By Phyllis C. Barone (Queen on The Green)
Gaylord Golf Mecca is annually ranked as one of the finest golf destinations in the country.
Gaylord Golf Mecca has been providing the finest golf, accommodations and dining for travelers for nearly 40 years. Today the Gaylord Golf Mecca is comprised of 17 golf courses, at eight locations and includes 21 partner hotel properties that provide accommodations to fit every need.
Gaylord is a quaint city with a Swiss Alps theme running through the local architecture. It has a calming and captivating atmosphere, plus the many small shops, wide variety of dining opportunities, as well as other entertainment options make it the perfect after-round destination.
According to Paul Beachnau, Executive Director of the Gaylord Golf Area Convention and Tourism Bureau,
“The golf mecca started as a simple idea in 1987 to promote seven area courses. The founding members included the Robert Trent Jones’ Masterpiece at Treetops Resort, both the East and West Courses at Garland, the Gaylord Golf Club, Michaywe Pines, the Classic at the Otsego Club and Wilderness Valley. Twenty years later, this premier Michigan golf destination now offers 17 courses and 21 hotel properties all within a 45-minute drive.”
The properties have changed over the years as more courses were added. Older favorites have undergone renovation, plus more lodging choices provide suitable accommodations for any size group.
Garland Resort
New ownership at the Garland Resort has enhanced the entire golf experience with bunker renovations, comfortable accommodations and exceptional dining. The Fountains Course is cited as their Premier course, of the four championship layouts, featuring bent grass from tee to green, creating a most pristine appearance.
The Tamarak Dining room and Antler’s Bar and Grille present top-notch appetizers and entre’ choices. The bone marrow crusted filet garnished with succulent pieces of Northern Michigan’s seasoned asparagus deserves a five-star rating and is a great alternative to those that prefer Michigan’s popular Walleye!
For dessert, the strawberry brownie sundae is a decadent choice, while a short walk to the Tiki Bar, after dinner, provides the ideal place to catch up with friends, while discussing the best shots of the day, or settling wagers.
Treetops Resort
Treetops boasts courses designed by some of the best architects in the world. The Jones Masterpiece, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., has scenic views with dramatic elevation changes and lush greens. The Signature, designed by Rick Smith features slick bentgrass greens and visually majestic landscapes. The Premier, the only Tom Fazio designed course in the state of Michigan, is player-friendly with wide open fairways and challenging greens. Three and four putts are always lurking.
The par 3, Threetops is another Rick Smith design and is frequently ranked as one of the top Par 3 courses in America. It is also famous for the ‘Shot Heard Around the World.’ In 2001, Lee Trevino pocketed a $1 million prize for his hole-in-one on the 7th hole during a made-for-television exhibition. A plaque inserted on the tee box commemorates the historic event.
Rick Smith also designed the Tradition, which underwent a successful restoration in 2022 to bring the course back to an American links-style walkable course, as Smith originally envisioned. The Tradition is a real treat and is rapidly becoming one of the favorites at Treetops.
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Click HERE to watch a Back 9 Report TV interview with Treetops’ Director of Recreation, Doug Hoeh as he talks about the recent renovation to the Tradition Course.
New chalets, that were built to accommodate groups and families elevate your golfing experience to yet another level. Each contains two bedrooms with two full bathrooms, a living room, kitchen and televisions in every room. They provide a comfy, convenient stay when visiting this acclaimed Resort.
Barry Owens, Treetops General Manager, told Back 9 Report TV about the recent upgrades and new additions to the resort. To view the full interview click HERE.
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Otsego Resort
Only a six-minute drive from Treetops is Otsego Resort, with The Tribute, a Robbins/Koch design that provides a 1,100-acre tour of the stunning Sturgeon River. Elevation changes on every hole are breathtaking and memorable.
If you have a large group and prefer to stay together, Hilltop at Otsego Resort is an excellent option. The kitchen is located in the center with a comfortable family style setting for all to gather. Otsego Resort offers several lodging and package options.
But Wait There’s MORE!
Lakes of the North, The Pines at Michaywe, Gaylord Golf Club, Indian River and Black Lake are independent courses central to the quality and quantity of golf at Gaylord Golf Meca. Multiple price points, to fit every budget, and community cooperation are the hallmarks of the ‘Mecca.’
All offer a different golf experience and are a joy to play.
When you add these six courses to the four at Garland Lodge, the five at Treetops and two at Otsego Resort, these 17 member courses in Gaylord provide a unique quality and quantity of golf not found anywhere else in the world.
A Rising Tide Raises All Ships
This was the mantra Paul Beachnau used when the Gaylord Golf Mecca was first conceived back in the 80’s. These individual golf course owners and resorts realized that banding together to market the area as a whole would help all concerned and it worked.
“You can take any one of our independent courses and compare them to resort properties anywhere else and they offer as good or most of the time a better golf experience.”
Twenty-one lodging partners offer a variety of accommodations ranging from shiny new hotel rooms to rustic cabins. The Gaylord Golf Mecca partners can package and arrange the right rooms paired with tee times to provide a fresh and memorable golf getaway any golf group.
Apres’ Golf
In addition to the spectacular golf, Gaylord’s Alpine Village, enjoys a long standing tradition of independently owned shops, restaurants and 90 inland lakes to experience and appreciate, when visiting the area.
There are several top-flight dining options in Gaylord. Bennethum’s Northern Inn is a local favorite that offers quality cuisine in a comfortable atmosphere. Big Buck Brewery, the Alpine Tavern and the Alpine Chocolate Haus are not to be missed.
Getting There
With non-stop flights from 17 domestic airports into Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport, getting to the Gaylord Golf Mecca has never been easier. If you are driving, I-75 makes it easy to get to Gaylord.
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The Gaylord Golf Mecca also gets five stars for its ability to offer golf courses that appeal to any golfer’s palette. It is a player’s paradise and doesn’t get any better!
Golfers have known for years that the Gaylord Golf Mecca offers the best facilities, courses and pricing in the country. Word to the wise, tee times and accommodations fill up fast.
Don’t wait, book your next golf adventure, or to learn more about the Gaylord Golf Mecca at: https://gaylordgolfmecca.com/
