“Sweet 16” Reasons to Book a Trip to the Gaylord Golf Mecca
By Greg Johnson
1 – You have 16 courses to pick from at eight properties, including several flagship resorts. There are also 20 lodging partners, comprised of major brand hotels, rental homes, newly renovated condos and cabins.
2 – There are 279 golf holes designed by the likes of Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones, Tom Fazio, Rick Smith, Rick Robbins, Gary Koch, Jerry Matthews, Bill Newcomb, Don Childs, Ron Otto and Wilfred Reid.
3 – In recent years, the Mecca has been voted Best Guys’ Golf Getaway, Best Midwest Golf Trip and Best U.S. Golf Destination, with emphasis on the word “Best.”
4 – When you look around, you’ll see towering forests, glimmering lakes, wandering rivers, breathtaking valley views, wildflowers amid sprawling meadows and the rolling green hills of stunningly beautiful Northern Michigan.
5 – The absolute coolest Par 3 Course you will ever play is Threetops at Treetops Resort.
6 – The Tribute course at Otsego Resort might be the most underrated course in Michigan. Just play it and you will see why.
7 – The Pines at Michaywe’ has hosted state championships, but it is also a champion of service and course conditioning.
8 – Lakes of the North’s course is a little bit links, a little bit pure Northern Michigan and offers a lot of that get-away-from-it-all golf experience.
9 – Indian River Golf Club is starting a second century of play in 2024, but the golf experience is as fresh and the folks up there as friendly as ever.
10 – I have tried, but I can’t pick a favorite from the four courses at Garland Lodge & Golf Resort. Love Fountains, but upon reflection I really like Reflections and I’m always fired up to play Swampfire. Then again, Monarch makes me play every club in the bag. I guess I’ll just play them all.
11 – Gaylord Golf Club offers a personal touch with golf, as in, this is your club for the day. It’s also a place we would like to play for the rest of our days.
12 – Black Lake Golf Club has won a bevy of awards for its Rees Jones’ designed golf course and it is easy to see how after just one round of play there. Of course, who wants to play one of the country’s top courses just once?
13 – Treetops Resort opened 37 years ago with the debut of the Masterpiece course by Robert Trent Jones Sr. It was on the sixth hole of the Masterpiece where Jones looked about from the tee 120-feet above the green and came up with the name. He saw treetops for miles and you will, too.
14 – The Gaylord Golf Mecca has been working together as a cooperative marketing group for 37 years and has become America’s favorite summer golf destination. Experience and quality equal a great golf getaway for you.
15 – Gaylord is in the heart of Northern Michigan, straight up I-75, 360 miles from Chicago, 300 from Fort Wayne, 385 from Cleveland, 415 from Toronto and the Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City is serviced by American, Delta and United with surprising non-stop flights.
16 – Easy planning for your trip is aided by a dive-in visit to gaylordgolfmecca.com. We suggest looking at the Northern Michigan Golfer publication which can also be found on the website. Then book it. It will be Sweet!
