Text: Brenna Buckwald // Photography: Bahle Farms Golf Course

The new owners of Bahle Farms Golf Course in Suttons Bay, Michigan—Crosley Duckmann and his father, Mark Duckmann—are ready for their first full golf season operating the business as owners. They embarked on their new business venture last year with the help of Crosley Duckmann’s girlfriend, Melissa Obis, who is the marketing and events manager at Bahle Farms Golf Course. Having just opened for the 2022 season on May 1, 2022, the family team is excited to welcome guests—both familiar and new—to the new-and-improved experience at the golf club.

The 18 holes of the Bahle Farms course draws golfers over rolling hills, through an active cherry orchard, and presents views of Suttons Bay. Before or after playing a round, guests can enjoy some of the new amenities inside the clubhouse or sit out on the patio socializing with friends.

“We are really excited for some of the new things we have going on this year,” Obis said.

Obis indicated that their team had finalized purchasing Bahle Farms last year when the season was hitting its busiest period, so they spent the latter half of the season honing the operations of the business and spent the off-season making new developments at the club. Ownership officially switched over in June 2021, with Erik Bahle, former general manager, assisting in the initial transition period.

“A big takeaway that I had is to not be afraid to jump into something, because you don’t know where it could lead to,” stated Crosley Duckmann in a previous interview.

Before this year, there weren’t many options for purchasing merchandise at the golf club, according to Obis. This season, they have implemented a new, full golf shop inside the clubhouse where guests can browse golf apparel and accessories displaying a Bahle Farms logo, as well any golf equipment needed out on the course. Having faced challenges acquiring a liquor license last year, one thing the Bahle Farms ownership team is also particularly happy about is the addition of a full bar, as well as an expanded menu of food and beverage options for golfers to enjoy.

“Golf will continue to come first, so as we slowly implement these new additions, we are going to do so with golf at the forefront no matter what. That is why we are here, and that is what brings people here at the end of the day,” Obis said.

This summer, women of all ages are invited to participate in Ladies Nights at Bahle Farms Golf Course—a weekly social event that features nine holes of golf and an alternating game each week. The first event takes place on June 1, a kickoff in celebration of Women’s Golf Day, and will continue Wednesdays at 5 p.m. EDT throughout the season. Ladies Nights are on a drop-in basis, requiring no commitment to join in on the fun.

“We are excited to have people come out and get to golf, hang out on our patio after and enjoy one more drink or have a bite,” Melissa Obis said. “We are really looking forward to that and building that community back around the golf course.”