Consistently Consistent Great Golf at Lakes of the North
By Greg Johnson –
When Lakes of the North Golf Course head golf professional Rob Diroff says things are business as usual, he means business is great and only getting better.
That’s the way things are at the Mancelona area course, an especially popular course for groups that visit the Gaylord Golf Mecca.
A few years ago, the Golf Association of Michigan, which rates golf courses for USGA Handicap purposes throughout Michigan, said the course ranked among the top three in the state for consistent greens. From a condition standpoint, that is high praise for Darren Hoogerhyde and his maintenance crew.
“We have guys on that crew who have been here 10 years plus, and they take great pride in the golf course year after year, day after day,” Diroff says. “They do a fantastic job. I played today, and there isn’t a blade of grass out of place.”
Consistently consistent great golf is the business model at Lakes of the North.
“I hear it all the time, especially from people playing for the first time or the first time in a long time, how nice the conditions are and how much they like our course,” he said. “I think we surprise them in a lot of ways. It’s not a mom-and-pop golf course. It’s a resort-style course and a traditional parkland course kind of all in one, and it’s a really great golf experience.”
The course measures 7,000 yards if you play from the back tees, which means it offers as much challenge as you would like. Multiple tees give golfers the option to fit the course to their game, and Diroff said they are adding yet another tee option.
“We listen to the golfers, and we need another yardage that fits those who don’t hit it as far, juniors, seniors and others who feel they need something shorter,” he said. “We want to get them on the golf course and make sure they have fun.”
The course has two unique styles of golf on the two nines. The front nine was designed by Jerry Matthews and the back nine by Bill Newcomb, both noted designers of multiple Michigan courses.
There is room to hit the ball on both nines, though one is a more parkland layout with fewer elevation changes, and the other is more of what you find in Northern Michigan, as it is cut through the trees and follows the natural rolling landscape.
As a collection, the par 3 holes are especially fun and offer different challenges.
Diroff said golfers usually have a favorite nine, but it varies with each person. “It kind of depends on the golf they like,” he said. “If they grew up on a parkland style, flatter course, they pick the Newcomb nine. If they like the Northern Michigan, isolated feel in the trees, they pick the Matthews nine.”
The facility also includes an expansive practice range and a full-service pro shop, as well as a restaurant that draws diners simply for the tasty food offerings.
The ice storm in April that damaged several courses in Northern Michigan hit the Mancelona area, but not as badly as it did the Gaylord area.
“We opened a little later because of the weather, but we came through it really well compared to some others,” Diroff said.
The groups, especially those who book through the 17 Mecca golf courses and 21 lodging partners, are a welcome part of business at Lakes of the North.
“Being part of the Mecca is perfect for us,” Diroff said. “We think we are a great combination of affordable and playable golf with great conditions, and the groups that book through the Mecca tell us that consistently.”
Consistently consistent great golf at Lakes of the North is available. Visit gaylordgolfmecca.com to book your next trip to the Mecca or learn more at lakesofthenorth.com.
