Michigan Feature Stories
Michigan's four-season resorts cater to golfers, skiers
Many Michigan golf resorts double as ski resorts filled with winter sports activities. Or, as skiers would argue, they're ski resorts disguised as golf vacation destinations. Whatever side of the argument you land, Jason Scott Deegan offers up some great places to hang out in any season, green or white.
... full article »Play generations of great golf course designs in northern Michigan
Many of northern Michigan's highest-profile golf courses are modern developments. But world-class courses in this region, which is seemingly ideal for the game, are nothing new. In fact, golf has been a major draw here for more than a century. It's just that the courses from yesteryear are very different than what we see today. If you know where to look, you can sample some of the best courses, old and new, built by some of golf's most prolific architects.
... full article »Michigan's Upper Peninsula: Two time zones, one great golf destination
Michigan's Upper Peninsula is peaceful, pleasant and pleasing to the eye. Unfortunately, it's hard to get to for most of the civilized world. Planned properly, however, the trip will reap plenty of bounty -- three of the top 25 public golf courses in the state. Native son Jason Scott Deegan has zigzagged his way across the back roads of the U.P. several times to research the best itinerary.
... full article »Vacation tips: Top 10 reasons to tackle the Gaylord Golf Mecca
The Gaylord Golf Mecca in northern Michigan proclaims to be "America's Summer Golf Capital." The mecca will celebrate its 25th anniversary next summer. Its staying power comes from the variety of 21 courses and 20 lodging properties, providing something for every budget. Here are the 10 reasons why Gaylord should be your next summer getaway.
... full article »From Alpena to Oscoda, Michigan's 'Sunrise Side' is brimming with quality golf courses
The tiny towns of Hillman, Alpena, East Tawas and Oscoda don't register too often when talking about northern Michigan's best golf destinations. But collectively, these small stops along U.S. 23 can make for a fun and affordable golf vacation. Jason Scott Deegan has more on the golf on the "Sunrise Side" of Michigan.
... full article »Perfect getaway: Fairways, films and fine wine in Traverse City, Michigan
Let's say you're a links lover, oenophile and movie buff. Where would you go to get your fill of all three? Traverse City, in northern Michigan. The Traverse City Film Festival is the premier pull in summer, and eight wineries pepper a 22-mile strip that's become renowned for its production of 45th-parallel varietals. But golf -- at courses such as Kingsley Club and Forest Dunes -- remains the top draw for links lovers on the go.
... full article »Grand Traverse Resort's Bear, Shanty Creek's Legend and Treetops' Masterpiece celebrate major milestones
Three founding fathers of golf in northern Michigan are celebrating significant milestones. The Bear at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa celebrated its 25th anniversary last summer. The Legend at Shanty Creek Resorts and The Masterpiece at Treetops Resort are in the midst of their silver anniversary birthdays this season. All three have aged with grace. Veteran Michigan golf writer Jason Deegan pays homage to the threesome that started it all.
... full article »Five sweet golf options near the southwestern shores of Michigan
When you think of golf in Michigan, the resort courses of northern Michigan usually come to mind. There are, however, some quality options in southwestern Michigan that are not only more accessible to Michiganders, but also more affordable and varied. Mike Bailey offers five must-play recommendations for anyone considering a golf trip to southwestern Michigan.
... full article »Northern Michigan golf: Five more great par 5s to conquer
One list of five great par 5s in golf-rich northern Michigan simply is not enough. So Brandon Tucker offers 'his' take on the best long holes in the region. Much like the golf courses here, the par 5s often track up and down hills, leaving long rides up to the tee boxes and downhill lies en route to the green. Be sure to include these holes in your next northern Michigan golf trip.
... full article »Must play, must stay: Five northern Michigan resorts for a jam-packed golf trip
Few areas in the world have such a massive amount of quality golf as in northern Michigan. Brandon Tucker looks at five resort golf venues that are best bets for great deals on stay-and-play packages, afternoon replay rates and unlimited golf specials.
... full article »Ten Northern Michigan golf courses for the traditionalist golfer
Detroiters and Chicagoans have been escaping to Northern Michigan for pure, natural golf for more than a century. Here's a look at some of the top golf courses for the traditionalist golfer. What constitutes "traditional?" We're looking for classic golf courses, or modern courses built to resemble the classics.
... full article »Three-of-a-kind: Michigan's Upper Peninsula boasts Vegas-style gaming and a triangle of great golf
Folks in Michigan's Upper Peninsula - or "Yoopers" - are rightly proud of their best golf courses. Timberstone and Sweetgrass, which, along with Greywalls in Marquette, complete a triangle on the western side of the U.P., are three gems worthy of national attention, but they're hardly similar to each other.
... full article »New Sweetgrass Golf Club at the Island Resort "sweetens" golf in Michigan's UP
Set on 320 acres on Hannahville Indian land, Sweetgrass Golf Club is a design from Paul Albanese that's geared toward making Michigan's Upper Peninsula a genuine golf destination. Two hours from Green Bay, three and a half hours from Milwaukee and five and a half hours from Chicago, Sweetgrass and the Island Resort & Casino definitely offer a secluded getaway.
... full article »Summer golf in northern Michigan: Great climate and even better courses
Northern Michigan didn't really begin to emerge on the national level until the mid-80s, with resorts like Treetops and Shanty Creek building dramatic golf courses on sloping, mountainous land doubling as ski resorts in the winter months. Two decades later, world-class courses built on similar natural and dramatic terrain have sprouted up all over the north. "Even though we have a short season, the quality stacks up to anybody," said Kevin Frisch of Resort and Golf Marketing.
... full article »After the nationally ranked resorts, try Northern Michigan's underdog golf courses
Northern Michigan has no shortage of high-profile golf gems, but don't head home until you experience a few of the north's overachieving lesser-known gems. A golf course is around every corner in this neck of the woods.
... full article »Golf- and resort-rich Bellaire in northern Michigan out to become its own destination
Does northern Michigan have room for another golf destination? The golf-rich village of Bellaire thinks so. Located west of northern Michigan's most trafficked and marketed golf spot, Gaylord, and north of the region's biggest hub, Traverse City, Bellaire offers its own niche.
... full article »Detroit's Metro Airport is well served by some of the area's best golf courses
Business travelers are certain to have a layover in Detroit eventually. As in most areas of golf-obsessed Michigan, many golf courses and driving ranges are close enough that you can squeeze in a round without missing your connection.
... full article »Architect Mike Devries: The new face of golf design in the Midwest
Growing up in western Michigan, golf course architect Mike Devries spent summers working at the famed Crystal Downs Country Club. It didn't take long for him to find his calling. Today his company has five designs and numerous remodeling projects to its credit. The most acclaimed being the Kingsley Club in northern Michigan.
... full article »Gaylord in northern Michigan remains the Midwest's top golf mecca
Forgive the golf courses of the Gaylord Golf Mecca for boasting a bit of a cool swagger, it's just that for the last decade they've been at the top of the Midwestern golf game. And it keeps getting bigger and better. Originally founded in 1987 with a modest seven courses, the Gaylord Golf Mecca sees more than 350,000 rounds each summer.
... full article »Northern Michigan's upscale golf courses stack up with top vacation hot spots
When it comes to cost, northern Michigan upscale isn't the same thing as Las Vegas or Scottsdale upscale -- far from it. The golf, however, is second to none. Native son Brandon Tucker spotlights some of the best luxury golf destinations in the area, including Arcadia Bluffs, Grand Traverse Resort, Forest Dunes Golf Club, Bay Harbor Golf Club and Treetops Resort.
... full article »- Northern Michigan golf courses: The most scenic drives (from the tee, of course)
- Expansion makes Miles of Golf in Ypsilanti an equipment buff's dream
- Grand Rapids: A grand golf scene in Michigan's second city
- Golf vacation packages help Traverse City showcase the area's top courses, resorts
- Celebrating Super Bowl XL and great golf moments in Michigan
- Kalamazoo: A city with a funny name, but the golf is no laughing matter
- Golfers to get a mix of old with the new at Macatawa Legends development in Holland
- An All-Star weekend of baseball and golf
- Gearing up for golf in Detroit: The city's top 10 public golf courses
- LochenHeath: a Northern Michigan gem goes private
- Michigan PGA looks to future after retirement of Devine
- Lake Express takes golfers to land of beautiful courses
- Michigan, MSU take bitter rivalry to the links
- Mixing school with golf on the state's best courses
- The game ain't the same, according to third generation designer
- A 'home run' golf vacation with the Tigers!
- Southwest Michigan is worth all the trouble
- Michigan golfers have reason to race toward Indy golf scene
- Shanty Creek's future in doubt, but resort will remain open for now
- Oakland Hills expects huge crowds for 35th Ryder Cup Matches
- Pete Dye lets protégé shine at Eagle Eye
- Putting will decide which team takes home the '04 Ryder Cup
- Fans watch as Palmer passes torch to Mickelson
- Hearn looks to make a move onto national scene
- Course designer Doak wants his style to depend on the land
- Furyk appears back in form after long layoff for surgery
- Gaylord Golf Mecca offers many hidden gems
- The Arthur Hills Michigan Golf Trail creates its own path
- Craig Stadler's image takes a hit
- How much is too much when it comes to golf?
- Michigan Open full of life, history
- On the record with Mike Tirico
- Arnold Palmer Turning Point event set for Detroit
- Create your own club. It's easy.
- Flocking to Florida becoming an annual rite of spring
- Michigan Golf Show has many primed for return to the links
- Arthur Hills' personality comes through while working on book
- At Carl's Golfland golf is always in the air
- Stacy Snider makes Michigan golf history
- Traverse City: Golf and much more
- Mackinac Island offers Wawashkamo, the Jewel, and a putting course, to
- Par-3 Shootout is Treetops' ace in the hole
- PelzGolf brings short game school to the Homestead
- Grand Traverse Resort becomes part of gaming empire
- Registration for Ryder Cup tickets is big news in Michigan
- Garland's rustic lodge and challenging courses offer a true 'Up North' golf experience
- Gaylord golf in full seasonal swing
- Swing and Save: Good news for bargain hunters
- Clock Tower Press: A leading golf publisher
- Nothing says lovin' like a romantic weekend at a spa resort
- Central Michigan courses that compete with the North
- Elliott House B & B in Beulah: At the Heart of Benzie County
- MichiganGolf.com Interview: Architect Jerry Matthews
- Architect Interview: William (Bill) Newcomb
- Change in ownership in 2002 was Michigan's order of the day
- October Notebook: A Month Full of Treats in Michigan
- Michigan courses ranked in the top 100 in the country
- Detroit's Best Public Tracks Get Your Motor Running
- September Notebook: It's Easy to Fall for these Special Deals
- Michigan's Longest Holes Memorable in More Ways than One
- The Inn at St. Ives: Stanwood steps forward
- August Notebook: Oakland Hills Prepares for U.S. Amateur
- The King Stands Tall with Impressive Michigan Courses
- Boom, Boom, Out Go The Lights at the 2002 Par-3 Shootout
- MichiganGolf.com Notebook: Busy Summer at Treetops
- Allen Doyle Continues to Beat the Odds on the Senior Tou
- MichiganGolf.com Notebook: News from Around the Green
- Michigan Season Preview: New and Notable in 2002
- Tournament Time: Michigan Prepares for Busy Summer
- MichiganGolf.com Notebook: News from Around the Green
- Michigan Golf Show: Attention Bargain Shoppers
- Trevino Returns to Treetops to Defend Par 3 Shootout Title
- MichiganGolf.com Editorial: Bring Back the Golf Channel
- MichiganGolf.com Column: In Defense of TV Sports
- West Michigan Golf Show: Plenty of Crowd Pleasers
- Fantastic Fall Golf in Michigan
- Metro-Detroit is Getting Serious About Golf
- Travel Special: Downtown Grand Rapids Comes Alive
- Hole No. 12 at Clarkston Creek Isn't That Bad
- Hole Profile - The Fourth Hole at OTC's Valley Course Is a Challenge
