Indian River Golf Club: Always Improving, Never Resting
By Greg Johnson –
Indian River Golf Club never rests, it seems. It keeps working to not only maintain its reputation as the friendliest golf course in the north, but also to find ways to improve.
This summer finds Indian River, one of 16 courses in the Gaylord Golf Mecca, with a new short game and practice area, which even includes bunkers and a large practice range.
Corey Crowell, general manager at Indian River Golf Club and PGA professional, is now in his 10th season managing Indian River, which is 103 years old. Crowell said the club membership is always looking for ways to improve and welcome the public and visitors to Northern Michigan.
“We try to make improvements each year if we can,” he said. “Sometimes it is just a new roof. Last year, we added a lounge to the members’ locker room. We are always trying to do something to make the friendliest club even friendlier.”
Brad and Kristin Hasse, the well-known duo behind the popular Birdies Tavern & Grill, previously located in the Harbor Springs area, have now moved their location to what used to be the Greenside Grill at Indian River Golf Club.
“They are running the restaurant now, and it is very popular,” Crowell said. “They have a smoker and the smoked meats they do are incredible, along with a great menu. Just great food and service. And we still have that great deck overlooking the golf course.”
Adding a Par-3 course is an idea being floated about now, though it has been on Crowell’s radar for a long time. “They are popular, and some of the other Mecca members have them, so it is being considered,” he said.
Crowell is the current Gaylord Golf Mecca Chairman, and he said the course continues to enjoy the relationship and the collaboration with packages. “I still let everybody know we are three minutes off I-75 and then you are in the Northern Michigan woods playing golf,” he said.
Crowell said they love to provide golfers with the perfect day. Give them a call at (231) 238-7011 to book your perfect day.
“The Mecca is just a wonderful golf destination with unique properties like us, and everything in between the big resort courses and the smaller, more neighborhood type places,” he said. “You can’t go wrong coming here.”
