Press Releases

Garland Lodge & Resort Undergoes a Make Over

Largest Log Resort East of the Mississippi Adds to its Up North Ambiance

Garland Lodge & Resort has long been known for its up north ambiance featuring 72-holes and the 'Largest Log Resort' east of the Mississippi River. Nestled in northern Michigan's Lewiston, just east of Gaylord, Garland was recently purchased by New Frontiers Capital, LLC. In 2010, under the direction of its new ownership, Garland is undergoing a new 'make over' in an effort to improve upon its world-class resort destination.

The plans have included extensive landscape improvements; renovation and preservation of the log lodge and cabins; a new outdoor gathering place - a grand patio fireplace overlooking championship golf holes; and redesign and redecoration of the lobby interior, resort hotel rooms, and restaurant and lounge areas. Garland will also be introducing new amenities in the near future, including a full service spa and wellness center, and state-of-the-art fitness facility. The spa and fitness facility are scheduled to open in December of this year, a $1.5 to $2.0 million project alone.

There are also extensive renovations taking place on all four- championship golf courses - Fountains, Monarch, Swampfire, and Reflections. Currently, the Fountains Golf Course is undergoing a redesign and 'face lift' of its sand trap areas.
In addition to making improvements on all four courses, award winning golf course architect Michael Benkusky will play a key roll in planning the future development of Garland Lodge & Resort's fifth championship golf course. Benkusky designed and built Canyata Golf Club, which was recently named to Golf Digest's list of 'America's 100 Top Rated Golf Courses', and was rated the #2 'Best Private Golf Course in the United States' in 2005.

Garland Lodge and Resort will offer a 'sophisticated-rustic experience' that golfers, couples, and families will enjoy. Visit www.garlandusa.com

Butch Harmon at The Loon Golf Resort

One of the Games Top Instructors is Coming to Gaylord

The Loon Golf Resort announces that one of the games top instructors is coming to Gaylord Michigan this summer. Butch Harmon, one of the games leading golf instructors, and teacher to Masters Champion Phil Mickelson, will host the inaugural Butch Harmon Pro-Am at the Loon, July 30 – August 1. In addition, Harmon will also develop and launch his top golf school at the resort this summer.

This partnership between The Loon Golf Resort and the games top swing coach will solidify The Loon, as one of the premier golf experiences in northern Michigan.

"We are very excited to have Butch Harmon coming to The Loon Golf Resort this summer and helping us create a unique and special event for golfers," said Matt Preuss, General Manager at The Loon Golf Resort. "This will be one of the must play golf events in northern Michigan this season and a great opportunity for golfers to meet and interact with the games top instructor."
This exciting event will be a fun filled weekend of golfing, clinics, and great food, together with meeting one of the games top instructors. The format of the event is a two-day 36-hole pro-am played in a four-person team format with Amateurs competing in both gross and net divisions. Butch Harmon will also be on hand participating with private clinics for the contestants, as well as playing holes, and interacting with each group.

The cost to participate in the pro-am event is $2,000 per four-man team. This includes practice rounds on Friday, tournament rounds, Clinics with Butch Harmon, cocktails, meals, as well as awards and prizes. In addition, the first 20 teams to register will receive lodging at the Loon Golf Resort.

To register call 877-732-4455 or go to The Loon Golf Resort's website for more information.

Golf Week Magazine Honors Gaylord Area Courses

Four area courses named to Michigan's top 20

GAYLORD, MI -- The Gaylord Golf Mecca, known as America's Summer Golf Mecca, has four of its golf courses listed among the best in Michigan by Golfweek magazine. Golfweek, one of the country's leading industry golf publications, annually puts together a ranking of the Top 100 Modern and Classic courses in America, as well as the best courses in each state. 

In Michigan, Golfweek ranked the following Gaylord area courses among the Top 20 in Michigan - Otsego Club's Black Forest at No. 7, Treetops Smith Signature at No. 8, Black Lake Golf Club at No. 9, and Treetops Fazio Premier at No. 13.

Tom Doak, who created the modern classic Pacific Dunes in Bandon, Ore. (ranked No. 2 on Golfweek's "Top 100 Modern Courses" list), designed Black Forest. Black Forest meanders over 400 acres of northern hardwoods, meadows, and valleys. The large undulating greens, British-style rugged bunkers, and fescue lined sweeping fairways are classic works of art. Doak's golf course design firm is also based in Michigan.

The Treetops Signature course, designed by Rick Smith, is an 18-hole modern classic that combines the rustic northern Michigan landscape with the unique design features of Irish courses overseas. The Premier course is also the state's only Tom Fazio design. Fazio created a scenic user-friendly course with fairways and greens designed to bring errant shots back into play. Treetops resort is already one of the leading golf resort destinations in the country. Its inventory of four championship courses and a par-3 course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., Tom Fazio, and Rick Smith, is one of the best collections of golf holes on one property anywhere in the country.

Black Lake Golf Club is an 18-hole gem cut into a 1,000-acre forest retreat owned by the United Auto Workers (UAW). Nationally acclaimed architect Rees Jones designed the Black Lake course, which meanders in and out of forest areas and wetland areas featuring immaculate greens and strategic bunkers. Jones has become known as the "U.S. Open doctor" for his restoration of classic layouts selected by the USGA as U.S. Open tournament sites.

The Gaylord Golf  Mecca offers something for everyone including opulent resort destinations such as the nationally acclaimed Treetops Resort, Otsego Club, and Garland Resort. Complimenting the resorts are high-quality public courses such as Black Forest, Black Lake, Michaywe, Mountain Lake, The Loon, Marsh Ridge, The Natural, Black Bear, Elk Ridge, and Gaylord Country Club, as well as fine and casual dining, and quaint inns. It's an experience golfers of all skills and tastes can enjoy.

For more information, visit www.gaylordgolfmecca.com or call (800) 345-8621.