Welcome to our April 2025 Newsletter!
Congratulations
Damon G.
You are the winner of the March Newsletter – You submitted the correct answer –
I bought a sweatshirt after playing in the rain at Ann Arbor Golf and Outing Club
Thank you for including your address. Your Golf Up North Schwag is on the way!
If you would like a chance to win some Golf Up North schwag, you have to subscribe to our newsletter. Subscribe at Golf Up North Newsletter and be on the mailing list for our next issue.
Open for the Season
As always, we’re working hard to stay on top of course opening dates. We’re scouring social media, websites, booking software, emails, and even making old-fashioned phone calls. But let’s be honest—sometimes courses open on a whim, and we might get it wrong.
You can check for sites that are open by visiting Golf Up North and scrolling down the home page to just below the search boxes. There you can click on the region you are interested in and if any courses are open they will be listed there. Remember it is early in the season and many of the open courses are on a day to day basis. If you see any missing or incorrect info, let us know at contact@golfupnorth.com.
GolfPass Top 25 Public Michigan Courses
GolfPass’ Top 25 Public Courses in Michigan is here, based entirely on reviews from everyday golfers. Using their Ratings Index logic—which gives more weight to recent reviews—they compile a list of the best courses open to the public. Northern Michigan dominates the list with 16 of the 25 best public courses in Michigan! ⛳🏌️♂️See who made the cut! 👉 GolfPass Top 25 in Michigan
Glimpses from the Highway
There’s a course I’ve passed a hundred times at the US 131 and M-115 junction, always wondering about it. Over the years, I’ve had plenty of reasons to be in the area—work trips, conferences, or just trying to escape civilization. Once, I even attended a week-long seminar in Big Rapids, wisely bringing my clubs along (you never know!). That week turned into a golf getaway when I discovered the hotel and Katke Golf Course shared a parking lot. That’s what I call a well-planned business trip!
But back to that mystery course near the freeway—I never played it because my last-minute weekend tee time strategy always backfired. Until now.
Last Round with Mid North Kid
In late October, Alex (Mid-North Kid) called with a plan: one last round before winter took hold. Most courses were closed, but that elusive course near the freeway? Wide open! We booked a tee time for November 2nd, a promising omen of mild winter golf.
I was especially excited because I’d heard great things about their restaurant. And if there’s one thing I love as much as golf, it’s a good meal.
Eldorado Golf Course
The crew for this adventure: Alex, me, my oldest son Jeff, and his wife Arianna. Bonus—I had a built-in DD, which meant I could actually enjoy a drink or two.
The pro shop, in end-of-season mode, wasn’t stocked with drinks, so I was sent upstairs to the restaurant. Apparently, golfers don’t usually request to-go cocktails? The bartender hesitated but eventually sent me off with a glass of something strong and a couple of beers for the boys. I quickly realized my mistake—the drink was not Captain Morgan. It was cherry-flavored, whiskey-heavy, and enough to warm me up faster than a heated golf cart.
The first nine holes were chilly and misty, but I reminded myself I was golfing with two of my kids, so I had to be grateful. (And I was. Mostly.)
Time for a Refill?
By the turn, I was ready for a refill—this time, I made sure it was actually Captain Morgan. Unfortunately, I also forgot I still had whiskey in my system. Let’s just say the back nine got a little…hazy.
As for the course itself? A fantastic surprise! When I booked the tee times, I asked if the fairways were buried under leaves (I lose enough balls without extra help). The staff assured me the grounds crew kept it clear, and they were right. No leaf piles stealing my shots—just a well-maintained course with fun, mostly straight holes.
Things got fuzzy around hole 12, but I can confidently say this: Eldorado is a course worth playing again. Next time, I’ll go when it’s warmer—and stick to my usual, much weaker drinks.
If you would like to see the pics I took that day, click here.
Cadillac Grill
Post-round, we headed to the Cadillac Grill. The foyer features a couple of cherry-red Cadillacs, which felt oddly appropriate given the amount of cherry-flavored whiskey I’d consumed.
We were joined by Danielle (Mid-North Kid’s girlfriend) and ordered dinner. From what I recall—and from what everyone else said—the food was excellent. I opted for mac and cheese, hoping the carbs would soak up the alcohol. Spoiler: They did not. But the portions were generous, and my kids were happy to claim my leftovers.
Did You Know?
Did you know that an ostrich is scoring 5 under par on a single hole?
🏌️♂️🦩 But don’t expect to see one anytime soon—it requires a hole-in-one on a par 6 or holing out on a par 7. Basically, it’s the Bigfoot of golf achievements.
Golf Simulators: You Love ’Em!
We asked if golf simulators should be in our directory, and the verdict is in: Most of you think they should be listed as an amenity for golf courses. So, we did our research, checked websites, made calls, and updated our listings accordingly.
As for standalone simulator businesses? Mixed reactions. But we’re adding them over the next few weeks under a new course type. Got a better idea? We’re all ears!
Let us know at contact@golfupnorth.com or include your thoughts in your schwag contest response!
Golf Quote of the Month
This month’s quote speaks to both the cold weather and the mental anguish of golf:
Lansky, a humorist and author, nailed it. If you love golf, you know suffering is part of the deal—whether it’s shanking a perfect drive or playing in 40-degree mist.
Back on Track
Fingers crossed that next month, I’ll be writing about actual 2025 golf. Northern Michigan courses are opening, but weather dictates play. One day it’s sunny and mild, the next it’s snowing, and then it’s 60 and raining. Ah, springtime in Michigan!
Until then, may your drives be straight, your putts be true, and your drinks be the right kind of strong.
Happy Golfing!
Click here to see all the pictures we have taken of courses over the years.
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We would love to hear about your favorite Course in the Upper Peninsula or Northern Lower Michigan. Send pictures of golfing your favorite course and a couple of sentences about why you love the course. We will share your pictures and recommendations with our readers and on our social media accounts. If you include a mailing address, we will send you some Golf Up North schwag as a thank you!! Send your pictures and comments to marisa@golfupnorth.com
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Disclosure: We never tell a course who we are when we book and play a course. We do not ask, nor will we accept free rounds to write about a course. We pay full price for our rounds for everyone in our group.
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