Travel Michigan Golf

MGN ON THE ROAD

Sleeping Bear Press-Chelsea
We stopped by to see the digs of Sleeping Bear Press. Their offices are in a spectacular building, the Watchtower in Chelsea. The firm chronicled by Bill Shelton in his piece for Michigan Golfer for Women, http://womensgolfnetwork.com/01_guide/golf_publish.htm was busy as they prepare for the holiday book buying season. Brian Lewis and his team, have really put Michigan on the world map in golf publishing.
http://www.sleepingbearpress.com

The Natural-Gaylord
Owner Larry Bowden is squeezing a few more rounds out of a successful summer, but is getting ready to attend the Snowmobile Expo in Novi next week. Beaver Creek is one of the go to places in Gaylord for snowmobilers. They are sold out for the holidays. BTW, The Natural will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year. This fine Jerry Matthews course had aged well.
http://thenatural.org

Treetops-Gaylord
Director of Marketing, Chuck Nance, is putting his ski hat on now that things are getting quiet around the resort. It has been another year of national recognition for Treetops and its Par 3 Shootout. The Million Dollar hole in one by Lee Trevino, brought it big time attention.
http://treetops.com

Otsego Club-Gaylord
I toured the Tribute with Scott Chesley and they really do have an exciting course here. The official grand opening will be in May of next year. You need to get on the phone and book a tee time now and see what Gary Koch and Rick Robbins have done with 1100 acres.
http://otsegoclub.com

Crystal Mountain-Thompsonville
Brad Dean has had an awesome year. He had a total of 70 golf schools this year, had the school named as one of the top 25 in the country and just saw the cornerstone laid for his new clubhouse that is scheduled to open next year. Congrats, Brad.
http://www.crystalmountain.com

Grand Traverse Resort-Traverse City
I took a cart ride with Mike DeAgostino of Grand Traverse Resort to look over Gary Player's Wolverine course and the new Wolverine Heights golf community now going up. The hammers and saws were flying so it looks like they have a solid winner. Mike indicated that many of the members of the resort have adopted the Wolverine as their favorite of the three courses.
http://grandtraverseresort.com

Michaywe GC-Gaylord
Director of Golf for Michaywe, Don White was working on the budget for next year, when I dropped by. Don has done a terrific job this year and the rounds are up to prove it. The membership is getting ready to spend a nice sum of money to renovate the course.
http://michaywe.org

Hawk's Ridge-Grayling
I had the opportunity to chat with Jerry Balms, owner of the Skyline Ski area. He has hired John Robinson to bring on his new course, entitled Hawk's Ridge. Hawk's Ridge is shooting for a late summer opening of at least nine of its holes. It has one of those great, Treetops, Otsego, Lake Course, Little Traverse Bay views that goes on forever. This will certainly bring Grayling into the golf destination business. They have a real nice Jeff Gorney course in Fox Run to join the new Hawk's Ridge
http://www.skylineski.com