By David Theoret, The Golfin Guy
Treetops Golf Resort in Gaylord helped put Northern Michigan on the map as a great golf destination. Although there are several golf resorts in the area with multiple courses, Treetops emerges each year as one of the most recognizable golf resorts in the Midwest.
In 1983, Harry Melling, an auto industry parts supplier and owner of a NASCAR team, purchased the old Sylvan Ski Resort near Gaylord and decided he needed more activities to sustain a year-round vacation destination. In 1987, Melling contracted Robert Trent Jones Sr. to create the Masterpiece and the rest is history.
The Masterpiece quickly became a must-play destination attracting golfers to the resort. While studying the beautiful landscape of what would become the course, Jones observed the millions of trees in the Pigeon River Valley and the name for the resort became Treetops.
The Masterpiece was the first of five award-winning golf courses. Melling additionally built the only Tom Fazio designed course in Michigan and hired Rick Smith as the resort’s first Head Professional. With his student list full of PGA Tour stars, Smith’s students also fell in love with the resort.
The Golf Channel launched its popular “Big Break” series at Treetops. Over the years, Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples, Raymond Floyd, and Jack Nicklaus ventured to Treetops to compete in ESPN’s “Par 3 Shootout,” an exhibition made for television. In 2007, Lee Trevino holed his tee shot at the seventh hole and was rewarded with a cool $1 million. It is still regarded as the richest payday for a single shot and a plaque marks the spot on the tee box still today.
Lee Trevino pic goes here
Today Treetops has 81 holes of wonderful golf, 226 guest rooms, suites and cottages. Weddings, family reunions and corporate outings can take advantage of the 25,000 square feet of meeting space that can be configured to accommodate any need.
Golf is not the only amenity available at Treetops. Outdoor activities such as, biking, fly fishing, tennis, disc golf, and horseback riding are all on the to-do list while visiting Treetops. When the white stuff starts to fall, Treetops transforms into one of Northern Michigan’s top ski resorts, with 23 expertly groomed ski runs, and 14 kilometers of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails.
Over the years Treetops has received its share of accolades from the golf world. Golf Magazine recognized it as one of the finest resorts in the United States, seven-times. In 2002, Treetops was ranked #32 on Golf Digest’s list of “America’s Top 75 Golf Resorts”, and in June 2000, Conde Nast Traveler named them as a “Top 50 International Resorts.” Year in and year out Treetops is awarded at least 4 stars by Golf Digest’s Places to Play.
Back 9 Report talked with General Manager Barry Owens about all the new attractions at Treetops. View the full interview HERE.
In addition to great golf, there are two other qualities necessary for a golf resort to earn high marks. Delicious dining and comfortable accommodations are also important to attract and keep golfers returning to the resort.
Treetops does not disappoint on either of those requirements. With three restaurants on the main property, the Legends on the Hill, Hunter’s Grille, and the Sports Bar, the food is outstanding.
Hunter’s Grille offers a menu of eclectic cuisine and offers spectacular views from the top of the ski hill. Legends on the Hill has a pasta dish that features a giant elk meatball and handmade herb pappardelle pasta covered in a rich tomato sauce and served with shaved Parmesan, and garlic toast. There’s also fresh Michigan rainbow trout and a Sous Vide Pork Chop that is incredibly delicious.
At the Sports Bar, you can indulge in your favorite made-to-order pizza, or a hot and spicy Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich to compliment your favorite cold beverage. The Southfork Ranch Steak Sandwich is eight ounces of prime rib, sauteed onions, fresh spinach, and garlic aioli, served on fresh rosemary Herb Bread. It is truly a delicious treat after a day on the links.
The Jones Tavern at Treetops North is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. It’s primarily a grab-and-go menu with items like a Signature Burrito, Smith Breakfast Sandwich, the Fazio Grilled Ham and Cheese, and the Traditions Southwest Wrap.
Bar 81 is located on the main floor of the lodge just past the reception area and has become a popular gathering spot for those staying in the lodge. Several televisions make it the perfect spot to relax with your friends, recap the day, and watch your favorite sports teams.
The rooms in the lodge are some of the largest I’ve stayed in. The lodge also features an indoor pool, hot tub, and a fitness center, as well as the Treetops Spa.
The newest addition to the Treetops lodging collection is the Jones Cottages. Each cottage sleeps eight people comfortably, making them perfect for small groups and outings. All are outfitted with modern amenities and the two-floor layout provides added space and unbeatable views.
As far as the golf goes all the courses are maintained to tournament standards. Golf Digest named The Masterpiece to its Top 10 list of Favorite Fall Foliage Courses in the nation. The Masterpiece has a slope rating of 147, making it one of the state’s toughest courses, but if you play the tees that best suit your game, you’re sure to have a fun and challenging round. The views, especially in the fall, can create a distraction from your golf game and many return year after year to catch the “Fall Color Season.”
Treetops’ other courses, The Smith Signature, The Tradition, The Premier and Threetops are all located at the Treetops North location, just a few minutes from the lodge.
The Signature was the second 18-hole layout built on the resort property. It was also the first golf course designed by Rick Smith who then went on to design the Tradition Course and Threetops. Smith used the insight and knowledge he gained from his numerous trips to Scotland and Ireland to help him shape the courses, giving them the look and feel of some of the world’s best courses.
The Premier Course at Treetops Resort is the only Tom Fazio-designed golf course in Michigan and is as challenging as it is forgiving. It’s a very player-friendly course with many wide and rolling fairways.
Treetops has completed a major renovation to The Tradition which will appeal to golf enthusiasts who want to experience the game as it was intended to be played, “a good walk spoiled by a little white ball!”
Smith incorporated many of the traits of a links-style golf course even though it is nowhere near an ocean. The conversion resulted in the removal of many trees, which brings to life subtly rolling fairways and native grasses. The rough areas have been cleaned up and seeded with various fescue grasses. According to General Manager Barry Owens,
“With these links-style changes, you can see up to fifteen different greens on different parts of the golf course.”
Threetops is the most challenging par 3 course in North America. AARP named Threetops the #1 Par 3 Course in North America.
From the back tees, yardages on Threetops range between 140 and 219 yards. The longer holes may look intimidating on the scorecard, but they play significantly downhill. Each hole is unique, and the course conditions are the same as any of the championship 18-hole courses. The greens are the most challenging aspect of the course; some have severe slopes with severe undulation. With the proliferation of par 3 courses at top-flight resorts around the country, Threetops is one of the originals and is still a must-play
Treetops Resort is easy to reach and with great golf, fantastic dining, as well as spacious, comfortable rooms, you won’t go wrong in choosing Treetops as your next golf getaway destination. For more information on this outstanding golf resort, visit their website at www.treetops.com.
