By Len Ziehm
Located just east of Grand Traverse Bay, along the shores of Torch Lake, the A-Ga-Ming Resort features four courses, Sundance, Charlevoix, Antrim Dells and the Torch. Each with its own history. It has grown to become a very popular Michigan golfing destination.
As young Central Michigan alumni, Mike Brown and Larry Lavely moved to Northern Michigan and bought their first A-Ga-Ming course in 1996.
A-Ga-Ming is native American for, “on the shore.’’ With nearby Torch Lake and Grand Traverse Bay, that’s exactly what these courses are.
In the 1970’s, Roy Wetmore designed the original nine holes at A-Ga-Ming and Chick Harbert constructed the second nine in 1986. Well regarded Michigan golf architect Jerry Matthews has also added some touches to the course over the years. Matthews is also responsible for Charlevoix Country Club and Antrim Dells.
The original A-Ga-Ming course was rerouted by Matthews, in 2005 and renamed the Torch. It is situated majestically on the ridges above Torch Lake and and provides outstanding views. Playing nearly 6,700 yards from the tips, Torch is a challenging shot-makers course that favors accuracy over length. Water comes into play on the 11 of the 18 holes, as well as mature woodlands. Torch is known as one of the most scenic golf courses in all of northern Michigan.
Sundance opened to rave reviews in June 2005. It sits on glacier-carved bluffs and exemplifies the extraordinary natural beauty of northwest Michigan. With wide, playable fairways, superbly sculpted greens, vast windswept bunkers, heather-clad mounding and spectacular vistas, Sundance will delight the scratch golfer or a newly fledged beginner.
Brown and Lavely added to their golf empire by purchasing Antrim Dells in 2010 and Charlevoix Country Club in 2017.
Charlevoix was a private club at one point but, after suffering damage in a fire, it was on the brink of closing when Brown and Lavely saved it. Now, in addition to a particularly well-conditioned golf course with four of the toughest finishing holes in Michigan, it has such amenities as a fitness center, swimming pool and pickleball courts.
Antrim Dells opened in 1971 and was the 36-hole qualifying site for the Michigan Amateur throughout the 1980s, before the finalists moved on to the match play portion of the tourney at nearby Belvedere Country Club in Charlevoix.
The Managing Partner at Antrim Dells, David Hill spent several years working at the Boyne Resort and calls Antrim Dells his “retirement gig.”
After purchasing Antrim Dells, over 500 trees were removed to make the course more user-friendly. Bird houses and yardage signs were made from redwoods on the original course, as well as the unique décor in the Sunset Bar & Grill to add a special touch to the facility.
Antrim is a county in Ireland, and the clubhouse theme underscores that. A view of Grand Traverse Bay, as well as six of the holes can be viewed from the clubhouse patio.
Hill told us,
“We’re a family here and our four courses can stand with anybody.’’
A-Ga-Ming is spread out over 30 miles, but the courses offer visitors the true feel of Northern Michigan golf. The accommodations include Maplewood Ridge, Cedar Hollow and Vista Townhomes.
The Torch and Sundance are the southernmost courses, located in Kewadin. Antrim Dells is 12 miles away, in Ellsworth, while Charlevoix Country Club is 28 miles from the accommodations at A-Ga-Ming.
“The three places are pretty easy to get to,’’ said Brown, “To create a great golf package you need three, or four courses. We have that and everyone stays at A-Ga-Ming. It’s worked out really well. ‘’
For a true Northern Michigan golfing adventure check out A-Ga-Ming for your next buddies golf trip, girls golf getaway, or family vacation. Its close to everything that is good “UP North.”
