Resorts and courses offer a variety of options for groups. It’s exercise. It’s team building. It’s a break from the work of business. Across Michigan, meeting planners are building the sport into itineraries.
“It’s getting people outdoors in an organized activity,” says Paul Beachnau, executive director of the Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau. The Gaylord Golf Mecca features eight properties with 16 courses. “It offers everyone an opportunity to become involved even if they haven’t played a lot of golf.”
The Grand Traverse Resort and Spa near Traverse City hosts corporate outings, nonprofit groups, and other business golfers, says the resort’s Communications Manager Caroline Rizzo. “Including a golf outing or time out on the course together brings a new level of camaraderie. It’s a relaxed and fun way for coworkers to spend time together,” she says. “Playing a round of golf also can be good for business if vendors are hosting clients.”
Having little or no golf experience isn’t an obstacle, says Judy Booth, vice president of sales for Boyne Resorts in northern Lower Michigan. Boyne Mountain Resort, the Highlands at Harbor Springs, and Bay Harbor Golf Club collectively offer 10 courses—all with lodging. “We have so many pros who can teach you how to golf,” says Booth. “We actually have done a lot of golf for beginners. It becomes a part of our spousal program or team building.” Some groups ramp up the experience by bringing in special touches like charcuterie, bourbon tastings, and live music on the course, Booth adds.
Crystal Mountain Director of Communications Brittney Primeau says it’s typical for groups staying at the Thompsonville resort to meet in the morning and play golf in the afternoon. “It breaks up what could be multiple meetings across a couple days,” she says, adding that attendees who don’t want to golf could select alternatives like time in the on-site spa or pools.
Tracey Ramsey, vice president of lodging and sales for Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire, says with five 18-hole courses, groups can stay in its Lakeview Hotel & Conference Center at Summit Village or The Lodge at Cedar River and find golf just steps from their rooms. “In addition to traditional tee times and outings, evening glow-golf or perhaps FootGolf [a combination of golf and soccer where players kick larger balls into holes] events are available for a less-serious crowd,” she says.
The Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest offers lodging, event spaces, and the 18-hole Eagle Crest Golf Club championship course for those gathering on-site. Set against the backdrop of Ford Lake, it features a variety of options for outings of all sizes.
Eagle Eye Golf & Banquet Center near Lansing doesn’t offer lodging but works with area hotels for groups hosting at the center that need overnight lodging for attendees. “Our stay-and-play groups are a one-stop-shop type of arrangement,” says Jennifer Geiger, director of sales and marketing. “We work with local hotels and restaurants, coordinate multiple days/courses for golf, and more.”
boyneresorts.com
crystalmountain.com
eagleeyegolfclub.com
gaylordgolfmecca.com
grandtraverseresort.com
marriott.com
shantycreek.com
