Text: Brenna Buckwald // Photography: Photos Courtesy of BOYNE Golf

As Michigan golfers anxiously await warmer weather, turning their dreams of days spent on the course into reality, they can prepare for the 2022 season by planning the ultimate golf vacation at BOYNE Golf in the northwestern region of the state. Whether planning a short weekend trip or a full week immersed in the game with friends, family, or on one’s own, BOYNE Golf has much to offer experienced players and first-time enthusiasts alike.  

At Boyne, the opportunities for entertainment are endless. Golfers can book this year’s trip to Boyne knowing their search for a true golf experience will be fulfilled, along with the bonus of the resort’s other activities available to guests. With ten championship-level courses, as well as an indoor waterpark, two spas, and other outdoor recreation spanning across its three resort properties—Inn at Bay Harbor in Bay Harbor, Michigan; The Highlands at Harbor Springs Resort in Harbor Springs, Michigan; and Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls, Michigan—Boyne provides guests with a vacation full of possibilities.

GOLF

At BOYNE Golf, each golf location—Bay Harbor Golf Club, The Highlands at Harbor Springs, Boyne Mountain, and Crooked Tree Golf Club—features courses of all different styles, suited to all types of players. Ken Griffin, director of golf sales and marketing at Boyne Resorts, indicated that as a more diverse group of people have been introduced to the game of golf, such as the larger age-range of golfers and more women becoming involved in the sport, Boyne has implemented a lot of programming that welcomes all golfers to the tee.

Each of BOYNE’s ten courses offers six tee boxes at every hole, allowing players to choose the best distance for themselves, and still have the chance to play with other group members of varying capabilities.

For those hoping to improve their golf skills before joining their group in a game, The BOYNE Golf Academy offers programming specific to many types of golfers—including Ladies Golf School, a three-day program that combines private and group instruction; Couples Golf School; and One Day Schools offering five hours of instruction customized to your needs—ensuring everyone will get training that is right for them. 

Golfers seeking out practice can also visit the 32-acre practice facility at the Ross Golf Center at The Highlands, which includes the TrackMan Range onsite, one of only 37 in the United States. At the Ross Club Fitting Center, club fitters analyze an individual’s swing data and current equipment using state-of-the-art Trackman technology and GEARS systems to select the best combination of clubheads and shafts to add to their collection.

A golf trip at Boyne can easily double as a family vacation; many of the resort’s golf courses offer ways to spend time playing as a whole family.

Juniors aged 17-years-old and younger can play golf for free when joined by a paying adult after 2 p.m. During standard tee times, and after 5 p.m. at Bay Harbor Golf Club, junior players pay a cart fee. On Sundays after 2 p.m., BOYNE Golf hosts Family Fundays, an event that allows junior golfers to play for free when joining a paying adult. Families partaking can play together at The Moor at The Highlands, The Monument at Boyne Mountain, and Crooked Tree Golf Club.

ONSITE ACTIVITIES

Aside from the large number of golf courses at Boyne, there is an abundance of other activities on the resorts’ properties available to guests who are interested in the exploration, or those seeking a break from the sport on certain days of their trip.

Anticipated to open this upcoming June of 2022 at Boyne Mountain, SkyBridge Michigan will be the world’s longest, timber-towered suspension bridge, connecting the peaks of McLouth to Disciples Ridge. Guests who visit Boyne after the attraction opens will be able to ride a chairlift to the mountain’s top and walk the 1,203-foot-long bridge from 118 feet off the ground—a walk open year-round, offering panoramic valley views.

Other options for outdoor recreation are ample at Boyne, such as paved bike trails such as the Boyne Valley Trail that connects Boyne Falls and Boyne City, as well as Little Traverse Wheelway, a path that stretches from Harbor Springs, through Petoskey and Bay Harbor, and ending in Charlevoix.

To cool off on the hot summer days, groups can make a splash in Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark, Avalanche Bay at Boyne Mountain, which stretches 88,000 square-feet, encompassing four pools and seven different waterslides.

Not only is Boyne Mountain home to Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark, but also Michigan’s largest spa. Spa services at Boyne aren’t limited to the Boyne Mountain location though, guests can also visit the Spa at the Inn at Bay Harbor for wellness services and a day of relaxation.

OFFSITE ACTIVITIES

Griffin noted that along with onsite entertainment at Boyne, one of the greatest features of the resort is its proximity to the local amenities offered in nearby towns. Depending on the resort one is staying at, Mackinaw City, the gateway to Mackinac Island, is within approximately a half-hour-to-an-hour drive away—a great day-trip for families. The nearby gaslight districts of Petoskey, Boyne City, and Harbor Springs are hubs of fresh dining and shopping experiences a short distance away for groups to venture out and relax after a day of golfing. Also, as part of the Petoskey wine region, there are 14 local wineries in the area, providing the opportunity for visitors of the area to experience a tasting at one or many of the wineries of their choosing.

RESORT STAY

When it is time to rest after a long day of recreation, guests will not fall short of options for overnight accommodations that suit their travel parties. Boyne has three resort properties for overnight guests: Inn at Bay Harbor, The Highlands at Harbor Springs Resort, and Boyne Mountain Resort. Recently, Boyne announced long-term plans for updates to their lodging experience, such as 80 remodeled and upgraded rooms in the North Wing of the Main Lodge at The Highlands.

As part of Renaissance 2.0, a plan recently announced to guide resort growth at Boyne Mountain, what was once the Edelweiss Lodge at Boyne Mountain is being completely reimagined to a contemporary alpine escape—Chalet Edelweiss—with a top-to-bottom renovation of 35 rooms and suites, an onsite Nordic sauna experience, and a new lobby.

As golfers plan this year’s vacation with BOYNE Golf, they can consider experiencing some of Boyne’s most recent updates and new activities, check out the classic recreational opportunities that Boyne is known for, and of course, fulfill their desire to play golf on any of BOYNE’s ten great courses.