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Michigan Fall Golf Packages
By L'Anse Bannon
Autumn golfers in Michigan often are rewarded with crisp mornings and dry, sunny days. Our waters seem cleaner, our skies clearer, our meadows more beautiful as our forests begin their annual transformation to a palette of magical colors.
Some time during the month, cool air begins to creep in from the north, spill across our border and visit places such as Timberstone, Wild Bluff, Hessel Ridge, The Rock at Woodmoor and the Jewel on Mackinac Island.
As fall seeps across the bridge linking our peninsulas, the foliage on trees surrounding the courses of the Mackinaw City area, Boyne Country, St. Ives, Hidden River, the Gaylord Golf Mecca, Garland and the Sunrise Side begin to explode with the yellows, oranges, browns and reds that create the scenes which end up in so many cameras, camcorders and memories.
Fall seems to halt there for a bit, but when the first snow hits the Upper Peninsula, the curtain of color continues to drop down onto the courses of Traverse City, Cadillac and Oscoda. It then continues its relentless push into the Tri-cities, Grand Rapids, Flint and on and on until it exits through our southern tier of counties of Lenawee, Monroe, Cass, St. Joseph and Berrien.
This year, fall is more than just a typical shoulder season for our courses and resorts; it is a chance to regroup from a brutally wet spring and a hot summer. For resorts that offer skiing as well as golf, the late spring was easier to accept because the winter had brought record skiers to their slopes. Michelle McWilliams of the Michigan Ski Industries Association (MSIA) indicated that the ski industry had one of its best years last winter. However, non-ski resorts have had a more difficult time of it this year.
As a golfer, fall gives you the opportunity to play some of Michigan's great properties at reduced prices. We requested fall golf package information from Michigan convention and visitor bureaus, resorts and major golf courses. You will find the results here. Any post-publishing deadline information concerning golf packages will be found at Michigan's internet site which is: http://www.michigan.org/golf. You will also find direct links to most of the CVB golf pages as well. Generally, if there are any fall golf packages, they feature them.
UPPER PENINSULA
Hessel RidgeRapids (http://www.hesselridge.com)
Autumn visitors to the U.P. are invited to play Hessel Ridge at a seasonal rate of $32, which includes 18 holes and use of a cart.
Wild BluffRapids (http://www.wildbluff.com)
Wild Bluff will extend its wildly popular $99 midweek golf package to weekends beginning Sept. 23. Go to the club's website for particulars, but basically, you get one 18-hole round of golf with a cart, a one-night stay in the new waterfront hotel, a $15 dining credit at any of the resort's restaurants, a roll of quarters for the casino, free drink coupons, and $20 in blackjack matchplay at the casino.
LOWER PENINSULA - NORTHWEST
Boyne Country
Peter Fitzsimons, Executive Director of Petoskey Boyne Harbor Spring Convention and Visitors Bureau likes long name tags and great deals on golf. When you check into participating lodging properties in Boyne Country they will give you $5 in script to apply to your golf round during your stay. You may want to ask them for the script as you check in or make your reservations for golf lodging. You can check out their fall Boyne Country prices at their website, http://boynecountry.com
Crystal MountainRapids (http://www.crystalmountain.com)
Fall golf packages can be found at this resort's website under Internet Lodging Specials. If you have any questions, give Dee Dee Lentz a call at (800) 968-7686 ext. 2502, or email her at deedeelentz@crystalmountain.com.
Fox Run-Grayling
Ron Koutnik, says that they have a fall golf special that includes golf and cart for $30 Monday through Thursday and $35 Friday through Sunday.
Golf Big Rapids (http://www.communitylink.com/ghtri-it/golf.htm)
Golf Big Rapids has 36- and 54-hole packages with The Rose, Katke, Meceola, St. Ives, Tullymore, Pilgrim's Run and Falcon Head available this fall. The courses partner with the Holiday Inn, Super 8 and the Outback Lodge.
Mackinaw City (http://www.golfmackinaw.com)
Brad Jones and his Golf Mackinaw folks are offering a 54-hole golf package for just $100. The package includes 54-holes of golf with your choice of two 18-hole rounds of golf with cart at Hessel Ridge, Indian River, Kincheloe Memorial or The Mackinaw Club and your choice of one 18-hole round of golf with cart at Black Lake Golf Club, Hidden River Golf and Casting or The Rock at Drummond Island.
Manistee County (http://www.manisteegolf.com)
Dianna Wall indicates that there is a listing of golf courses and lodging for Manistee County on its website. Contact a property and they will set up your entire fall golf package. You can also e-mail Wall at chamber@manistee.com
Shanty Creek (http://www.shantycreek.com)
Angie Pomper tells us that Shanty Creek's Fall Golf Special is only $47.50. The package includes one night's lodging in a guest room, 18 holes of golf at Summit Golf Club, with a shared cart for two. Call (800) 678-4111 ext. 7883 or e-mail info@shantycreek.com.
NORTHEAST - GAYLORD GOLF MECCA
Resort One (http://www.resortone.com)
Jayne Winowiecki of Resort One said this property would drop lodging prices to $40 per person per night, as opposed to the $50 per person rate it gets in the peak season. For those who want to golf the Natural, Michaywe, Treetops, Otsego or other fine golf courses of the Gaylord Golf Mecca, here is a chance to grab some great lodging. Resort One offers homes rather than rooms and you have a wide variety to choose from.
Garland (http://www.garlandusa.com)
Garland celebrates its 50th anniversary by rolling back the clock. For $79 per person, you enjoy one night's lodging and 18 holes of golf with cart on the Reflections course. This package is valid Sunday through Thursday only in the Main Lodge or Double Villa rooms.
Garland also has a Fall Golf Special for $269. This package offers the blue-sky days and the star-spangled nights of Garland in September. After golf you can relax in the lounge, or cozy up to a warm fire. The package includes one night's lodging in a single villa, 18 holes of golf with cart per person, dinner and breakfast. Stay two nights and get an extra round free. For information or reservations call (877) 4-GARLAND.
Otsego Club (http://www.otsegoclub.com)
Otsego Club and Resort in Gaylord has announced a fall golf package for $99 per person. Golfers will enjoy two rounds of golf at their choice of the Loon, the Lake or the Classic and one night's lodging. This offer is now valid seven days a week. For reservations call: (800) 752-5510 or e-mail the resort at: reservations@otsegoclub.com.
CENTRAL
Lansing (http://www.lansing.org)
Kent Love of Lansing's CVB, reports that facilities in Michigan's capital city are offering unforgettable and affordable golf getaways.
Comfort Inn of Okemos
Centrally located near MSU and surrounding golf courses, this property's package includes 18 holes of golf with cart, deluxe overnight accommodations and breakfast for $93.50 per person, double occupancy.
Courtyard by Marriott
This package includes 18 holes of golf with cart, deluxe overnight accommodations, and breakfast for $108 per person, double occupancy or $150 per person, single occupancy.
Harley Hotel of Lansing
The Harley's package includes 18 holes of golf with cart, golf bag tags and tees, deluxe overnight accommodations, and a full-service breakfast for $89.50 per person, double occupancy.
Hampton Inn - East Lansing
This package includes 18 holes of golf with cart, deluxe overnight accommodations and a deluxe breakfast bar for $104 per person, double occupancy.
Sheraton Lansing Hotel
The Sheraton package features 18 holes of golf with cart, deluxe overnight accommodations, and breakfast for $99.50 per person , double occupancy or $129.50 for singles. Courses in the packages include Timber Ridge Golf Club, Forest Akers Golf Course, Hawk Hollow Golf Course and The Emerald at Maple Creek Golf Course. Book your lodging and tee times with one toll-free phone call to (866) GET-A-GRIP (438-2474).
Mt. Pleasant
Fall golf getaways in the Mt. Pleasant area, beginning Sept. 17, start from $46 per person. The package includes green fees for 18 holes of golf, shared cart, one overnight shared room and a dinner discount card. There are 14 courses in the area including The Emerald, Riverwood Resort, St. Ives Golf Club and Tullymore. Call (888) 772-2021 for a customized package.
SOUTHWEST
Grand Rapids (http://www.golfgrandrapids.com)
Janet Korn of Golf Grand Rapids, tells us that numerous fall golf specials are available. As early as Sept. 7 golfers can save as much as $10 on greens fees at Boulder Creek Golf Club and The Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe. In October, golfers can save over $10 on weekend rates at The Meadows, St. Ives and Tullymore. Golf packages can be arranged by contacting Golf Grand Rapids at (877) VISIT-GR.
Gull Lake View (http://www.gulllakeview.com)
Jon Ervin from Gull Lake View states that all of their golf packages include unlimited greens fees on their five courses, there are no replay rates or surcharges. Their Fairway Villas are located on the Gull Lake East Course and have two bedrooms each with a bath and two beds. Villas also offer a living room and full kitchen with nearby practice greens. Package examples: September weekdays: two days unlimited golf and one night in Fairway Villas for $114 per person based on quad occupancy. October weekdays: two days of unlimited golf and one night in Fairway Villas for $85.50 per person, quad occupancy. October weekends: three days of unlimited golf and two nights in Fairway Villas for $185.25 per person, quad occupancy.
Saugatuck (http://www.saugatuck.com)
Sallie Cwik, the innkeeper at the the Park House Inn (http://www.parkhouseinn.com) in Saugatuck says that they have wonderful fall golf packages. A special two-day, midweek package for golf lovers includes arrival Sunday through Thursday and a luxurious double Jacuzzi suite. Head off to Clearbrook Golf Course, which is known as one of Southwest Michigan's finest golf facilities. After enjoying your day, return to a relaxing Jacuzzi, champagne and dinner at The Park House Inn. The next morning you'll be off to The Ravines, an Arnold Palmer Signature course. Contact Cwik at (800) 321-4535.
Southwest Michigan (http://www.swmichigan.org)
Phyllis Dowsett, of the Southwestern Tourist Council, reminds everybody they it work with five lodging properties that offer packages to the council's 25 golf courses. Fall golf packages are available from the Benton Harbor Days Inn (616) 925-7021, the Boulevard Inn & Bistro (800) 875-6600, Stevensville Baymont Inn and Suites (800) 301-2000, Hampton Inn (800) 426-7866 and Park Inn (800) 228-5885.
SOUTHEAST
Huron Metro Parks (http://www.metroparks.com)
The Huron Metro Parks pushed through 344,724 rounds at their 10 courses last year. This should make them the biggest golf operation in the state. They have eight 18-hole regulation courses and two 18-hole par-3 courses. Fall golf prices will be listed on their fee page, or you can get updated information by calling (800) 23-GOLF-4. You can call after business hours at (888) 818-GOLF.
Jackson (http://www.jackson-mich.org)
Jackson has a new website with plenty of information. Each lodging property offers a different package for the golf consumer. Visit the site for comprehensive information.
Lewanee Golf (http://www.visitlenawee.com/golf.htm)
According to Sharon Ott of the Lenawee CVB, it is offering the same Stay and Play golf package as it did this spring. Essentially, you can build your own custom golf package at a discounted rate. Imagine 18 holes of golf for two, with cart, and overnight accommodations for as low as $87. You'll save at least 10 percent off golf fees and lodging by booking your reservation and tee times with the CVB. One call does it all, (800) 536-2933.
Branch County
Fall golf ends and spring golf begins at courses like Blackberry Patch. This beautiful 18 hole course is flat out gorgeous when the leaves change color. They have a special senior rate of $22 for golf and cart on Monday and Tuesday.
Dearborn
Dearborn Hills has a spectacular clubhouse and beautiful plantings around it. Fall golf is always a pleasure at this upscale course.
For additional information on autumn golf packages in Upper and Lower Michigan, go online to http://www.michigan.org/golf and then click on the golf packages link.
Michigan Convention and Tourism Bureaus Golf Resource Pages
