Michigan Golf Journal June 2019

Scottish Gaelic, is the name of the course that marked a departure from the normal pattern of growth at the resort while at the same time reminding the family of previous decisions . “When Grandpa decided to build his own golf course that was certainly out of his comfort zone, and as we’ve expanded over the years, we have pushed those limits that others see,” Jon said. “What we have at Stoatin Brae is different, very different in the kind of course and how it compares to the others we have here because we did not design it ourselves. “But in doing it, forging ahead with it, it is consistent with what our family has done from the beginning. We’re giving more to the golfer, our customers, giving them more reasons to come play golf here, another way to have fun.” Stoatin Brae is only the second course of the six that is not designed by the family with landscape architecture backgrounds. It is also a dramatic departure from the current five courses, including four designed by either Darl, Charlie or Jon, or in combination. Those courses cut naturally through the trees and hills on the area’s rolling land. Stoatin Brae, created by Renaissance Golf Design of Traverse City, offers views for miles over natural undulations and reestablished prairie grasses, where the wind is seemingly always in play. Jon said Stoatin Brae is among other things an effort to reach the world’s travel-minded golfers who seek destination courses that offer exciting new adventures. “This site is unique for us, and we decided it was best to add something different,” Jon said. The resort’s lineup of courses currently includes the Gull Lake West course, the East course, Stonehedge Sou th, and Stonehedge North all very near the main resort campus, as well as Bedford Valley near Battle Creek , which the family purchased in 1988. Bedford Valley is a popular parkland William Mitchell design, which blends well with the designs of the family. “We’ve always been willing to evolve,” Jon said. “We’ve always listened to our customers. We’ve always tried to attract new customers, tried new things. Dad building courses and teaching me, Stoatin Brae, our programs, everything we do, fits within our big picture.” In that big picture, Jon can’t wait to see the reaction of golfers this summer to a more mature Stoatin Brae. “People coming back will see a different course,” he said. “It has softened up and is really starting to hit its stride. We found out last year that people found it better. That’s only going to continue. We work to make things better. That’s how we try to do everything around here. It’s the family business.” 35 June 2019 www.michigangolfjournal.com