In July a friend and I had the opportunity to enjoy the cooler northern Michigan temperatures, plus play a little golf.
Onekama
Our journey started with a stop in Onekama that sits on the eastern shore of Portage Lake. We booked a room in the beautiful Canfield House B&B, a historic property that dates back to 1900. Local lumber baron John Canfield built it for his family and at that time it was the largest home in the area.
The rooms are comfy and quiet with wonderful views of Portage Lake. The big front porch is the perfect spot to enjoy morning coffee, a sunny afternoon repose, or an evening libation. Owners Ryan and Elise Berndt, along with their three young sons, are perfect hosts and Ryan prepares award-winning breakfasts for his guests.
Click HERE to learn more about Canfield House in this interview with Ryan Berndt.
There is a wealth of great golf available nearby. Manistee National has two championship 18-hole courses, as well as a nine-hole par three course that just opened a couple of years ago.
Near the top of any golfer’s bucket list, Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course is only seven miles up scenic M-22. They have also added the South Course and the new ‘Dozen’ to provide golfers with three different golfing experiences.
Click HERE to watch a short video about Arcadia’s The Dozen.
For the more adventurous, Little River Casino is nearby and offers every game of chance possible, plus top-name entertainment.
The Glenwood, at Onekama, offers dining at its finest with distinctive dishes prepared to your liking. It is one of my favorite eateries and I stop there every time I’m in the area.
Click HERE to learn more about The Glenwood Restaurant.
Canfield House is the perfect place to stay if you want to enjoy the beautiful Lake Michigan beaches, hiking, fishing, biking, or just relaxing on a porch swing after your round of golf.
Glen Haven & Glen Arbor
Moving farther north on M-22, along Lake Michigan, we spent two lovely nights at the Sleeping Bear Inn, at Glen Haven. The inn, dating back to 1866, has been completely renovated and reopened in 2024. It has the distinction of being the oldest continually operated inn located in any U.S. National Park. Sitting beside Glen Haven beach and among the towering sand dunes that stretch along this part of western Michigan, it is strategically located for beach lovers, hikers and bikers.
For golfers Manitou Passage is an Arnold Palmer design that features wide open meadows, dense hardwoods with red and white pines bordering the fairways, plus dramatic elevation changes, and water hazards. Also nearby, Sugarloaf Golf Course is a historic public facility with fragrant cherry blossoms, birds singing and views of Sugarloaf Mountain. Mistwood Golf Club has 27 holes of championship golf, plus a bar, a lounge, banquet facilities and a driving range, offering special rates for seniors, juniors, and twilight golf.
Glen Haven Beach is one of the best in Michigan, plus nearby Glen Arbor has a plethora of great dining opportunities.
Travel Tip: drive around to Inspiration Point on the east side of Big Glen Lake and take in the extraordinary views of both Big Glen and Little Glen Lakes, plus Glen Arbor and the Manitou Islands.
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
We next headed north through Traverse City, Charlevoix and BOYNE Golf Resort near Petoskey. With 11 golf courses, BOYNE is one of the best resorts in the country, but we didn’t have time to stop there on this trip.
Heading over the Mackinac Bridge was a highlight as we made our way to Greywalls at the Marquette Golf Club along Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula. It is truly one of the most unique golfing experiences in the world and I urge every golfer to test their skills at least once on the rugged terrain.
Island Resort & Casino
The growth at the Island Resort & Casino in Escanaba over the past few years has been amazing. They recently opened their newest nine-hole course, The Cedar, that sits beside the Sage Run course. The plans are to add a second nine to The Cedar course, which would give that facility two championship 18-hole courses, plus they plan to open a new short course next season. All of this is in addition to the Sweetgrass course that hosts an EPSON Tour event and is one of Michigan-based designer Paul Albanese’s best works. It is a pleasure to play for every skill level. Once your round is complete you will want to book your next round immediately.
Click HERE to watch an interview with Tony Mancilla, the General Manager of Island Resort & Casino about the recent upgrades. He also revealed plans to expand the popular golf destination even further.
Right after COVID in 2021 Island Resort & Casino added a new hotel tower to bring the total rooms available to 425 at the resort. The demand for lodging is so high for the resort that they are planning to add even more rooms in the future.
Heading over to Sage Run we also chatted with Sage Run’s Superintendent Matt Sly, who talked about the new Cedar Course. Click HERE to see the entire interview.
We also made use of the Spa facilities at the resort and found they exceed upscale spa services available in bigger cities.
We were very impressed with the overall service, attention to detail, the improvements to the courses and the facilities at Island Resort & Casino. We can’t wait to return to see what they do next.
Treetops Resort
Treetops Resort has long been considered one of the best golf destinations in Michigan. With 81 holes of golf, it has something for everyone. They are constantly upgrading the facilities and courses to provide the best experience available.
With courses designed by Tom Fazio, Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Rick Smith it offers a variety of great golf, at reasonable prices.
Back in the 1990’s, after Rick Smith saw the short course at Augusta National, he brought the idea of adding a par three course to Treetops. Then owner Harry Melling agreed and tasked Smith with designing and building the course which would become Threetops, one of the most iconic par-3 courses in the country. It hosted several PGA Tour players for a made-for-television tournament featuring prominent golfers of the time. Lee Trevino, Raymond Floyd, Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson and even the King himself, Arnold Palmer. Trevino earned a million dollars for a hole-in-one in one of the episodes. It was the first time a professional golfer earned a million dollars on the golf course.
Click HERE to watch a Back 9 Report TV interview with General Manager, Barry Owens about the courses and happenings at Treetops.
The Fazio, the Rick Smith Signature, the Tradition and Threetops are all located at the North Campus along with a very challenging putting green and driving range.
The first course opened at Treetops, The Masterpiece is at the main location along with their lodging and restaurants.
Click HERE to watch the full interview with Treetops’ Director of Golf Rob Schrader, who explained how Treetops got its name and described their signature hole No. 6.
The Gaylord area has something for everyone. Every outdoor activity imaginable, plus excellent dining and entertainment options.
Michigan Has It All!
In the summer there is no better place than Michigan to enjoy cooler temperatures, long sunny days, great golf and accommodating resorts and inns.
Consider these great Michigan locations when you are planning your next summer golf getaway.
