It’s a NEW YEAR and the possibilities for great golf adventures in 2023 have never been better. Here in Michigan, we are extremely lucky to have one of the BEST Golf Resorts in the world right in our backyard.
With ’10 Magnificent Courses’ BOYNE Golf offers golfers the best opportunities to test their swing and putting stroke. Plus, the courses are constantly being renovated and updated to maintain their reputation as a destination just right for every skill level of golfer.
The Highlands
The Heather was the course that started it all at BOYNE Golf. It was the 2018 Michigan Golf Course of the Year and in 2019 it was named the National Golf Course of the Year by the National Golf Course Owners Association. The Heather was designed by Robert Trent Jones, opened for play in 1966 and began the trend for ski resorts to offer upscale golf in the summer. The Heather has hosted numerous Michigan Amateurs and is a favorite of every golfer that visits BOYNE.
After the Heather, three more courses were added to The Highlands. The Donald Ross Memorial, the Arthur Hills and the Moor combine to give golfers four different golf experiences at The Highlands.
The Donald Ross Memorial is a recreation of his most memorable holes from around the world in one 18-hole golf course. Replica holes from; Seminole, Inverness, Pinehurst, Detroit Golf Club, Oakland Hills, Aronimink, Royal Dornach, plus a few more are represented in this compilation. Renovations on holes No. 1, No. 13 and No. 15 are complete and ready for play.
The Arthur Hills Course at The Highlands may provide the truest test for golfers. Hills created majestic green complexes that will test any short game. The elevated 13th tee sits over 30 stories above the green and tee shots seem to hang in the air forever.
Two years ago a renovation of the Moor Course was completed which widened fairways and expanded collection areas around the greens. It may be the easiest test at The Highlands, but it may also be the most fun to play.
To learn more about BOYNE Golf watch this video: https://youtu.be/1U7ZDCOlGd0
Boyne Mountain
Boyne Mountain actually had the first golf course at the resort. Owner, Everett Kircher used a Ford tractor to carve out a nine-hole lay out, the Hemlock, to attract more guests to the ski resort in the summer.
Today two championship courses, The Alpine and The Monument sit on the backside of Boyne Mountain. After a 1.2 mile golf cart ride to the top of the mountain, where the first tee for both courses can be found, they wind their way back down the mountain to finish at pro shop.
Both courses are challenging and provide jaw-dropping views of Deer lake and the valley below.
Bay Harbor Golf Club
The Ruby in BOYNE Golf’s crown is the Bay Harbor Golf Club. Designed by Arthur Hills, it was the most expensive golf course built in the United States, when it opened for play in 1995.
The golf club includes three nine-hole tracks, The Links, The Quarry and The Preserve, that are combined into three diverse layouts. Several holes on the Links nine run along a cliff above Little Traverse Bay and provide majestic views out into Lake Michigan.
The Quarry loop runs through an abandoned stone quarry with elevated tees, rolling fairways and unique green complexes. Tees along the rim of the old quarry provide breathtaking views and challenging elevated tee shots. The final two holes on the Quarry finish along the lake and provide a fitting end to this unique golf experience.
The Preserve winds its way through wildflowers, lush grass and native wetlands. It is a sanctuary filled with an abundance of wildlife. Saving the best for last, the ninth hole at the Preserve is a par-3 situated on the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Before you leave this gorgeous setting, be sure to check out Crooked Tree. It sits atop a ridge high above Bay Harbor. This 18-hole championship course was recently renovated and has long been a favorite of BOYNE guests. The views are magnificent as the course sits over 200 feet above the lake. Your score at Crooked Tree becomes secondary to the awe-inspiring views of Lake Michigan and Bay Harbor proper.
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To learn more about the wonderful golfing opportunities at BOYNE’s 10 courses watch this video: https://youtu.be/1U7ZDCOlGd0
With these ‘10 Magnificent’ courses, BOYNE Golf is a must-play destination.
BUT WAIT There’s MORE!! The resort also several other reasons to visit.
Accommodations
With three locations within a 20-mile radius in Northern Michigan, each with their own individual style, they offer something to please any guest.
The Inn at Bay Harbor harkens back to earlier days and provides the absolute best for discerning travelers. The Marriot Autograph Collection Hotel is reminiscent of the turn of the century Victorian charm and modern-day elegance. The Inn at Bay Harbor was recognized by Golf Digest as one of the “Top Ten Coastal Resorts” in the country, alongside, Pebble Beach and Bandon Dunes. Little Traverse Bay provides the views as it merges into Lake Michigan.
The rooms at the Main Lodge at The Highlands have undergone a massive renovation and each room has been tastefully updated and is even more comfortable, especially for couples and women’s groups. In addition to the English Tudor style lodge at The Highlands, groups may want to consider staying in one of the Donald Ross Cottages each with three bedrooms, a full kitchen, and 2 ½ baths, including a whirlpool-equipped master bath. The Arthur Hills Townhomes and Heather Highland Townhomes make the perfect home away from home for families and groups alike.
There are also several lodging options at Boyne Mountain. Chalet Edelweiss recently reopened after two years construction. It brings the sophistication of a European Alpine Village to Northern Michigan and is just right for golfing couples. With 220 rooms the Mountain Grand Lodge offers sheer elegance and comfort. The Clock Tower Lodge is located at the base of the ski hill, just a short walk to Avalanche Bay Waterpark and features an outdoor heated pool and hot tub, as well as a fitness center.
Boynehof is connected to the Clock Tower Lodge and is perfect for small families and couples. Along Deer Lake at the Boyne Mountain Golf complex is the Deer Lake Villas. These condominiums are perfect for groups, or families wanting to stay together.
Mountain cabins, Creekside Condos, the Village At Disciples Ridge and Mountain Villas are also available for any size group, or family to stay comfortably.
Dining
Each of the three locations also have a variety of great dining options.
The Vintage Chophouse and Wine Bar just off the lobby of the Inn at Bay Harbor touts a wine list with over 115 different bottles. The intimate, lounge-inspired dining room serves American cuisine for both lunch and dinner with premium cuts of steak, plus a seasonal roster of classic and signature cocktails. This is for someone that is looking for the best dining experience less than 200 feet from Little Traverse Bay.
The Sagamore Room at the Inn at Bay Harbor Overlooks Little Traverse Bay and serves a sumptuous breakfast buffet, or order a la carte from the menu. The Inn Café has a coffee-house style charm, with gourmet sandwiches, salads and freshly baked pastries.
The Cabana Bar is a seasonal outdoor option only. Located near the pool, lake shore and back lawn it is always a great location to watch guests enjoying outdoor activities.
The Beach House at Boyne Mountain is one of my favorites anywhere. It sits on Deer Lake with a delicious menu and comfortable seating indoors, or out. In the summer months dine al fresco and watch kids playing on the beach and families enjoying swimming, boating and relaxing.
The Mountain also has the Forty Acres Tavern, Everett’s serves an array of American cuisine including mouthwatering steaks, seafood, pasta dishes, sandwiches, burgers, soups and salads. The Trophy Room Pub & Pizzeria offers a large selection of beer and wine, while the menu features pizzas, salads, pasta dishes, grinders and more.
Take a ride up the mountain and visit the Eagle’s Nest offering tasty food, plus a view of the entire valley below. If you need more choices, there is also the Apres Ski Pub, the Mountain Express Deli and Stein Eriksen’s, which overlooks the slopes and specializes in delicious comfort food, such as steaks, pasta dishes, hearty soups, sandwiches, and chili.
The Highlands also offers several dining options. Bella Sorpresa at the Country Club of The Highlands embraces the Italian meal as a ritual, and is a wonderful atmosphere to gather together for food, wine, and conversation.
The Main Dining Room, located on the second level the hotel serves up a gourmet breakfast buffet complete with complimentary views of the mountain and slopes. Other more casual dining options include, the 19th tee, and 55th tee.
Spas
If you need some relief from achy muscles after a day on the golf course, the spas at the Inn at Bay Harbor and Boyne Mountain offer a variety of soothing and relaxing treatments to get you feeling like Rory McIlroy.
Each is designed to rejuvenate and recharge your body and a refuge where friends can reconnect while lounging in soft robes by the fire. It’s the perfect complement to a day on the links.
Other Amenities
Even BOYNE Golf understands that man does not live by golf alone and offers various activities to enjoy, when you are not on the links.
The new Skybridge Michigan at Boyne Mountain is the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge and has proven to be a huge hit. Guests ride the historic Hemlock Scenic Chairlift to the mountain’s top, then venture out along the exhilarating 1,200-foot long and 118-foot high pedestrian bridge.
The 88,000 square foot Avalanche Bay Indoor Water Park has four pools and seven water slides to entertain the kid in all of us.
The Zip Lines at Boyne Mountain are yet another great activity for every family member.
Nearby Petoskey, Boyne City and Harbor Springs have wineries, shopping and restaurants. Stroll along the city streets, or update your bucket list while checking out the large lake yachts and boats in Harbor Springs Marina.
In addition, there is hiking, biking, swimming, pond and fishing, plus nearly every outdoor activity you can think of at BOYNE.
Boyne Resorts is one of the largest family owned and operated hospitality businesses in the country with several locations. Big Sky Resort in Montana, Sugarloaf, Sunday River and Pleasant Mountain in Maine, Loon Mountain Resort in New Hampshire, Brighton Resort in Utah, The Summit at Snoqualmie in Washington and Cypress Mountain in Vancouver, British Columbia are all Boyne Resort properties.
In 1954, Everett Kircher, the founder of Boyne Resorts, installed the Gatlinburg SkyLift and it remains one of the Smoky Mountain’s most iconic attractions.
It has never been easier to get to BOYNE. Cherry Capital Airport is a little over one hour from the resort. American, Delta, United and Allegiant have 17 nonstop flights to and from cities across the United States. Destinations include Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis−Saint Paul, Denver, Dallas, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington DC (Dulles and Reagan), Newark, Philadelphia, New York (LaGuardia), Boston, Punta Gorda, St. Pete-Clearwater, and Orlando.
Boyne Resort’s three locations in Northern Michigan have something for the entire family, buddies golf trips, or girls golf getaways. For additional information, or to check out the latest packages available for 2023 visit: bit.ly/3FR6tHB.
Don’t forget to BOOK EARLY!! If 2023 is anything like the last couple of years, they will fill up.
