29 minute read

THE GREAT LAKES STATE

BOYNE/BAY HARBOR

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THE GREAT LAKES STATE ESCAPES

Text: Brenna Buckwald

When Michigan’s warmer months roll in, daylight hours extend, and snow melts o the golf courses—individuals, couples, friends, and families alike with a passion for the game begin planning their golf season. In this edition of e Golf Explorer: Michigan’s Journal to Incredible Golf Magazine, several resorts around Michigan are highlighted for their unique play-and-stay opportunities, allowing golfers to nd the right t for this season’s golf vacation.

GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT AND SPA

100 GRAND TRAVERSE VILLAGE BLVD. | ACME, MICHIGAN “ e thing that is really special about Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is it is an experience for everyone of all ages. We have relaxation, we have fun, we have ne dining, we have special memories. It is an all-encompassing, 900-acre property that has a little bit of everything,” said Caroline Rizzo, public relations manager at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, Michigan near Traverse City.

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa provides guests with a rounded golf vacation, starting with three unique golf courses, and ending with other tness activities and the onsite full-service spa.

From e Bear, designed by Jack Nicklaus; e Wolverine, which was Gary Player’s rst signature course in Michigan; and Spruce Run, the resort’s original golf course that was redesigned by Bill Newcomb in 1979; golfers at Grand Traverse Resort can attain varying golf experiences, each conveniently beginning at e Clubhouse.

For golfers looking for something more after playing the three championship courses, or looking for indoor activities, e Golf Academy at Grand Traverse Resort awaits. e Golf Academy is a 2,000-square-foot space open year-round, featuring three heated indoor-outdoor hitting bays equipped with mirrors and motion-capture technology for swing analysis. During the colder months of the year, e Academy houses the Winter Golf Center, which o ers lessons, SuperSpeed golf training, practice sessions, and golf simulators for guests to play.

e Grand Traverse Resort and Spa also o ers an onsite full-service spa and health club located conveniently in the same wing of the resort, ready for golfers once they step o the courses for the day. Hair artistry, nail care, body massages, facials, waxing, and lash services are just a few of the treatments available to guests of Spa Grand Traverse. Saunas, hot tubs, and pools sit within that same wing, and an award-winning tennis program, workout facilities, and pickleball court are also part of the health club at the resort.

Eight eateries sprinkled around the resort ensure hungry guests have a lot of options when it comes to grabbing a snack or sitting down for a meal. Rizzo indicated that the most wellknown restaurant at Grand Traverse is Aerie Restaurant and Lounge, an establishment that sits on the 16th oor of e Tower, o ering panoramic vistas of the property, as well as views of Old Mission Peninsula and Grand Traverse Bay.

Some of the other dining options at the resort comprise Sweetwater American Bistro, a family-style bistro nestled just o the Grand Lobby; e Grille Restaurant, an eatery providing lunch and dinner, overlooking the 18th hole of e Bear golf course; and Jack’s taproom, the resort’s go-to spot for cra beer and upscale pub fare.

Grand Traverse Resort has been steadily gaining popularity throughout the past couple of years, with the number of golfers playing the sport increasing, according to Rizzo.

“Last year we were super excited to say, ‘2020 has been a record setting year,’ but 2021 blew 2020 out of the water. It is incredible,” Rizzo said.

“We have never seen golf grow like we did last year, until now this year. It is amazing to see what is happening with old golfers returning to the game and rekindling their interest and love for the sport. Also, new golfers who are just learning it and picking up a club for the rst time, anxious to get outside and be part of that incredible golf atmosphere,” Rizzo added.

BOYNE GOLF

Bay Harbor Golf Club 5800 COASTAL RIDGE DRIVE | BAY HARBOR, MICHIGAN

The Highlands At Harbor Springs 600 HIGHLAND DRIVE | HARBOR SPRINGS, MICHIGAN

Boyne Mountain 1 BOYNE MOUNTAIN ROAD | BOYNE FALLS, MICHIGAN

Crooked Tree Golf Club 600 Crooked Tree Drive | Bay Harbor, Michigan BOYNE Golf delivers the same high level of excellence in quality across ten courses and three resorts, while still creating distinct experiences at each stop within their 30-minute radius in northern Michigan.

For Ken Gri n, director of golf sales and marketing at Boyne Resorts, each property under the Boyne umbrella is so unique, that when one rst visits Boyne for their vacation, it feels as if they are stepping into a di erent part of the world. Gri n described the village at Boyne Mountain, the original resort at Boyne, as similar to European or Bavarian style in the building’s architecture and décor.

As the name denotes, Boyne Mountain features wide elevation changes on its mountainous terrain, allowing golfers the opportunity to begin their game at the summit of the slope with views of Deer Lake below

GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT AND SPA

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN

that stretch as far as the eye can see, playing down toward the blue waters—an experience wrapped into the two courses, e Alpine and e Monument.

During the winter months between the 2021 and 2022 golf season, Boyne Mountain underwent some resort updates, such as the 35 upgraded suites at Edelweiss Lodge at Boyne Mountain, the transformation also including a shi in the lodging’s name to Chalet Edelweiss. Gri n noted that the new rooms weren’t just modi ed to stay current in style, but also were expanded for guests to have apt space during their stay.

Coming this summer to Boyne Mountain, the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge, called SkyBridge Michigan, will stretch between the peaks of McLouth and Disciples Ridge. Guests will experience a walkway 118 feet above the ground a er riding a chairli to the mountain’s top, strolling across the 1,203-foot-long bridge. A er the attraction opens in June 2022, it will be available to walk year-round—the perfect escape into nature in-between rounds of golf. e guest rooms in the main lodge at the newly rebranded e Highlands At Harbor Shores have also been recently remodeled, as Boyne continues to stay updated for overnight guests at their resort locations.

“When you go to Boyne Highlands, the idea was to give you an experience like you would get going to a Scottish island. On the way in you see the shaggy, long-horned, Scottish Highland cattle; that is the start of your experience,” Gri n said.

Home to Boyne’s rst golf course, e Heather, which was established in 1966, e Highlands also includes the courses Arthur Hills, Donald Ross Memorial, e Moor, and an extra nine-hole course, Cu Links Executive Par 3, which o ers a friendly, quick game at the base of e Highlands Day Lodge.

Granting magni cent vistas of the sunsets re ected on Lake Michigan’s waters, the Inn at Bay Harbor, opened in 1998, was designed in homage to the grand hotels of the late 19th century. e 125-room establishment provides a ve-star stay for visitors, with an onsite full-service spa and salon, and numerous dining options to t any occasion. Visitors who would like to stay in Bay Harbor can also choose to book one of the resort’s Lakeside Cottages or Crooked Tree Cottages, both of which o er access to all the amenities at the Inn at Bay Harbor.

Largely in uenced by the nearby Lake Michigan, the courses at Bay Harbor Golf Club complement the natural landscape, each o ering at least one picturesque view of the bay. e Links, e Quarry, and e Preserve diverge dramatically from one another in style, with each set of nine holes a combinable experience to play a unique 18-hole round. Crooked Tree Golf Club marks the nal golf course one can play while in Bay Harbor.

“Beyond the golf, there are very few places in the United States where the sun comes up at 6:30 in the morning, it doesn’t set until 10 o’clock at night, and your average temperature is 75 to 80 degrees,” Gri n said.

“ e largest spa in Michigan is at Boyne Mountain; it is an 18,000-square-foot spa. If families and younger kids want to go to the waterpark, there is an 88,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, and you have a 450-acre lake out back where we have a private beach on it. ere is just a lot of variety to make a well-rounded vacation still centered around golf that can be a main reason for it, but it is not the only reason for it, which is what happens with a lot of great golf destinations,” Gri n added.

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN

12500 CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN DRIVE | THOMPSONVILLE, MICHIGAN At Crystal Mountain, the two golf courses— Mountain Ridge and Betsie Valley—are just the beginning to entertainment available at the resort during one’s stay. e 36 holes o er distinct play, fun challenges, and panoramic views from the height of the mountain.

Open to the public, a 10-acre Practice & Learning Center allows golfers to sharpen their skills before trying out Mountain Ridge or Betsie Valley golf courses. e center is home to the nationally renowned Crystal Mountain Golf School, as well as a driving range, which includes a covered hitting area, putting green, and two multi-tiered chipping greens with bunkers.

SHANTY CREEK RESORT

Guests staying overnight at the resort can play a free round of golf during their stay with a Crystal Mountain golf package. Of course, an overnight vacation at the golf destination also allows guests to take advantage of the other activities available during the warmer months, such as archery, tennis, pickleball courts, disc golf, approximately 25 kilometers of mountain biking trails, an outdoor pool, hot tub, and water playground.

“We have Michigan’s only alpine slide, where you control the speed with a knob, and you ride down on a wagon. My 80-year-old grandpa went on it, so it is [for] all ages from kids to elders, as long as you have the need for speed,” said Brittney Buti, public relations manager at Crystal Mountain. e chairli s used in the wintertime serve a di erent purpose during the warmer months: they become scenic chairli rides, bringing guests to heights overlooking three counties of rolling hills and forest, with the option of hopping o at the top and enjoying a hike back down the mountain.

Inside the resort, guests can venture to the Crystal Spa for a bit of relaxation in the form of facials, massages, or spending time in the sauna or steam room. An indoor pool and tness center included in guests’ resort stay makes it easy to keep up the workout regime one might have at home.

“I would say, keep your mind open when you come here to play golf. Look around and enjoy everything that we have to o er, including the hiking trails and especially the Michigan Legacy Art Park; it’s a unique feature that a lot of other golf resorts don’t have,” Buti said.

“It is a little cliché, but there really is something for everyone,” Buti added.

SHANTY CREEK RESORT

Summit Village 5780 SHANTY CREEK ROAD | BELLAIRE, MICHIGAN

Cedar River Village 2400 TROON S | BELLAIRE, MICHIGAN

Schuss Village 1826 SCHUSS MOUNTAIN LN | MANCELONA, MICHIGAN

Hawk’s Eye Village 2620 HAWKS EYE DRIVE | BELLAIRE, MICHIGAN It is no secret that Shanty Creek Resort is commonly known for its expansive golf experience, with a variety of courses spread across its villages and 5,500 acres of property. is year, with the resort’s recent acquisition of Hawk’s Eye Golf Club, Shanty Creek now boasts an impressive 90 holes of golf across ve unique, championship courses.

“We essentially just catapulted among the largest golf resorts in the world. I believe from the research we’ve done we are among the fourteen largest golf resorts in the world that have 90 or more golf holes at one destination. at is a pretty nice feather in our caps,” said Chris Hale, vice president of sales and marketing at Shanty Creek Resort.

At Shanty Creek, guests can hop on a shuttle and experience golf across the resort’s many villages—Summit Village, Cedar River Village, Schuss Village, and Hawk’s Eye Village—as one doesn’t have to be staying in accommodations specific to that village to enjoy golf, or other activities, there. Hale compared Shanty Creek’s village system to Disney World, noting that although the different areas are distinct in resembling the eras they were built in, together they represent one unified Shanty Creek experience.

“It is all one resort and one daily ticket will get you into each of the [villages]. Even our transportation systems connect you to all those venues, but they are separated by two miles this way and three miles that way. Ultimately, it is not as stu ed together as a center point village would have it,” Hale said.

O en referred to as the original Shanty Creek, Summit Village holds an abundance of overnight accommodations ranging from

HARBOR SHORES RESORT

a room at the Lakeview Hotel, or for a little extra space, one of the condos: Crosswinds, Ridgewalk, Sawtooth, Timber Ridge, Trappers Lodge, or Windcli .

Although staying overnight at Summit Village does not bound visitors to that area, it does o er easy access to two fantastic golf courses right on the premises: Arnold Palmer’s e Legend and William Diddel’s Summit—as well as the abilities to rent a bike or electric bike to pedal through nature or unwind at the onsite Wellness Spa and Fitness Center.

Guests can start their morning o right with a trip to e Co eeBAR within the Great Room of the Lakeview Hotel, serving Starbucks co ee just how you like it—hot or cold—and fresh breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and lunch items.

For in-between rounds of golf, Grab-n-Go outlets are available at most of the golf clubs for a quick snack or cold drink. For those playing e Legend and Summit courses, Arnie’s Grab-n-Go is conveniently located.

One can also choose to dine in the glow of the sun setting over Lake Bellaire at e Lakeview, a dining experience that Shanty Creek calls “simple local social dining,” highlighted by its menu of award-winning steaks, pasta, and homemade desserts.

At Cedar River Village, golfers can stay overnight in Slopeside and Golfside condos, or room in a spacious, architecturally modern suite at e Lodge. Summer activities within Cedar River include hiking Schuss Mountain and playing a round on the Tom Weiskopf-designed Cedar River Golf Club course.

Overlooking the 18th green of the Cedar River course, e River Bistro o ers a year-round patio for guests to observe the surrounding activities while enjoying a selection of chic appetizers, sandwiches, specialty sides, and fresh fruit cocktails. Inside, the eatery also has tavern sports such as billiards, air hockey, and darts.

Privately available in e River Bistro, Shanty Creek just added a Topgolf Swing Suite to their list of entertainment, for groups to go and play a variety of virtual golf simulation games on a massive screen.

During the summer, those visiting Schuss Village can celebrate the warm weather with rounds on the Schuss Mountain Golf Club course, designed by Warner Bowen, that draws golfers through a course of pine-dotted forests, wetlands, and rolling hills. Guests can also hike Schuss Mountain and stop at the Grab-n-Go eatery, Schuss Grill. Visitors that want to stay in Schuss Village overnight can choose among e Schuss Lodge, Bergrand Condos, and Vienna Woods Homes. e resort’s newest addition, Hawk’s Eye Village presents the Hawk’s Eye Golf Club course, a John Robinson design that will challenge players of all skill levels, highlighted by incredible, open vistas and water hazards on half of its 18 holes. Chipper’s Pub at Hawk’s Eye serves a great solution to hungry stomachs before or a er playing a round of golf.

While a vacation destination in-and-ofitself, Shanty Creek Resort’s shuttle system can also take guests to nearby cities to explore other local amenities and experiences.

“It is almost a small town; we have a transportation system with complimentary shuttles and various vehicles to get people in-andaround the villages, but also in-and-around downtown Bellaire. Because of the size of our place, it does sometimes feel like its own little zip code,” Hale said.

“ e town of Bellaire is so important to that guest experience. It is, to be fair, a small town, but it is rather cosmopolitan and progressive in its small-town feel. It doesn’t feel like the kind of place you would go for meatloaf and mashed potatoes; it has got a cool factor to it that I don’t think many small towns quite embrace the way that Bellaire has. Bellaire has gured out a way to not let size dictate how cool you are,” Hale added.

A stay at Shanty Creek Resort unlocks the potential to enjoy all 90 holes of golf, the surplus of outdoor activities and dining options, and the ability to shuttle to nearby cities such as Bellaire for a night out on the town.

HARBOR SHORES RESORT

Harbor Shores Golf Course 201 GRAHAM AVE. | BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN

The Inn at Harbor Shores 800 WHITWAM DRIVE | ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN First opened in 2010, Harbor Shores Golf Course, the only Jack Nicklaus signature course on Lake Michigan, was made possible from the restoration of the land it sits on—a process that included demolishing more than 3 million square-feet of dilapidated buildings and removing roughly 140,000 tons of waste materials from portions of the Paw Paw River and other areas around the property. e revitalization of the land made Harbor Shores Resort possible, marking Benton Harbor as a must-visit golf destination for many.

“Our story is one-of-a-kind; just understanding what was here prior to the golf course, and everything it took to put it in place. When you basically transform 550 acres of land that was once abandoned by factories and things along those lines, doing an overall restoration to the land to bring wildlife back and to bring economic dollars back to Benton Harbor, I think that is a big part of the guest experience,” said Joshua Doxtator, PGA, general manager of Harbor Shores Resort.

“When people play the golf course, they’ll see signage of what was there before and what it looks like now, and it is nothing short of a miracle from a transformation side of things,” Doxtator added.

Harbor Shores is a not-for-pro t development that strengthens its local community. A portion of the green fees is used to maintain the public areas in Jean Klock Park and its 12mile walking system—promoting community health on-and-o the resort’s own golf course. Any revenue that falls above the operating expenses are also granted back to the community for job training and educational programs. rough a partnership between Harbor Shores and the Benton Harbor Arts District, Josh Andres, a metal sculptor, and Jerry Catania, a glassblower, who both have studios in the Benton Harbor Arts District, cra ed sculptures for every hole on the course. e metal sculptures feature at least one piece of blown glass and hold a plaque describing one of Jack Nicklaus’ major championships. Also tying in the local environment, each hole was named a er plants indigenous to the area.

Doxtator noted that the course opening in 2010, the Champions for Change Golf Challenge, created a legendary moment within the golf community. At this event, Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller, Arnold Palmer, and Tom Watson competed in the 18-hole scramble with rotating two-man teams. A video from the opening event of Nicklaus showing Miller how to make a 102-foot putt on the 10th green, has since surpassed a few million views on Youtube across multiple accounts, although many people still don’t know that the famous moment took place at Harbor Shores.

A er successfully hosting the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018, the 2020 event at Harbor Shores was cancelled due to COVID-19, but the resort is excited to host the championship again in 2022 and 2024.

When staying with Harbor Shores, guests have the option of booking one of 92 luxury guest rooms at e Inn, or a high-rise condominium. Some of the bene ts of staying at e Inn at Harbor Shores are the resort’s multitude of dining options—Plank’s Tavern on the Water, Rise & Vine, and Torch & Tapas— as well as a full-service spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and a tness center to be enjoyed during one’s stay.

Golfers don’t have to wait until they get back to their lodging to visit a restaurant, though. Doxtator indicated that two dining options are located on the 14th hole of the Harbor Shores course, including North Pier

GARLAND LODGE AND GOLF RESORT

Brewery and North Pier Restaurant.

Guests of Harbor Shores can also spend some time out on the area’s waters, either with a kayak rental on the Paw Paw River, or a boat rental to take out on Lake Michigan.

“We have a relentless focus on knowledge, learning, and improvement, and I think that is the core of who we are,” Doxtator said. “ ere is no better story in golf than the transformation of the community, and the support of the community through the game of golf.”

GARLAND LODGE AND GOLF RESORT

4700 NORTH RED OAK ROAD | LEWISTON, MICHIGAN With 3,000 acres of unspoiled Michigan wilderness serving as a natural backdrop at Garland Lodge and Golf Resort, those who venture up to Lewiston experience a golf trip completely immersed in nature and the wildlife that lives around the four golf courses. An assortment of overnight accommodations, walking access to all onsite golf courses, and excellent dining form a rounded vacation, encouraging golfers to leave the stresses of their everyday lives behind.

Fountains, Swamp re, Monarch, and Re ections golf courses dive head rst into nature, taking golfers on a journey through rolling meadows, lakes, streams, mature hardwoods, and great pines, while being greeted by the hawks, wild turkey, and bald eagles living around the resort. All four courses begin at the same golf shop, eliminating the hassle of having to take transportation from one to the next; groups can seamlessly play multiple courses in the same day.

Garland also encompasses more than 400 beds on their property, t into di erent shaped and sized accommodations. Garland Lodge o ers varying room sizes similar to that of a standard hotel. Single and Double Villas offer more space for golfers hoping to achieve a more home-like stay. Located on the Fountains course, two-story, three-bedroom French Villas, and three-story, four-bedroom French Country Villas o er an even more spacious unit, the four-bedroom villas being the largest accommodations at the resort. Also sitting on the Fountains course, Golf Cottages present four-bedroom units that sleep four to six people.

Two of Garland’s more popular dining options are Antlers Bar and the Tiki Bar Patio, both serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. Groups can grab a drink a er a round or two of golf at Antlers Lounge, which features many Michigan cra beer options, an expanded single malt Scotch selection, and small-batch bourbons. Tamarack Restaurant is also open for dining in on Friday and Saturday nights during June.

LAKEWOOD SHORES RESORT

7751 CEDAR LAKE RD | OSCODA, MICHIGAN Just minutes from the beautiful beaches of Lake Huron, Lakewood Shores Resort in Oscoda, Michigan transports golfers to three diverse courses— e Gailes, Blackshire, and e Serradella—that celebrate the spaces where the serenity of nature meets masterful course design.

For Craig Peters, general manager and PGA professional at Lakewood Shores Resort, one of the biggest accomplishments that has set the resort apart from others in the state was in 1993, when e Gailes, a course designed by Kevin Aldridge, rst opened.

“It is only one of two courses in the state of Michigan that has ever received a number one new course ranking from Golf Digest, so we’re quite proud of that because there is a whole lot of great golf in Michigan,” Peters said.

“ e Gailes is very distinctive; the whole concept was to create what you would see along the coast of Scotland. It is as close to that experience as you are going to nd in the country,” Peters added.

Also designed by Kevin Aldridge, Blackshire o ers a rugged feeling with hardwoods, large sand waste areas, and undulating greens—modeled similarly to the famous Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey.

“[Blackshire cuts] through the trees like a lot of Michigan and northern Michigan courses, but the waste areas along the fairways, tees, and greens give it a much di erent look than what you would typically see in our region,” Peters said. “It is as di erent as black is white from e Gailes.”

Speckled with oral gardens of roughly 50,000 annuals and perennials, the Serradella is a Bruce Matthews design, highlighted with minimal hazards, wide fairways, and large greens.

“ ose three courses give you three entirely di erent looks. A lot of groups are playing multiple rounds, so you can play three rounds here and never have the same look or style of golf,” Peters said.

Tucked behind the resort’s lodging facility, Wee Links is an 18-hole pitch and putt course, free to play for overnight guests. Perfect for beginning golfers, children and families, and groups desiring a friendly competition to round out the day, the holes range from 50 to 105 yards.

Peters noted that families staying at Lakewood Shores o en take advantage of the nearby Lake Huron and Au Sable River, tying in beach trips and water activities such as canoeing and tubing into their golf vacations.

During their downtime at the resort, guests can also relax on the clubhouse’s patio overlooking e Serradella, enjoying drinks, lunch, or dinner.

“ e whole theme behind Lakewood Shores is o ering great golf at a value. Being general

LAKEWOOD SHORES RESORT

A-GA-MING GOLF RESORT

manager, I keep tabs where everybody is, and we’re a very good value for the level of golf we have. Especially for those just coming into the game, it’s a nice spot for them,” Peters said.

“We are very excited for 2022 and the bookings seem pretty strong. God willing, we will keep pushing it and get even more folks up here,” Peters added.

AGAMING GOLF RESORT

627 AGAMING DRIVE | KEWADIN, MICHIGAN Resting on the shores of Torch Lake and Lake Michigan, this 72-hole golf resort and northern Michigan vacation destination stands true to its name—A-Ga-Ming, a Native American term meaning “on the shore.” A true golfer’s haven, at A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort guests can try their swing on four di erent courses—Torch Course, Sundance Course, Antrim Dells, and Charlevoix Country Club—and when they’re ready to rest in preparation for the next day’s rounds, they have three unique options onsite for overnight lodging, along with dining paired at each site.

Torch Course, the original 18-hole game at A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort that was renamed in 2005 a er the lake it overlooks, is known for its natural scenery throughout the game. Water is featured on 11 of the course’s holes, and dense woods are seen throughout. is course is built for golfers that feel up to a challenge; playing nearly 6,700 yards from the tips, accuracy, rather than lengthy shots, is key to a good game.

First opened in June of 2005, Sundance Course weaves through glacier-carved blu s, o ering serene lake views in many directions, as it sits in between Torch Lake and Grand Traverse Bay. With features such as wide, playable fairways, vast windswept bunkers, sculpted greens and heather-clad mounding, Sundance is enjoyable for golfers of all experience levels.

O en described as fair and fun, Antrim Dells leads golfers through the classic parkland setting of the front nine, featuring acres of lush, freshly mowed grass—a clean slate that complements the woods and creeks of the back nine. is course, along with the resort’s more recently acquired Charlevoix Country Club, is a Jerry Matthews design.

A er a round, golfers can head to one of A-Ga-Ming’s four onsite eateries. Within walking distance of all lodging facilities at A-Ga-Ming, Du ers, inside the A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort Clubhouse, is a great spot to grab a burger with family. Located inside the newer Sundance and Torch pro shop, Sundance Brick Oven features a menu of brick-ovenstyle pizzas, sandwiches, and a full bar. To enjoy a meal overlooking Lake Michigan’s waters, people can head to Sunset Grill. Shanahan’s Pub is the nal option for dining when gol ng at A-Ga-Ming. With a daily lunch and dinner menu, golfers can nish playing a round at Charlevoix Country Club and grab a bite to eat at the pub.

Overnight guests have options when it comes to their stay at A-Ga-Ming. One-, two, three-, and four-bedroom layouts highlighted by open oor plans are available across the onsite Maplewood Ridge, Cedar Hollow, and Vista Town Homes, o ering lodging t for any size group.

GRAND TRAVERSE RESORT AND SPA

MANITOU PASSAGE GOLF CLUB

4600 S CLUB DR | CEDAR, MICHIGAN

THE HOMESTEAD

1 WOODRIDGE RD | GLEN ARBOR, MICHIGAN Since 2009, when the owner of e Homestead, a beachfront resort on Lake Michigan, led a group of avid golfers from Leelanau County to purchasing Manitou Passage Golf Club, both the resort and the golf course have been closely tied—a partnership that traveling golfers can now reap the bene ts.

A course intertwined with the local area’s charms—vast green meadows, towering coastal forests, and vistas of the nearby waters of Lake Michigan and rolling dunes—the Manitou Passage Golf Club course provides an escape into the depths of Michigan’s natural world. A er nishing a round on the 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Course, one can learn more about Arnold Palmer and satisfy their hunger at Arnie’s Grill, where an extensive collection of memorabilia from Arnold Palmer’s career is displayed. e experience at Manitou Passage Golf Club is only made better by the other activities one can do at e Homestead a er playing a round of golf. At the beachfront resort, guests can splash around in the waves of Lake Michigan, enjoy smaller, inland lakes, dive into one of the several resort pools, or play a round at the nine-hole, par-3 executive course onsite known as Mountain Flowers. Other available activities on the water include boating and shing.

For those in search of land activities, lakefront clay tennis courts allow groups to hit the ball around while soaking in lakeside sunshine, and hiking and biking trails of all di culty levels are within proximity to the resort. If a solo indoor workout is preferred, New Leaf Health and Fitness is an onsite tness center, o ering a variation of workout machines to personalize one’s routine.

With signature treatments featuring locally sourced herbs, plants, and minerals, Spa Amira takes guests on a journey to ultimate relaxation several hundred feet above Lake Michigan. e spa opens to panoramic views from Sleeping Bear Dunes to Manitou Islands.

During the warmer months, e Homestead features a few onsite eateries for guests to choose from. Café Manitou is a private dining experience for the resort’s members and guests, o ering simpler meals during the daytime, and gourmet dining during the evenings. A newer addition to the resort, Cavanaugh’s is half-grocery-store, half-restaurant, with ready-to-eat and ready-to-heat fare such as co ee, desserts, pizzas, ribs, and salads. At Whisker’s, families can enjoy repits, games, and watching their food cooked right before their eyes on outdoor grills or an indoor display kitchen.

Like their dining scene, the lodging at e Homestead also supplies guests with a variety of options for their overnight stay. Four Lake Michigan hotels ranging from surprisingly a ordable to increasingly decadent allow guests to customize their stay based on their group size and vacation goals. Villas and vacation home rentals, also sitting along Lake Michigan, vary in style and size from one to ve bedrooms.

Tying in golf with a trip to e Homestead is also made simple with Manitou Passage’s golf packages, which allow golfers to personalize their trip and cultivate a golf vacation that is fun for everybody.

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