Affordable Michigan Golf Resorts: An Unforgettable Family Golf Experience

Southern Michigan

The economics of golf have grown in recent years to unprecedented levels. With green fees at some of the top golf courses now costing upwards of $400.00-$500.00 to $900 per round, and golf packages at top resorts costing thousands of dollars, it is unfortunate that many golfers will struggle to afford these high prices. -get rid of golf. For golfers who can’t afford that but want to have the same fun golf experience on a buddy tour, where can they go? Just think, for the price of one round at Pebble Beach or Bandon Dunes, golfers can get a three-day, two-night golf package and play three or four rounds of golf. As one of the largest family-owned golf courses in the country, Gull Lake View has been building a family golf legacy and a number of golfers since the 1960s.

Southwest Michigan’s Most Popular Golf Course

Southwest Michigan’s most popular golf course came about because of one man’s vision. Superintendent at Gull Lake Country Club in nearby Richland, Michigan, for 25 years, Darl Scott decided to tap into his entrepreneurial spirit in the early 1960s. He and his wife, who already owned and operated a nearby motel, began building the Gull Lake View West golf course in 1962 on a nearby property. Little did the couple know that a small motel and golf course business would lead the couple to become pioneers in the golf field.

Today, this lake golf resort is one of the largest family-owned golf resorts in the country. One that offers an affordable value proposition not found in large multi-course golf resorts. Gull Lake View’s six championship courses offer a unique experience for golfers, all without breaking the limit. Just think, for the price of one round at Pebble Beach or Bandon Dunes, golfers can get a three-day, two-night golf package and play three or four rounds of golf.

Gull Lake View Development

The original Gull Lake View West features fields, ravines, hills, woods, lakes, and poisonous plants. In the early 1970s, the couple sold the motel and built Gull Lake View East – which has a scenic hilly landscape, a number of unique water hazards, and requires good gun placement. Next to the East Course, Darl built villa-style condominiums for golf clubs to stay in, which was a novelty at the time.

In the late 1980s and 1990s, the Scotts’ son Charlie, who built golf courses for Wadsworth Construction for seven years before coming home to build the East course, designed and built nearby Stonehedge South in 1988. The golf course has been set up. in wonderful, rolling wooded areas reminiscent of the Carolinas. Then in 1995, Charlie and his son Jon built Stonehedge North, which features dramatic elevation changes and plays about five shots easier than South. At the same time, the family purchased and renovated the nearby Bedford Valley Country Club, a local course that had hosted several Michigan Opens but fell into disrepair.

“Darl (who died in 1999) was interested in buying land, and in that spirit, Jon and I looked for a place near the South Stadium, and it had an Irish-Scottish feel to it with a lot of movement,” he recalled. Bill Johnson, CEO of Gull Lake View who was the company’s vice president at the time. “And that’s how Stoatin Brae happened, which opened in 2017. We were playing at Pacific Dunes at Bandon Dunes and talked about contacting architect Tom Doak. In a few days, he was here to check the plans with us.”

Due to project conflicts, Doak assigned the Stoatin Brae project to the Renaissance Golf A-Team of designers Eric Iverson, Brian Schneider, Don Placek, and Brian Slawnik. They were responsible for critical formations and formations, bringing Scottish influences to life. They have created a classic links style minimalist style with architectural elements from the golden design era of the 1920s and 1930s to create the most beautiful and unforgettable golfing experience.

Stoatin Brae is only the second of six courses not designed by a talented family with a landscape background. And now, this course is ranked in the top 5 of the state. Unlike anything else in Michigan, we are located on one of the highest elevations in Kalamazoo County and command sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding area. An exceptional course with a stunning design that encourages golfers to play their best.

“Most of our visitors will spend the whole day at Stonehedge on one of their days visiting, playing North and South,” said Johnson. “They like to play East and West together, too. Then there’s Stoatin Brae, which we’ve done a lot of work on to make it more playable. It is ripe now and beautiful. The views are great, and completely different than any other golf course. And Bedford Valley gives you that old country club feel. It is also a large golf course that we can extend to over 7,000 yards if needed. These six lessons have stood the test of time. Just great quality golf courses. And everyone knows when they come here, they will find good conditions. “

“We are proud of the state of the country’s clubs,” continued Johnson. “We’re all talking about golf, and we have amenities, restaurants, snack bars and condos that people love. We are centrally located between Detroit and Chicago, an easy drive from both or from northern Wisconsin. It has really grown in popularity.”

For people in the Detroit-to-Chicago corridor, it’s a much shorter drive than going to Northern Michigan, and the quality of golf is just as good. What’s special about all six courses is that they are playable for all skill levels. Golf has become more about fun, relaxation, and hanging out with friends. That’s what Gull Lake View is all about. You don’t have to be a top gamer to enjoy your stay.

As popular as Gull Lake View has become—especially since the pandemic—ownership also invests about $2 million a year to improve course conditions, irrigation, lodging and infrastructure in an effort to keep everything top-notch. They really care about the overall experience. Golfers will likely see that spill over into more available rooms soon, too.

“We’re definitely in a very sleepy state,” Johnson said. “Actually, we work with a number of hotels, the biggest of which is the Radisson in Kalamazoo, which we fill up on the weekends because we are full. So, by having six courses, we can spread the guests around. As with most golf courses, you never know. I won’t decide that for you. We are always looking at the world and continuing the spirit of Darl Scott,” said Johnson.

Continuing into the fourth generation of ownership since the early 1960s, this simple yet elegant golf course is a fun and rewarding experience for everyday golfers. It’s the ultimate place where friends can have the same experience and camaraderie without breaking the bank or traveling long distances to high-end or beach-side resorts that often get attention.

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