[Bobcat43]

Being from Ohio I had a hard time even acknowledging the "State up North". But from what I understand they have some amazing golf.

Looking at traveling up I-75 for some R&R this June. Besides hitting Treetops... what other courses are must plays in Gaylord? Is there any night life in Gaylord? If so where should I stay to make it convenient?

Also any courses just south on I-75 that would be a good catch on the way up or on the way back?

Thanks.

[evanaamodt]

Not awhole lot of nightlife up there but the Big Buck Brewery is a must! I personally havent played either courses but I have relatives that live in Gaylord and have mentioned The Loon and The Natural as pretty good courses. Also here is a website that will be very helpful for you with golf courses along the way.Courses off of highway I-75 Hope this helps,

Evan

[raehtz10]

Check out the Otsego Club there too. Nice courses there.

[ferrispgm]

Gaylord Country Club isn't a bad course either, and pretty cheap. I worked at Garland this past summer and fall. It's about 45 minutes south of Gaylord, but has 4 pretty nice courses. I liked the Loon quite a bit, and Michawaye Pines (I think) was decent as well.

[Bobcat43]

THanks for all the fast replies here is a quote I received from the Baymont Inn and suites in Gaylord. For those of you who know is this a good quote for June?

Thurs. 6/14 -----
Fri. 6/15 Smith
Fri. 6/15 Jones
Sat. 6/16 Black Forest
Sat. 6/16 Valley
Sun. 6/17 Natural
Steak dinner @ Wilderness Valley after golf on Sat.
$10 Food & Beverage Voucher
Big Buck Brewery & Steakhouse
-----------------------------------------------
*Per person price $456.29 dbl occ.

[bellairemi]

The price looks fine but if you have choices I would replace both the Wilderness Valley course (not a memorable course at all and upkeep falls far behind its more prestigious brother Black Forest) and the Natural (has some "goofy" holes for lack of a better term). I would second Gaylord Country Club (the favorite of many of us locals since they have the best greens in the area and it is affordable). The Loon is also good as is the top end course at the Otsego Club (designed by a former PGA pro whose name escapes me right now); I think the Otsego Club was auctioned off again late last year so I do not know what that means for maintenance. You are also within an hour of Black Lake which for many of my playing partners was a religious experience.

As for nightlife, well there really is not any. You can drive up to the casino in Petoskey but most activities are centered around outdoor pursuits. You will be close to a fairly large elk herd to which the locals can point you; seeing them near dusk is not unusual. There is some tremendous fishing as well.

[ferrispgm]

yeah, that seems like a pretty good package. Black Forest's greens are a little crazy though, so be prepared. Wilderness Valley isn't bad, but like he said above, Black Forest is nicer. The Smith and Jones Courses are nice and offer some amazing views of the valleys, again the greens on the Jones are a little tricked up. The natural is pretty nice, though when i played it in August it was baked since we didn't have rain for a while. All in all a pretty good package, just don't expect to score particularly well on Jones or Forest, just take time to enjoy the scenery!

[bellairemi]

I should have also noted that you might consider Traverse City rather than Gaylord. Granted the good courses are not as concentrated as around Gaylord but I could name 15 very nice layouts within an hour. Traverse City does have a night life with a casino several bars/clubs with live music plus a downtown that stays active fairly late.

[JHR]

That is not a bad line up of courses , if that schedule is not set in stone , there are a couple courses that i would recommend that are in the same area, check out: Forest Dunes and Black Lake.

There are a pair of courses just off I-75 in West Branch which is on the way to Gaylord, they are called The Dream and The Nightmare, both nice courses as well.



Enjoy the trip.

[ferrispgm]

Good call on Forest Dunes. That is a fantastic track, one of the top 5 in Michigan in my opinion. The best part is that they are rarely busy so you can usually play 18 in good time. Also, they clubhouse is really impressive.

[Bobcat43]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll post an updated itinerary next week.

[FairwayFred]

I would see if you can hit The Heather at Boyne Highlands. IMO it is heads above all the courses you are planning on playing. I would also see if you can fit Black Lake and Forest Dunes into your trip they are excellent also. Personally the only course on your list that I would really recommend is Black Forest. You could also try High Pointe in Traverse City. Its Tom Doak's first course and a must see for golf architecture fans.

[bseal]

I agree that you should see if you could hit up all of the Boyne courses. The Heather is pretty sick, as is the Ross, the Moore and just about all of the other tracks. It's a ways away, but I played Arcadia Bluffs last summer and it was awesome, I'd definitely hit that up if I was going to Michigan. The course is awesome, but long and very tough.

[cdesana]

Hello,

Try Shepherd's Hollow, 9085 Big Lake Road, Clarkston, MI 48346, Phone: (248) 922-0300

They have a website as well. Newer course that was rated in the top 10 new public course.

CJD

[ingraha3]

Just to add more decisions, the Shanty Creek courses are about 45 minutes west of Treetops. Cedar River is particularly awesome! However, I have played all the Treetops courses many times and you cannot go wrong. Beautiful, challenging and very well maintained.
Enjoy!

[rockmastermike]

bseal, on Feb 27 2007, 01:54 AM, said:

I agree that you should see if you could hit up all of the Boyne courses. The Heather is pretty sick, as is the Ross, the Moore and just about all of the other tracks. It's a ways away, but I played Arcadia Bluffs last summer and it was awesome, I'd definitely hit that up if I was going to Michigan. The course is awesome, but long and very tough.

I'll second Arcadia Bluffs - long, tough but real real easy on the eyes....it's one you'll talk about long after you get back home

[Bobcat43]

Thanks guys for all the tips. Now its down to getting everyone to commit!!!