Yes, the golf season in winding down in Michigan, but with the continuing resurgence in golf travel booking your 2023 golf trip now seems prudent and will guarantee you get the tee times and courses you want, plus the pricing now will probably be a little less than waiting until next year.
Each of these resorts has its own benefits and will provide a wonderful golf getaway for your next buddies trip, girls golf getaway, or family vacation.
BOYNE Resort is one of the best destinations in the country. With ten magnificent courses at three locations, BOYNE Mountain, The Highlands at Harbor Springs and Bay Harbor, all within 20 miles of each other, provide a variety of accommodation options and pricing.
The Highlands at Harbor Springs
The Highlands at Harbor Springs’ four courses, The Ross Memorial, The Moor, The Arthur Hills and the 2019 National Golf Course of the Year, The Heather, are all championship caliber and exquisitely maintained.
The Golf Academy at The Highlands can help improve anyone’s game. With Trackman, Gears training software, Trackman Range, plus PGA Class A Professionals on staff, they offer the best in teaching to increase the enjoyment for every golfer.
In addition to the great golf at The Highlands, the accommodations have been recently renovated for the most comfortable stay possible.
In the near future a new par three course will be completed to provide yet another option for golfers to enjoy.
The Spa at The Highlands will soothe those achy muscles after a day on the course. It also provides a relaxing day away from the kids for mom with a variety of special services available.
BOYNE Mountain
Two courses at the mountain, The Alpine and the Monument, offer outstanding views over Deer Lake as each wind their way down the mountain. The first tee for both courses sits atop the mountain and requires a 1.4-mile golf cart ride to reach the pinnacle.
Back 9 Report visited BOYNE Mountain earlier this year and learned more about all the happenings at the resort: https://youtu.be/CuyiHyVMNfU
BOYNE Mountain makes the perfect choice for any family, as it includes a zip line and a large indoor water park.
Avalanche Bay includes 88,000 square feet of rides and slides, Rip Zone Surf Simulator, a lazy river, Super-G Slide, four activity pools and much more fun for the entire family.
PLUS, something new for this year is the 1,200 foot Skybridge. Suspended by two large timber towers it stretches between two peaks at BOYNE Mountain and hangs 118 feet above the valley floor. This is something that every visitor to BOYNE will want to experience.
The Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa are first-class and can accommodate any size family, or group.
There are several dining options at BOYNE Mountain, Everett’s, the Trophy Room Pub and Forty Acres, but don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a tasty meal at the Beach House along side Deer Lake. On a warm summer’s evening, while seated on the outdoor patio, you can enjoy some of the best cuisine, watch kids play in the water, while their parents enjoy the relaxing beach atmosphere. There may even be a wedding party in progress, plus it is the best place to catch a Michigan sunset over Deer Lake.
Bay Harbor Inn & Golf Club
The third location at BOYNE Resort includes the Bay Harbor Inn, Bay Harbor Golf Club, plus Crooked Tree Golf Course and Cottages
The Cottages at Crooked Tree are ideal for golf groups and families. They set along Crooked Tree’s 18th fairway and come with all the resort amenities of the Bay Harbor Inn. The standalone three-bedroom cottages offer a full kitchen, fireplace, dining area, and large porch.
The Bay Harbor Inn is one of the finest hotels in Northern Michigan and the views across Little Traverse Bay provide amazing sunsets.
From the finest dining experience to the more casual BOYNE’s Bay Harbor Inn has you covered. The Vintage Chop House’s understated elegance is perfect for date night, or special occasions. The Sagamore Room offers fantastic views of the lake, while providing the perfect breakfast options. The Cabana Bar is located poolside with a full menu, fun atmosphere, refreshing cocktails and live entertainment.
The three nine-hole configurations at the Bay Harbor Golf Club, The Preserve, The Quarry and The Links, have been recognized as some of the best courses to be found in the country. The Quarry was built in an abandoned stone quarry, with some tee boxes perched high above the fairway on the rim of the quarry. The views over Lake Michigan are jaw-dropping. The Links has several holes that border the lake and offer views looking down over Bay Harbor. The Preserve winds it way through native forest land and gives golfers a true Up North feel.
The Bay Harbor Inn and Golf Course, plus Crooked Tree give golfers 45 holes of outstanding golf, plus the very finest in accommodations, dining and service. If you are looking for the very best in a travel destination, look no further than BOYNE Resort’s Bay Harbor.
Treetops Resort & Gaylord Golf Mecca
Treetops and the Gaylord Golf Mecca have welcomed thousands of golfers over the past 40 years.
The Gaylord Golf Mecca includes not only Treetops, but a total of 17 courses and 21 lodging options.
Treetops Resort
Treetops opened its first course, The Masterpiece, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1983 and later added the Smith Signature, Tom Fazio’s Premier, the Tradition and the famous par-three, Threetops to its variety of offerings. Add those 81 holes, the Himalayas Putting Course and golfers have 81 holes of high-quality golf at affordable prices on which to test their skills.
The Treetops Lodge, Inn, North Condominiums and newly renovated Jones Cottages offer a variety of lodging options for families or groups.
Gaylord Golf Mecca
Gaylord has become such a large vacation area for families and down staters that as the golf industry grew it became evident that it was in the best interest of all golf owners to form a mutual marketing alliance. Thus, the Gaylord Golf Mecca was born in 1985, using Myrtle Beach as a model and Paul Beachnau was hired as the Executive Director, a position he still serves in today.
In addition to Treetops, the Gaylord Golf Mecca currently includes Black Lake Golf Club, Garland Lodge, Gaylord Golf Club, Indian River Golf Club, Lakes of the North, Michawye’ Pines, Otsego and The Natural.
Black Lake Golf Club
Every hole at the Black Lake Golf Club, designed by Rees Jones, could be featured on the cover of a major golf magazine. The natural woodlands and native areas are the perfect setting for the course that has been recognized as one of the most environmentally responsible.
The course was built with every golfer in mind. Five sets of tees can accommodate any skill level and it has been satisfying golfers since it opened in 2000.
Garland Lodge
Michigan’s unspoiled wilderness provides the perfect setting for Garland Resort’s four championship golf courses. Rolling meadows, with lakes, streams, mature hardwoods, and towering pines provide the backdrop to challenge golfers of all abilities. Even if you aren’t a great golfer, you will see plenty of birdies and eagles at Garland as several bald eagles nest on the courses, as well as hawks and wild turkey.
Garland Lodge has spacious hotel rooms, three, or four bedroom villas, plus condominiums and cottages to satisfy and size group, or family.
Gaylord Golf Club
Gaylord Golf Club, founded in 1924 is one of Northern Michigan’s oldest clubs. It is a semi-private course that will accept tee times from travelers to this part of the state. The routing takes it through rolling hills and hardwoods with strategic bunkering and some of the finest green complexes to be found.
If you are looking for a course maintained to country club standards, fun to play, but a challenging golf experience, this is the right course for you.
Indian River Golf Club
This fun to play course originally opened in 1922, but has been updated with more holes added to make it a fun track. Plus, it even has a 19th hole to settle the odd wager.
If you like to walk, Indian River is excellent for that, plus a variety of tees options assure the course can be enjoyed by every golfer.
While you are there be sure to enjoy a meal at the Greenside Grille. It is a full-service restaurant and bar which is perfect to recap the day’s round of golf among friends.
Lakes of the North
Open to the public in 1968 and updated in the 1980’s, Lakes of the North Golf Course as been rated by the Golf Association of Michigan as having some of the greens in the state. This scenic par 72 can be stretched to 7,000 yards. Choose your tee option carefully, don’t bite off more than you can chew.
Lake of the North also has a practice facility, driving range, fully stocked pro shop and putting green.
The rolling terrain provides outstanding colors and views in the fall.
Michawye’ Pines Golf Course
Michawye’ Pines just celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022. It was a founding member of the Gaylord Golf Mecca and has been providing excellent service to golfers since 1972.
The 18-hole Pines Course is known for its impeccable conditions, classic and playable layout. The putting green, chipping green and driving range are adjacent to our well-stocked Pro Shop.
The Pines Course is complemented by The Inn the Woods Restaurant with Schneider’s Pub and the Jack Pine Grill to fill every food and beverage desire.
Otsego Club
First opened in 1939, the Otsego Club, like Treetops, is a winter ski resort, but in the summer their two courses, the Tribute and the Classic offer 36 holes of challenging golf.
Their accommodations include lodges with connecting rooms including a large open common area, perfect for groups, or families. In addition, the club has more than 24,000 square feet of meeting space along with the mountain views that are perfect for weddings, corporate meetings and family reunions.
The Duck Blind Grille serves up delicious fare and has received numerous awards for dining excellence.
The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort
The Natural Golf Course is located just five miles south of Gaylord on the west side of Otsego Lake.
Famed Michigan Golf Course architect Jerry Matthews used the native Michigan terrain of woodland, wetlands and rolling terrain to create one of the most natural feeling courses you will play.
The comfortable clubhouse sits on an elevated bluff overlooking the wetlands with the challenging ninth and 18th holes below.
While you are there, be sure to enjoy a light meal, sandwich, or favorite beverage in the lounge.
In addition to BOYNE, Treetops and Gaylord Golf Mecca, other Michigan golf resorts, Arcadia Bluffs, Gull Lake View Resort, Forest Dunes and Island Casino & Resort, in Michigan’s U.P. offer lodging, a variety of great golf courses, outdoor activities and fun for the entire family.
Michigan has everything a golfer could ask for, plus with several direct flight options from many major cities into Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City. It has never been easier to get there.
Don’t wait! Book your 2023 golf adventure to BOYNE Resort or Gaylord Golf Mecca now!
