marketplace, the team had begun thinking about how to deliver a product that could out-perform an already-fast, low-center-of-gravity club that offered a new level of forgiveness. Rather than apply a simple solution to the design, the team instead started looking at the construction process in its entirety.

“The construction of the driver had been the same for many years: you’ve got this cast-titanium shell of a body, then you are welding on a face, and then you are putting on a carbon panel, and that was the recipe that had been going on for almost 10 years at that point,” Bystedt said.

“We were feeling like we had come to the limit of what that really could provide in terms of performance. That is where we started looking at: ‘What if we modularized the whole thing? What if we look at every part of the club and say, if this part could be stronger and that

TAYLORMADE GOLF COMPANY

part could be lighter, how could we rethink it and deliver more performance that way?’”

Bystedt added.

Known as SIM2, TaylorMade’s latest product line builds upon the enhanced speed and aerodynamics of the original SIM line through a complete reinvention of the way clubs are made with newfound forgiveness at its core.

Launched in January 2021, SIM2 not only features all-new SIM2, SIM2 Max, and SIM2 Max•D drivers delivering a new level of forgiveness, speed, and distance, but also SIM2 Max and SIM2 Max OS irons; SIM2, SIM2 Max, and SIM2 Max•D fairway woods; and a Tour-inspired line of SIM2 Rescue and SIM2 Max Rescue hybrids.

“The first thing we wanted to achieve was to make the club easier to play, more forgiving, and give the golfer more opportunity to hit good shots when they miss the center of the face—that was really the ultimate goal,” Bystedt said. “We also wanted to get more speed out of it, but this was always going to be a little more subtle in terms of the improvements that we could make. We had done improvements in SIM already in terms of how we designed the Ti face and the Speed Injection™ technology, but we knew there was more performance to be gained off-center.”

For the SIM2, SIM2 Max, and SIM2 Max•D drivers, initial concepts for the line focused on having a light crown as well as a light sole to free up more discretionary weight to put forward and back in the club. The idea drove the design of a new Forged Ring Construction leveraging a precision-milled, lightweight, and aircraft-grade, durable aluminum, and became one of four core elements comprising their unique construction. Other modules comprised a carbon crown, carbon sole, and milled back face cup.

“Because we changed the shape of the driver, it actually changed the function of some of the pieces. We now had this big wall at the back, because the crown is so tall. It doesn’t

slope down to the back like the old drivers did, so we had to solve the problem of having a lot of weight trapped up in the back and that really is what led us to use aluminum for this back ring piece,” Bystedt said. “We had to make it as light as possible, but still strong enough to withstand everyday use, not only from hitting the golf ball, but also from accidental wear-and-tear.”

The drivers also use a lightweight, carbon composite as the crown and a new high-strength carbon for the sole—developed with enhanced durability in mind and featuring nine-layers of advanced carbon—resulting in a redistribution of weight onto the Inertia Generator low and back of the club. For the titanium milled back face cup, the team mapped the most common impact locations among golfers to identify an intelligently engineered sweet-spot stretching diagonally from high-toe to low-heel. One of the development breakthroughs that came as a result of rethinking the construction was being able to do the full CNC-mill on the back of the face that enabled an incremental increase in off-center speed—and subsequently more forgiveness—that was still within the CT and COR guidelines, according to Bystedt.

“That is really what it is centered on. It is going to give you confidence just to swing after it, because you know you are going to hit a good shot even if you don’t nail it exactly in the middle of the face,” Bystedt said.

Bystedt also noted TaylorMade’s investment in learning about alternative materials and construction methods, particularly bonding, has helped set the company apart from other brands and has unlocked an ability to combine materials that would otherwise might not be compatible using traditional welding practices.

“We decided [bonding] was the future, so in terms of our technology and engineering, bonding has become a big focus and that is why we are really the only brand out there right now bonding at the very end of the process,” Bystedt said.

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“What we are doing is finishing all these parts independently and right at the end putting them all together, and that is because we can bond them so cleanly with so little resin. It makes those bonds more efficient. It is why we could use a material like aluminum in the back and we have material scientists who constantly work on new materials, trying to figure out how to use different metals in different places and working on different ways to construct carbon fiber,” Bystedt added.

In terms of aesthetics, the SIM2 line strikes an iconic silhouette with a distinctively TaylorMade-branded edge. For Bystedt, the success of a club goes beyond its engineering and informed performance metrics to the look, feel, and sound when behind the ball.

“Golf is such an interesting sport. It is not only about the concrete, the objective elements of performance that are important, but also some of the subjective things. As a golfer, you know when something looks good behind the ball and gives you confidence, you are going to put a better swing on the ball. When a club doesn’t look right, there is something mentally that goes on in your head where you don’t think you are going to hit a good shot,” Bystedt said. “I think all those qualitative elements are super important and with the look and feel, we definitely wanted to give it a recognizable TaylorMade cosmetic.”

To elevate that experience, the SIM2 line combines the chalk paint on the front with a tempered “sporty and aggressive” look.

TaylorMade also worked with players on Tour to gain feedback on the look, address, and face alignment to ensure the front topline wasn’t too curved or concave. The company has also launched an all-new MySIM2 program where the aluminum ring, topline paint color, crown decals, sole decals, and tuning pin can be personalized with colors such as red, blue, gold, orange, green, silver, black, and light blue.

Bystedt noted the team designates a lot of engineering resources behind the sound and feel of clubs and in terms of the SIM2 drivers, a big concern was how the sound might change due to the new construction and use of materials.

“Sound with golf clubs is so key, especially when you think about how people talk about irons and how they have to feel soft and it is just tiny differences in vibrations that are auditory that then reflect back to you how the club feels in your hand,” Bystedt said.

“The sound was really important for us to get it into that right window of being loud enough where it felt fast, giving it a nice crunch, that metallic sound we like to have off our drivers, and I’m really happy that early feedback from the market has been so positive in terms of sound,” Bystedt added.

There was also a positive response from TaylorMade’s SIM Max Rescue, originally released in 2020 as players took to the hybrid club once more on fairways and courses across all levels of the game. It is a category that, as TAYLORMADE GOLF COMPANY

Bystedt noted, exploded on the scene during the late 2000s and became so ubiquitous, that it gained a foothold on Tour. Yet, its boom peaked around 2010 and since then, the innovation and technology behind the Rescue category began to pale in comparison to high-lofted fairway woods and utility irons.

“We felt like this club was still really important and needed to figure out a way to really make those advantages apparent to a golfer. With SIM Max last year, we tried something where we made a club that was easy to launch, easy to play for a high-handicapper, and a forgiving design, but also made it fairly low-spin and look really good to the eye of a good player,” Bystedt said.

“When Rory [McIlroy] and DJ, [Dustin Johnson], started playing this club, they realized they could hit shots they couldn’t hit with any other club in the bag and that opened up the opportunity for us in 2021 to come in with a second model,” Bystedt added.

Designed with insights from PGA Tour players, the SIM2 Rescue features a compact players shape with added versatility for golfers interested in iron-like ball flight and workability. Bystedt said it was accomplished by lowering the launch, adding more spin, and making it ultimately more workable for the player. SIM2 Max Rescue features a new leading-edge design, sole geometry, and optimized

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CG placement to maintain the forgiveness of the original SIM Max Rescue—ultimately delivering the distance of a game improvement hybrid without sacrificing precision and control. With the pairing, the company has witnessed a rebirth of the Rescue category, while the new SIM2 Rescue combines the best of both worlds in terms of old school shaping and modern technology.

“We are bringing both together and it is really cool,” Bystedt said. “I think it is one of those products that is going to be a stepping stone for us to do even greater things in the future as we start going that Rescue category back again.”

TaylorMade also unveiled changes to its game improvement irons and fairway woods categories: SIM2 Max and SIM2 Max OS irons feature a Cap Back™ Design and an evolved ECHO® Damping System to mitigate vibration and increase forgiveness and distance; and SIM2 Titanium, SIM2 Max, and SIM2 Max•D fairway woods refined SIM’s breakthrough technology of V Steel™ and brought the center of gravity low for optimal launch conditions and forgiveness.

“Design is an all-encompassing word and I think sometimes people think of it as the cosmetics, but design is very functional to me.

At TaylorMade, we talk a lot about form and function following each other and to me, that is

design: it looks right, it works correctly, and it has the right ergonomics,” Bystedt said.

“We, as a company, place a high value on design in a holistic way and I think it’s part of why we have a product creation team. This product creation role is really encompassing all of the elements that we consider when designing clubs. Are we going for a lighter club, a heavier club, a back CG, or a forward CG? How are we deploying the mass in the head—as well as all the visual elements that come into it,” Bystedt added.

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The Petoskey Area Will Fit You to a Tee For the perfect golf getaway, head to the Petoskey Area of northern Michigan. There are 17 exceptional courses in the area, all within 30 minutes of one another. Many have been highly rated by GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest.

The topography of the area alone gives the courses a character that is simply hard to find anywhere else. The northern Michigan landscape is defined by rolling hills up to 600 feet in elevation. Most area courses take full advantage with breathtaking terrain changes.

Lake Michigan, in combination with numerous inland lakes, adds to the beauty of the courses and offers stunning vistas.

Whichever course you choose, the beauty of the location will be remembered long after forgetting the score.

This year marks two milestones in Petoskey Area golf. The Heather Golf Course at Boyne Highlands turns 55 this year.

Among other accolades, this course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. has been named 2018 Course of the Year by the Michigan Golf Course Association and 2019 Course of the Year by the National Golf Course Owners.

This year also marks the 25th Anniversary of the spectacular Bay Harbor Golf Club. Its 27 holes on three distinct courses

along the shores of Lake Michigan are why it is fondly referred to as the Pebble Beach of the Midwest.

While the Petoskey area has long been a golf destination, it is just the start of all there is to do. With a wealth of recreational activities, this is a family destination where the non-golfers don’t feel stranded.

The lakeside communities of Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Boyne City, and Bay Harbor are full of unique shops, boutiques and galleries. You’ll also find outstanding lodging including modern hotels, charming inns, resorts and condos.

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ackpot. Hole-in-one. There is a moment of delight, of satisfaction, when a player can walk away with that one-of-a-kind experience, whether on the fairway or at the blackjack table. There is both risk and reward in golf and gaming, and while each require vastly different skillsets and present different challenges, their entwined histories were made iconic when Las Vegas National Golf Club hosted the 1995 film “Casino,” directed by Martin Scorsese and produced by Barbara De Fina, on its course in the Las Vegas Valley less than 10 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.

The club, which welcomed celebrity names

like Robert DeNiro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci in the mid-1990s, also hosted a number of other well-known individuals in the 1960s as the Rat Pack—Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop, Sammy Davis Jr., and Peter Lawford—lingered long after a match on the links.

Since the early days of gaming in the Valley, casino-golf courses have extended coast-to-coast to places like Washington, California, Hawaii, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, and Michigan with well-known designers at the helm, such as Tom Fazio, Donald Ross, and Paul Albanese. In this series, The Golf Explorer: Michigan’s Journal to Incredible Golf has compiled a list of a few of the casino and gaming destinations and their nearby golf courses throughout the state.

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Bay Mills Resort & Casinos 11386 WEST LAKESHORE DRIVE BRIMLEY, MICHIGAN Located in the Upper Peninsula less than 20 miles west of Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, Bay Mills Resort & Casinos is a golf and gaming destination featuring two casinos, a 143-room waterfront hotel, and an 18-hole, championship golf course along the shores of Waishkey Bay on Lake Superior. The resort not only offers more than 900 slots and video poker machines, roulette, and table games like Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em and Blackjack, but also the Kings Club Casino, which is a Bay Mills’ Gaming Experience.

The Kings Club Casino, formerly Bay Mills Blackjack Casino, first opened its doors in July 1984 and is one of the first legal Native American casinos in the nation led by Wade Teeple, tribal chairman, and Andrew LeBlanc, general manager. The club now offers more than 280 slot machines, a full-service bar, and Chums Café—a dining venue known for its whitefish.

Bay Mills Resort & Casinos experience also extends to the fairways and greens with its 18-hole Wild Bluff Golf Course featuring championship layout and a view of the freshwater shoreline. Designed by Mike Husby and completed in 1998, the Wild Bluff Golf Course is a par-72, public course featuring five sets of tees and a yardage ranging from about 5,300 yards to nearly 7,100 yards. Its bluegrass fairways and bentgrass greens are carved into a breathtaking landscape of deep ravines, streams, and timbers on a natural bluff overlooking Waishkey Bay. The course also has a practice facility with a double-teed driving range, putting green, chipping area, and offers golf instruction under the leadership of Matthew Phipps, PGA, director of golf.

Bay Mills Resort & Casinos is owned and operated by the Bay Mills Indian Community and regulated by the Bay Mills Gaming Commission. The Bay Mills Indian Community is a sovereign, independent Tribal nation of Ojibwa or Chippewa people that was officially established in 1860 and became one of the four founding federal tribes of the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, Inc. in 1966.

Bay Mills Resort & Casino also offers three restaurants, Sacy’s Restaurant, Back Bay Grill & Games, and The Loft; the 124-site Sunrise RV Park located across the street; and access to well-groomed snowmobile, ATV, and hiking trails in the region.

Gun Lake Casino 1123 129TH AVENUE WAYLAND, MICHIGAN Sports betting has arrived at the Gun Lake Casino in Wayland, Michigan. Known as Stage 131 Sportsbook & Lounge, Gun Lake Casino has recently delivered a new way to bet for its patrons and guests on both professional and collegiate sports like football, basketball, racing, and boxing, among others. Stage 131 COURTESY ISLAND RESORT AND CASINO

Sportsbook & Lounge offers a number of types of wagers such as single bets and over/unders, and plans to bring the sportsbook experience online in the future with BetGLC.com. The online experience will also extend to familiar gaming favorites like slots, table games, blackjack, poker, and roulette with live dealers.

While COVID-19 presented new challenges for the 2020 season, Gun Lake Casino’s Play It Safe initiative quickly adapted to the ever-changing needs of guest and employee health. Through the initiative, Plexiglass barriers and/or spacing was introduced for social distancing measures, enhanced thermal imaging systems have been put in place for scanning temperature, and new technology was secured to improve sanitation, such as the use of electrostatic sprayers. While indoor smoking is not permitted and masks are required, the Play It Safe initiative brought a new way to play table games such as with the Dynasty ETG Triple Zero Roulette, which provides personalized betting terminals to ensure a relaxed and safe environment for guests.

Located within a rich, golfing destination region in southwestern Michigan, Gun Lake Casino is located within roughly 30 miles of well-known golf courses and resorts such as the six-course, Gull Lake View Golf Club & Resort in Augusta; LYNX Golf Course in Otsego; and The Mines Golf Course and The Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe in Grand Rapids.

Gun Lake Casino is owned by the MatchE-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, which is part of the historic Three Fires Confederacy. The tribe was federally recognized in August 1999 and partnered with Station Casinos Inc. in 2003 to help manage

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its gaming project. The casino is operated

by MPM Enterprises LLC, which is owned by an affiliate of Station Casinos and private investors from Michigan, and has since developed into a gaming destination featuring 47 table games—including Three Card Poker and Progressive Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em—a 14-table poker room, and more than 2,000 slot machines. In 2016, the Gun Lake Tribe and Gun Lake Casino also announced and broke ground on a $76 million expansion that led to the creation of the Stage 131 entertainment lounge and the 300-seat Harvest Buffet. Gun Lake Casino also features a 225-seat Sandhill Café, bars, lounges, and live entertainment.

Island Resort and Casino W 399 U.S. 2 & 41 HARRIS, MICHIGAN Nestled along the northwestern shores of Lake Michigan near the Wisconsin border, Island Resort & Casino is a true casino-golf course destination in the Midwest. Its 18-hole, championship Sweetgrass Golf Club has not only been ranked among the Top 50 Casino Courses by Golfweek as 19th and 20th in 2019 and 2020, respectively, but also hosts the annual LPGA Symetra Tour’s Island Resort Championship, welcoming women golfers from around the world once again June 11-13, 2021.

Designed by Paul Albanese and opened in 2008, the 18-hole, championship course is in parkland style and features a signature, par-3 hole with an island green on hole No. 15. Each hole is named after traditional Potawatomi clans, villages, allies, medicines, and symbols in honor of the Hannahville Indian Community—the federally recognized MICHIGANGOLFEXPLORER.COM

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Potawatomi Indian Tribe that wholly owns and operates the resort and casino—and its rich history.

Tony Mancilla, general manager of Island Resort & Casino, said the parkland-style course plays like a private golf course and offers a distinctive experience from the resort and casino’s second championship course, Sage Run. Also designed by Albanese and opened on the 10-year anniversary of Sweetgrass, Sage Run is a contrasting, sister course inspired by a trip to Royal County Down. The prairie, links-style course carves through hardwoods and features a natural drumlin or glacial ice-formed ridge as its primary feature. The 18-hole course is lined with fescue grasses and strategic bunkering.

“Sage Run is up and down the hills and it is more of a resort course,” Mancilla said. “It is a different turf, it plays different, has a lot of angles, and you have to play it smart.”

With 36-holes of championship golf—both recognized for its design and play—and its Vegas-style gaming, Island Resort & Casino brings a distinctive experience to the Upper Peninsula and Great Lakes region. Not only does the resort and casino feature an 11-story Palm Tower with roughly 326 existing guest rooms—including 14 guest suites—a 13,000-square-foot Convention Center with flexible meeting space, and a 42-site RV Park, but also a Drift Spa featuring nature-based treatments and skilled therapists for mind, body, and spirit renewal. From tranquility 68

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rooms, a co-ed sauna, separate steam rooms, and indoor saltwater pool and fitness center, to massages, salon services, and HydraFacial treatments, Drift Spa embraces the healing traditions of Native American healers and brings a refreshing, tranquil oasis within the resort and casino.

Island Resort & Casino also offers a number of dining venues, such as: 5 Bridges Steak & Seafood House, 5 Bridges Pub, Firekeeper’s Restaurant, Coral Reef Grille, Signature Subs & Pizza, T. McC’s Sports Bar, and the Coffee & Bakery Shop.

Mancilla said Island Resort & Casino is the second oldest, Tribal-owned casino in the country and since its establishment in 1985 continues to grow with the industry. Recently, the Hannahville Indian Community Tribal Council approved a nearly $33 million expansion that broke ground last year to add a new, high-end dining venue and convention space on the top floor, a waterpark, and approximately 138 hotel rooms—which should be completed in November or December 2021. Mancilla also noted the 200-seat, full-service restaurant will be very unique and the waterpark will draw new clientele to the resort that is often full most of the year—which in part prompted the expansion.

In terms of the gaming itself, Island Resort & Casino brings a breadth of play to its slot floor and poker rooms with table games like Blackjack, Craps, Spanish 21, and Three-Card

Poker, as well as bingo and more than 1,200 slot machines. The casino has also teamed up with BetAmerica Sportsbook to bring a new sports betting experience to the resort. BetAmerica Sportsbook at Island Resort & Casino allows guests to bet on sports like football, hockey, baseball, and soccer from kiosks located conveniently in and outside of T. McC’s Sports Bar, or at the Island Cashier. The sports betting experience brings options like straight, parlay, teaser, live, futures, and proposition bets to the proverbial table.

“Our resort is always in top shape. We have the best games and we invest a lot into the casino in terms of gaming,” Mancilla said. “As far as a destination, there is no midwestern resort that has everything other than us and when I mean everything, I mean a big casino, large hotel, we have the spa, the championship golf courses attached, and the sports bar. We are the only resort that has everything attached.”

As the home of two, renowned championship golf courses, golfers are a familiar and frequent guest of Island Resort & Casino, which as Mancilla noted, also offers very competitive stay-and-play packages for players as well as a new option of sports betting.

“Sports betting goes hand-in-hand with golfers. By the first tee they are already figuring out what they are playing for,” Mancilla said.

“What we found through analytics was when golfers stay at the resort, they like to play. Table games will triple and the bar will double. They love to drink beer and like to play games. They are a great clientele.”

Little River Casino Resort 2700 ORCHARD HIGHWAY MANISTEE, MICHIGAN At the corner of U.S. 31 and M-22 in Manistee, Michigan, the striking silhouette of a northern lodge-inspired casino and hotel begins to take shape in respectful homage to its surrounding landscape. Materials like stone, timber, and glass are carried throughout the interior and intentional wayfinding elements draw upon tribal history, lore, and traditions.

Initially launched in 1999 as a standalone casino, Little River Casino Resort has since established a resort destination that weaves the beauty of the natural landscape throughout the casino as well as beyond its doors to its outdoor courtyard featuring three fire pits.

Today, Little River Casino Resort has roughly 1,400 slot and video poker machines; dozens of table games like Poker, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, and Mississippi Stud with limits reaching up to $5,000 for both the inaugural and veteran player; a high-limit room; and the newly launched River Rock Sportsbook & Grill in partnership with the Chicago-based Rush Street Interactive, or RSI. “The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has built an outstanding reputation and we are thrilled they have chosen RSI to be a part of that tradition,” said Richard Schwartz, president of RSI in a press release.

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River Rock Sportsbook & Grill will feature betting windows in the restaurant as well as 12 new, 24-hour sportsbook kiosks in the dining venue and on the gaming floor. Through the partnership, Little River Casino’s retail sportsbook will offer moneyline, over/under, and point-spread wagering as well as parlay betting, teaser betting, and an online bet-slip builder allowing individuals to build bets in advance.

The casino also plans to launch an Online Sportsbook & Online Casino platform in the future, known as BetRivers.com “The successful track record of Rush Street Interactive as a provider of in-casino sportsbooks in Pennsylvania, New York, and Illinois was very significant to us when we chose them as our partner,” said Andrew Gentile, general manager of Little River Casino Resort, in a press release. “Rush Street’s ability to provide a road map of how they’ve enabled other land-based casinos to operate market-leading sportsbooks kept us from having to reinvent the wheel.”

Little River Casino Resort is owned and operated by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, a Native Sovereign Nation, and features a lodge-style, 292-room hotel; a 95-unit RV park; two indoor pools; an outdoor pool; a 1,600-seat event space; four conference rooms; Nectar Spa & Salon; boutique retail; and several dining venues, such as: Big Lake Buffet, Rapids Bistro, River Rock Sportsbook & Grill, and The Bar. In the wake of COVID-19, Little River Casino introduced new health and safety protocols to ensure the health and safety of guests, such as requiring masks, social distancing, and temporarily closing its buffet and space.

In 2018, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians also acquired the nearby 18-hole golf course in Bear Lake, Michigan known as Bear Lake Highlands. The par-72 course features rolling terrain, natural ponds and timbers, and views inherent to northern Michigan.

Odawa Casino Resort 1760 LEARS RD, PETOSKEY Odawa Casino Mackinaw 1080 S NICOLET STREET, MACKINAW CITY Odawa Hotel 1444 U.S. 131, PETOSKEY, MICHIGAN Near the shores of the Little Traverse Bay off Lake Michigan, Odawa Casino Resort and its nearby Odawa Hotel bring the thrill and glamour of Vegas-inspired gaming to the Petoskey, Michigan region. Featuring 50,000 square-feet, Odawa Casino Resort has nearly 1,000 slot machines and offers tables games like Roulette, Craps, Blackjack, Double Deck Blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em, and Three Card Poker—as well as high-limit games.

Odawa Casino Resort also offers dining venues such as Copper Café and Sage, which features a 16-foot tower of wines and dishes like blackened salmon served on a bed of lima beans, red and green peppers, onions and corn, and roasted potatoes; walleye fillet seasoned and sauteed in olive oil, topped with diced COURTESY ISLAND RESORT AND CASINO

tomatoes, artichoke hearts and cilantro in a citrus reduction with garlic mashed potatoes; a roast prime rib of beef well-seasoned or slow roasted; and a 16-ounce bone in rib eye topped with roasted garlic demi.

Located less than a mile away from the casino, Odawa Hotel is a AAA-Diamond rated resort featuring guest rooms, suites, and amenities like an indoor pool and hot tub, and meeting rooms and banquet facilities.

The hotel offers free shuttle service to Odawa Casino Resort for its guests.

Odawa Casino is also bringing sports betting to both its Petoskey and Mackinaw City locations with automated kiosks available at both sites. The sports betting will offer straight bets, parlay, futures, propositions, teaser bets, and round robin wages on a number of sports.

Odawa Casino Sportsbook will also offer an on-site sportsbook in Petoskey.

Odawa Casino Resort, Odawa Hotel, and Odawa Casino Mackinaw City are owned and operated by the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. The Odawa Casino Mackinaw City also offers 220 slot machines and the Mukwa Bar & Grill—featuring a full-service bar and American cuisine—in addition to the new sports betting kiosks.

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort 6800 SOARING EAGLE BLVD MOUNT PLEASANT, MICHIGAN In 1998, Soaring Eagle Casino opened its doors to gaming, dining, and entertainment enthusiasts, visitors, and local residents alike at its Mt. Pleasant, Michigan location. It would only be a short two years later that the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, which owns and operates Soaring Eagle Casino, welcomed guests into its 516-room luxury resort hotel. The hotel, which features high-end rooms and suites, also features amenities like a 2,400-square-foot,

free-form pool with nearly half-a-million glass tiles from Milan, Italy and Douglas fir ceiling and trim work.

Since then, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort has continued to invest in its signature gaming and entertainment experience, bringing thousands of slot machines and progressives, poker, bingo, and table games—Blackjack, Craps, and Roulette, among others—to its 210,000-squarefoot casino. In 2018, Soaring Eagle completed a $26.5 million investment project to integrate a new sports bar and night club known as ASCEND on the west end of the gaming floor, update the Entertainment Hall, enclose a non-smoking area, re-design the Kid’s Quest & Cyber Quest Arcade areas, enhance gaming experience with a new VIP Lounge & Poker Room, and re-brand the Central Deli & SLICE! venue.

ASCEND, which features a grand entrance with 12-foot-tall pivoting doors and a wingshaped center bar, also has a stage for entertainers, a VIP seating area, and 59 bar-top slot machines. ASCEND will also be home to the casino’s new sports betting options and will undergo upgrades in phases to ultimately accommodate kiosks, a betting window, and additional television screens.

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort also offers other dining options such as the Siniikaung Steak & Chop House, featuring hand-cut steaks, chops, and fresh seafood; Isabella’s, with Old World Italian-inspired cuisine; Legend’s Diner, featuring classic Americana with a contemporary twist; Aurora Buffet; Native Grind Coffee Shoppe; Little Eagle Café; and the Water Lily Lounge. Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort is also home to the Soaring Eagle Spa & Salon and nearly 70,000 square-feet of meeting space.

In 2020, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort also embarked on a multi-year, multi-phase construction and renovation project to upgrade

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the resort.

The gaming destination is located less than five miles from Bucks Run Golf Club in Mt. Pleasant, which features 290 acres of bentgrass, an award-winning golf course, the Putting Island, and an 18,000-square-foot clubhouse.

The latter of which includes the golf shop, Quarry Grill Restaurant, patios, and a banquet facility. The course itself is an 18-hole, Jerry Matthews design featuring sculpted fairways, sand bunkers, river frontage, and natural wetlands.

Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel 7741 M-72 EAST WILLIAMSBURG, MICHIGAN Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, a well-known destination and sister property of the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa near Traverse City, Michigan, officially welcomed sports betting to its 74,000-square-foot casino and six-story hotel striking footprint with a grand opening ceremony in September 2020—and a ceremonial first bet placed by Rick Mahorn, NBA All-Star. The event, which celebrated Grand Traverse Resort & Casinos’ partnership with William Hill US, a Las Vegas-based leader in the race and sports book industry, marked the launch not only of Onyx Sports Book by William Hill at Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, but also its satellite location at Leelanau Sands Casino in Peshawbestown.

“I’m excited to bring sports betting to northern Michigan. I am also excited we are able to create another revenue stream for our company and I am excited for our loyal guests, who will get to experience sports betting,” said Jonathon Idek, manager of Onyx Sports Book

by William Hill.

“We are partnering with one of the biggest sports betting companies in the world— 70

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William Hill—and we are pretty excited about that. It is going to be a great partnership for years to come with a really well-known brand,” Idek added.

Located on the third floor off the atrium at Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, Onyx Sports Book by William Hill features two ticket windows, two on-site kiosks as well as additional self-serve kiosks throughout the casino floor, more than 20 high-definition televisions, a full-service bar, complimentary games like billiards and bag toss, and an outdoor patio. The casino also plans to update the adjacent lounge area from Onyx Sports Book complete with a stadium-inspired concession stand to provide a true game-day experience on-site. This latest addition to the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel gaming portfolio provides retail sports betting on sports like football, basketball, and baseball, among others, and Idek said the design and feel of the venue itself is meant to capture the essence of a sports bar vibe.

“I think it is about the experience, basically,” Idek said. “I think the industry is going toward the experience and that way of where people want to come in with a group, watch the game, have a couple beers, and eat some wings.”

Onyx Sports Book by William Hill at Turtle Creek will also feature daily food and drink specials, and featured events like the weekly Saturday and Sunday Football Watch Party within the contemporary-inspired space among the leather chairs, wood-inspired materials, and oversized, half-globe ceiling fixtures.

“We offer wagering on all sports and we also have a ‘how-to-bet’ pamphlet for anybody who is unsure of how to bet or intimidated,” Idek said. “We can help anyone who wants to come in and learn how to wager on sports.”

Michael Schrader, chief executive officer of Grand Traverse Resort & Casinos, also noted

the staff is trained to assist customers with getting their bets down and is excited to align with William Hill US as the best in the business.

“That’s always what we strive to give our guests,” stated Schrader in a press release. “We want to provide the best destination for sports betting in the state and with William Hill as our partner, that’s a bet we’re happy to take.

When Michigan regulations are permitted, we will be able to offer the best in online gaming and betting as well.”

Mobile sports betting and iCasino is expected to join the Onyx Sports Book by William Hill location at Turtle Creek and its satellite location at Leelanau Sands pending regulatory approvals and is part of a long-term partnership with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, which owns and operates Grand Traverse Resort & Casinos, and William Hill US. “This is just the beginning of our partnership with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, with plans to launch mobile sports betting and iCasino gaming throughout Michigan as soon as permitted,” said Dan Shapiro, vice president of Strategy & Business Development for William Hill, in a press release. “We know the Onyx Sports Book by William Bill will be the new game-day location for sports fans in northern Michigan.”

Located about 10 miles from downtown Traverse City, Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel features about 54,000 square-feet of gaming floor with more than 1,000 slot machines and roughly 28 table games such as Blackjack, Roulette, and Craps. The casino also has a private, high-limit room; an underground VIP parking complete with car wash; fitness center; and two additional dining venues: The Deli and classic steakhouse-inspired Bourbons 72, which evokes a bygone era of jazz and luxury as it delivers an experience as lavish as its menu. Turtle Creek also features a six-story, contemporary-inspired hotel that not only integrates natural-inspired elements, dissolving boundaries between landscapes within its 130 guest rooms, 10 suites, and two hospitality parlors, but also has a Native American Cultural Corridor Display, a 4,000-square-foot ballroom, a 550-square-foot conference room, and 12 Champion Norway Maple Trees.

Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel also offers a complimentary shuttle to its sister property, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, which is located less than five miles to the west of the gaming and entertainment destination. The 900-acre property of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa features three, 18-hole championship golf courses—The Bear by Jack Nicklaus, The Wolverine by Gary Player, and Spruce Run by William Newcomb—dining venues like Aerie Restaurant & Lounge, a 100,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor Health Club, tennis courts, and Spa Grand Traverse: the full-service, 7,000-square-foot resort spa and salon focused on de-stressing, detoxifying, and rebalancing the mind, body, and spirit.

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Text: Brenna Buckwald

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his past season, golf skyrocketed in popularity across the country as a sport to be enjoyed individually or in a group— connecting people to the outdoors as well as friends and family—while still allowing for social distancing and other safety precautions in the midst of a pandemic.

Michigan golf courses and resorts welcomed well-seasoned players and new enthusiasts alike across the Mitten State this past year with open arms—and The Golf Explorer: Michigan’s Journal to Incredible Golf assembled a list of wonderful additions to the 2021 golf bucket-list.

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN GRAND RAPIDS WATERMARK PROPERTIES Ravines Golf Club 3520 PALMER DRIVE | SAUGATUCK, MICHIGAN The Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe 7211 48TH ST SE | GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN Macatawa Golf Club 4600 MACATAWA LEGENDS BLVD #1 | HOLLAND, MICHIGAN Watermark Properties has a multitude of outstanding and diverse golf experiences to offer with multiple clubs and courses in their portfolio. Their public courses include Ravines Golf Club, The Golf Club at Thornapple Point, and Macatawa Golf Club—and for golfers who enjoy a more exclusive experience, Watermark Properties also features Thousand Oaks Golf Club, Sunnybrook Country Club, Watermark Country Club, and Stonewater Country Club.

Situated in Saugatuck, Ravines Golf Club offers a visually stunning and serene original course, a cozy cottage-style dining experience at the Grill Room, and a newly upgraded Pro Shop, just 15 minutes from Holland and 30 minutes from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The 18-hole course at Ravines Golf Club, designed by Arnold Palmer himself, is a par72 spanning approximately 7,070 yards of awe-striking vistas of the natural environment.

After a game, guests can grab a bite to eat at the Grill Room, concluding the experience with an original Arnold Palmer drink.

The Grill Room is tucked in Arnie’s Cottage, allowing guests scenic views of the 18th hole.

The Pro Shop has also been freshly updated and features a range of merchandise from men and women’s golf attire to cutting-edge golf equipment and accessories.

To the north at The Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe in Grand Rapids, golfers are provided with a course that winds across more than 7,000 yards of rolling hills. The course guides players through hardwood-lined fairways and outstanding views of the Thornapple River, which serve as the backdrop for the layout. The NILE YOUNG

course offers a fair, yet challenging game with the flexibility of multiple tees.

For assistance navigating the course, Thornapple Pointe also offers players a satellite GPS system that presents yardage to each hole location, a layout of each hole, and live leaderboards for tournament and outing play.

In Holland, Michigan, Watermark Properties’ Macatawa Golf Club unfurls near the shores of Lake Michigan featuring its Macatawa Legends course, indoor golf at LiveGolf Lounge, and other amenities for its nearby community, such as the RedRock Grille.

Set amid the landscape, Macatawa Legends is designed by Ray Hearn, an award-winning course architect, and shaped with unique water features, large and fast undulating greens, and well-placed bunkers. The five sets of tees on the course range from 5,000 yards to more than 7,000 yards, creating an enjoyable course play for people of all skill levels—while still posing a challenge for the low-handicap golfer.

For guests at Macatawa Golf Club looking to switch up their golf experience, LiveGolf Lounge brings an indoor golf simulator to the club, featuring four PGA tour widescreen simulators developed by AboutGolf, and a realistic turf and center strike stance mat to golf from. People can choose from more than 70 golf courses, multiple challenge games, and numerous practice ranges. Visitors of the lounge not playing virtual golf can try out the arcade and family games, or take a break while enjoying the fully stocked bar and seating area with their party.

Named after the 500-degree lava stones that guests can use to cook signature dishes on, RedRock Grille at Macatawa Golf Club offers an unforgettable dining experience. Some of

the eatery’s popular hot rock dishes include steak, shrimp, and fajitas. The restaurant’s menu also features delectable seafood and pasta dishes, artisan sandwiches, and gourmet burgers, as well as a diverse list of drinks with a wide selection of local beers, a premier wine list and specialty cocktails.

The Links at Bowen Lake Golf Course 12990 BRADSHAW ST NE | GOWEN, MICHIGAN Offering a beautiful rolling wetland golf course, The Links at Bowen Lake rests in Gowen, Michigan surrounding nearly 30 acres of fresh, Bowen Lake waters. The 18-hole, public, bentgrass green golf course stretches more than 150 acres and immerses players in its tranquil environment. The course features undulating meadows, serene forest, and scenic wetlands.

The Links at Bowen Lake provides a challenging game for players of all skill levels and the course features five sets of tees at every hole, including Tee It Forward for short hitters.

The golf club offers a range of membership options for the avid golfer looking to spend a large part of the season there. Golfers who want it all in one simple package can take advantage of single and couple’s packages, which include golf, cart rental, range balls, and a 10 percent discount on Pro Shop merchandise. For people looking for a simpler and budget-friendly package, a basic package covers the price of golf only for the season. The club even offers a range package for new golfers hoping to primarily have a season of practicing on the range, as well as senior packages for those 60 years of age and older.

Looking ahead at the upcoming season, the club has added a new league, the Afternoon Mixed Scramble League, for the 2021 season.

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The Links at Bowen Lake offers numerous leagues that can be joined, including both men and women’s teams with multiple options for play times. When golfing at Links at Bowen Lake, guests also have the option of eating at the onsite eatery, Bowen Lake Bar & Grill.

The Mines Golf Course 330 COVELL AVE SW | GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN “We have an 18-hole facility on a wooded piece of property with a rolling terrain. You get an up-north feel even though we’re just minutes from Grand Rapids—which is pretty cool and unexpected when you pull in,” said Brad Steffen, general manager at The Mines Golf Course in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Opened in August of 2005, The Mines Golf Course provides golfers with a fantastic public course only a few minutes outside of downtown Grand Rapids. The course received its name for the history of the land as the course is located above a portion of old gypsum mines.

The par-70 course, designed by Mike DeVries of DeVries Designs Inc., is a naturally rolling site measuring 6,701 yards with a slope of 137. It features mature hardwoods, sandy soils, and a number of vistas between holes and during cross-overs that was intended to reinforce cohesiveness in the routing.

With a menu stacked full of all-American options including made-to-order sandwiches, hot dogs, brats, and hamburgers, golfers can grab a bite to eat or a cold drink at the snack bar and enjoy it out on the patio overlooking the ninth hole green.

“It was a very busy golf season. Looking back, in April we were a little unsure on what

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the year would bring,” Steffen said.

“I hate to say it, but the COVID-19 pandemic was good for golf in general. It brought some new players into the game, and it brought some players that maybe haven’t played in a few years, back. We’re looking forward to the years to come, growing the game with those new players,” Steffen added.

Pilgrim’s Run Golf Club 11401 NEWCOSTA AVE | PIERSON, MICHIGAN “We try to do our best to greet everybody and acknowledge everybody. In 2018, Pilgrim’s Run was selected as the number one friendliest course staff in the United States by The Golf Advisor. That’s extremely important to us,” said Jeff O’Malley, PGA Director of Golf at Pilgrim’s Run Golf Club in Pierson, Michigan.

Built on more than 400 acres, Pilgrim’s Run golf course features six different yardages to play from, outstanding green complexes, and bentgrass fairways lined with towering white pines and black oaks, leading players throughout the course.

“We actually have six sets of tees so that they can pick a distance that they enjoy to play from, which is nice,” O’Malley said.

O’Malley noted the golf carts have USB ports in them, allowing people to listen to their own music while out on the course, which was a big hit this past season.

“We’re away from everything, so it’s peaceful out here. People like the serenity of the area. We have no side-by-side holes, you don’t hear the word ‘fore’ out here, and our course is always in great shape,” O’Malley added.

The club has multiple packages available for golfers looking to stay a night or two.

Guests who take advantage of the packages have the opportunity to stay at Country Inn & Suites Hotel, where complimentary breakfast is available, and Gravity Taphouse & Grille is just across the parking lot for a casual dining experience.

“Looking at next year, I’m thinking these people who picked up golf for the first time, went back to it, or played more—we’re going to pick up some more golfers next year that are back into the game, which is great for all of us in the golf industry,” O’Malley said.

LYNX Golf Course 900 LINCOLN RD | OTSEGO, MICHIGAN “I guess the best way we classify ourselves is a higher-end facility; we have a great piece of property,” said Jim Szilagyi, general manager and managing partner at LYNX Golf Course, or LYNX GC, in Otsego, Michigan.

LYNX GC offers a scenic course alongside the Kalamazoo River, a casual eatery with the LYNX Grill, and is host to quite a few tournaments. The golf course at LYNX transports golfers to new heights at approximately 120 feet above the Kalamazoo River, with both the front- and back-nine beginning and ending at the highest point on the course. The course’s signature hole, no. 10, a par-4 of 411 yards, includes an 85-foot elevation drop.

“The thing that stands out to me is the terrain typography is really second-to-none in West Michigan. We had a great designer and Charlie Scott laid the course out beautifully, and took advantage of the natural features of the golf course,” Szilagyi said. “We have pines, maples, and oaks—all mature trees. We have five holes along the Kalamazoo River.”

Szilagyi mentioned that after the 2020 season, the whole course was laid out with cart paths.

“The superintendent, Bill Eitel, does a fantastic job with the golf course and has brought it along in the nine years he’s been here. It’s just a night-and-day difference, so we’re really pleased with that,” Szilagyi said.

“Our normal course of action is to continue to enhance the golf course, and what we do is primarily to expose the natural elements that we have. We’re very fortunate to have the Kalamazoo River run along the property.

One of our more scenic holes is a par-5—no.

15—the length of the hole runs along the river.

We did some major tree removal and it has exposed the river for the entire length of the hole now,” Szilagyi added.

Guests eating at the LYNX Grill are treated with beautiful surroundings of rolling hills and dramatic sky views from the restaurant’s patio. A variety of entrees, sandwiches, salads, soups, and comfort foods and homemade desserts are available to order for both lunch and dinner, seven-days-a-week during the golf season, and four-days-a-week during off-season.

The club is host to a plethora of annual tournaments, including the West Michigan Women’s Cup, which debuted during the NILE YOUNG

2020 season on August 12th, held between Kalamazoo Women’s Golf Association and Grand Rapids Women’s Golf Association.

Szilagyi said the club has added quite a few senior tournaments and is going to have its first ever women’s invitational, which is set to premiere in June 2021.

“We’re trying to do more things like that all of the time. We’ve got the casual golfer, we’ve got the league golfer, we’ve got the outing golfer, and now we’re trying to reach out to the tournament golfers as well,” Szilagyi said.

HawksHead Links 523 HAWKS NEST DR | SOUTH HAVEN, MICHIGAN Based in South Haven, the HawksHead Links’ golf course and country club supplies golfers with an elegant overnight stay at HawksHead Inn or GoldenHawk Cottages, delicious lunch and dinner at HawksHead Restaurant, and of course, a stellar game of golf.

The course at HawksHead Links was designed by golf architect Arthur Hills, who created an adaptable course ranging from 4,960 yards marked at the gold tees to the 7,003-yard, par-72 layout at the championship tees.

“I’d say it’s unique, because we’re in

LYNX GOLF COURSE

between two resort towns. We have our nineroom inn and rental cottages, and we’re just a short drive to downtown South Haven beaches, and Saugatuck just north of us,” said Greg Ruppert, general manager at HawksHead Links.

The Inn at HawksHead, which sits right off of the course, was restored from a beautiful Old English Tudor Mansion, with the nine

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rooms decked out in old world décor. Located on the back-nine of HawksHead Links, the two newly constructed GoldenHawk Cottages offer guests a large space containing four bedrooms and four bathrooms, with a common kitchen and dining area, perfect for families or friends on a golf vacation together.

“When you stay here with us you get a guest rate, so that varies based on course times,

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BUCKS RUN GOLF CLUB

seasons, dates and stuff. The preferred guest rate is for staying with HawksHead at the inn or at the cottages,” Ruppert said.

Open for both lunch and dinner, the HawksHead restaurant has a menu offering drinks, snacks, and gourmet meals. The pub provides an old-time atmosphere with panoramic views of the woods and links with floor to ceiling windows.

“We had them last year, but we’re going to have a new GPS system where you’ll be able to order beverages and food on the course, and we’ll expand our outdoor dining and offer some new options to go with the times,” Ruppert said.

“Look forward to a visit at HawksHead, you’ll find out it’ll be a place you enjoy. We want to meet and exceed expectations, and that’s kind of what we do here,” Ruppert added.

AHC Hospitality GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN AC Hotel by Marriott Grand Rapids Downtown 50 MONROE AVE NW Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton 187 MONROE AVE NW Courtyard by Marriott Grand Rapids Downtown 11 MONROE AVE NW JW Marriott Grand Rapids 235 LOUIS ST NW Hyatt Place Grand Rapids/Downtown 140 OTTAWA AVE NW The greater Grand Rapids area not only features a fine selection of golf clubs and courses 78

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MICHIGANGOLFEXPLORER.COM

to play, but also a number of regional hotel destinations. Within the AHC Hospitality portfolio of hotels, resorts, and restaurants, there are a number of hotel properties redefining the Midwestern experience from Europeaninspired décor and modern art to historic charm.

In Grand Rapids alone, AHC Hospitality features: Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton; JW Marriott Grand Rapids; Courtyard by Marriott Grand Rapids Downtown; Hyatt Place Grand Rapids/ Downtown; and AC Hotel by Mwwwarriott Grand Rapids Downtown.

From the historic charm of the Pantlind wing paired with modern style of its renovated tower in the 664-guest room Amway Grand Plaza; and the 214, remodeled rooms of designer soft gray and yellow in the Courtyard

by Marriott Grand Rapids Downtown; to the 19th century façade and contemporary interior of the AC Hotel by Marriott Grand Rapids Downtown; AHC Hospitality delivers distinctive experiences across style with onsite dining and proximity to downtown entertainment.

Not only can golfers enjoy the nearby courses and then rest their heads in the lap of luxury at any of these five hotels, they can also use the location to their advantage and break up their golfing with attractions the city provides—such as Devos Place, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Van Andel Arena, and more, just steps outside the lobby doors.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN Bucks Run Golf Club 1559 S. CHIPPEWA RD | MT. PLEASANT, MICHIGAN

In Mt. Pleasant, Bucks Run Golf Club provides golfers looking to play in mid-Michigan with an exceptional course, delectable food at the Quarry Grille Restaurant, and a customizable golf experience with their option to create golf packages based on what the golfer is looking to get out of their trip.

Nestled onto roughly 290 acres of bentgrass, Bucks Run’s 18 holes spread across natural wetlands, wooded areas, and river frontage featuring breathtaking views of lakes along the course and provides challenging game play with sand bunkers and rough; played by golfers of all skill levels.

When golfing at Bucks Run, players are encouraged to visit other courses in the area, with the club’s option to create a play-and-stay package unique to the experience that one is seeking when golfing in mid-Michigan.

“We are a little different than a regular resort. When you go to a regular resort, let’s say you get two nights and three rounds for xyz—our packages don’t quite work that way,” said Jon Conklin, the general manager at Bucks Run. “We partner with ten golf courses, and seven different lodge providers, and essentially you make the package that you’re looking for. When they do a request, if they just say ‘hey we’re staying this many nights, this many rounds’ we can just make one up that can obviously be critiqued as much as you want,” Conklin added.

Bucks Run partners with golf courses in the region, such as: Eagle Glen Golf Club in Farwell Michigan; PohlCat Golf Course in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan; The Emerald Golf Course in St. Johns, Michigan; Apple Mountain in Freeland, Michigan; Mt. Pleasant Country NILE YOUNG

Club in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan; St. Ives Golf Club and Tullymore Golf Resort in Stanwood, Michigan; and The Pines in Lake Isabella, Michigan; so guests can truly have the freedom and control when creating their golf package personalized to them.

“From my viewpoint, everyone enjoys their time when they come here. From start to finish, from the great golf course, to our wonderful restaurant as well,” Conklin said.

At the Quarry Grille, guests will find a dinner menu featuring an array of specialty cuisine—salads, sandwiches, burgers, and steaks—in a casual, fine-dining atmosphere.

Whether guests choose to take in views overlooking Lake Fisher and the golf course, or cozy up by the stone fireplace, Quarry Grille offers a serene dining experience.

“I think we are unique in our location in the state of Michigan. Being so centrally located, it doesn’t matter where you live. I can live in Kalamazoo, my buddy lives in Detroit, we have the same drive to get here. No one is going out of there way more than someone else,” Conklin said.

“We’re representing mid-Michigan and hoping to get people out here to play. Not just ourselves, but we have some fantastic golf courses. When someone travels to play golf, they want variety and we definitely have them here throughout mid-Michigan and the Mt.

Pleasant area, and hopefully they give us an opportunity to earn their business,” Conklin added.

Apple Mountain 4519 NORTH RIVER ROAD | FREELAND, MICHIGAN In Freeland, Michigan, Apple Mountain Golf Club opened the Apple Mountain course in 1998, and has since offered an incredible golf experience to guests, made whole with the option to purchase a season pass for unlimited play during the golf season, as well as the ability to dine onsite with two eateries available.

A John Sanford design, the par-72 championship course, Apple Mountain, features four sets of tee boxes, generous fairways, true greens, and magnificent views of the open course.

For the 2021 season, Apple Mountain offers two types of season passes: the unlimited pass, which allows golfers to play any time all season, and the weekday pass, which can be utilized on Monday through Friday during the season. Some of the benefits of both of these passes are cart fees being included, 50 percent off greens fees at Bucks Run, a 10 percent golf club discount, and a discounted pass holder guest rate.

Apple Mountain features two onsite restaurants: Mountain View Restaurant boasts

a casual but elegant setting with spectacular views of the grounds; while Putters Pointe Café offers a casual quick bite to eat, with a menu of lighter fare, such as hot dogs, brats, and deli sandwiches. The café is located on the main level of the Clubhouse, perfectly placed to get food before or after a round of golf.

Tullymore Golf Resort 11969 TULLYMORE DR | STANWOOD, MICHIGAN “We’re very conscious of what we want the customer to feel once they get here. We don’t want them to feel like they’re going to just any golf course. When they come to Tullymore, we want them to feel that they’ve had the best experience that they’ve ever had at a golf course,” said Gary Lewandowski, PGA Head Golf Professional at Tullymore Golf Club in Stanwood, Michigan.

Tullymore Golf Resort draws guests in with their two phenomenal golf courses— Tullymore and St. Ives—planted in a peaceful setting surrounded by woods and wetlands, where golfers can focus on their game play.

“You feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the state of Michigan. If you ever hear a siren your ears perk up, because you’re not used to hearing those kinds of distractions here. You’re in your own world with the wildlife and nature

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other, and putting on the putting green until they can’t see,” Lewandowski said.

UPPER PENINSULA

TIMBERSTONE GOLF COURSE

and it’s an extremely enjoyable experience,” Lewandowski said.

First opened to the public in 2002, Tullymore golf course snakes through more than 800 acres of woods, meadows, and wetlands. The Jim Engh, 18-hole design was created to be challenging but flexible to a player’s skill level; with greens that are uniquely varied in shape and size and feature multiple sets of tees.

St. Ives golf course is a Jerry Matthews design opened to the public in 1995. The par72 course features mystic woodlands, sprawling wetlands, rugged highlands, and views of Lake Mecosta, creating a serene experience that separates golfers from their lives outside of the course.

Tullymore Golf Resort also allows guests to personalize their vacation when building custom golf packages.

“There is any and every package that our customer wants to come up with. If you want to go on a golf trip by yourself to escape from everybody, we’ve got golf packages for single people; we’ve got so many different types of lodging we can handle groups of two, three, four, or whatever it may be. We’ve got pretty much everything that the group wants to do,” Lewandowski said.

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Guests at Tullymore have the opportunity to stay the night in any of their five lodging facilities onsite. Two modern hotels—The Inn at St. Ives and The Hideaway—deliver impeccable service for smaller groups. For larger groups, the resort’s condominiums and cottages offer more spacious housing. The Residence Club has four units total, each with three to four bedrooms, and is within walking distance to Tullymore Clubhouse.

Located on the resort’s quiet cul-de-sac, Tullymore Custom Cottages are available for groups of up to 10 people; while The Lodge, also on the cul-de-sac, has 10 bedrooms, sleeps up to 24 guests, and features a full-kitchen, as well as a cozy living room that is made to be a social hub for groups, with a fireplace, pool table, poker tables, and flat-screen TVs. Lewandowski also noted Tullymore is special since it caters to people looking for all types of experiences with their wide array of housing options, but at the end of the day, people are brought together just by being at the resort and having the same passion for golf.

“We have groups that may be staying in the lodge, and then there are groups that are staying in the cottage, and they meet each other and become friends because of them coming here and staying right next to each

Marquette Golf Club 1075 GROVE ST | MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN Marquette Golf Club, the Upper Peninsula’s 36-hole facility, invites guests to the beautiful highlands surrounding Marquette, Michigan on its two courses, Greywalls and Heritage, as well as dine at their clubhouse.

Designed by Mike DeVries and debuted in 2005, The Greywalls course has since received rave reviews and captures the rugged beauty of the Marquette area featuring a flowing variety of terrain—tumbling fairways, boldly carved slopes, striking elevation changes, rolling and bunkered links land, and a stunning display of Lake Superior.

Heritage Course is a composite of designs by the architects William Langford and Theodore Moreau on the original nine holes in 1926; and David Gill, who designed the second-nine added in 1969. Notable for its classic beauty, the front-nine takes golfers through rolling terrain and imaginative green complexes. The course shifts into a challenging finish with dramatic slopes on the back-nine.

Marquette Golf Club partners with many local hotels in order customize stay-and-play packages that can meet guests vacation desires and work around their budget.

In the clubhouse, a spacious banquet room and bar are available for guests to dine and enjoy company. With an expansive menu of food and drinks, guests can either eat in and enjoy the beautifully furnished interior space or overlook the Heritage Course out on the patio.

TimberStone Golf Course N3332 PINE MOUNTAIN RD | IRON MOUNTAIN, MICHIGAN At Pine Mountain Resort, TimberStone Golf Course stretches across 7,000 yards within 240 acres, integrating the Northwoods with a distinguished course design that ties in the natural beauty of the environment—glittering lakes and streams, magnificent pines, and a mountainous scenery. The Jerry Matthews design is located in Iron Mountain, Michigan, the gateway to the Upper Peninsula.

One- and two-night golf packages are prepared and ready to be booked, with three day and custom packages available upon request. These packages include a cart and an overnight stay at the newly renovated Pine Mountain Resort, which is within walking distance of the course.

Farmers Restaurant at Pine Mountain is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, offering a menu that includes pizza, sandwiches, and burgers, as well as separate fish and wine menus. There is a full-service bar in the restaurant, and it houses the Upper Peninsula’s Sports Hall of Fame.

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South Haven GC

Dunes Club

Cedar Farms

Eagle Eye Golf Club

Winding Creek

Grand Beach

Custer Greens

Falcon at Eagle Eye

Harbor Shores

Duck Lake

Prairie Creek

Gun Ridge

Indian Lake Hills

Marshall CC

Royal Scot

Legacy At Hastings

Lake Michigan Hills

Marywood

Woodside

Lost Dunes

The Medalist

Twin Oaks

Orchard Hills

Oakland Hills

South Haven 18 Public N/A 269-637-3896 Holland 27 Public windingcreekgolfclub.com 616-396-4516

ALLEGAN Chesire Hills

Allegan 27 Public chesirehills.com 269-673-2882

Clearbrook

Saugatuck 18 Public clearbrookgolfclub.com 269-857-2000

Diamond Springs

Hamilton 18 Public diamondspringsgolf.com 269-751-4545

HawksHead

South Haven 18 Public hawksheadlinks.com 269-639-2121

BARRY Hastings 9 Public gunridgegolf.com 269-948-8366 Hastings 18 holes public legacyathastings.com 269-945-2756

Mullenhurst

Delton 18 Public N/A 269-623-8383

Yankee Springs

Wayland 27 Public playyankeegolf.com 269-795-9047

Lake Doster

Plainwell 18 Public lakedostergolf.com 269-685-5308

Lake Monterey

Dorr 9 Public N/A 616-896-8118

Lynx Golf Course

BERRIEN Berrien Hills

Benton Harbor 18 Public berrienhills.com 269-925-9002

Blossom Trails

Otsego 18 Public lynxGC.com 269-694-5969

Benton Harbor 27 Public blossomtrailsgolfclub.com 269-925-4951

Orchard Hills

Brookwood

Shelbyville 27 Public orchardhillsgc.com 269-672-7096

Ravines

Saugatuck 18 Public ravinesgolfclub.com 269-857-1616

Buchanan 18 Public golfbrookwood.com 269-695-7818

Chikaming CC

Lakeside 18 Private chicamingcc.org 269-469-5484

New Buffalo 9 Private N/A 269-469-5539 New Buffalo 9 Public N/A 269-469-4888 Benton Harbor 18 Public HarborShoresLife.com 269-927-4653 Eau Claire 27 Public indianlakehills.com 269-782-2540 Benton Harbor 18 Public lmhgolf.com 269-849-2722 Bridgeman 18 Private lostdunes.com 269-465-9300 Buchanan 18 Private orchardhillscc.com 269-695-5722

Paw Paw Lake

Watervliet 18 Public pawpawlakegolfcourse.com 269-463-3831

Pebblewood

Bridgman 18 Public golfpebblewood.com 269-465-5611

Pipestone Creek

Eau Claire 18 Public N/A 269-944-1611

Plym Park

Niles 9 Public N/A 269-684-7331

Point O’ Woods

Benton Harbor 18 Private pointowoods.com 269-944-1433

Signal Point

Niles 18 Private signalpointgolf.clm 269-683-7073

Whittaker Woods

New Buffalo 18 Public golfwhittaker.com 269-469-3400

BRANCH Bella Vista

Coldwater 18 Public bellavistagolf.com 517-238-6085

Bronson GC

Bronson 18 Public 517-369-6745

bronsongolf.com

Golf Club of Coldwater

Coldwater 18 Semi-Private golfclubofcoldwater.com 517-279-2100

OTSEGO CLUB | NORTH | OTSEGO COUNTY

Gaylord | 36 Public | otsegoclub.com | 800-752-5510 COURTESY OTSEGO CLUB

Iyopawa Island

Coldwater 9 Public N/A 517-238-2216

Quincy GC

Quincy 9 Public N/A 517-639-4491

CALHOUN

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Marshall 18 Public marshallcountryclub.com 269-781-1182 Battle Creek 18 Public marywoodgolf.com 269-968-1168 Marshall 18 Public themedalist.com 269-789-4653 Battle Creek oaklandhillsgolfclub.com 269-965-0809

18 Public

Riverside

Battle Creek 18 Public N/A 269-964-0291

Springbrook

Springfield 9 Public springbrookgolf.net 269-441-7529

Tomac Woods

Albion 18 Public tomacwoods.com 517-629-8241

Turtle Creek

Burlington 18 Public N/A 517-765-2232

CASS Diamond Lake

Cassopolis 9 Public N/A 269-445-3143

Dowagiac Elks

Dowagiac 18 Public N/A 269-782-5685

Four Lakes

Edwardsburg 18 Public fourlakescc.com 269-699-5701

Garver Lake

Edwardsburg 9 Public N/A 269-663-6463

Hampshire/Dogwood Trail

Dowagiac 36 Public hampshire36.com 269-782-7476

Park Shore

Cassopolis 18 Public parkshoregolfclub.com 269-445-2834

Spruce Ridge

Dowagiac 18 Public golfspruceridge.com 269-782-5827

CLARE Eagle Glen

Farwell 18 Public golfeagleglen.com 989-588-4424

Firefly Golf Links

Battle Creek CC

Harrison 18 Public 989-539-6583

Bedford Valley

Harrison 18 Public thetamaracks.com 989-539-5441

Battle Creek 18 Public gulllakeview.com 269-965-3385

RJ WEICK

Albion 18 Private ducklakecc.com 517-629-8650

Clare 18 Public fireflygolflinks.com 989-386-3510

Battle Creek 18 Private battlecreekcc.com 269-962-6121

Grand Haven | 18 Public | americandunesgolfclub.com | 616-842-4040

Battle Creek 9 Public N/A 269-968-7398

Alwyn Downs

Marshall 18 Public N/A 269-781-3905

AMERICAN DUNES | WEST | OTTAWA COUNTY

Battle Creek 18 Public cedargolfclub.com 269-979-7277

Snow Snake

showsnake.net

The Tamaracks

CLINTON

Bath 18 Public eagleeyegolfclub.com 517-641-4295 Bath 9 Public eagleeyegolfclub.com 517-641-4295 De Witt 18 Public golfprairiecreek.com 517-669-1958 Lansing 27 Public royalscot.net 517-321-6220 Bath 12 Public hawkhollow.com 517-641-4295 St. Johns 9 Public N/A 898-224-7342

EATON Bonnie View

Eaton Rapids 9 Public bonnieviewgolf.com 517-663-4363

Centennial Acres

Sunfield 27 Public centennialacres.com 517-566-8055

Grand Ledge CC

Grand Ledge 18 Public grandledgecountryclub.com 517-627-2495

Ledge Meadows

Grand Ledge 18 Public ledgemeadowsgolfcourse.com 517-627-7492

Olivet CC

Olivet 9 Public N/A 269-749-9051

Twin Brook

Charlotte 18 Public N/A 517-543-0570

GRATIOT The Fields

Ithaca 18 Public thefieldsgolfcourse.com 989-875-4612

Hidden Oaks

St. Louis 18 Public hiddenoaksgolf.com 989-681-3404

Gratiot CC

Ithaca 18 Public N/A 989-875-4612

Northstar

Ithaca 18 Public N/A 989-875-3841

Overbrook

Middleton 9 Public golfoverbrook.com 989-236-5357

Pine River CC

Alma 18 Private pinerivercc.net 989-463-4610

Ridge

Breckenridge 9 Public N/A 989-842-1510

HILLSDALE Hillsdale Golf & CC

Hillsdale 9 Private N/A 517-437-2201

Jenkings GC

Litchfield 9 Public N/A 517-542-3121

Lake LeAnn GC

Jerome 9 Public N/A 517-688-3445

Binder Park

The Emerald

Mill Race

Cedar Creek

Hawk Hollow

White Oaks

Battle Creek 27 Public binderparkgulf.com 269-979-8250 Battle Creek 18 Public cedargolfclub.com 269-965-6423

St. Johns 18 Public emeraldgolfcourse.com 989-224-6287 Bath 27 Public eagleeyegolfclub.com 517-641-4295

Jonesville 9 Public millracegolfcourse.com 517-849-9439 Hillsdale 18 Public N/A 517-437-3434

IONIA Candlestone Inn

Belding 18 Public candlestone.com 616-691-7713

Huckleberry Creek

Pewamo 18 Public N/A 517-593-3305

Iron Horse

Belding 9 Public doublerranch.com 877-794-0520

Morrison Lake

Saranac 18 Public N/A 616-642-9528

Portland CC

Portland 18 Public oldpcc.com 517-647-4521

Rolling Hills

Indian Run

Ironwood

Lincoln Hills

Kalamazoo CC

Kent CC

Lakeside Links

Scotts 18 Public irgolfclub.com 269-327-1327 Kalamazoo 27 Private kalamazoocountryclub.com 269-345-6149

Maple Hills

Augusta 9 Public golfmaplehills.com 269-731-4430

Milham Park

Kalamazoo 18 Public kmgagolf.com 269-344-7639

The Moors

Portage 18 Private moorsgolf.com 269-323-8873

Oakland Hills

Ionia 9 Public golfionia.com 616-527-3480

Battle Creek oaklandhillsgolfclub.com 269-965-0809

Shadow Ridge

Olde Mill

Ionia shadowridgegolfclub.com 616-527-1180

9 Public

Willow Wood

Portland 18 Public willowwoodgc.com 517-647-1984

ISABELLA Bucks Run

Mt. Pleasant 18 Public bucksrun.com 989-773-6830

Mt. Pleasant CC

Mt. Pleasant 18 Private N/A 989-772-1591

Pleasant Hills

Mt. Pleasant 18 Public pleasanthillsgolfcourse.com 989-772-0487

The Prairies

Kalamazoo 18 Public prairiesgolf.com 269-343-3906

Ridgeview

Kalamazoo 18 Public ridgeviewgolf.com 269-375-8821

Red Arrow

Kalamazoo 9 Public kmgagolf.com 269-492-7800

States GC

Vicksburg 18 Public N/A 269-649-1931

Pohlcat

Mt. Pleasant 18 Public pohlcat.net 989-773-4221

Riverwood Resort

Mt. Pleasant 27 Public riverwoodresort.com 989-772-5726

KENT Comstock Park 18 Public alpinegolfmichigan.com 616-784-1064 Lowell arrowheadontheweb.com 616-897-7264

L.E. Kaufman

Grand Rapids 18 Public accesskent.com/golf 616-538-5050

Lincoln CC

Grand Rapids 18 Public lincolnccgr.com 616-453-6348

Links at Bowen Lake

Gowen 18 Public linksatbowenlake.com 616-984-9916

Maple Hill

Grandville 18 Public maplehillgc.com 616-538-0290

The Mines

North Kent

Rockford 18 Public northkentgolf.com 616-866-2659

The Pines

Grand Rapids 18 Public pinesgolfcourse.com 616-538-8380

Quail Ridge

Ada 18 Public quailridgegc.com 616-676-2000

Railside CC

Byron Center 18 Private railsidegolf.com 616-878-1140

Rogue

Sparta 18 Public theroguegolfclub.com 616-887-7182

Sand Creek

Alpine

Arrowhead

Grand Rapids 18 Private kentcountryclub.com 616-363-5811

Grand Rapids 18 Public minesgolfcourse.com 616-791-7544

Schoolcraft 18 Public oldemillgolfclub.com 269-679-5625

Pines

Lake Isabella 18 Public thepinesgolfcourse.com 989-644-2300

18 Public

Byron Center 18 Public ironwoodgc.com 616-538-4000

18 Public

Marne 9 Public sandcreekgolf.com 616-677-3379

Blythefield CC

Comstock Park 27 Public scottlake.com 616-784-1355

Boulder Creek

Rockford 18 Private golfslcc.com 616-874-7595

Belmont 18 Private blythefieldcc.org 616-361-2661

Broadmoor

Thornapple Pointe

Angels Crossing

Cascade Hills CC

Thousand Oaks

Crestview

Cedar Chase

Eastern Hills

Egypt Valley

Grand Prairie

English Hills

Gull Lake CC

Falls at Barber Creek

Gull Lake View Resort

Gracewil East & West

Epworth Heights

Hickory Ridge

Indian Trails

Hemlock Golf Club

KALAMAZOO Vicksburg 18 Public golfangelscrossing.com 269-649-2700 Kalamazoo 18 Public crestviewgcofkalamazoo.com 269-349-1111 Kalamazoo 27 Public kmgagolf.com 269-385-8175 Kalamazoo 9 Public grandprairiegc.com 269-388-4447 Richland 18 Private gulllakecc.com` 269-629-9714 Augusta 108 Public gulllakeview.com 269-432-7971 Galesburg 27 Public golfhickoryridge.com 269-382-6212

Caledonia 36 Public briarwoodgolfclubs.com 616-698-8720 Caledonia 18 Public golfbroadmoor.com 616-891-8000 Grand Rapids Twp. 27 Private cascadehillscc.com 616-949-0810 Cedar Springs cedarchasegolfclub.com 616-696-2308

MECOSTA

MUSKEGON Bent Pine

Canadian Lakes CC

Stanwood 36 Private clpoc.org 231-972-7651

Clear Lake

Big Rapids 18 Public clearlakegolfclub.com 231-796-8200

Falcon Head

Big Rapids 18 Public falconheadgc.com 231-796-2613

Katke

Big Rapids 18 Public ferris.edu/katke 231-591-3765

Whitehall 18 Public bentpinegolfclub.com 231-766-2045

Chase Hammond

Muskegon 18 Public chasehammondgolfclub.com 231-766-3035

Eagle Island

Muskegon 9 Public N/A 231-773-7171

Fruitport GC

Muskegon 18 Public fruitportgolfclub.com 231-798-3355

St. Ives

Hickory Knoll

Tullymore

Lincoln GC

Stanwood 18 Public stivesgolf.com 231-972-4837 Stanwood 18 Public tullymoregolf.com 231-972-4837

MONTCALM Brookside

Gowen 18 Public brooksidegolf.com 616-984-2381

Glenkerry

Greenville glenkerrygolfcourse.com 616-225-4653

Links of Edmore

18 Public

Six Lakes 9 Public N/A 989-427-3241

Montague 36 Public hickoryknollgolf.com 231-894-5535 Muskegon 18 Public lincolngolfcourse.com 231-766-3636

Moss Ridge

Ravenna 18 Public mossridge.com 231-853-5665

Muskegon CC

Muskegon 18 Private muskegoncc.com 231-755-3737

Oakridge

Muskegon 18 Public golfoakridgegc.com 231-798-3660

Old Channel Trail

Montague 27 Public octgolf.com 231-894-5076

Silver Lake CC

Stonewater CC

Shepherd 18 Public wbgc.8m.com 989-828-6618

Ludington 27 Public lakesidelinks.com 231-843-3660

18 Public

Scott Lake

Briarwood

Winding Brook

Pierson whitefishgolfandgrill.com 616-636-5260

Alto 36 Public saskatoongolf.com 616-891-9229

Sparta Moose GC

Mt. Pleasant 18 Public soaringeaglewaterpark.com 989-292-8891

Whitefish Lake

Saskatoon

Belmont 18 Public bouldercreekgolfclub.com 616-363-1330

Waabooz Run

Ludington 18 Semi-Private lincolnhillsludington.com 231-843-4666

18 Public

Ada 36 Private egyptvalley.com 616-676-2626 Grand Rapids 18 Public englishhills.net 616-784-3420 Kent 18 Public thefallsatbc.com 616-675-7345 Walker 36 Public gracewil.com 616-784-2455 Grand Rapids 18 Public indiantrailsgc.com 616-245-2021

Sparta 9 Private moose50.org 616-887-9126 Caledonia 18 Private stonewatercc.com 616-949-0570 Grand Rapids 18 Public thornapplepointe.com 616-554-4747 Grand Rapids 18 Private thousandoaksgolf.com 616-447-7750

THE MINES | WEST | KENT COUNTY

Grand Rapids | 18 Public | minesgolfcourse.com | 616-791-7544 H3 DESIGNS

Tyler Creek

Alto 18 Public tylercreekgolf.com 616-868-6751

Watermark CC

Grand Rapids 18 Private watermarkcc.com 616-949-0570

LAKE Marquette Trails

Baldwin 18 Public marquettetrailsgc.com 231-898-2450

MASON Ludington 9 Private N/A 231-843-6355 Ludington 18 Public hemlockgolfclub.com 231-845-1300

BUCKS RUN | WEST | ISABELLA COUNTY

Mt. Pleasant | 18 Public | bucksrun.com | 989-773-6830 NILE YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHY

MICHIGANGOLFEXPLORER.COM

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OSCEOLA

Ravenna Creeks

Ravenna 18 Public N/A 231-853-6736

Stonegate

Twin Lakes 18 Public thestonegategolfclub.com 231-744-7200

University Park

Muskegon 9 Public muskegoncc.edu 231-773-9131

Westwind

Muskegon 18 Public N/A 231-7738814

Whitelake CC

Whitehall 18 Private whitelakegolfclub.com 231-893-4232

NEWAYGO Briar Hill

Fremont 18 Public briarhillgolf.com 231-924-2070

Northwood

Fremont 18 Public N/A 231-924-3380

Pilgrims Run

Pierson 18 Public pilgrimsrun.com 888-533-7742

Ramshorn

Fremont 18 Public golframshorn.com 231-924-2640

Summer Breeze

Fremont 9 Public N/A 231-924-9759

Village Green

Newaygo 18 Public villagegreengolfcoursemi.com 231-652-6513

OCEANA

Benona Shores

Shelby 18 Public benonashores.com 231-861-2098

Golden Sands

Silver Lake 9 Public goldensandsgolfcourse.com 231-873-4909

Birch Valley

Sears 18 Public N/A 231-734-9112

Spring Valley

Hersey 18 Public N/A 231-832-5041

Tustin Trails

Tustin 9 Public N/A 231-829-5455

Intimidator

Reed City 9 Public N/A 231-832-5616

The Rose

LeRoy 18 Public golftherose.com 231-768-5060

OTTAWA Crestview

Holland 27 Public westottawagolfclub.com 616-399-1678

West Olive 18 Private wuskowhan.com 616-738-6000

ST. JOSEPH Green Valley

Sturgis 18 Public greenvalleygolfnow.com 269-651-6331

Island Hills

Centreville 18 Public islandhillsgolf.com 269-467-7261

Lake CC

Pine View

Hudsonville 18 Public gegolfclub.com 616-457-3680

Three Rivers 36 Public pineviewgolf.com 269-279-5131

Grand Haven

Sauganash

Holland 18 Public macatawagc.com 616-212-2600

Meadows GC

Allendale 18 Public gvsu.edu/meadows 616-331-1000

Pheasant GC

Zeeland 9 Public N/A 616-875-4653

Pigeon Creek

West Olive 18 Public golfpigeoncreek.com 616-875-4300

Sand Creek Golf Course

Marne 9 Holes Public sandcreekgolf.com 616-677-3379

Spring Lake CC

Crystal Downs CC

Wuskowhan

Gleneagle

Macatawa Golf Club

Beulah 18 Public championhill.com 231-882-9200

Marne 18 Public westerngreensgolf.com 616-677-3677

Sturgis 18 Private klingerlakecc.com 269-651-7453

18 Public

Champion Hill

Western Greens

Zeeland 18 Public crestviewgolf.com 616-875-8101

Grand Haven grandhavengolfclub.com 616-842-4040

BENZIE

West Ottawa GC

Three Rivers 18 Public sauganashgc.com 269-278-7825

St. Joe Valley

Sturgis 18 Public N/A 269-467-6275

VAN BUREN

ALCONA Eagle Ridge

Glennie 18 Public eagleridgegolfclubofglennie.com 989-735-3500

Greenbush GC

Greenbush 9 Public greenbushgc.com 989-724-6356

Heritage Glen

Paw Paw 18 Public heritageglengolf.com 269-657-2552

White Pine National

Belvedere

Lincoln 18 Private lostlakewoodsclub.com 989-731-8197

Hubbard Lake 18 Public whitepinenational.com 989-736-3279

ALPENA Alpena Golf Club

Alpena 18 Public alpenagolfclub.com 989-354-5052

River’s Edge

Alpena 18 Public riversedgealpena.com 989-354-5558

ANTRIM A-Ga-Ming Resort

Kewadin 54 Public a-ga-ming.com 800-678-0122

The Chief

Lake Cora Hills

Elk Rapids 9 Semi-Private golfelkrapids.com 231-264-8891

Elk Rapids GC

Spring Lake 18 Private springlakecc.com 616-842-4200

Sunnybrook CC

Lawton GC

Lawton 9 Public N/A 269-624-2051

Bellaire 18 Public N/A 800-745-8277

The Colonial

Terra Verde

Hart 18 Public colonialgolfhart.com 231-873-8333

Nunica 18 Public terraverdegc.com 616-837-8249

Peacock Ridge

Marcellus 18 Public thegolfcourses.net 269-646-3300

Lakes of the North

Mancelona 18 Public lakesofthenorth.com 231-585-6800

Thoroughbred

Wallinwood Springs

Shamrock Hills

Shanty Creek Resort

New Era 18 Public grandviewgc.com 231-861-6616

Oceana GC

Shelby 18 Public oceanagolfclub.com 231-861-4211

Rothbury 18 Public doublejj.com 231-894-3939

Grandville 18 Private sunnybrookcc.com 616-457-1100

Jenison 18 Public wallinwoodsprings.com 616-667-0003

Gobles 18 Public N/A 269-628-2070

Mistwood

Lost Lake Woods Club

Paw Paw lakecorahillsgolfclub.com 269-657-4074

Grand View

Crystal Mountain Resort

Thompsonville 36 Public crystalmountain.com 231-378-2000

Beulah 18 Public pinecroftgolf.com 231-882-9200

Harrisville 27 Public loggerstrace.com 989-724-5611

Jeptha Lake

18 Public

Beulah 18 Public clgolfclub.com 231-882-4061

Lake Ann 27 Public mistwoodgolf.com 231-275-5500

Bellaire 18 Public golfthechief.com 231-533-9000

Bloomingdale 9 Public jepthalakegolf.com 269-427-7502

Crystal Lake

Loggers Trace

Beeches

South Haven 18 Public beechesgolfclub.com 269-637-2600

Frankfort 18 Private N/A 231-352-9933

Pinecroft Golf Plantation

CHARLEVOIX Charlevoix 18 Semi-Private belvederegolfclub.com 231-547-2611

Boyne Mountain Resort

Boyne Falls 45 Public boyne.com 800-GO-BOYNE

Charlevoix CC

Charlevoix 18 Semi-Private chxcountryclub.com 231-547-9796

Charlevoix GC

Charlevoix 9 Public cityofcharlevoix.org 231-547-3270

Dunmaglas

Charlevoix 18 Public dunmaglas.com 231-547-4653

Mallard

Jordan 9 Public mallardgolf.com 231-536-3636

Scotland Yards

Boyne Falls 9 Public N/A 231-535-2848

Springbrook Hills

Hawk’s Eye

Boyne Falls 18 Public springbrookgolf.com 231-535-5155

Centennial Farm

Petoskey 18 Private walloonlakecc.com 231-535-2992 East Jordan 9 Public yenyne.com 231-582-7609

Bellaire 18 Public golfhawkseye.com 866-868-8181

Bellaire 72 Public shantycreek.com 231-533-8321

Walloon Lake CC

Ye Nyne Olde Holles

CHEBOYGAN Black Lake

Onaway 18 Public blacklakegolf.com 989-733-4653

Cheboygan Golf & CC

Cheboygan 18 Public cheboygangolf.com 231-627-4264

Indian River

Indian River 18 Public indianrivergolfclub.com 800-305-4742

Mullett Lake CC

Cheboygan 9 Semi-Private mullettlakecc.com 231-627-5971

Rippling Rapids

Cheboygan 18 Public N/A 231-625-2770

Wildwood Lakes

Wolverine 9 Public wildwoodlakesgolf.com 231-525-8949

CRAWFORD Forest Dunes THORNAPPLE POINTE | WEST | KENT COUNTY

86

LINKS AT BOWEN | WEST | KENT COUNTY

Grand Rapids | 18 Public | thornapplepointe.com | 616-554-4747

Gowen | 18 Public | linksatbowenlake.com | 616-984-9916

COURTESY THORNAPPLE POINTE

COURTESY THORNAPPLE

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MICHIGANGOLFEXPLORER.COM

Roscommon 18 Public forestdunesgolf.com 989-275-0700

Forest Dunes/The Loop

Roscommon 18/Reversible Public forestdunesgolf.com 989-275-0700

Sidewinder

Mio 18 Public sidewindergolf.com 989-826-8020

OTSEGO Black Bear Resort

Vanderbilt 18 Public golfblackbear.net 866-983-4441

Black Forest/Wilderness Valley

Gaylord 36 Public blackforestgolf.com 231-585-7090

Gaylord CC

Gaylord 18 Public gaylordcountryclub.com 231-546-3376

HAWKSHEAD | WEST | ALLEGAN COUNTY

PILGRIMS RUN | WEST | NEWAYGO COUNTY

Otsego Club

South Haven | 18 Public | hawksheadlinks.com | 269-639-2121

Pierson | 18 Public | pilgrimsrun.com | 888-533-7742

Gaylord 36 Public otsegoclub.com 800-752-5510

COURTESY HAWKSHEAD

NILE YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHY

The Loon/The Lakes

Fox Run

Grayling foxruncc.com

18 Public 989 348-4343

Grayling Country Club

Grayling 18 Semi-Private graylingcountryclub.com 989-348-5618

EMMET Beaver Island Golf

Beaver Island 9 Public beaverislandgolf.com 231-448-2301

Birchwood Farms

Harbor Springs 27 Private birchwoodcc.com 231-526-2166

Boyne Highlands Resort

Harbor Springs 72 Public boyne.com 800-GO-BOYNE

Bay Harbor

Bay Harbor 27 Public boyne.com 231-439-4028

Chestnut Valley

Harbor Springs 18 Public chestnutvalleygolf.com 231-526-9100

Crooked Tree

Petoskey 18 Public boyne.com 231-439-4030

Harbor Point

Harbor Springs 18 Semi-Private harborpointgolfclub.com 231-526-2951

Hidden River Golf & Casting Club

Brutus 18 Public hiddenriver.com 231-529-4653

Little Traverse Bay

Harbor Springs 18 Public ltbaygolf.com 231-526-6200

Mackinaw Club

Carp Lake 18 Public mackinawclub.com 231-537-4955

Maple Ridge

Brutus 36 Public mapleridgegc.com 231-529-6574

Petoskey Bay View

Petoskey 18 Private pbvcc.com 231-347-2148

True North

Harbor Springs 18 Private truenorthgolf.com 231-526-3300

Wequetonsing

Harbor Springs 18 Private N/A 231-526-5351

Wilderness

Carp Lake 9 Public golfwilderness.com 231-537-4973

Crown Golf Course

Traverse City 18 Public golfthecrown.com 231-946-2975

Elmbrook

Traverse City 18 Public elmbrookgolf.com 231-946-9180

Grand Traverse Resort

Acme grandtraverseresort.com 800-236-1577

54 Public

Interlochen

Interlochen 18 Public interlockengolf.com 231-275-7311

Sugar Loaf the Old Course

Cedar 18 Public sugarloaftheoldcourse.com 231-228-2040

Bahle Farms Golf Course

Suttons Bay 18 Public traversecitygolf.com 231-271-2020

MANISTEE Arcadia Bluffs

Mitchell Creek

Arcadia 36 Public arcadiabluffs.com 800-494-8666

Traverse City CC

Bear Lake County Highlands

Traverse City 9 Public N/A 231-941-5200 Traverse City 18 Private tcgcc.com 231-947-9140

IOSCO

Bear Lake 18 Public golfbearlake.com 231-864-3817

Chestnut Hills

Lakewood Shores Resort

Bear Lake 18 Public chestnutgolf.com 231-864-2458

Red Hawk

Wellston 9 Public fawncrestgolf.com 231-848-4174

Oscoda 54 Public lakewoodshores.com 800-882-2493

Oscoda 18 Public redhawkgolf.net 877-733-4295

Tawas Creek

East Tawas 18 Public golftawascreek.com 989-362-6788

Wicker Hills

Hale 18 Public wickerhillsgolf.com 989-728-9971

KALKASKA

Fawncrest

LEELANAU Dunes

Empire 18 Public dunesgolf.com 231-326-5390

Mountain Flowers

Glen Arbor thehomesteadresort.com 231-334-5000

9 Public

Stoney Creek

Lake City 18 Public stoneycreekgolf.biz 231-839-7777

West Branch 18 Public westbranchcc.com 989-345-2501

Gaylord 18 Public golfthenatural.com 989-732-1785

Treetops Resort

Gaylord 81 Public treetops.com 800-444-6711

OSCODA

Cedar Valley

Comins 18 Public N/A 989-848-2792

Fairview Hills

Mio 9 Public N/A 989-848-5810

Garland Resort

Natural at Beaver Creek

Lewiston 72 Public garlandusa.com 877-442-7526

PRESQUE ISLE Rogers City CC

Rogers City 18 Public rogerscity.com 989-734-4909

Stoney Links

Onaway 18 Public stoneylinksgolfcourse.com 989-733-2683

MANITOU PASSAGE | NORTH | LEELANAU COUNTY

Cedar | 18 Public | manitoupassagegolfclub.com | 888-656-7572 BRIAN WALTERS PHOTOGRAPHY

Missaukee Golf Club

Lake City 18 Public missaukeegolfclub.com 231-825-2756

MONTMORENCY Elk Ridge

Atlanta 18 Public elkridgegolf.com 989-785-2275

Thunder Bay Resort

GRAND TRAVERSE

Cedar 18 Public manitoupassagegolfclub.com 888-656-7572

Hillman 18 Public thunderbaygolf.com 800-729-9375

Bay Meadows

Sleeping Bear

Apple Valley

Cedar 18 Public N/A 231-228-1870

West Branch CC

Manistee Country Club

Manitou Passage

Traverse City 18 Public baymeadowstc.com 231-946-7927

Lupton 18 Public greenbriargolf.net 989-473-4900

Michaywe

Heathlands

MISSAUKEE

Kalaska 18 Public twinbirchgolf.com 231-258-9691

Greenbriar

Gaylord 36 Public michaywe.com 888-746-3742

Prescott 9 Public N/A 989-873-5427

The Ridge

Onekama 18 Public heathlands.com 231-889-5644

Timber Wolf Twin Birch

Edgewood Greens

Gaylord 18 Public loongolfresort.com 800-743-7529

West Branch 36 Public westbranchgolf.com 989-345-6300

Fox Hills

Manistee 18 Public manisteegolfandcc.com 231-723-2509

Kalaska 18 Public timberwolfgolfclub.net 231-258-5685

Gaylord 36 Public loongolfresort.com 877-732-4455

Manistee 9 Public N/A 231-723-3809

Grand View

Kalaska 18 Public grandviewgolf.net 231-258-3244

The Dream/ The Nightmare

OGEMAW West Branch 18 Public applevalleygolf.com 989-345-2971

GARLAND RESORT | NORTH | OSCODA COUNTY

Lewiston | 72 Public | garlandusa.com | 877-442-7526 COURTESY GARLAND RESORT

MICHIGANGOLFEXPLORER.COM

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ROSCOMMON

Birch Point

St. Helen 9 Public N/A 989-389-7009

Burning Oak

Roscommon 18 Public N/A 989-821-9821

Beech Hollow

Freeland 18 Public beechhollowgolf.com 989-695-5427

Green Hills Golf Club

Pinconning 18 Public N/A 989-697-3011

Maple Leaf

Fox GC

Linwood 27 Public golfmapleleaf.com 989-697-3531

Pine View Highlands

Midland 18 Public golfsandyridge.com 989-631-6010

Roscommon 18 Public N/A 989-422-2497 Houghton Lake pineviewhighlands.com 989-366-9806

18 Public

Sandy Ridge Twin Oaks

Quest Golf Club

Houghton Lake 18 Public questgolfcourse.com 989-422-4516

White Deer CC

Prudenville 18 Public golfwhitedeer.com 989-366-5812

Freeland 27 Public twinoaksgolffreeland.com 989-695-9746

White Birch Hills

Bay City 18 Public N/A 989-662-6523

GENESEE

Ye Olde CC

Roscommon 9 Public yeoldcountryclub.com 989-275-5582

WEXFORD Briar at Mesick

Mesick 18 Public thebriaratmesick.com 231-885-1220

Bunker Hill

Cadillac 9 Public N/A 231-775-3330

Caberfae Peaks

Cadillac 9 Public caberfaepeaks.com 231-862-3000

Cadillac CC

Cadillac 18 Public golfcadillac.com/countryclub 231-775-9442

Eldorado

Cadillac 18 Public golfeldorado.com 231-779-9977

Emerald Vale

Manton 18 Public emeraldvale.com 231-824-3631

Evergreen Resort Cadillac evergreenresortmi.com 866-291-8136

27 Public

Lakewood on the Green

Cadillac 18 Public N/A 231-468-3344

Atlas Valley CC

Grand Blanc 18 Private atlasvalleycountryclub.com 810-636-7977

Beachwood Greens

Mt. Morris 9 Public N/A 810-686-4200

Briar Ridge

Montrose 18 Public braiarridgegolf.com 810-639-4653

Brookwood CC

Burton 18 Public imarecreation.com 810-742-4930

Captain’s Club

Grand Blanc 18 Public captainsclubatwoodfield.com 810-695-4653

Clio CC

Clio 18 Private cliocountryclub.com 810-686-0211

Copper Ridge

Davison 18 Public golfcopperridge.com 810-658-7775

Coyote Preserve

Fenton 18 Public coyotepreserve.com 810-714-3206

Davison CC

Davison 18 Private davisoncc.com 810-658-5211

Fenton Farms

Flushing Valley

Flushing 18 Public flushingvalleygolfclub.com 810-487-0792

Genesee Valley Meadows

Swartz Creek 18 Public N/A 810-732-1401

Goodrich CC

Goodrich 18 Semi-Private goodrichcountryclub.com 810-636-2493

Jewel

Grand Blanc 36 Public jewelgolf.com 810-694-5960

Kearsley Lake

Flint 18 Public flintcitygolf.com 810-736-0930

Loch Lomond

Flint 9 Public N/A 810-695-7900

Mott Park

Flint 18 Public flintcitygolf.com N/A

Pierce Park

Flint 18 Public flintcitygolf.com N/A

Seifert Golf Course

Grand Blanc 9 Public N/A 810-655-8070

Southmoor

Burton 18 Public N/A 810-743-4080

Springmeadows CC

Flint Elks CC

ARENAC Huron Breeze

Flint GC

Flint 18 Private flintgolfclub.com 810-743-6100

HURON Bird Creek

Port Austin 18 Public birdcreekgolf.com 989-738-4653

Okemos 9 Public ihcustomgolf.com 517-349-1010

Century Oaks

Mason 18 Public ironwoodlinks.com 517-676-3116

Caseville 9 Public N/A 989-856-2613

Elkton 9 Public centuryoaksgolf.com 989-375-4419

Hidden Harbour

Haslett 18 Public meridiansungc.com 517-339-8281

Davison 18 Public sugarbushgolfclub.com 810-653-3326

Caseville 9 Public N/A 989-856-3991

Swartz Creek

Pointe Aux Barques Village

Flint 27 Public flintcitygolf.com 810-766-7043

Tyrone Hills

Fenton 18 Public tyronehillsgolf.com 810-629-5011

Vienna Greens

Clio 18 Public N/A 810-686-1443

Warwick Hills

Grand Blanc 18 Private warwickhills.org 810-694-9215

GLADWIN Gladwin Heights

Gladwin 18 Public N/A 989-426-9941

Sugar Springs

Gladwin 18 Public sugarsprings.net 989-426-4391

Timber Ridge

Ubly Heights

Ubly 18 Public ublyheights.com 989-658-2374

Verona Hills

Bad Axe 18 Public veronahillsgolf.com 989-269-8132

INGHAM Branson Bay

Mason 18 Public bransonbay.com 517-663-4144

Brookshire Inn

Williamston 18 Public brookshiregolfclub.com 517-655-4695

Lansing 18 Public chisholmhills.com 517-694-0169

BAY

Lansing 18 Private cclansing.org 517-484-4567

Country Club of Lansing Eagle View

Bay City 18 Semi-Private baycitycountryclub.com 989-684-6313

Mason 18 Public eagleviewgolfclub.com 517-676-5366

Bay County GC

||

El Dorado

A-GA-MING RESORT | SUNDANCE | NORTH | ANTRIM COUNTY

Kewadin | 54 Public | a-ga-ming.com | 800-678-0122

MICHIGANGOLFEXPLORER.COM

Webberville 18 Public oaklanegolf.com 517-521-3900

Pigeon 18 Public scenicgolfandcountryclub.com 989-453-3350

Chisholm Hills

Bay City CC

Oak Lane

Red Cedar

Scenic Golf & CC

Okemos 18 Public collegefields.net 517-332-8100

Singing Bridge

Meridian Sun

Port Austin 9 Private pointeauxbarques.com 989-738-7585

College Fields

COURTESY A-GA-MING RESORT

Lake of the Hills

Sugarbush

Tawas City 18 Public N/A 989-362-0022

Bay City 18 Public bayvalley.com 989-686-3500

Ironwood Links

Harbor Beach 9 Private N/A 989-479-3423

Standish 18 Public pinerivergolfclub.com 989-846-6819

Bay Valley Resort

Indian Hills

Caseville GC

Haslett 9 Public N/A 517-339-9445

Pine River

Essexville 18 Public baycounty-mi.gov/golfcourse 989-892-2161

Groesbeck

Lansing 18 Public lansingmi.gov/parks 517-483-4333

Harbor Beach CC

Au Gres 18 Public huronbreeze.com 989-876-6868

88

NILE YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHY

Linden 18 Private springmeadowscountryclub.com 810-735-7836

Fenton 18 Public fentonfarms.com 810-629-1212 Grand Blanc 18 Public N/A 810-743-0730

HARBOR SHORES | WEST | BERRIEN COUNTY

Benton Harbor | 18 Public | HarborShoresLife.com | 269-927-4653

Mason 27 Public eldorado27.com 517-676-2854

Forest Akers

East Lansing 36 Public golf.msu.edu 517-3551635

Lansing 9 Public N/A 517-351-3254 East Lansing 18 Public eagleeyegolfclub.com 517-339-8000

Wheatfield Valley

Williamston 18 Public wheatfieldvalley.com 517-655-6999

Willow Creek

Stockbridge 9 Public N/A 517-851-7856

JACKSON Arbor Hills

Jackson 18 Public arborhillsgolfclub.com 517-750-1400

Burr Oak

Parma 18 Public N/A 517-531-4741

Calderone Farms

Grass Lake 18 Public calderonegolfclub.com 517-522-6661

Cascades

Jackson cascadesgolfcourse.com 517-788-4323

18 Public

Clark Lake

Brooklyn 18 Public clarklakegolfcourse.com 517-592-6259

Concord Hills

Concord 18 Public concordhillsgolfcourse.com 517-524-8337

Country Club of Jackson

Jackson 27 Private countryclubofjackson.com 517-482-5347

Rammier

Sterling Heights 18 Public rammiergolf.com 586-264-4101

Richmond Forest

Lenox 18 Public richmondforestgolf.com 586-727-4742

Romeo Golf Club

Washington 36 Public romeogolfsouth.com 586-752-9673

Scalawags

Chesterfield 18 Private scalawagsgolfclub.com 586-949-6080

St. Clair Shores CC

St. Clair Shores 18 Public scsgolf.com 586-294-2000

Stony Creek Metro Park

Shelby Township 18 Public metroparks.com 586-781-4242

Sunnybrook

BLACK LAKE | NORTH | CHEBOYGAN COUNTY

Sterling Heights 27 Public sunnybrookgolfandbowl.com 586-977-9759

Onaway | 18 Public | blacklakegolf.com | 989-733-4653 NILE YOUNG

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN RESORT | NORTH | BENZIE COUNTY

Thompsonville | 36 Public | crystalmountain.com | 231-378-2000 BRIAN WALTERS PHOTOGRAPHY

Chemung Hills

Country Town

Springport 9 Public N/A 517-857-4653

Deer Run

Horton 9 Public N/A 517-688-3350

Ella Sharp Park

Jackson 18 Public ellasharppark.com 517-788-4066

Gauss Green Valley Jackson

18 Public

N/A 517-764-0270

Grande Golf Club

Jackson 18 Public grandegolfclub.com 517-768-9494

Greenbriar

Brooklyn 18 Public greenbriargolfclub.com 517-592-6952

Hankerd Hills

Pleasant Lake 27 Public hankerdhills.com 517-769-2507

Hickory Hills

Jackson 36 Public experiencejackson.com 517-750-3636

Hills

Brooklyn 18 Public hillsgolfcourse.com 517-592-2110

Lakeland Hills

Jackson 18 Public lakelandhillsgolf.com 517-764-5292

Pine Hollow

Jackson 18 Public N/A 517-764-4200

Sparrow Hawk

Jackson 18 Public N/A 517-787-1366

Waterloo

Grass Lake 18 Public waterloogolfcourse.com 517-522-8527

Whiffletree Hill

Concord 18 Public whiffletreehill.com 517-524-6655

LAPEER Arcadia Hills

Attica 9 Public arcadiahills.com 810-724-6967

Castle Creek

Lum 18 Public castlecreekgolfclub.com 810-724-0851

Greenbriar

LIVINGSTON

Mayville 18 Public N/A 989-843-6575

Hadley Acres

Metamora 18 Public N/A 810-797-4820

Lapeer CC

Lapeer 18 Public lapeercountryclub.com 810-664-2442

Metamora Golf and CC

Metamora 18 Semi-Private metamoragolf.com 248-969-2120

Rolling Hills

Lapeer 18 Public N/A 810-664-2281

Washakie Golf/RV Resort

North Branch 18 Public washakiegolfrv.com 810-688-3235

LENAWEE

Sycamore Hills

Macomb 27 Public sycamorehills.com 586-598-9500

MACOMB Bello Woods

Macomb 27 Public N/A 586-949-1200

Macomb 9 Public N/A 810-598-5010

Dunham Hills

Bruce Hills

Timberwood

Burning Tree

Warfield Greens

Hartland 18 Public dunhamhills.com 248-887-9170

Faulkwood Shores

Howell faulkwoodshoresgolf.com 517-546-4180

18 Public

Romeo 18 Public golfbrucehills.com 586-752-7244

Macomb 18 Private burningtreegolf.com 586-493-9500

Cedar Glen

Hartland Glen

Hartland 36 Public hartlandglen.com 248-887-3777

Hawk Meadows

Howell 36 Public hawkmeadows.com 517-546-4635

Hunter’s Ridge

Howell 18 Public golfhuntersridge.com 517-545-4653

New Baltimore 18 Public cedarglengolfclub.com 586-725-8156 Shelby Township 18 Public cherrycreekgolf.com 586-254-7700

Cracklewood

Macomb 18 Public cracklewood.com 586-781-0808

Fernhill

Huntmore Club

Clinton Township 18 Public fernhillcc.com 586-286-4700

Demor Hills

Huron Meadows Metropark

Washington 18 Public glacierclub.com 586-781-2288

Morenci 18 Public demorhills.com 517-458-6679

Devil’s Lake

Manitou Beach devilslakegolfcourse.com 517-547-3653

18 Public

Evergreen

Hudson 9 Public N/A 517-448-8017

Hantz GC

Tecumseh 18 Private hantzgolfclubs.com 517-423-3930

Irish Hills

Onsted 9 Public N/A 517-467-2997

Lenawee CC

Adrian 18 Private lenaweecountryclub.com 517-265-2142

Macon GC

Clinton 9 Public N/A 517-423-4259

Raisin Valley

Tecumseh 18 Public raisinvalleygolfclub.com 517-423-2050

Wolf Creek

Adrian 18 Public N/A 517-265-3944

Woodlawn

Adrian 18 Public N/A 517-263-3288

Brighton 18 Public huntmoregolfclub.com 810-225-4498

Brighton 18 Public metroparksgolf.com 810-231-4084

Ironwood

Howell 18 Public golfironwood.com 517-546-3211

Kensington Metropark

Brighton 18 Public metroparks.com 810-227-8916

Lakelands Golf

Brighton 18 Private lakelandsgolf.com 810-231-3000

Jackal

Brighton 18 Public jackalgolfclub.com 810-229-9581

Majestic

Hartland 18 Public majesticgolfclub.com 810-632-5235

Wolcott Mill Metro Park

Ray 18 Public metroparks.com 586-749-3415

MIDLAND

Currie Golf

Midland 36 Public curriegolf.com 989-839-9600

Midland CC

Midland 18 Private midlandcc.com 989-832-8866

MONROE

Bedford Hills

Temperance 27 Public bedfordhillsgolf.com 734-854-4653

Gowanie GC

Carleton 18 Public N/A 734-654-6201

Greystone

Monroe 18 Public carringtongolf.net 734-241-0707

Heather Hills

Ottawa Lake cherrywoodgolfclub.com 734-856-6669

Hickory Hollow

Petersburg 18 Public demeacres.com 734-279-1151

Mt. Clemens 18 Private gowaniegc.com 586-468-1431

Washington 18 Public golfgreystone.com 586-752-7030 Romeo 18 Public heatherhills.net 586-798-9033

Macomb 18 Public hickoryhollowgc.com 586-949-9033

Maple Lane

Sterling Heights 54 Public maplelanegolf.com 586-754-3020

Michigan Meadows

Oak Pointe CC

Rush Lake Hills

New Haven 36 Public oakridgegolf.com 586-749-5151

Pinckney 18 Public rushlakehills.com 734-878-9790

Fraser 9 Public N/A 586-293-9887

Glacier Club

Casco 18 Public golfmichiganmeadows.net 586-727-7029

Brighton 36 Private clubcorp.com 810-522-4709

Ray 18 Public timberwoodgc.com 586-784-6000

Cherry Creek

Centerview

Adrian 18 Public N/A 517-263-8081

Tee J’s

Howell 18 Public chemunghills.com 517-546-7706

Oak Ridge Orchards

Carleton Glen Carrington

Cherrywood

9 Public

Deme Acres Dundee GC

Dundee 18 Semi-Private N/A 734-529-2321

Fire Creek

Temperance 9 Semi-Private N/A 734-847-1234

Giant Oak

Temperance 27 Public giantoakgolfclub.com 734-847-6733

Green Meadows

Monroe 18 Public greenmeadowsgolf.com 734-242-5566

Legacy

Timber Trace

Washington 18 Public orchards.com 586-786-7200

Ottawa Lake 18 Public playlegacy.com 734-854-1101

Pine Valley

Lilac

Whispering Pines

Ray 27 Public pinevalleygolfcc.com 586-752-9633

Plum Brook

Links at Lake Erie

Pinckney 18 Public timbertracegolfclub.com 734-878-1800 Pinckney whisperingpinesgc.com 734-878-0009

18 Public

Sterling Heights 18 Public plumbrookgolfclub.com 586-264-9411

Newport 18 Public lilacgolf.com 734-556-7555

Monroe 18 Public linksatlakeerie.com 734-384-1177

MICHIGANGOLFEXPLORER.COM

||

89

Copper Hills

Oxford 27 Public copperhills.com 248-969-9808

Coyote

New Hudson 18 Public coyotegolfclub.com 248-486-1228

Devil’s Ridge

Farmington Hills 18 Public fhgolf.com 248-476-5910

Beacon Hill

Commerce Township 18 Public beaconhillgolf.com 248-684-2200

Monroe Golf & CC

Beech Woods

Monroe 18 Private mgcc.net 734-241-5190

Old Town

Monroe 9 Public oldtowngolfcourse.com 734-242-4476

Raisin River

Monroe 36 Public raisinrivergolf.com 734-289-3700

Sand Wedge

Ottawa Lake 18 Public N/A 734-854-4909

Sandy Creek

Monroe 18 Public sandycreekgolf.com 734-242-7200

Thorne Hills

Carleton 18 Public thornehills.com 734-857-2332

Wesburn

Rockwood 18 Public wesburngolf.com 734-379-3555

Whiteford Valley

Ottawa Lake 45 Public whitefordgolf.com 734-856-4545

OAKLAND

Fieldstone

Auburn Hills 18 Public fieldstonegolfclub.com 248-370-9354

Forest Lake CC

Lambertville 18 Public N/A 734-854-6777

Southfield 9 Public cityofsouthfield.com 248-796-5000

Birmingham CC

Birmingham 18 Private bhamcc.com 248-644-4111

Blackheath

Rochester 18 Public blackheathgolfclub.com 248-601-8000

Bloomfield Hills CC

Bloomfield Hills 18 Private bloomfieldhillscc.org 248-644-6262

Boulder Pointe

Oxford 27 Public boulderpointe.net 248-969-1500

Bramblewood

Bloomfield Hills 18 Private flcc.us 248-332-8300

Fountains

Clarkston 18 Public golfthefountains.com 248-625-3731

Franklin Hills CC

Franklin 18 Private franklinhills.com 248-851-2200

Glen Oaks

Farmington Hills 18 Public destinationoakland.com 248-851-8356

Glenlore

Commerce Township 18 Public glenlore.com 248-363-7997

Great Oaks CC

Rochester 18 Private greatoakscc.com 248-651-5200

Hampton

Rochester Hills 9 Public golfthehampton.com 248-852-3250

Heather Highlands

Holly 18 Public bramblewoodgolf.com 248-634-3481

Holly 18 Public heatherhighlands.com 248-634-6800

Brentwood

Heathers Club

Brookwood

Hickory Hill

White Lake 18 Public brentwoodgc.com 248-684-2662

Rochester Hills 9 Private mybrookwood.com 248-651-4820

Bloomfield Hills 9 Private heathersclub.com 248-334-9770

Wixom 9 Public N/A 248-624-4733

Highland Hills

Bald Mountain

Cattails

S. Lyon 18 Public cattailsgolfclub.com 248-486-8777

Highland highlandhillsgolfclub.com 248-887-4481

Bay Pointe

Copper Creek

Independence Green

Lake Orion 27 Public baldmountaingolf.com 248-373-1110

West Bloomfield 18 Public oakmanagement.com 248-360-0603

Farmington Hills 9 Public coppercreekgolf.net 248-489-1777

18 Public

Knollwood CC

Oakland Hills

Bloomfield Hills 36 Private oakland-hills.com 248-644-2500

Oakland University

Rochester 36 Private oakland.edu 248-364-6300

Orchard Lake CC

Waterford 9 Public silverlakegc.com 248-673-1611

Somerset Park

Troy 9 Semi-Private somersetparkapartments.com 248-643-8737

Springdale

Birmingham 9 Public ci.birmingham.mi.us 248-530-1669

Springfield Oaks

Davisburg 18 Public destinationoakland.com 248-625-2540

Stonycroft

Bloomfield Hills 18 Private stonycroft.com 248-647-1294

Stony Creek

Washington 18 Public metroparks.com 586-781-9166

Sylvan Glen

Troy 18 Public golftroy.com 248-619-7600 W. Bloomfield 18 Private tamoshantercc.com 248-855-1900

Oxford Hills

Tanglewood

Oxford 18 Public oxfordhillsgolf.com 248-628-2518

Paint Creek

Tam O’Shanter CC

S. Lyon 27 Public tanglewoodlion.com 248-486-3355

Twin Beach CC

Lake Orion 18 Private paintcreekgolf.com 248-693-4695

W. Bloomfield 9 Private twinbeachcc.com 248-363-3335

Pine Knob

Twin Lakes

Clarkston 18 Public pineknobmansion.com 248-625-4430

Pine Lake CC

Orchard Lake 18 Private pinelakecc.com 248-682-1300

Pine Trace

Rochester 18 Public pinetrace.com 248-852-7100

Plum Hollow CC

Southfield 18 Private plumbhollowcc.com 248-353-3553

Pontiac CC

Waterford 18 Public pontiaccountryclub.com 248-682-6333

Pontiac Municipal

Pontiac 18 Public pontiac.mi.us 248-858-8990

Prestwick Village

Highland 18 Private pvgcc.com 248-887-1762

Rackham Golf Club

Madison Heights 9 Public destinationoakland.com 248-541-5030

Red Run

Royal Oak 18 Private redrungolfclub.com 248-548-7500

Riverbank

South Lyon 18 Public riverbankgolfclub.net 248-486-6251

Links of Novi

Royal Oak

Lyon Oaks

Clarkston 18 Public shepherdshollow.com 248-922-0300

Orchard Lake 18 Private orchardlakecountryclub.com 248-682-2500

Rochester Hills

Novi 27 Public linksofnovi.com 248-380-9595

MICHIGANGOLFEXPLORER.COM

Clarkston 18 Private oakhurstgolf.com 248-391-3300

Lincoln Hills

Birmingham 9 Public ci.birmingham.mi.us 248-530-1670

||

Oakhurst

Red Oaks

W. Bloomfield 18 Private knollwoodcountryclub.net 248-855-0825

90

Royal Oak 9 Public ci.royal-oak.mi.us 248-554-0019

Indian Springs

Lake Orion 36 Private iwgcc.com 248-693-9100

NILE YOUNG

Normandy Oaks

Huntington Woods 18 Public rackhamgolfcourse.com 248-543-4040

Indianwood CC

Acme | 54 Public | grandtraverseresort.com | 800-236-1577

Oakland 27 Public golfthemyth.com 248-693-7170

Farmington Hills 18 Public N/A 248-477-7092 White Lake 18 Public metroparks.com 248-625-7870

GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT | THE WOLVERINE NORTH | GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY

Mystic Creek The Myth

Farmington Hills

Maple Grove

Silver Lake

Edgewood CC

Evergreen Hills

COURTESY ISLAND RESORT AND CASINO

Mulberry Hills

Oxford 18 Public mulberryhills.com 248-628-2808 Milford 27 Public mysticcreekgc.com 248-684-3333

Southfield 9 Public cityofsouthfield.com 248-796-5000

Harris | 36 Public | islandresortandcasino.com | 800-682-6040

Shepherd’s Hollow

Oxford 18 Public devilsridgegolfclub.com 248-969-0100

Commerce Township 18 Private edgewoodcountryclub.org 248-363-7112

SWEETGRASS | U.P. | MENOMINI COUNTY

Moose Ridge

South Lyon 18 Public mooseridgegolf.com 248-446-9030

Rochester 18 Public N/A 248-852-4800

Royal Oak 9 Public ci.royal-oak.mi.us 248-554-0027

Sanctuary Lake

Oakland Township 27 Public mytwinlakesgc.com 248-650-4960

Union Lake

Commerce Township unionlakegolfcourse.com 248-363-4666

Wabeek CC

Bloomfield Hills 18 Private wabeekcc.org 248-855-0700

Walnut Creek CC

S. Lyon 27 Private walnutcreekcc.net 248-437-7337

Westbrooke

Novi 18 Public N/A 248-349-2723

Westwynde

Oakland Township 18 Public westwyndegolf.com 248-608-7820

White Lake Oaks

White Lake 18 Public destinationoakland.com 513-892-3469

Wyndgate CC

Rochester Hills 18 Private thewyndgate.com 248-652-4283

SAGINAW Apple Mountain

Freeland 18 Public applemountain.com 989-781-6789

Bayou GC

Freeland 9 Public bayougolfclub.net 989-781-8181

Bridgeport GC

Bridgeport 9 Public bridgeportgolfgrille.com 989-777-1750

Beech Hollow

Freeland 18 Public beechhollowgolf.com 989-695-5427

County Line

Wixom 18 Public destinationoakland.com 248-437-1488

Troy 18 Public golftroy.com 248-619-7600

Reese countylinegolfcourse.com 989-868-4991

Maples Club

Shenandoah

Crooked Creek

Novi 9 Public N/A 248-669-6557

West Bloomfield 18 Public shenandoahcc.net 248-682-4300

9 Public

9 Public

Saginaw 18 Public thecreekandvalley.com 989-781-0050

St. Clair River CC

St. Clair 18 Private scrcc.net 810-329-7300

White Oaks

Goodells whiteoaksgolfcourse.com 810-325-9292

9 Public

Willow Ridge

Ft. Gratiot 9 Public N/A 810-982-7010

TUSCOLA

Caro GC

Caro 9 Public N/A 989-673-7797

BOYNE HIGHLANDS RESORT | NORTH | CHARLEVOIX/EMMET

Harbor Springs | 72 Public | boyne.com | 800-GO-BOYNE COURTESY BOYNE

Frankenmuth 18 Public zehnders.com 989-652-9229

Green Acres

Bridgeport 18 Public greenacresgc.net 989-777-3510

Kimberly Oaks

St. Charles 18 Public kimberlyoaksgolf.com 989-865-8261

Maple Hill

Hemlock 18 Public maplehillgolfclub.com 989-642-8204

Pleasant View

Saginaw 9 Public N/A 989-791-4768

Saginaw saginawcountryclub.com 989-793-2860

18 Private

Saginaw 18 Public thesawmill.com 989-793-2692

Swan Valley

Saginaw 18 Public thecreekandthevalley.com 989-781-4653

Twin Bridges

Merrill 18 Public N/A 989-643-7475

Twin Brooks

Chesaning 18 Public twinbrooksgolfcourse.com 989-845-6403

Twin Oaks

Freeland 27 Public twinaksgolfclubfreeland.com 989-695-9746

Valley View Farms Saginaw valleyviewfarmgolf.com 989-781-1248

18 Public

SHIAWASSEE

Glenbriar

Perry 18 Public glenbriar.com 517-625-3800

Owosso CC

E M S Links

Sandusky 9 Public N/A 810-648-2256 18 Public

Lakeview Hills

Lexington 36 Public lakeviewhills.com 810-359-8901

ST. CLAIR

Belle River

Memphis 18 Public bellerivergolfcourse.com 810-392-2121

Black River

Port Huron 18 Public blackrivergolfclub.com 810-982-9595

Deer View

Imlay 9 Public deerviewgolf.com 810-395-7495

Fore Lakes

Kimball 18 Public forelakes.com 810-982-3673

Golden Hawk

Casco Township 18 Public N/A 586-727-4681

Holly Meadows

Capac 18 Public hollymeadows.com 810-395-4653

Ann Arbor 18 Private bhcconline.com 734-663-8511

Brookside

Saline 18 Public brooksidesaline.com 734-429-4276

Downing Farms

Northville downingfarmsgolf.com 734-486-0990

18 Public

Eagle Crest

Plymouth 63 Public foxhills.com 734-453-7272

Ypsilanti

Fort Gratiot 18 Private phgc.net 810-385-4447

Rattle Run

St. Clair 18 Public rattlerun.com 810-329-2070

18 Public

Ann Arbor 18 Public stonebridgegolfclub.net 734-429-8383

Travis Pointe

Ann Arbor 18 Semi-Private mgoblue.com/umgc 734-662-2582

Hudson Mills Metropark

Dexter 18 Public metroparksgolf.com 734-426-0466

Belleville 9 Public golfharbourclub.com 734-699-8844 Westland 9 Public N/A 734-422-1970

Hilltop

Plymouth 18 Public hilltopgc.com 734-453-9800

WAYNE

Livionia 18 Public golflivonia.com 734-464-6325

Inkster Valley

Inkster 18 Public inkstervalleygolf.com 734-722-8020

Inn at St. Johns

Plymouth 27 Public innatstjohns.com 734-414-0600

Lake Erie Metropark

Brownstown 18 Public metroparks.com 734-379-0048

Lakes of Taylor

Brae Burn

Taylor 18 Public lakesoftaylorgolf.com 734-287-2100

Brushwood

Grosse Pointe Woods 18 Private lochmoreclub.com 313-886-1010

Chandler Park

Belleville 18 Public metroparks.com 734-697-9181

Country Club of Detroit

Northville 18 Private meadowbrookcountryclub.com 248-349-3600

Dearborn CC

Detroit 18 Public golfnewrogell.com 313-255-4653

Dearborn Hills

Northville northvillehillsgolfclub.com 734-667-4653

Plymouth 18 Public braeburngc.com 734-453-1900

Northville 9 Public brushwoodgc.com 734-420-3200 Detroit 18 Public chandlerparkgolfcourse.com 313-331-7755 Grosse Pointe Farms 18 Private ccofd.com 313-881-2090

Dearborn 18 Private dearborncountryclub.net 313-561-0800

Detroit 36 Private detroitgolfclub.org 313-345-4400

Fellows Creek Fox Creek

Superior Township 18 Public hickorycreekgolf.com 734-454-1850

Gross Ile 18 Private gigcc.com 734-676-1166

Idyl Wyld

Stonebridge

Hickory Creek

Livionia 18 Public golflivonia.com 734-471-3400

Gateway

Romulus 18 Public gatewaygolfclub.org 734-721-4100

Lochmoor Club

Lower Huron Metro Park Meadowbrook CC

New Rogell

Northville Hills

18 Public

Palmer Park

Detroit 18 Public palmerparkgolfcourse.com 313-883-2525

Pheasant Run

Canton 27 Public golfphgc.com 734-397-6460

Pine Creek

Belleville 18 Public N/A 734-483-5010

Riverview Highlands

Riverview riverviewhighlands.com 734-479-2266

27 Public

Huron Hills

Ann Arbor 18 Public a2golf.org 734-994-1163

Port Huron GC

Northville salemhillsgolfclub.com 248-437-2152

Canton 27 Public fellowscreekgolf.com 734-728-1300

Middle Channel

Port Huron Elks

Salem Hills

Ypsilanti 18 Public ytown.org 734-485-0881

Ann Arbor 18 Public lakeforestgc.com 734-994-8580

Pine Shores

Hawthorne Valley

Saline 18 Public rusticglen.com 734-429-7679

Detroit GC

Michigan Meadows

Harsens Island 18 Public N/A 810-748-9922

Rustic Glen

Fox Hills

Chelsea 9 Private inverness-mi.com 734-475-8746

Casco 18 Public N/A 586-727-7029

Harbour Club

Dearborn 18 Public dearbornhills.com 313-563-4653

Marysville CC

Marysville 18 Public cityofmarysvillemi.com 810-364-4653

Rolling Meadows

Whitmore Lake 18 Public golfrmcc.com 734-662-5144

Ypsilanti 18 Public eaglecrestresort.com 734-487-2441

Ann Arbor 18 Public a2golf.org 734-794-6246

Willow Tree

Woodland Hills

Ann Arbor CC

Leaning Tree

Port Huron 18 Public porthuronelkslodge.com 810-984-1204

Sandusky 18 Public woodlandhillsontheweb.com 810-648-2400

WASHTENAW

Barton Hills CC

Marlette GC

Melvin 9 Public N/A 810-387-4001

Vassar 18 Public golfthewillow.com 989-871-9703

Pine Hills

St. Clair 9 Public pineshoresgolf.com 810-329-4294

Marlette 9 Public marlettegolf.com 989-635-3009

Willow Spring

Ann Arbor 18 Public annarborcc.com 734-426-4693

Willow Brook

Grosse Ile CC

Vassar Golf & CC

Owosso 18 Private owossowcountryclub.com 989-723-1470 Laingsburg 18 Public pinehillsmi.com 517-651-7781

Reddeman Farms

Chelsea 18 Public reddemanfarms.com 734-475-3020

University of Michigan GC

Vassar 18 Public N/A 989-823-7221

Durand 18 Public N/A 517-288-3960

Redford 18 Public redfordtwp.com 313-592-8758

Timbers

Dutch Hollow

Corunna 9 Public N/A 989-743-4693

Glenhurst

Ann Arbor 18 Private radrick.umich.edu 734-998-7040

Ann Arbor 18 Private travispointe.com 734-662-2582

Vassar 18 Public timbersgolfclub.com 989-871-4884

Wales 18 Public leaningtreegolf.com 810-367-3528

SANILAC

Huron Shores

Sherwood

Corunna Hills

Byron 18 Public hawkmeadows.com 810-266-4660

Sawmill

Port Sanilac huronshoresgolfclub.com 810-622-9961

Cass City 9 Public rollinghillsgolfcc.com 989-872-3569

Gagetown 9 Public N/A 989-665-9971

Fortress

Saginaw CC

Rolling Hills

Radrick Farms

Inverness CC Lake Forest Leslie Park

Links at Whitmore Whitmore Lake linksatwhitmorelake.com 734-449-4653

18 Public

Pierce Lake

Chelsea 18 Public piercelakegolf.com 734-475-5858

Pine View

Ypsilanti 27 Public pineviewgc.com 734-481-0500

Polo Fields

Ann Arbor & Ypsilanti 36 Private polofieldsccmi.com 734-998-1555

FOREST DUNES | NORTH | CRAWFORD COUNTY

Roscommon | 18 Public | forestdunesgolf.com | 989-275-0700 BRIAN WALTERS PHOTOGRAPHY

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Waters Edge Western CC

Terrace Bluff

18 Public 906-847-3331

Tri-Valley Garden

Hessel 18 Public hesselridge.com 906-484-2107

Westland GC

Westland 18 Public cityofwestland.com 734-721-6660

West Shore CC

Grosse Ile 18 Private golfwestshore.com 734-676-1944

BRIAN WALTERS PHOTOGRAPHY

Gladstone 18 Public terracebay.com 906-428-2343

Garden 9 Public N/A 906-644-2693

DICKINSON

Willow Metro Park

Oak Crest

New Boston 18 Public metroparks.com 734-753-4040

Norway 18 Public oakcrestgolf.com 906-563-5891

Woodlands of Van Buren

Pine Grove

Iron Mountain 18 Public N/A 906-744-0003

Wayne 18 Public thewoodlandsgc.com 734-729-4477

Iron Mountain 18 Public pinegrovecc.org 906-744-3493

Woodside Meadows

TimberStone

Romulus 18 Public N/A 734-782-5136

Wyandotte Shores

Wyandotte 9 Public wyandotte.net 734-224-7270

Iron Mountain 18 Public pinemountainresort.com 9 06-776-0111

GOGEBIC Gogebic CC

Ironwood 18 Public N/A 906-932-2515

Lacvieux Resort

Watersmeet 18 Public lvdcasino.com 906-358-0303

HOUGHTON ALGER

Calumet 9 Public N/A 906-337-3911

Munising 18 Public picturedrocksgolfcourse.com 906-387-2146

Houghton 18 Public mtu.edu/golf 906-487-2641

BARAGA

Toivola 9 Public wyandottehills.com 906-288-3720

APPLE MOUNTAIN | EAST | SAGINAW

Freeland | 18 Public | applemountain.com | 989-781-6789 COURTESY APPLE MOUNTAIN

L’Anse GC

L’Anse 9 Public N/A 906-524-6600

CHIPPEWA

Munoscong GC

Portage Lake GC Wyandotte Hills

Crystal Falls 9 Public crystalfalls.org/golfing 906-875-6647

George Young Recreation

Oaks at Kincheloe

Iron River CC

Rock at Woodmoor

Drummond Island 18 Public drummondisland.com 906-493-1006

Sault St. Marie

Sault St. Marie 18 Public saultgolfing.com 906-632-7812

Tanglewood Marsh Sault St. Marie tanglewoodmarsh.com 906-635-0617

Iron River 18 Public georgeyoung.com 906-265-3401 Iron River ironrivercountryclub.com 906-265-3161

Hessel Ridge

Hiawatha Club

Engadine 18 Private hiawathaclub.com 906-477-6592 Cedarville 9 Public lecheneaux.org 906-484-3606

Wawashkamo

Mackinac Island 9 Public wawashkamo.com 906-847-3871

MARQUETTE

Gentz Homestead

Marquette 9 Public N/A 906-249-1002

Northern Michigan University Golf Club

Marquette 18 Public NMU.edu/golfcourse 906-227-3111

Marquette Golf & CC/ Greywalls

Marquette 36 Public marquettegolf.org 906-225-0721

Red Fox Run

Gwinn 18 Public redfoxrun.com 906-346-7010 Champion 18 Public wawonowin.com 906-485-1435

MENOMINEE

Indian Hills

Stephenson 9 Public indianhillsgolf.net 906-753-4781

North Shore

Menominee 18 Public northshoregolf.net 906-863-8421

Riverside

IRON Crystal View

Pickford 18 Public munosconggolfclub.com 906-647-9812

Kinross 18 Public kinross.net 906-495-5706

9 Public

Menominee 18 Public riverside-up.com 906-863-4837

Sweetgrass

Harris 36 Public islandresortandcasino.com 800-682-6040

ONTONAGON

Big Spruce

Blue Crossing 9 Public N/A 906-827-3727

SCHOOLCRAFT

LUCE

Indian Lake

Newberry CC Newberry Manistique 18 Public 906-293-8422

N/A

indianlakegolfcourse.com 906-341-5600

18 Public

Wild Bluff at Bay Mills Resort

SHANTY CREEK RESORT | NORTH | ATRIUM

Bellaire| 72 Public | shantycreek.com | 231-533-8321 BRIAN WALTERS PHOTOGRAPHY

Rouge Park

Detroit rougeparkgolfcourse.com 313-837-5900

18 Public

Shady Hollow

Romulus 18 Public N/A 734-721-0430

Southgate

Southgate 18 Public southgatemi.org 734-258-3004

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Brimley 18 Public wildbluff.com 906-248-3617

DELTA

Country Meadows Taylor Meadows

Taylor 18 Public taylormeadowsgolf.com 734-287-2100

TPC Michigan

Dearborn 18 Private tpcmichigan.com 313-436-3000

Warren Valley

Dearborn Heights 36 Public warrenvalleygolf.com 313-561-1040

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Escanaba 9 Public N/A 906-786-1565

Escanaba CC

Escanaba 18 Public escanabacc.com 906-786-4430

Gladstone

Gladstone 18 Public gladstonegolf.com 906-428-9646

Highland

Bark River 18 Public highlandgolfclub.net 906-466-7457

LAKEWOOD SHORES RESORT | NORTH | IOSCO

Oscoda | 54 Public | lakewoodshores.com | 800-882-2493 COURTESY LAKEWOOD SHORES

Mackinac Island grandhotel.com

Wawonowin CC

Calumet GC

Pictured Rocks

Grand Hotel

Les Cheneaux

Whispering Willows

Eagle Mountain

Livionia 18 Public golflivonia.com 248-476-4493

LOCHENHEATH | NORTH | GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY

MACKINAC

Nahma 9 Public N/A 906-644-2648

Redford 18 Private westerngcc.com 313-531-1240

Williamsburg | 18 Private/limited Public | lochenheath.com | 231-938-9800

Nahma GC

Grosse Ile 9 Semi-Private grosseile.com 734-675-0777

18 Public

IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN,

an outstanding golf experience awaits in one of the most scenic corners of the country.

Here, lakes and rivers sit alongside acres of preserved forestland, while beaches beckon for an afternoon in the sun. Every hole offers a new and stunning view, and—if the 30+ courses in the region aren’t enough—golfers have endless opportunities for outdoor adventures after finishing 18.

(Way) Above the Hole At Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Lake Michigan stretches out with the majesty of an ocean while towering bluff s and sand dunes reach toward the sky. Some trails will take you more than 400 feet above the shore, or you can enjoy a leisurely Sunday cruise along the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Be sure to tackle the Dune Climb for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

All Water, No Hazards Charter fishing, canoeing, paddle boarding, Jet Ski rentals…the choice is yours for how best to explore the pristine waters of Lake Michigan.

The region is home to the Chain of Lakes running north from Elk Rapids, the city-adjacent East and West Grand Traverse Bay, and beloved inland waterways like Lake Leelanau, Glen Lake, and Crystal Lake.

Better than the Beverage Cart Northern Michigan is famous for its wine, beer, and spirits. Wander through the vines of wine country with a glass in hand, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, try a kayak brewery tour, which combines craft beer and great exercise. And don’t forget to stop by a distillery at happy hour, where you can enjoy small-batch vodkas, whiskeys, and gins on an outdoor patio.

A Different Type of Sand Trap We much prefer golden beaches to greenside bunkers. From the secluded spots along Lake Michigan’s coastline to the picture-perfect shores of Grand Traverse Bay, there’s no shortage of beach fun to be found. Several northern Michigan golf resorts are within a stone’s throw of beautiful beaches that will welcome you after a morning round.

Pro Shopping Strolling along Front Street of downtown Traverse City offers seasonally blooming trees and flowers alongside glimpses of the bay—found just one block over. You’ll also have dozens of shops at your fingertips where you can find everything from sporting gear to souvenirs. And as you explore northern Michigan, pop into the charming port towns whose galleries and boutiques offer locally made art, home goods, and apparel.

Off the Cart Path There are few places where you can summit a pine-covered hill, stroll along the lake, and follow the river’s path through peaceful forests on a single hike. Hundreds of miles of dedicated hiking and biking trails can be found in Grand Traverse, Antrim, and Benzie counties, so swap out your spikes for hiking boots and hit the trails.

Hole-in-One Dining It’s impossible to miss when it comes to an outstanding meal in Traverse City, and al fresco options elevate the experience to a new level. You can catch a sunset from a rooftop bar or people watch from a sidewalk café. Enjoy a leisurely dinner on the deck above the bay or grab-and-go from a trendy food truck. There are infinite ways to pair the great flavors the town is renowned for with the beauty of Traverse City’s great outdoors.

With accolades from Golf Digest and Golf Magazine, northern Michigan pretty great place to be. Find yourself there at traversecity.com.

Discover Lansing L

ansing, Michigan is a place where you can take a kayak along the Grand River and explore the city’s downtown core, traveling from breweries, boutiques, and the State Capitol building, to museums and a renowned Michigan science center, in one fell swoop. It is a place where you can play 18 holes on a championship golf course with friends and then another 18 holes on a rare, natural grass putting course with family. You can spend the night in, sampling the bounty of Lansing’s breweries and creative restaurants or go out to cheer on one of the Big 10 Conference’s most celebrated universities. Regardless, when you’re in Lansing, you get the advantages of a larger travel destination with even more benefits.

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“Lansing is that big-town city with a smalltown feel. We have all the amenities of a bigger destination, but we’re lucky that we don’t have all the traffic or hassle that you might see at a larger destination. We’re really affordable and have that up-north feel in our golf course offerings without the drive and expense,” said Tracy Padot, CTA, vice president of marketing communications at the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Besides a uniquely navigable downtown core, Lansing offers a comprehensive entertainment complex, Eastwood Towne Center, that is about 10 minutes away from some of the area’s most notable golf courses: the 27-hole Hawk Hollow and 18-hole Eagle Eye. Golfers and the rest of their party are treated to a theater, fashion retailers, restaurants, and lodging amenities to sample before or after a satisfying round of 18 holes.

“We have a lot of great premier golf courses: Eagle Eye [Golf Club] being probably the most well-known, and [its] Island Green hole modeled after the TPC Sawgrass golf course,” Padot said. “We’re really fortunate to have high-end golf and great municipal courses like Groesbeck, which is very affordable, and of course Forest Akers, which is the home course for the Michigan State University golf teams.”

A destination in itself, the Little Hawk

Putting Course is an 18-hole natural grass putting course—and one of three in Michigan— housed on the Eagle Eye Golf and Banquet Center’s grouping of premier golf collection properties, which also include Hawk Hollow, Timber Ridge, Woodside, and The Falcon, a nine-hole links style course. This diverse, award-winning collection exemplifies Lansing’s ability to satisfy cravings for adventure, the natural wonders of the outdoors, and activities for individuals, friends, and families, year-round.

LIKE A LOCAL Lush fairways, immaculate greens and challenging approach shots make Greater Lansing a truly memorable Midwestern golf destination. Book your getaway today!

Love Lansing like a local and we promise, you’ll love Lansing as much as we do!

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LANSING.org #LOVELANSING

JAMES LENON

1/13/21 10:57 PM

THREE OF WEST MICHIGAN’S

BEST GOLF CLUBS

Book your tee time online today!

R AV I N E S G O L F C L U B SAUGATUCK | RavinesGolfClub.com | (269) 857-1616 “This Arnold Palmer Signature Course is a must play when you visit Saugatuck.” —Golf Digest

THORNAPPLE POINTE GOLF CLUB GRAND RAPIDS | ThornapplePointe.com | (616) 554-4747 A panoramic view of the breathtaking Thornapple River provides the backdrop for this expansive 18 hole course.

M A C ATAWA G O L F C L U B HOLLAND | MacatawaGC.com | (616) 212-2600 Holland’s premier golf destination for golfers of all skill levels.

Course Q & A:

The Michigan Outlook Text: R. Collins

T

here were many ways that 2020 behaved unexpectedly and its influence on the golf industry was a significant one. The golf industry made national headlines this past summer over others due to its unexpected boom in interest and participation, and the nimbleness of the courses that adapted to coronavirus developments. There was a 10.8 percent increase in play in 2020, a surge that rivals only that of 1997, when Tiger Woods blazed onto the national golf and media scene and inspired potential golfers across the country to pick up a club, according to The Q, a publication by the National Golf Foundation.

Similarly, 2020 saw core consumers and club regulars coming out in droves to support their favorite golf spots, while new players also stepped on the course more seriously. Michigan is one well-known golf destination—for Americans and Canadians alike—that also boasts robust learning opportunities for beginners and junior golfers, as well as more than 650 courses for players of all abilities and age ranges to choose from.

In 2020, The Golf Explorer: Michigan’s Journal to Incredible Golf had the opportunity to hear from several professionals from courses across the state about what could be called one of their most interesting seasons to date, and what they expect from the season to come in 2021.

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GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT & SPA 100 GRAND TRAVERSE VILLAGE BLVD. ACME, MI 49610 Tom McGee | Director of Golf Operations TGE: Was golf different at the resort this season with all the emphasis on outdoor activities?

Tom McGee: Overall, our number of golf rounds and greens fee revenue for the season were about equal to what we typically do, but that was with a very slow start to the season.

We saw a different mix of players than we are used to seeing as we had less group business and more couples, foursomes, and smaller groups playing; many visiting northern Michigan for the first time ever. People truly enjoyed the golf and the area. We did implement many new procedures into our daily practice to ensure golfers stayed safe and healthy.

Were there any memorable parts of your season this year, or any attendance numbers or stats that would be interesting to share?

After the slow start, we were very concerned with how the season would go, but from midJune into November, we stayed incredibly busy.

We set rounds and revenue records for the months of August, September, October, and November. The two areas that saw the largest increase were our social golf packages with an increase of 80 percent and our local and Traverse City visitor play that increased 40 percent.

Our membership is also very strong at the resort and they supported our club more than ever before with a 25 percent increase in play. It was also great to be able to host many of the annual events we host including the Turtle Creek Casino Michigan Open Championship, the Northwestern Michigan College Scholarship Open, and the Northwest Michigan Builders Exchange golf outing.

While hosting these events, we were able to adapt our set-up to provide a safe environment for our guests resulting in successful events, without the large gatherings before or after golf. We also were excited to see many new golfers picking up the game; most from younger generations. Surveys have shown that the vast majority of new golfers intend to continue to play, and that is wonderful for the golf industry.

What do you think is unique about the course offerings over there at GT Resort?

We have three very distinct and exceptional golf courses that are very well maintained, all operating out of the same clubhouse. The designs are all so very different, providing a great experience for our guests who wish to play several courses during their stay with us.

Or, guests can choose the one that best fits their ability and desire.

The Bear, designed by Jack Nicklaus, provides a great challenge, demanding great iron play with approach shots to the greens. It is nationally rated as one of the most difficult in the country for good reason, but with six different tee options, golfers can truly enjoy their round by choosing the proper tee to play from. The Wolverine by Gary Player is a more forgiving golf course with generous landing areas off the tee and not as much trouble in front of the greens. It is the most popular among our three courses. Our original course, Spruce Run, is challenging with the more, narrow fairways and undulating greens, while mixing in a variety of longer and shorter holes.

What are you anticipating for the golf world next season?

We are anticipating another strong golf season in 2021, but a big part of that will be the result of where we are with containing and controlling COVID-19 both nationally and internationally. I expect a slower start to the season again as we come out of the winter months, but think both leisure and group travel will pick up as the season moves on.

I also expect golf instruction, retail sales, and leisure play to be solid. I miss seeing the crowds at the tour events and hope that we are in a situation where spectators can gather at those courses to watch the best players in the world compete in person, so hopefully that happens sooner than later, and I expect that to happen in late spring or early summer.

What do you enjoy most about the area you work in?

The Traverse City area in northern Michigan is so beautiful resting on the shores of Lake Michigan. There are so many things to do here, yet we are still a relatively small city. Traverse City has a great downtown with unique restaurants, microbreweries, and retail along with an area surrounded by wineries, beaches, lakes, rivers, nature, and bike trails.

The golf is also exceptional as the people I work with at the Resort, and that truly makes this a special place.

THE MINES GOLF COURSE 330 COVELL AVE. SW. GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49534 Brad Steffen | Head Golf Professional TGE: How was this past season for The Mines?

Brad Steffen: It was a challenging season

to start. Back in April we had no idea what to expect for the season as it was a tough time for everyone. Once we were able to open up for walking, the phones were off the hook; we were filing our tee sheet with just walkers. It was very exciting to see. As the season went on it never let up; we had an outstanding season this year. To sum it up: if you didn’t call to make a tee time a week prior you more than likely weren’t going to get a time to play.

Do you think the golf world is changing right now? If so, how?

Yes, I think we have seen a lot of new players to the game this season or some that may have not played in years starting to play again. Not only is golf changing, but I also believe the whole business world is. With people working remotely, it gives men and women a chance to play either a quick nine or 18 holes throughout the workday. It’s very exciting that the game is growing as this capacity.

What are you anticipating for The Mines next season?

We may see a little dip in play next year, but we are anticipating a year like we’ve had this year. With businesses working remotely from home, it really gave us a mix of ages coming out to play earlier in the day which filled in our tee sheet. I don’t see this changing for next year.

What do you think makes The Mines unique?

[A] convenient location just minutes from downtown Grand Rapids. Once you arrive on property you will experience an up-north feel, but just minutes from downtown. The Mines is an ideal place to play for those in town for a golf weekend who will still be able to get the nightlife from Grand Rapids.

BONE MOUNTAIN RESORT 1 BOYNE MOUNTAIN ROAD, BOYNE FALLS, MI 49713 Ken Griffin | Director of Golf Sales and Marketing TGE: How did golf look over at the Boyne properties this season?

Ken Griffin: I think, like everybody else,

we actually opened on time, around the first of May, which is typically what we do, then we basically followed state guidelines and mandates. We really only have two courses that we would consider walkable under normal circumstances, so we opened up one of those courses for two weeks and as soon as the state allowed us to have golf carts— one rider per cart—we opened and had two weeks of doing that.

Then right around Memorial Day, we were given permission to have two riders in a cart.

At that point we opened all 10 courses. So, we were a couple weeks behind and it took people a few weeks to catch up, but from mid-June onward we were extremely busy, not only when we would typically be busy, but we were extremely busy late in the day, evenings, and times that we normally wouldn’t. Junior golf was up dramatically; we saw more families out on the course.

We do think that a lot of our traffic in the late evening was due to people moving out of their houses downstate and moving up north to spend the summer. At the end of the day, our courses were busy in the evenings and MICHIGANGOLFEXPLORER.COM

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late afternoons which was good. [It was] a very strong summer in spite of everything.

We, like a few of the northern Michigan areas and especially resorts, have strong Canadian business and when you figure that we had no Canadian visitors all summer, to have one of the strongest summers we did really says a lot about what happened out there.

It is hard to anticipate, but if you could take a guess at how next year could possibly go, what are you anticipating for the Boyne properties and their golf?

The only thing that’s different between this year and next year is we’ve lived through [the situation] and we have a better idea of what that was than we did a year ago. This spring at one point our Senior VP of golf said, ‘We’re going to quit planning, because we have sat here and planned for six weeks; we have almost every alternative covered and even if we find one that we didn’t [plan for], we’re so good at planning I feel comfortable with you guys that we could put something together relatively quickly.’

Then we didn’t even know if we could play golf safely and we think that one of the things that helped us is that no matter when a

lot of places started saying ‘it’s better, we can do away with a lot of the things we did to get us here,’ we never did. All the precautionary measures we put in place from masks on the cart pad, to foam in the cups, to no rakes in the bunkers, our guys took care of that and we kept that right up until we were done. because we felt blessed to never have a course shut down.

Our mantra was ‘do we want to take a risk that one gets shut down, because we did take a risk?’ We’re not going to do that, and I think until we see a lot farther down the path, we’re going to keep the same things in place that allowed us to minimize our risk.

THE GOLF CLUB AT HARBOR SHORES 201 GRAHAM AVE. BENTON HARBOR, MI 49022 Joshua Doxtator | General Manager TGE: How was this latest season over there at Harbor Shores? Any high points that stood out to you?

Joshua Doxtator: This season offered a

plethora of challenges amidst the consistent changing in protocols, procedures, and mandates via COVID-19. Our team was quick to adapt and our devotion to our guests’ safety and overall experience was never compromised. I don’t think anyone

expected the pandemic to result in an abundance of golf rounds, but we welcomed the opportunity to create a refuge for those looking to break away for a few hours.

In 2019, we made a commitment to focus more on the golf experience than driving rounds and little did we know that we were ahead of the COVID curve regarding social distancing as we instituted 15-minute tee time intervals last year. We experienced extensive traffic from outside Michigan; 62 percent of all rounds came from other states and our small group business made a significant jump with the addition of our Champions Villa. We expect to build on that in 2021 and beyond.

What are you anticipating for the golf world moving forward? How about Harbor Shores?

Golf has an opportunity to make a major comeback; it’s up to every facility to take advantage of that and find ways to engage the lapsed or new golfer. I believe this taught us that we can be just as productive working from home, building a schedule that coincides with our lifestyle. Prior, golf was scheduled around work and availability with the remaining hours in your day or week.

Now, work can be scheduled around

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THE GOLF CLUB AT HARBOR SHORES

other things that are important to you and we learned in 2020 that golf is really important to a lot of people. If we just assume that rounds will continue to grow, we’re doing a disservice to the golf industry and PGA Professionals.

We’ve been offered a second chance at a golf renaissance; we must do everything we can to engage every golfer.

Company, and still have time to play a course that hosts a major championship; I’d like to see someone compete with that.

Have you seen a change in how people are enjoying golf these days?

I think people are sincerely cherishing their time on course and not taking it for granted. This pandemic has helped put things into perspective and forced some of us to slow down a bit. I remember countless comments regarding the interaction with our teams and how much people missed that during the lockdowns. We’re wired to engage, and I think our guests appreciate the sincerity our team takes in communicating.

TGE: Overall, how was your season?

Any high points or noteworthy developments?

Vicki Korson: 2020 was a fantastic year

What do you think people enjoy most about Harbor Shores or the Benton Harbor area?

Harbor Shores represents a commitment to the community and our guests have the opportunity to witness that daily. Whether they see one of the 1,000 kids from The First Tee program learning the game or seeing the story boards on course that depict the transformation of what was here prior, it’s hard to miss. We offer something for everyone, whether they like golf or not. Within our boundaries you can rent a kayak on the Paw Paw River, visit one of the best breweries in southwest Michigan at North Pier Brewing

How do you think the world of golf is changing right now?

With social distancing and exercise being priorities in people’s lives, golf will continue to be an excellent option. Less commuting time to work has lent itself to more quality time with family and friends. Families can enjoy time together on the golf course verses in the past attending events of all kinds. The effect of being at home for work also gives one the feeling of freedom to be outside. Where better to be than at The Links, which encompasses 150 acres of beautiful wetlands, rolling meadows, and forest surrounding Bowen Lake for players to enjoy.

COURTESY THE GOLF CLUB AT HARBOR SHORES

THE LINKS AT BOWEN LAKE GOLF COURSE 12990 BRADSHAW ST. NE. GOWEN, MI 49326 Vicki Korson | Co-Owner

for The Links at Bowen Lake. People have been learning over the past couple of years about all the changes that have taken place.

We built a new clubhouse with a large, lovely patio overlooking number 10, and people have discovered that not only is the golf course in top notch condition with great golf, it’s a place to safely hang out with family and friends with great food.

What do you think people enjoy the most about golf at The Links at Bowen Lake?

We pride ourselves in catering to our clientele. We have been very lucky with the quality of our staff both in work ethic and friendliness. Bob Klingbeil, our superintendent and his ground crew have done a tremendous job keeping the course beautiful.

We continually receive comments from the players on the great condition of the course especially compliments on the greens. We’ve added new paved cart paths, redressed sand bunkers, and trimmed tree branches that were overhanging into fairways to spruce up the course. When golfers check in for golf or just stop in for lunch, they are greeted by smiling faces and a staff that appreciates them coming to The Links.

What are you anticipating for next season?

With COVID-19 still a major issue in our society today, I expect to see people very much gravitating toward outdoor exercise within small groups. What better than a game of golf with family and friends? We are located in the country, away from the crowds; a place to feel secure and be safe while enjoying oneself.

Our league play has been growing over the past three years; 2020 and the coming year has enabled us to add several new leagues with large increases to the existing ones. The Links is a place with great golf, great food, and for making great friends.

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Harbor town fairways Text: R.J. Weick

S

et along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, Ludington has become a destination for the outdoor, retail, culinary, and imbibe enthusiast alike. With a burgeoning downtown district located within walking distance of rolling sand dunes, historic lighthouses, and the S.S. Badger— designated a National Register of Historic Places— and convenient access to parks, trails, campgrounds, and charter fishing, Ludington is a bustling center of cultural, social, and natural activity.

From art fairs, road races, and farmers mar-

kets, to forest, music, and craft beer tasting festivals, set amid a growing dining and entertainment scene, Ludington beckons tourists and residents to return time and again. The region is also home to a number of golf courses, such as Hemlock Golf Club and Lincoln Hills Golf Club, carved into the natural landscape of rolling sand dunes and towering timbers. The two courses, public and semi-private respectively, also offer a special, 36-hole package through Hemlock Golf Club that includes a one-night lodging stay at either Nader’s Lake Shore Motor Lodge or Ludington Pier House.

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LINCOLN HILLS GOLF CLUB

HEMLOCK GOLF CLUB 5105 W. DECKER ROAD, LUDINGTON, MICHIGAN DESIGN: RAYMOND HEARN GOLF DESIGN TYPE: PUBLIC Tucked within the native timbers inherent to the region, Hemlock Golf Club in Ludington, Michigan is an experiential courtship of both intentional, artistic design and breathtaking landscape. Located less than five miles from downtown Ludington, the golf club is unassuming upon first approach as it welcomes golf enthusiasts to its distinctive fairways and greens. It invites players on a journey of delight at each hole as the course carves its way through statuesque trees, natural wetlands, sand dunes, and striking elevation.

Designed by Raymond Hearn, ASGCA, ASLA, president and founder of Raymond Hearn Golf Course Design Inc. of Holland, Michigan, Hemlock Golf Club’s course is informed by a design philosophy that weaves art and science and backed by principles that honor tradition through innovation. With a minimalist approach to the landscape, Hearn seeks to capture the inherent characteristics of the natural environment to ultimately create a course that is distinctive in its own identity and reflects a strategic and sustainable design, build, and maintenance program.

Since its establishment in 1996, Raymond Hearn Golf Course Design Inc. has developed a robust and award-winning portfolio of projects across the state of Michigan and the United BRAD REED

States, as well as beyond international borders in places like Egypt, Vietnam, Mexico, France, Russia, and El Salvador. The team specializes in golf course renovation, restoration, master planning, and new course design and partners with their clients to ensure each course is visually striking, sustainable, and captures their unique vision.

It was this appreciation and dedication to the technical artistry of course design that Hearn brought to the Hemlock Golf Club project as golf course architect. From initial vision, master planning. and construction drawings, to bidding and construction site visits from 1997 to 2000, Hearn helped bring Hemlock Golf Club to built-life. At 6,965 yards, the par72, 18-hole course features a number of tee options for players and a striking mixture of narrow alleys, open fairways, deceptive pitches, and waste bunkers intentionally left native to support wildlife. With names like Rolling Dunes, Cattails, Waste Land, Dune Beast, Top O’ The Hill, Creek, and Peninsula, Hemlock Golf Club is likely to leave its mark in the players’ mind long after sinking the last hole.

LINCOLN HILLS GOLF CLUB 1527 N. LAKESHORE DRIVE, LUDINGTON, MICHIGAN DESIGN: TOM BENDELOW, 1920; BRUCE MATTHEWS III AND JERRY MATTHEWS, 1984 TYPE: SEMI-PRIVATE Just three miles north of downtown

Ludington overlooking Lincoln Lake and Lake Michigan, Lincoln Hills Golf Club has been a staple in the region since its formal establishment in 1913. Its course, which was originally designed by Tom Bendelow, a Scottish American golf course architect native of Abderdeen, Scotland, was built in 1920 and has since had a long history of hosting traditional competitions and club championships.

In 1984 Bruce Matthews III, ASGCA of Matthews Design Group in Manistee, Michigan, and Jerry Matthews, ASGCA, renovated the course into the par-72, 18-hole rolling fairways and greens it is today. Informed by a design philosophy that leverages a site’s natural topography and the knowledge that each site has a history, Matthews III and Matthews reworked the course combining Bendelow’s original strategy with modern goals. At 6,520 yards, Lincoln Hills Golf Club’s course features a slope rating of 136 and four sets of tees.

More than its course, Lincoln Hills Golf Club also offers additional amenities such as three professionally maintained tennis courts and a 17,000-square-foot clubhouse with a Great Room that can accommodate up to 280 people for events such as weddings, corporate meetings, and seminars. Lincoln Hills Golf Club also has several dining venues: The Great Room, Member Lounge, and The Greenside Pub.

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At the Table

Chris Rowley

Text: R. Collins

B

isected by the Chippewa River and located in the geographical heart of Michigan among 18 natural preserves, the city of Mt. Pleasant has become known for its bigtown amenities and small-town feel—as well as its plethora of quality golfing destinations.

Michigan classics like Bucks Run Golf Club and PohlCat Golf Course are situated around the immediate core of the city and are interspersed with other activities for when the round ends, such as a historic arts theater, year-round programming by Central Michigan University, and intimate, date-night restaurants and outdoor summer events—not to mention the comfortable lodging found throughout the area, in cozy country-side bed-and-breakfasts and robust stay-and-play golf packages alike.

The Golf Explorer: Michigan’s Journal to Incredible Golf had the opportunity to talk with Chris Rowley, executive director of the Mt. Pleasant Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, about the makings of this mid-state golf and travel destination and why it’s called home.

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Central Michigan. We have two championship courses; we have a variety of links and some courses with that “up-north” feel and more relaxed-style courses.

The other benefit is you can still feel like you’re getting away without that long drive, so having that up-north feel without the up-north drive to get away and see the beauty. A lot of our golf courses are built around the Chippewa River and its wildlife. I think the role that it plays here is that it is a great opportunity and I think it’s becoming more known. We have great courses!

The Golf Explorer: What made you want to build a career advocating for the Mt. Pleasant area?

Chris Rowley: I’m from the area, so I

grew up here and I have a passion for the community. I actually moved away for a brief period of time and had that appreciation for it and wanted to move back. My family is here—it’s a great place to raise a family—and I love that it has a small-town feel. It’s easy to get around this community and we have a Division I athletic school here with Central Michigan University, and then world class entertainment at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort. I still get those big city amenities and yet I still have my small community. That’s definitely what I love about it.

What do you do in your role at the CVB? I’m Executive Director so I oversee the organization, the marketing plan, the budget, the staff, and I have a Board of Directors. Our job is to bring visitors to the community and help manage and market the destination. We have a lot to offer and sometimes you might take it for granted so we help remind people why we live here and why we love it so much [through] community pride and branding. We do this by marketing and communicating why visitors should come.

As far as this mid-state region in relation to golf, when people think of Michigan, they often thinking of the Traverse City area or up north, but, in your opinion, what makes this mid-state region unique for golf?

We have a lot of great golf courses, so I hope that people think of us as a destination within the state for golf as well. We’re a great central location so if you have golf groups with people around the state it’s a great location for MT. PLEASANT CVB

everyone to meet in and gather. It’s easy to get to and we have 11 courses all within a half hour of the area. We have great lodging facilities for play-and-stay golf packages, but the other thing that makes us unique is we have that nightlife and extra activities for golfers to do.

We have more than 100 restaurants within Isabella County and that does not include fast food, so we have a lot of unique and locally owned restaurants. Then, like I mentioned, [there is] CMU with their athletics and activities throughout the year as well as world class entertainment at the Soaring Eagle Casino, which is the largest gaming floor in the Midwest. There are things to do when you’re not on the course as well.

Do you partake in the game at all?

I don’t; I say I’m really good at driving a golf cart and doing putt-putt. My family took golf lessons at the Golf Center here in Mt. Pleasant through our Parks and Recreation department; all four of us did and it was really fun. I’ve dabbled in it with some lessons, but not too much.

In your role you oversee all these things—budget, marketing—whatever there is to know about the area, so in terms of the game of golf, what is the role of golf in the region and industry in the area?

Certainly, I think people know Mt. Pleasant for CMU or the Soaring Eagle Casino, or both, so I think there’s an opportunity to be known for golf as well. Again, we have 11 courses within a half hour; we have the nightlife and the lodging and play-and-stay packages, so we have a lot to offer right here in

What do you see for Mt. Pleasant’s outdoor offerings next year?

This year I know we’ve seen an increase in our outdoor activities; our outdoor adventure page was definitely increased, and I think that’s another opportunity: people don’t realize how many parks we have. We have more than 1,000 acres of park land and 18 preserves within the area and so we have a lot of trails and parks to get outdoors and explore.

One of our parks, Deerfield Nature Park, was voted Pure Michigan’s most beautiful place in Isabella County and it has a covered bridge, swinging bridge, and two-disc golf courses.

Bundy Hill, one of our preserves, is the tallest point in Isabella County, so if you’re looking for the illusive mountain of Mt. Pleasant you can climb Bundy Hill and see that. Our golf page has seen a 300 percent increase this year, so I definitely know that people are looking for outdoor recreation. We also have tubing, canoeing, and kayaking down the Chippewa River. We have a lot of outdoor recreation opportunities that maybe not everyone knows about. I think that’s a great opportunity for golfers to build those types of activities into their trip as well.

Visit meetmp.com to plan your golf getaway.

BRASS CAFE

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EquityAir

Membership Program T

he story of Muskegon-based aircraft charter and flight services provider Flyby Air began in the 1960s and continues today with a devotion to international jet and charter flight service. Through its three base locations and access to all major airports, plus nearly 3,000 other airports in smaller nationwide communities, the company saves clients time and money through its vast network while they enjoy the experience of aircraft like the Lear 45, KingAir 100, and Cessna 414.

A new subgroup to the company, EquityAir, is a game-changing new presence in the flight services market for Michigan as well, though its areas of service reach much farther than the Great Lakes State. The group is offering a new membership-based air travel program— the only one of its kind in the state—that will provide more financially accessible options for private, shared member flight in a time when commercial flying has become more hazardous.

One of the lowest-priced membership programs in the nation, the EquityAir Membership Program offers access to desirable destinations at predetermined rates that don’t change, and travel costs are reduced further by sharing flights with other members. Even before takeoff, the program has a multitude of benefits, such as avoiding TSA lines and other poten108

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tial COVID-19 precautionary measures. This enables members to arrive unhurried and to reduce their own exposure to pathogens by diminishing nearly all touchpoints throughout air travel centers.

After landing, EquityAir’s membership program will offer users a bevy of ground transportation and trip coordination services to round out a logistically turn-key travel experience. Between its cost, time, and health

savings, and the general pleasantness of consistent, unrushed air travel, EquityAir’s new membership program is a unique, convenient fixture in Michigan’s air travel market, especially when paired the state’s one-of-a-kind golf opportunities. Come this spring, EquityAir plans to offer golf and travel incentives packages tailored to those seeking new ways to experience dream destinations and their personal favorites.

EQUITYAIR

DOES YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION IMPRESS?

ARCHITECTURE

w w w. n i l e y o u n g . c o m

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Arrivals The moment the rubber touches the tarmac and the plane begins to slow, there is an inevitable pull causing passengers to sit at the edge of their seat. A slight anticipation often fills the cabin, and for those headed to the green it may be piqued by a curiosity of stepping onto a new course or excitement of returning to a cherished fairway.

ALPENA COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT (APN) Alpena

Lakewood Shores . . . . . . . . . 45 min.

Black Lake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 min.

Forest Dunes . . . . . . . . . 1 hr. 40 min.

BOYNE MOUNTAIN AIRPORT (BFA) Boyne Falls

Boyne Mountain. . . . . . . . . . . . 5 min.

Bay Harbor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 min.

Boyne Highlands. . . . . . . . . . 35 min.

CAPITAL REGION INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (LAN) Lansing

Eagle Eye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 min.

CHARLEVOIX MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (CVX)

Charlevoix

Bay Harbor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 min.

Boyne Mountain. . . . . . . . . . . 55 min.

Boyne Highlands. . . . . . . . . . 50 min.

CHERRY CAPITAL AIRPORT (TVC) Traverse City

Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 min.

LochenHeath . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 min.

Turtle Creek Casino. . . . . . . . 15 min.

The Homestead Resort/ Manitou Passage Golf Course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 min.

Crystal Mountain. . . . . . . . . . 45 min.

Shanty Creek Resort. . . . . . . 46 min.

Boyne Mountain. . . . . . . . . . . 60 min.

Bay Harbor . . . . . . . . . . . . 1hr. 15 min.

Forest Dunes . . . . . . . . . . 1hr. 20 min.

Garland Lodge and Golf Resort. . . . . . . . 1hr. 30 min.

Boyne Highlands. . . . . . 1hr. 30 min.

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Regardless of the destination, there are a number of options for out-of-state travelers to choose from as they book their flight to the Great Lakes State. Take a look at some of the airports providing convenient access to incredible golf in Michigan.

DELTA COUNTY AIRPORT (ESC)

Escanaba

Island Resort & Casino. . . . . 15 min.

GAYLORD REGIONAL AIRPORT (GLR) Gaylord

Otsego Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 min.

Garland Lodge and Golf Resort. . . . . . . . . . . . 40 min.

Black Lake. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1hr. 10 min.

GERALD R FORD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (GRR)

Grand Rapids

Thornapple Pointe. . . . . . . . . 10 min.

The Mines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Min. Pilgrims Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Min. Links at Bowen Lake. . . . . . . 44 min.

Macatawa Golf Club. . . . . . . 45 Min. Lynx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 min.

Ravines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Min. American Dunes Golf Club . . . . 1 hr.

Hawkshead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 hr.

Harbor Shores . . . . . . . . 1hr. 30 min.

Bucks Run. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1hr. 50 min.

HARBOR SPRINGS AIRPORT (MGN)

Harbor Springs

Boyne Highlands. . . . . . . . . . . 5 min.

Bay Harbor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 min.

Boyne Mountain. . . . . . . . . . . 35 min.

KALAMAZOO/BATTLE CREEK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (AZO)

Kalamazoo

Lynx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 min.

Ravines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 min.

Hawkshead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 min.

Harbor Shores . . . . . . . . . 1hr. 15 min.

MANISTEE COUNTY BLACKER AIRPORT (MBL) Manistee

Crystal Mountain. . . . . . . . . . 31 min.

MT. PLEASANT MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (MOP) Mt. Pleasant

Bucks Run. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 min.

MBS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MBS) Saginaw

Apple Mountain. . . . . . . . . . . 10 min.

Bucks Run. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 min.

Lakewood Shores . . . . . . 1hr 45 min.

PELLSTON REGIONAL AIRPORT (PLN)

Pellston

Boyne Highlands. . . . . . . . . . 20 min.

Bay Harbor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 min.

Boyne Mountain. . . . . . . . . . . 55 min.

Black Lake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 min.

WEXFORD COUNTY AIRPORT (CAD) Cadillac

Crystal Mountain. . . . . . . . . . 39 min.

Forest Dunes . . . . . . . . . 1 hr. 20 min.

ISLAND RESORT & CASINO

DELTA COUNTY AIRPORT BOYNE HIGHLANDS

BAY HARBOR

BLACK LAKE

HARBOR SPRINGS AIRPORT (MGN)

CHARLEVOIX MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (CVX)

BOYNE MOUNTAIN AIRPORT (BFA) BOYNE MOUNTAIN A-GA-MING

OTSEGO CLUB GARLAND RESORT & GOLF CLUB

SHANTY CREEK

MANITOU PASSAGE AND THE HOMESTEAD

GAYLORD REGIONAL AIRPORT (GLR) TURTLE CREEK CASINO GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN

LOCHENHEATH FOREST DUNES WEXFORD COUNTY AIRPORT

LAKEWOOD SHORES

MT. PLEASANT MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (MOP) BUCKS RUN PILGRIMS RUN

APPLE MOUNTAIN

MBS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MBS)

LINKS AT BOWEN LAKE

THE MINES AMERICAN DUNES GOLF COURSE

THORNAPPLE POINTE

MACATAWA GOLF CLUB

EAGLE EYE

RAVINES

CAPITAL REGION INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (LAN) LYNX

HAWKSHEAD

HARBOR SHORES

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Alto Bar Drinks by Tom Burns

GEORGE T. STAGG OLD FASHIONED /4 slice orange rind/pith — muddle in a cup 1 Luxardo brand cherry — add 2 oz. of Splash of soda George T. Stagg Splash of simple syrup — strain over large ice ball 2 dashes of bitters — garnish w/torched orange peel

1

WOODFORD RESERVE KENTUCKY MULE Copper mug packed with ice 1.5 oz. Woodford Reserve Pinch of lime Top with Gosling ginger beer Garnish with a torched lime slice

RUSSELL RESERVE 10 YEAR MANHATTAN 1.5 oz. pour Capfull of sweet vermouth 2 dashes of bitters 2 Luxardo brand cherries, wash juice off spoon Pour over large ice

SAZERAC 1.5 oz. (generous) Sazerac Rye 2 dashes bitters 1 dash simple syrup 1 /4 oz. Absente — in shaker stir w/ice then pour over a large cube — garnish w/lemon twist

Michigan's Largest Bourbon Selection

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