Meet in Mt. Pleasant: The Center of it All
By Tom Lang
The central Michigan area is well known for its location truly in the middle of the state from virtually all locations north, south, east and west in the Lower Peninsula. They even named the university there as simply Central Michigan.
And for golf lovers who come from all points, they’re glad they made the trip.
Mt. Pleasant and the surrounding area has great golf – 13 courses within a 30-minute drive – plus more than 100 established (non-fast food) restaurants, water sports on the Chippewa River and Lake Isabella, more than 30 parks and nature preserves, a historically-modernized and clean downtown, plus the Soaring Eagle Casino and all its lodging and entertainment options.
All in all, you will not be bored visiting Mt. Pleasant.
“The Mt. Pleasant area has some really good golf,” said Mick Haley at Snow Snake Ski and Golf. “We know that the shine goes mostly to northern Michigan courses, but central Michigan has some really good stuff, and for a lot of different golfers. We’ve got Buck’s Run on the high end, and we (at Snow Snake) fill a nice niche in the middle. You can also find a great round of golf for $40 or less around here too. I think a lot of people who will come play golf here will think, ‘man, why haven’t I come here before.’”
Even with all the additional entertainment, the golf alone will keep a buddies group or golfing couples very busy. Golfing options range from 2022 Michigan Golf Course of the Year, The Emerald, to the south, to Snow Snake to the north, Buck’s Run to the east and The Pines at Lake Isabella and Tullymore to the west. All work together to make sure golfers have tons of choices.
“The Mt Pleasant area offers many options for golfers of all skill levels and I think this is why so many people choose the area for a golf destination,” said Mt. Pleasant native Ryan Brehm, who has spent many years as one of the longest drivers on the PGA Tour. “It’s a great place for weekend golf trips because the area has no shortage of accommodations, food and entertainment off the course as well.
“I’m thankful to have grown up in such a great golfing community because it certainly helped me achieve my dream of playing the PGA Tour. I always looked up to and followed the careers of Dan Pohl, Doug LaBelle, Cindy Figg-Currier and Kelly Robbins. They paved the way for me and created an interest in golf around the area.”
Tullymore and partnering course St. Ives are nationally ranked – yet a local staple for nine decades is Riverwood Resort and Golf Course, located southeast of downtown. Riverwood also has 25 lanes for the only bowling alley in the region.
The Chippewa River starts with The Pines at Lake Isabella – which was formed by the damming of the river – and then goes through Riverwood, the Mt. Pleasant Country Club, the venerable PohlCat (with my favorite ‘river’ hole in mid-Michigan) and eventually Buck’s Run, the latter considered one of the premier courses – making for five golf venues spliced by the Chippewa River.
Most days at PohlCat you will find the course designer, the native and former PGA Tour pro Dan Pohl, on site helping golfers get their round started. He can be found in the pro shop or setting up events – or telling stories in the bar and grill. In any interaction with Pohl, expect him to fill your visit with timeless stories of Jack, Arnold, Freddie, Lee, Chi Chi and more.
Along the Chippewa River are multiple canoe/kayak liveries for water fun, the gorgeous Deerfield Nature Park, and the Mt. Pleasant Covered Bridge Trail.
“I think Mt. Pleasant is an overlooked destination for golf,” Craig McKinley, the superintendent at Buck’s Run told me. “It’s half the distance to travel for most people, and the quality of the golf courses is outstanding. You have the well-known Tullymore, St. Ives, PohlCat, Bucks’ Run. And then Eagle Glenn in Farwell … good Lord, that place is in great condition and it’s priced right. It is gorgeous.
“Too many courses here are overlooked. You have the Up North feel and great conditioning, great people and good value. Then you have the casino here and lots of lodging options.”
Mt. Pleasant has a plethora of hotel options from all the major chains in the country, offering a wide range of amenities and pricing options. After you check into your hotel at one of the many convenient lodging options, maybe head to dinner at a local favorite, Mountain Town Station. This staple brewery located downtown offers a wide array of tasty options from their famous Scotch Eggs to a mouth-watering Stone Fired Pizza – with many hand-crafted beers on tap. Conveniently located under the same roof, the more upscale Camille’s Prime is an intimate restaurant featuring certified prime-grade black Angus steaks, fresh seafood, and comfort food.
One of Mt. Pleasant’s newest restaurants, Wood Shop Social Kitchen and Bar (where I took my wife as she needs multiple gluten-free options), offers New American cuisine and an extensive menu of updated standard and original cocktails, along with a curated selection of bourbon and wine. Mt. Pleasant nightlife can include the largest gaming floor in Michigan at Soaring Eagle Casino (which can also cater to the kids with their huge waterpark) or visit one of the famous Mt. Pleasant landmarks, Rubbles Bar, for some live music.
“Mt. Pleasant has great people and a great golfing community,” Brehm told me. “Very worthwhile to any golfing enthusiast.”
Matt Holden, the GM at Tullymore added: “The Mt. Pleasant region offers everything a golf enthusiast can hope for on their next golf trip. Whether you’re traveling with your buddies, as a couple or with the girls – Mt. Pleasant offers top tier golf courses with world-class activities and events. This is a destination you don’t want to miss out on.”
Due to its central location in the Great Lakes State, many times Mt. Pleasant is considered a stopping point for traveling Up North to break up the trip in either direction. But at least once in your golf travels, you need to make it your first and only stop. Learn more at: www.meetmtp.com
