Paul Beachnau’s job as executive director of the Gaylord (pronounced Gay-lurd) Convention and Tourism Bureau requires he sing the praises of northern Michigan But spend an evening with Beachnau, say dinner at Bennethum’s Northern Inn in Gaylord or sharing craft beer at Big Buck Brewery in Gaylord, and you’ll know that he is more than just a front man. Beachnau, understand, lives and breathes Gaylord and its environs.
“I love the lifestyle,’’ Beachnau says. “I love being outdoors. I don’t like big crowds. I love winter and the outdoors. We have all these incredible assets -from trout streams to golf courses. I love the vibe.’’
The Gaylord “viibe’’ can be described as a destination where you can’t wait to arrive – particularly for golfers in the summer and fall – and one you might not want to leave. Or, least one where you’ll want to spend more than a few days exploring Gaylord’s alpine village, rafting the Sturgeon River, hiking the forests along 11 trails, fish for sturgeon, pike, walleye and crappie in the waters of Lake Otsego, and playing golf on one of 16 courses that comprise the “Gaylord Golf Mecca.’’
Let’s put it this way: If you can’t find a course – or courses – that fits your fancy among those courses, you’re not looking hard enough. They range from the high-elevation courses at Treetops Resort to the parkland designs at Michaywe. And they’re basically within one hour’s drive of each other, making it easy to play two rounds per day, particularly in the summer when the sun doesn’t set until after 9 pm.
Gaylord Golf Mecca, which averages more than 275,000 rounds annually, offers 20 different lodging facilities to go with its 16 golf courses. It works with area hotels and resorts on a plethora of stay-and-play packages that fit every schedule and price range.
Gaylord is 230 miles from Detroit and 360 miles from Chicago. The Traverse City airport is less than a two-hour drive.
“All of our members are on a mission to build the brand and make Gaylord a destination,’’ Beachnau says. “The feeling is that a rising tide raises all ships. If we can rise this tide, everyone is going to get their share of the business.
“The brand is our mission. We want to reinforce the brand and destination. There’s a lot of business out there, but people like to come to Gaylord.’’
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And over the years, Beachneau says, people are coming from farther away.
“For us, the Midwest states are golf rich. Now we’re branching out into places like Dallas and even Houston. People down there are looking to come up in the summer, where it’s 75 degrees and gets down into the 60s at night.’’
Treetops Resort and Otsego Resort each make good “headquarters’’ ’ for stays in Gaylord. Treetops, in particular, is the resort that put Gaylord on the map as a golf destination. The resort features five courses, including “Threetops,’’ one of the country’s top par-three courses.
Threetops is a good test to get acquainted with the elevation changes on the other courses – the Jones Masterpiece, Smith Tradition and Signature, and Fazio Premier. Picking a favorite is like asking a parent to pick his or her favorite child. The Jones Masterpiece – designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., – might be the most aesthetically pleasing as it overlooks the Pigeon River Valley. The Fazio Premier is the only Tom-Fazio design in all of Michigan and shows off some of the creativity he brought to mountain courses such as Champion Hills in Hendersonville, N.C. Noted golf instructor (and Michigan native) Rick Smithdesigned the Tradition and Signature courses, each of which bring a taste of the Scottish and Irish links to Michigan.
The Lodge at Treetops offers large comfortable rooms – ideal for golfers. The resort also has the Inn, cottages and condominiums available.
Treetops also has several dining options, among the more popular being the Legends on the Hill, which offers breakfast and dinner; and the Sports Bar, with indoor/outdoor seating and a wide assortment of Michigan beer.
It’s easy make Treetops your only stop for golf in the Gaylord area, but here are a few of my other favorites for consideration:
Otsego Resort (Gaylord)
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A great buddy trip destination with pair of courses – Tribute and Classic. The Tribute features some severe elevation changes as it plays along the Sturgeon River Valley. The Classic also plays along the Sturgeon River Valley but is more a parkland that first glance, might seem easier than Tribute, but its fast greens help even things out.
Make sure to notice Tribute’s signature ninth hole – a 285-yard, par 4 where golfers hit from one ski slope top to another.
Otsego Resort’s Hilltop Lodge is popular with golf buddy trips, as its eight large bedrooms can sleep up to 16 people The Lodge also has a full kitchen and a comfortable common area. The resort also offers other accommodations, including the five-bedroom Classic Lodge.
The Duck Blind Grill, just across from the Hilltop Lodge, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Black Lake Golf Club (Onaway)
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Owned by the United Auto Workers, Black Lake is a terrific Rees Jones layout that is straightforward and fair, with sweeps and natural grades instead of mounds and moguls. It’s immaculately maintained and features five sets of tees. The only criticism of Black Lake (7,035 yards from the tips) is that it can use a set of tee from in between the 6,391-yard markers and the 5,823-yard markers.
But don’t let that stop golfers on any handicap – Black Lake is a “must play’’ on any trip to northern Michigan.
Gaylord Golf Club
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A classic parkland design (6,506 yards from the tips) that features five sets of tees, Gaylord Golf Club is one of the few private clubs in Michigan that allows public play. The more you play Gaylord GC, the more you like it. The course has some subtle uphill elevation changes that require using an extra club, so club selection is essential.
Indian River Golf Club (Indian River)
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One hundred years old this year, Indian River is a combination of an open “prairie style’’ layout with a Northwoods background.
Originally called Burt Lake Golf Course, the course began in 1923 as a nine-hole layout. The course (6,600 yards) was re-routed in 1984 when additional land was acquired. The course was originally a nine-hole layout.
Indian River has as many as seven tees, including hybrid tees, so it’s easy to pick a yardage that works for your game.
Michaywe (Gaylord)
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The Pines at Michaywe is as friendly a public course as you might anywhere. The 7,000-yard (tips) layout plays through white birch and pine forests along the AuSable River. There’s nothing tricky or gimmicked up about the Pines, it’s just a fun day of golf. Don’t pass on the cheeseburgers at Jack’s Grill.
For information on all of the golf and lodging opportunities offered by Gaylord Golf Mecca, visit https://gaylordgolfmecca.com/
Feature Photo: Threetops at Treetops Resort
Photos Courtesy of Gaylord Golf Mecca