The Apple of the Great Lakes Bay Region

The Apple of the Great Lakes Bay Region

Text: Brenna Buckwald // Photography: Apple Mountain

In the heart of Michigan’s six-city Great Lakes Bay Region, Apple Mountain in Freeland, Michigan not only features a par-72 championship golf course and golf passes for unlimited time on the generous fairways, but also offers golf clinics, camps, an updated menu at Mountain View restaurant, and a destination that is “minutes away” but “miles from ordinary.”

“Apple Mountain provides an ‘up-north’ style golf experience without the drive,” said Ben Schippers, marketing manager at Apple Mountain. “Holes five and six tee-off from the highest peak in the Great Lakes Bay Region and the golf course is full of scenic beauty, undulating hills, generous fairways and true greens making for a great day trip, or a stop for downstate golfers on their way to an extended golf weekend.”

Season passes for the 2021 season at Apple Mountain are available for golfers ready to hone their golf skills this summer on the John Sanford-designed course, featuring four sets of tee boxes across its 18 holes. The golf club offers two types of season pass: a weekday pass and an unlimited pass. The two golf passes differ only slightly—the weekday pass allows its passholder to golf at Apple Mountain anytime from Monday to Friday all season long, while the unlimited pass includes weekends as well as weekdays in the unlimited golf offer. Both passes feature other benefits such as included cart fees, discounted guest rates, and discounts on clothing and purchases made at the club.

Apple Mountain, 4th hole | Apple Mountain

Schippers noted that during the 2020 season, the golf club had to pause many of their events such as golf club demo days and golf clinics and camps. Apple Mountain plans to resume their typical event schedule this season.  Golf clinics at Apple Mountain present golfers with the opportunity to learn from an instructor in a group setting. The club also offers a ladies’ golf clinic, a junior golf clinic, and a youth golf camp.

Private lessons with either Chad J. Maxim, PGA head golf professional at Apple Mountain, or Dan Zeitler, assistant golf professional at Apple Mountain, are available in 30-minute sessions for golfers desiring a one-on-one learning atmosphere to sharpen their skills.

The Mountain View restaurant is open for lunch and dinner service, with a fresh selection of cuisine for guests to enjoy. The new menu is focused on small plates, petite salads, and sandwiches. Schippers noted that the restaurant is also featuring a new evening entrée menu with a modern flare.

“We’re anticipating another strong season. Golf has proved itself to be a great way to enjoy the great outdoors over the last year and we expect that growth to continue,” Schippers said. “In addition, we’ve all learned a lot about how to live through the pandemic and we are excited to welcome back many of our charity golf outings this season.”

Apple Mountain, fifth hole | Apple Mountain