By David R. Holland
GAYLORD, Mich. – Driving through almost any part of Michigan on a glorious summer day a golf purist from a southern state sometimes can’t believe what he’s seeing. Every few miles there’s a sign proclaiming another golf course is just down the road.
But if you do some research there’s another startling fact. A recent study found that Florida has the most golf courses in the USA with about 1,281, California is second with around 907, but Michigan is third with about 851.
So on a recent journey through northern Michigan it seemed like there was a fun golf course beyond every bend of the road, cradled onto farm land, nestled into a heavily wooded rolling site or hugging the spectacular Lake Michigan sand dunes.
That’s a lot of golf for Michigan golfers to explore when winter sets in during November and thaw doesn’t come until April or May. But mid-summer in northern Michigan can provide adequate light for golf until 10 p.m.
There’s even a conglomeration called The Gaylord Golf Mecca, a northern Michigan home to 21 golf courses in a span of 45 miles. It just celebrated its 25th year of cooperative marketing and also includes 20 lodging properties good for any budget.
The Mecca lands awards every year and a recent Golf Digest poll ranked Gaylord and Northern Michigan as the 12th best golf destination in the world, and 8th best in the United States.
In the same northern Michigan area there are other golf courses, too, and my favorite for scenery was Bay Harbor Golf Club, for a stern test was The Donald Ross Memorial Golf Club of Boyne Highlands, and my pick for overall excellence was Kingsley Golf Club, a private layout ranked No. 21 in the nation by Golfweek. And you can play it if your golf pro gives them a phone call.
Bay Harbor Golf Club in Petroskey
Built on the site of an old Portland Cement Plant in 1998, the Arthur Hills-designed 27 holes of Bay Harbor Golf Club, and the Inn at Bay Harbor, are not to be missed.
Most rave of the Links/Quarry combination -- reminiscent of formidable Irish seaside courses. You can spend hours gazing at the lake coastline, rolling dunes, and waving tall fescue, while being challenged by the immense shale quarry, that plunges 40 feet and frames shots from atop stone cliffs, over ponds and a scenic waterfall.
The Preserve nine is known for its natural beauty and is a refuge for wildlife and golfers. Hardwoods frame green grasses, wildflowers and wetlands -- all within audible range of Lake Michigan's shores. The final hole opens up to a photo worthy shoreline panorama.
After golf settle in at The Inn at Bay Harbor, designed after the turn-of-the-century classic hotel The Del Coronado in San Diego.
Treetops Resort in Gaylord
Made famous by the nationally televised Par-3 Shootout from 1999-2006, be sure to play the Threetops Course at Treetops Resort, where Lee Trevino holed an ace on the plunging third hole to win $1 million. But Treetops has more and could be the busiest golf complex in the state.
It’s a ski resort in the winter so you know there are lots of elevation changes. The favorite is probably the Rick Smith-designed Masterpiece, but the toughest is the only Tom Fazio-designed golf course in Michigan, The Premier. The Masterpiece was built by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1986. There’s even an 18-hole "Himalayas" putting course.
Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs
Boyne Highlands, which also owns Bay Harbor, serves up four 18-hole courses, including the classic Heather Course by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and The Moor by Arthur Hills. But it is The Donald Ross Memorial Golf Course that will make you mutter over false fronts, swales and bowled-green edges that funnel golf balls off the putting surfaces.
Ross, who has been dead for 63 years, designed more than 500 golf courses, and is widely known for his classic style. This course has 18 recreations of his greatest holes from Seminole, Pinehurst, Royal Dornoch, Inverness, Oakland Hills and others. Boyne also offers access to The Alpine and Crooked Tree.
After your rounds spend the nights in Boyne Highlands Resort hotel which serves as a ski chalet in winter.
Grand Traverse Resort
Grand Traverse Resort's three golf courses are headlined by Jack Nicklaus’ difficult Bear course, a regular host to the Michigan Open. Gary Player layed out the Wolverine design, and there’s Spruce Run, the resort's original course
Grand Traverse’s hotel, a 17-story glass building is like being in Vegas, and has the Aerie Restaurant, spa amenities, and -- five-minute shuttle ride to Turtle Creek Casino.
LochenHeath GC in Williamsburg
LochenHeath, designed by Steve Smyers, is just a few minutes from Grand Traverse and is a gem in rebirth status. This was a private club for 10 before being idle for two years. But it is back and a must play on a scenic bluff overlooking East Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan. Once a cherry orchard, this flowing test has the lake and the native grasses to get the Scottish translation of LochenHeath.
Local golf professional Mike Husby updated the course and this is the essence of a country club experience for the daily-fee players. Its clubhouse restaurant is packed on a nightly basis.
Otsego Club in Gaylord
The Tribute Golf Club, designed by golf commentator Gary Koch, and the Jerry Matthew’s-designed Lake Course, are the gems of Otsego Club, the senior member of the Gaylord Golf Mecca. Designed on ski property, both courses have quick greens and elevation changes.
The Resort, with its alpine log-style ambiance, and conference facilities for 500, is perfect for corporate meetings and has all the amenities of a four-season getaway including outdoor thermal pool, lighted tennis courts and a 1,200-acre wildlife preserve. It is home to the "Otsego Club" all-inclusive family golf/ski club. Don’t miss the Pontresina Restaurant, overlooking the ski slopes and the Sturgeon River Valley.
The Lakes and The Loon in Gaylord
For years The Lakes and The Loon (Husby design) were kind of afterthoughts in this golf-rich area, but that was before one of the game’s best teachers, Butch Harmon, and LPGA starlet Natalie Gulbis became more involved in the marketing of this excellent complex. The Loon is the Michigan home to the Butch Harmon School of Golf.
Player friendly describes these layouts with The Loon Resort the only complex in Michigan that will transport the golf clubs of overnight guests to other area golf courses. Brand-new townhomes have also been added at an affordable price and makes a visit so comfy you might not want to leave the grounds with the excellent restaurant with a view overlooking the infamous 18th lake of The Loon.
Black Forest at Wilderness Valley in Gaylord
Tom Doak, one of the world’s hottest golf architects, makes his home here in Northern Michigan, and his second design, Black Forest, is a traditional layout in 400 acres of forested meadow and valleys. There are some radical, undulating greens and a near impossible par-3 that measures 255 yards uphill. If you like difficult golf courses then Black Forest is for you.
The Valley Course at Wilderness Valley was designed by former Ryder Cup team-member Al Watrous, and offers golf the average hack can conquer.
For complete information log on to www.gaylordgolfmecca.com.
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