A Top Stay & Play Golf Resort
We’re going to Augusta! First reaction is that we’re going to the infamous Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia at the exclusive August National Golf Club. Not that Augusta! Another Augusta that is a top stay and play golf destination in the Midwest. Gull Lake View Golf Resort in Augusta, Michigan features six championship golf courses. Each course is rated 4.5 stars or higher in Golf Digest. With 108 holes of golf, spacious accommodations, and picturesque scenic landscape, Gull Lake View offers golfers an exceptional golf experience. The Scott family has successfully owned and operated this golf resort for over 50 years. With four generations of experience and vision, they continue to create an exciting golf vacation destination. For our visit we are playing two of the six courses. Join us as we tee it up on Stoatin Brae, the newest addition to Gull Lake View, and Stonehedge North.
STOATIN BRAE
Living up to its Gaelic name of “Grand Hill,” Stoatin Brae sits on the highest point in Kalamazoo County. A par-71, Stoatin Brae has bragging rights for being the 2021 Jemsek National Course of the Year. From the Clubhouse and on the course we admire the panoramic views of a golf course perched atop a ridge with scenic vistas of the Kalamazoo River Valley and downtown Battle Creek. Unusual to find a links style golf course on the top of a ridge with awesome views for miles. Having played several courses in Scotland, Stoatin Brae truly brings the feel of a Scottish links course.
Are we in Scotland? Standing at the tee box of Hole No. 1 of Stoatin Brae under gray cloudy skies with a light drizzle and looking out over the flat terrain of the front nine, we actually feel like we are in Scotland. With rain jackets on, we prepare to tackle Stoatin Brae. While we are pleased that there are no water hazards, the course brings well placed bunkers and plenty of fescue grasses that snatch balls. Be ready for wind! With its wide open course layout and sitting on the ridge above the treetops, Stoatin Brae is definitely windswept.
Front Nine of Stoatin Brae
With an early morning tee time and foursomes ahead of us, the starter pairs us with a single, which definitely helps the pace of play. Looking out over Hole No. 1 a par-4, the fairway is overall flat but bunkers do come into play. I am thrilled to start with a par on this links course on an overcast day. Moving onto the second hole a par-3, the rains start and the temperature drops, adding to the difficulty of playing the course. This links course definitely brings back memories of playing courses in Scotland as we also add or remove rain gear.
Overall the front nine is a wide open layout with minimal elevation. In fact it is difficult to get a good picture of this expansive course, without being above it. Each hole brings a unique challenge with grasses or bunkers in the fairway and by the greens. Beware! The greens have plenty of undulations to really keep us on our toes and some are huge. Thankfully, we avoid the rough that can easily trap balls. Plus bunkers are bordered by tall grasses to add that extra test of extracting a ball. Stoatin Brae, even in the poor weather conditions, is demanding but fun. On No. 6 a par-5 we are thrilled to both par it. No. 9 is a long par-5 playing 566 yards from the tips and even the women’s tees are 483 yards. Richard is glad to bogey it. Thankfully on the last few holes of the front nine the drizzle stops and slowly the weather begins to clear. At least we think it is clearing.
The Back Nine Stoatin Brae
As we make the turn, it is a quick stop at the Bunker. Their halfway house is really in a bunker. The back nine is dramatically different from the front nine. It is still wide open but adds the new dimension of noticeable elevation changes. With a bit of sunshine peeking through the clouds, the course becomes even more strategic with the uphill downhill holes and the wind.
No. 10 a par-4 is scenic hole with its hilly fairway. On the back nine there are three par-3s that each bring a picturesque setting. Usually either an extreme uphill or downhill carefully protected by bunkers, hillsides, and grasses. Club selection is important on the par-3s to be sure to land on the green. Otherwise it is frustrating to find or extricate a ball.
An extremely challenging hole is No. 15 a par-4 with a very uphill fairway.
Then as we reach the hilltop, the massive green offers terrific views from this elevation. The finishing holes are a par-5, a par-3 and the finale No. 18 a par-5 brings us back to the flatter links terrain. It is an exciting, challenging, demanding, and fun day of golf. So glad we played as a threesome, as the course was packed on this morning, despite the rainy, cloudy weather conditions. We ‘tackled” Stoatin Brae and leave feeling that while we didn’t tame it, we held our own on this links course.
Stonehedge North Course
Looking at the score card before teeing off at Stonehedge North Course, we note that this par-72 course has six par-3s, six par-4s, and six par-5s. We find this format adds a new element to golf courses. If we can score well on the par-3s then it definitely helps offset any issues on the par-5s. The scorecard also has “Pro tips” for playing the course. Even though the “Pro Tips” are from the green tees, it still gives an idea of the hole layout and how to play it. Additionally, Stonehedge North greens are constructed to USGA specifications. After a good warm up on the practice area, we head to the first tee of Stonehedge North. Playing as a twosome, actually works well on this course, as the groups in front of us are all twosomes.
Front Nine of Stonehedge North
The front nine has a nice balance of terrain challenges that match with the beauty of the landscape of gently rolling hills. The first couple of par-3s on the front are over flat landscape with the only hazards being bunkers. Wow, each have very deep greens so an extra club is needed to make the green and avoid three putts. Water comes into play on a few holes. No. 8 the final par-3 on the front has water on the right. We both stay dry and make our pars. The par-5s are spaced out at No. 1, No. 5 and No. 9 with each bringing its own personality with some doglegs, length, and well placed bunkers. We pay attention to the scorecard on No. 7 a par 4 and notice the peninsula green with water on the left and front. Richard pars it easily and I am glad with the bogey. Wow! Richard plays the front nine at Stonehedge North extremely well, for his handicap. He shoots a 39
Back Nine of Stonehedge North
After a quick stop at the halfway house, we are ready to tee off on No. 10 a par-4 dogleg right. Staying left is imperative to have a shot to the green. The par-3s are fun! No. 11 has a lake in front and a very narrow green tucked into a bit of a hillside. Then No. 13 requires extra club to this elevated green. While No. 17 tees off from an elevated tee to the green below. Hurrah! I par all three! The back nine brings some more elevation adding to the excitement of the course. At Hole No. 14 the fairway ends at about 240 yards then drops to the bottom of a hill with water at the back of the green. So important to pay attention to club selection to play this hole well.
Our goal is to finish strong. On the tee box of No. 18 a par-5 dogleg left we can’t see the green or all the fairway. At the top of the hill it is 90 degree dogleg with bunkers on each side of the fairway. Then it is downhill to a green tucked to the left behind some huge tree. Richard plays the hole perfectly being on the green in regulation and two putting for his par. I am happy with my bogey. It is another thrilling day of golf under beautiful blue skies.
Accommodations, Etc.
Gull Lake View is golf vacation destination resort. Their Fairway Villas are huge with plenty of space to spread out, relax, and relive the day’s game or plan for an upcoming golf challenge. Specifically designed for groups of four, the Villas feature a large living, dining area, a full kitchen, 2 bedrooms with 2 double beds in each, 2 full bathrooms and a balcony or patio. Having just left a 500 square foot 2 bedroom condo at visit to Shanty Creek Resort, the Villas has a wide open feel. Plus the Villas are located on the Gull Lake East Course within walking distance of the main clubhouse, practice and chipping areas, and Gull Lake. Visiting on Monday and Tuesday nights, several golf groups were taking on the challenges of these six award winning golf courses.
We were impressed that each golf course had a halfway house with a nice selection of sandwiches, snacks and drinks. Plus guest staying at the Fairway Villas can walk to Charles & Darl’s Smokehouse Grill at the clubhouse for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For those willing to take a drive, there are many dining options in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Gull Lake View Golf Resort definitely offers golfers pure enjoyment and recreation. With six world-class golf courses, golfers of all skill levels will thrill in this special golf experience. As Michigan’s highest rated golfing vacation destination, Gull Lake View Resort is a perfect golf getaway. It is west Michgian’s largest golf resort.
Note: We have played numerous courses in the northern Michigan, Resorts of Tullymore & St. Ives, and along Lake Michigan. It was exciting to experience this unique resort with its offering of 108 holes of golf.
If you go:
- Plan ahead for your visit as Gull Lake View is a popular golf resort.
- Accommodations work especially well for foursomes and large golf groups, but are still perfect for couples. Of course, all golfers are welcome and will enjoy the variety of golf courses.
- With a full kitchen in the Fairway Villas, it is easy to cook or grill out. The units provide all the necessary dishware, cookware, and utensils. Be sure to bring your own cooking basics of salt, pepper, sugar, oil, butter, spices, etc. for preparing any meals.
- A visit to Battle Creek, Michigan is nice with its many restaurants and scenic parks in downtown. On our visit for dinner there were long waits and places did not always take reservations.