Stoatin Brae at Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort

Reader Ratings / Reviews

• Stoatin Brae at Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort

  
  by The Golfin' Guy
  on January 08th, 2024 21:19

  Gull Lake View Resort on the outskirts of Kalamazoo in Augusta, Michigan is recognized by many as the premier stay-and-play golf resort in the Midwest. There as six golf courses, none of which will beat you up too badly. Each golf course has earned at least 4.5 stars from Golf Digest. In 2017, the Scott family unveiled their latest creation Stoatin Brae, a course unlike any other on the property. Actually, saying it is unlike any other golf course in the state would be more apropos. On a recent visit to the area, I was able to play two of my favorite courses: Stoatin Brae and Stonehedge North.
  
  Except for Bedford Valley in Battle Creek, all of the golf courses at Gull Lake View Resort were designed by members of the Scott family. In creating Stoatin Brae, Gull Lake View partnered with Tom Doak’s Renaissance Golf Design and created a course where every golfer, regardless of ability, can find an appropriate tee box to play from and have a memorable golf experience. Stoatin Brae was named both Michigan and National Golf Course of the Year in 2021.
  
  Stoatin Brae sits at one of the highest elevation points in Kalamazoo County with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area. As you turn into the driveway and make the 200-foot climb up to the top, you’ll find the clubhouse and first tee overlooking the Kalamazoo River Valley. Look to the east and you may catch a glimpse of downtown Battle Creek in the distance.
  
  Years ago, the property was an apple orchard. An investment group bought the property and removed all of the apple trees, with the hope of creating a new residential development. When those plans fell through, they sold the land to the Scott family who planted a wide variety of native grasses and wildflowers. A golfer could play Stoatin Brae once a month and see a different course each time because of the color changes throughout the grass and flower-growing seasons.
  
  Unlike the other courses at Gull Lake View, the fairways are wide open, firm, and fast. Because of its elevation, Stoatin Brae has no water hazards, but that doesn’t make it any less challenging. The green complexes and strategically placed bunkers require golfers to think their way around the golf course. Quite often, your best tee shot is not down the middle. The way many of the par 4s are set up you’ll have a better angle into the green from one side of the fairway or the other. Other than the long, wispy grasses you may encounter when you are well off the fairway, it’s hard to lose a golf ball.
  
  And let’s not forget the wind. At Stoatin Brae there are many constants, and the wind is one of them! When the wind is blowing, Stoatin Brae becomes a different course. If you’re a good player you will be challenged in windy conditions. If you’re a not-so-good weekend warrior, you’ll be able to find your ball and hit it again.
  
  One of my favorite holes is the 10th. At 315 yards from the Black Tees, it’s a short par 4, but as you stand on the tee, you can’t help but wonder where the best place is to hit your tee shot. As it turns out, a long drive down the left side and over the hill provides the best angle into the green. If you can see your tee shot when it lands, you’ll probably have a tougher approach shot. Several rugged bunkers guard the green which angles away from the fairway.
  
  Even though they offer some of the best golf in the area, Gull Lake View Resort is always looking to improve its offerings off the golf course. For those needing lodging, Gull Lake View Resort offers spacious, comfortable, and affordable accommodations. And best of all, they are on-site, giving you more time to sleep for those early morning tee times! They can accommodate just about any size group with one of their three lodging options: villa suites, deluxe villas, and luxury cottages. All three feature a centralized living space with a big-screen TV, full kitchens, 2 bedrooms with 2 full beds in each, 2 bathrooms, and Free Wi-Fi. Luxury cottages also have TVs in each bedroom, fireplaces, and queen beds.
  
  They’ve got you covered when you get hungry, too. Charles and Darl’s is located in the main clubhouse and serves three meals a day, starting at 6 a.m. and serving food until 10 p.m. seven days a week. Each meal is cooked to order with lunch and dinner leaning toward the BBQ side. If you’re looking to feed a large group of people, they offer a bulk pick-up menu. No matter what you order or when you won’t leave disappointed…or hungry!
  
  No matter which course you play at Gull Lake View the goal is to have a fun, memorable experience. Choose the set of tees that best suits your game at any course and that’s almost a guarantee.
  
  Gull Lake View Resort is ideally situated between Chicago and Detroit, the resort draws well from these two markets as well as Columbus, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Toronto. There’s no reason to travel north of Traverse City to find golf courses that will amaze and captivate any golfer. If you’re close to any of these cities, Gull Lake View Resort is worthy of consideration for your next golf trip.
• Stoatin Brae at Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort

  
  by Phil
  on August 15th, 2022 16:15

  Okay place but really nothing special. Driving range (was closed when I was there) is just okay, small practice putting green area, fairways needed mowed, greens were well kept and in good condition. Layout doesn't present much challenge other than maybe a little long. Heather rough barely/rarely comes into play, just a big field with a mowed golf course. Way overrated for the price ($100+...... it's a $40 track). Online reservation process is not well done for a newer place, I had higher than normal expectations but was disappointed, overall its decent, but I wouldn't hurry back.
• Stoatin Brae at Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort

  
  by The Golfin' Guy
  on September 19th, 2021 20:01

  When golfers think of Augusta, their first thought in all likelihood is The Masters and Augusta National on a bright sunny day in April. I doubt it’s that small town in Michigan, midway between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. But maybe it should be because Augusta, Michigan is home to one of the largest golf resorts in the country: Gull Lake View Golf Resort. There are 108 holes within a 12-mile radius of Augusta, Mich., and offers more holes than Bandon Dunes, PGA National, or Pebble Beach Resorts. It is among the five largest golf resorts in the country. Five of the six courses have been certified as Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries since 1995.
  
  Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort has been owned and operated by the Scott family for over 50 years. Every day, four generations of Scotts go to work at the resort in one capacity or another. There were no big-name golf course architects called in to build the golf courses; no Tom Fazio, no Pete Dye, no Ron Garl. Gull Lake View is a did-it-themselves golf resort. Except for Bedford Valley – which was purchased by the Scott family in 1988 and with a little help from Tom Doak’s Renaissance Golf Design on Stoatin Brae - the golf courses were designed and built by the Scotts. Renaissance helped out with the bunkering and greens on Stoating Brae, as well as doing some of the labor. The shaping and contouring of the golf course were done by the Scotts.
  
  Darl and Letha are the matriarch and patriarch of the Scott family and were the first generation of Scotts to be involved with the property. Darl used to be the superintendent at nearby Gull Lake Country Club and the couple also owned the Gull Lake Motel. The Scotts sold the motel to get the funds to build their first course, Gull Lake View West, which opened in 1965.
  
  Stoatin Brae is not only the newest course at Gull Lake View but also their crowning jewel. The course was built by the Scott family with a little input and help from Tom Doak’s Renaissance Golf Company. Translated from Gaelic, Stoatin Brae means Grand Hill and since the course sits on the highest point in Kalamazoo County, it just makes sense! The course can be described in 4 words: fast, firm, and wide open (and doesn’t count)! When the wind is up, you’ll have a good idea of what it’s like to play golf in Scotland. The course plays 6,667 yards from the tips with a course rating of 71.5 and a slope of 122. You’ll have to shoot a 71 if you want to play par golf here. And it’s priced right too. It’s probably one of the best golf values in the country. There are no water hazards at Stoatin’ Brae. But what it lacks in water, it makes up for in strategically placed bunkers and challenging green complexes. And if the wind’s blowing, you’ll forget all about the lack of water. At 336 yards, the 10th hole is relatively short however as you stand on the tee, you can’t help but wonder where is the best place to hit your tee shot? As it turns out, a long drive down the left side and over the hill provides the best angle into the green. If you can see your tee shot when it lands, you’ll probably have a tougher approach shot. Several rugged bunkers guard the green.
  
  
  Although the majority of Gull Lake View’s guests come from Detroit, Chicago, and Toledo, it’s not uncommon to meet golfers from Cincinnati, and Wisconsin, and Canada while you’re there. Golfers may come out to just play Stoatin Brae but once they get a feel for one of the other courses, they’re hooked! And at Gull Lake View, there is something for everyone.
• Stoatin Brae at Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort

  
  by Chris
  on August 24th, 2020 19:00

  Played on August 23 rd 2020. Took my group of 14 guys to finish our 3 day weekend of 72 hole friendly "Jacket Championship" tourney. Have been doing this for 14 years in Michigan, and have played top courses from Arcadia Bluffs & Arcadia South all the way down to Harbor Shores and many more in between. Staotin Brae is ABSOLUTELY an outstanding price for the value you get in return. It is very similar to Arcadia South just much more elevation and half the price. Arcadia South is a great course, just not worth the price. My entire group all played South last year, and play Stoatin Brae this year. It was a unanimous hands down from all they enjoyed Staotin Brae much better.
  
• Stoatin Brae at Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort

  
  by LJG
  on June 27th, 2017 21:51

  Great links-style course. Wonderful greens with challenging contours that roll very true; hard to believe they have only been grassed in for a year. Plays firm and fast with fescue fairways. The hay is high and thick, but the fairways are very wide, so you won't lose too many balls even in a breeze unless you are spraying it. Browsing Golfweek's list of best Michigan publics, I would not say it is top 5 (stiff competition), but it makes a good case for top 10, and is easily top 15.
• Stoatin Brae at Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort

  
  by jeremy
  on May 30th, 2017 18:08

  It is different I will give them that. Perched on a very high point in Kalamazoo county SB does give some really good views. The golf course is BRAND NEW and you can tell for sure. Even if the course was perfect condition I personally don't think I would pay more then $60 to play. It is a fun layout don't get me wrong! We played Stonehenge South before going to SB and we were all more impressed with SS. Probably wont be back. One recommendation........Do NOT HIT OFF THE FAIRWAY!! It WILL BE a penalty stroke.
• Stoatin Brae at Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort

  
  by John
  on December 03rd, 2016 03:15

  Best views in all of Southwest Michigan!!! Make sure to bring extra golf balls for this track.