Member News

New General Manager Excited About Future at Black Lake Golf Club

Feb 18, 2026 / Val Wright

By Greg Johnson - Steve Zimmerla has worked in administrative positions for the United Auto Workers (UAW) for 30 years, and for 25 of those, he ventured north from the Detroit area for conferences, fun and golf with his family at what is now called the Black Lake Conference Center & Golf Club. It wasn’t on his Bingo card that one day he would become the general manager and be in charge of the center, as well as the award-winning Black Lake Golf Club that opened in 2000. MORE

Treetops GM Barry Owens Honored for Lifetime Achievements

Dec 04, 2025 / Val Wright

By Greg Johnson - Barry Owens, the GM of Treetops Resort, has been a leader in the golf industry for 39 years, and the Michigan Golf Course Association has named him the 2025 recipient of the Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is presented to an individual or organization that, over the span of a lifetime, has provided steadfast leadership, outstanding service and continuous commitment to the Michigan golf industry. MORE

Black Bear Golf Course Makes Most of Mecca Membership

Nov 13, 2025 / Val Wright

By Greg Johnson - Black Bear Golf Course increased its rounds played from 2024 to 2025 by over 5,000. It’s an amazing jump considering just 4,000 total rounds were played on the course the year before Olivia and Rob Smith took over ownership. MORE

Top Ten Reasons Black Bear Golf Course Continues to Improve

Aug 12, 2025 / Val Wright

By Greg Johnson - In 2024, Black Bear Golf Course was voted the most improved course in the country by the GolfPass online audience. In 2025, the improvements are continuing under now second-year owners, Olivia and Rob Smith. MORE

BEST STUFF: Black Lake Offers Best of Everything

Aug 23, 2024 / Val Wright

By Greg Johnson - Black Lake Golf Club in Onaway, one of the 16 premier golf courses in the Gaylord Golf Mecca, offers the best of everything. We could tell you all of the best stuff, but let’s start with a fabulous foursome of reasons to make it part of your next trip to the Mecca. MORE

Mary Woodhouse of Michaywe Retiring After 45 Years of Service

Aug 20, 2024 / Val Wright

A myriad of people have worked in various roles over the years to make the golf courses in the Gaylord Golf Mecca, like The Pines at Michaywe’, continue to serve as part of America’s favorite summer golf destination. And Mary Woodhouse jokes that she has probably signed each of their paychecks at one time or another. MORE

SUPER SUPERS: Beat Goes on with Ryan Holmes at Gaylord Golf Club

Aug 01, 2024 / Val Wright

By Greg Johnson - Ryan Holmes has a goal, and it bodes well for him and Gaylord Golf Club. He is the son of Paul Holmes, who retired at the end of last golf season after nearly four decades as the superintendent of the course long regarded for its great greens. MORE

Four BEST Reasons to Make a Lakes of the North Stop

Jul 23, 2024 / Val Wright

By Greg Johnson - Rob Diroff, the head PGA golf professional at Lakes of the North Golf Course, helped us pick the four BEST reasons to make Lakes of the North Golf Course part of your golf getaway plans. Go to gaylordgolfmecca.com and check it out. MORE