Garland Lodge & Golf Resort Announces Grand Opening of “The Sawyer”
Garland Lodge & Golf Resort has announced the grand opening of The Sawyer, a brand-new 10-hole reversible short course set to open on June 13, 2025. This innovative course pays tribute to Northern Michigan’s illustrious lumbering heritage and marks a new chapter in the resort’s storied golf tradition.
Garland’s story began in 1951 with the creation of a nine-hole private golf course, which opened to the public in the 1960s. Expansion continued in the early 1970s with the addition of another nine holes, setting the stage for the resort’s evolution. Today, Garland features premier lodging and four stunning 18-hole courses—Fountains, Monarch, Reflections, and Swampfire—along with its newest addition, The Sawyer.
Built on a reimagined section of Garland’s original nine-hole course, The Sawyer features rolling grassy undulations, strategically placed bunkers, and creatively contoured greens. Designed to be played in either direction, the course offers a dynamic and engaging experience for golfers of all skill levels. The par 3 course offers nine holes playing in one direction, and 10 in the opposite direction via multiple tee options. It features one set of greens, including one 9,000 square-foot double green with a dramatic dividing tier.
Built by Todd Godwin Construction, The Sawyer was designed by golf course architect Kelly Shumate, whose portfolio includes several celebrated short courses.
David Sanderson, General Manager at Garland Lodge & Golf Resort, said, “Kelly evaluated the terrain and came up with plans for a par 3 that required strategy but was still fun.”
Recognizing the trend of par 3 courses in the golf industry over recent years, Sanderson felt the 10 lightly wooded acres adjacent to the Golf Shop would naturally conform to Kelly’s design. With an organic pond and walkable terrain, Garland’s new short course provides a golf experience inclusive to golfers of all ages and levels of ability.
“Playing up to 900 yards, The Sawyer is a fun addition to the Garland golf experience,” commented Sanderson. “It’s perfect for groups of up to 12 playing together and can even be reserved for private events.”
Located in the heart of Lewiston, Michigan, Garland Lodge & Golf Resort spans over 3,000 acres of pristine Northern Michigan wilderness. The resort features four unique 18-hole championship golf courses—all serviced from a single Golf Shop—alongside a 34,500-square-foot lodge, a variety of cottages and villas, a bar and grill, a formal restaurant and an outdoor Tiki bar.
Enhance your Garland getaway with a round at one of the 13 other courses that make up the Gaylord Golf Mecca. In addition to Garland, Mecca member resorts include Otsego Resort and Treetops, while outstanding standalone courses can be found at Black Lake Golf Club, Indian River Golf Club, Lakes of the North, Gaylord Golf Club, The Pines at Michaywe and Black Bear Golf. For more information, visit www.golfgarland.com or www.gaylordgolfmecca.com.
