now

16 • GAYLORD NOW • August ‘08 A Gaylord Herald Times publication
Courses
Spotlight
By Jeremy Speer
Green Trees
Golf Course
Green Trees Golf Course offers an
alternative to the hilly and tough resortstyle
courses so prevalent in the Gaylord
area.
Where most area courses require a
cart just to finish a round in five hours,
Green Trees is easily walkable and offers
a quick, less challenging golf experience.
The executive course features six
par-fours and 12 par-threes and at
3,000 yards, is friendly to hitters of all
talent levels.
“It’s a different option for people who
don’t want to get held up with price or
difficulty,” said golf professional David
Strong.
Besides very affordable golf that
includes 18-hole rates as low as $16,
Green Trees offers very inexpensive
range ball prices, with buckets ranging
from $3-$5. Cart prices are also offered.
Green Trees is a great course for
beginners and for those looking to hone
their game.
Don’t worry about bringing too few
balls, as the wide-open setup won’t allow
too many shots to get lost. But do
come ready to walk, as this is perhaps
the most exercise-friendly course in the
area.
The Otsego Club truly offers the best of both
worlds. On one hand, there is the majesticallydaunting
Tribute, which features soaring views and
sometimes soaring scores.
And then there is the Classic, an aptly named
course built in the 1950s, which in its well-maintained
state, features a confidence boost for those
staggering off the Tribute.
“The courses are such opposites,” said Otsego
Club professional Mark Hogan. “The Tribute can
really beat you up, so a lot of people come to the
Classic and play a scramble and have fun.”
It’s not as if the Classic is a painfully easy or
Classic at Otsego Club
boring course. It features a wide variety of tee shots
and fairway widths, as well as a couple of majestic
signature holes.
When Osprey Recreation purchased Otsego
Club a couple years ago, it put a lot of money
into the maintenance of the Classic, and it has
responded with excellent greens and true playing
surfaces.
The course, which went public in 1987, is very
affordable and playable either by cart or foot.
Where the Tribute stands tall, the Classic stands
steady as a traditional, well-kept course that is fun
for golfers of all experience levels.
The Natural
Golf Course
Tucked away near the west side of Otsego
Lake, the Natural is just as its name would
suggest — a natural golf setting where beautiful
views and wildlife sightings are common
occurrences.
“We are Northern Michigan’s best-kept
secret,” said director of golf Laura Sides. “We
have excellent rates for local golfers and we
really cater to our local players.”
The Natural, part of Beaver Creek Resort, is
a well-maintained course that is described as a
resort-style course.
But instead of large, wide-open fairways,
the Natural places a premium precision, as
tree-lined fairways encourage accuracy over
brute strength.
There are also a fair share of unique holes,
including a beautiful par-3 with an elevated
tee shot and the challenging signature No. 18,
which features a second or third shot that has
a 140-yard carry over a scenic marsh.
One of the top bird-viewing areas in Otsego
County, other frequent wildlife visitors include
foxes and deer.
Natural in its presentation, this course offers
an enjoyable and scenic experience at an
affordable price.