Reviews of Mountain Lake Golf Club

Treat Yourself to a Mountain Lake Golfing Experience

By Jim Akans; weeklychoice.com 08/14/09

“Outstanding conditions, greens are great and this is one of the finest courses I have played,” proclaimed an enthusiastic player after a recent round on the links at the 18-hole championship Mountain Lake Golf Club, located just south of Gaylord.

“Just calling to thank you and your staff for your helpfulness, hospitality and your wonderful golf course,” affirmed Bob Horvath after his Mountain Lake experience.  “Your bag staff, Pro Shop and Pub personnel were the best!”

Tony Krepps, General Manager at Mountain Lake, states that these are just a few of the hundreds of positive comments he receives about the course, and the dedicated staff.

Formerly the “Lakes Golf Course” in Michaywe, this Jerry Matthews designed course was ranked “Third Best New Resort Course” by Golf Digest when it opened in 1988.  When new owner, Michael Tellshow, purchased the course in 2006, he recalls it just needed just a “little tweaking” to make it more player-friendly.

Tony smiles, “If a guest has a bad hole, which we all do, we want it to be his/her fault…not ours!”

Mountain Lake is a favorite for visitors to the Gaylord area as well as for local golfers and those from the surrounding area.  It offers six holes on Alpine terrain with stunning views overlooking downtown Gaylord in the distance, six links-style holes and six holes set amid the natural beauty that includes the mouth of the Au Sable river, several ponds,  and four holes that play around beautiful Lake Michaywe.  The clubhouse also features a full-service grill, with popular “burger & beer” and “hotdogs or bratwurst & a beer” specials.

So it’s easy to see why Mountain Lake is getting such great reviews from players.

Tony Krepps puts the blame directly on Course Superintendent Fred Miller, the Maintenance Staff, and Tony’s Operational Staff.  “Our mission is for our guests to have a great golfing experience while at Mountain Lake Golf Club…we are fulfilling that mission.”

Fees at Mountain Lake are extremely competitive, as Tony notes, “We’re the new guys in town and we need to be competitive in our pricing.  Golfers were excited when we re-opened the course and are pleased with our green fees and specials.  We need to be successful but realize that with the recent high unemployment trend, golfers just can’t afford the prices of the past.  We hope the community in and around Gaylord realize that we are trying to make golf as affordable as possible.”

And at Mountain Lake Golf Club, golfers not only enjoy great pricing, they are in for an extraordinary golfing experience.


 
 

Two Guys Who Golf

MOUNTAIN LAKE GOLF CLUB (989-731-1300)

Course Review
 

Mountain Lake Golf Club in Gaylord opened in the summer of 2007, one year after officially closing (as the former Lakes Golf Course - one time part of the Otsego club and also a former Michaywe property). The new layout features some renovated green complexes and some very interesting golf holes- that will certainly challenge all levels of players.

The setting is quite serene, surrounded by rolling woodlands and pastures, with just a smattering of residential properties along the perimeter of the layout. The beauty can temporarily distract one from the realization that this course is quite difficult .This is especially true on the front side, when golfers will often find uneven lies with the ball sideways, or situated below or above the feet creating tough approach shots to well bunkered, sloping green complexes. Pin placement means everything here, as some of the hole locations we encountered were very devious. Be careful on the short par four 7th - a sharp dogleg that turns 90 degrees to the left less than 100 yards away. If the tee shot is not hit far enough - there is no clear entry to the green

The back side is less undulating and presents more scoring opportunities, as good shots will most often be rewarded with good lies. The three hole stretch beginning at hole number 12 winds along a lake and provides some gorgeous scenery, as well as excellent shot values. The par threes on the back side a spectacular - with carries over significant water hazards necessary on both # 12 and # 17.

On property is a practice green for putting and chipping (no range), and a clubhouse with pro shop plus bar/snack area serving beverages plus hot & cold sandwiches. On course yardages are marked on sprinkler heads and at the 100, 150 and 200 yard areas, and color coded flags indicate the front, middle or back hole locations on the small to medium sized putting surfaces. There also are 150 yard stakes on par fives and on the longer par fours.

Three sets of tees play to distances measuring 6418, 6120 and 2216 yards. The new course and slope ratings were not available - but we would rate this course as more difficult than average. One cannot automatically take driver out of the bag on some of these par fours and fives. Water comes into play on 7 holes, and 42 sand bunkers are situated greenside or near the landing zones on the fairways.

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