4519 NORTH RIVER ROAD, FREELAND, MI 48623

A John Sanford design, the par-72 championship course at Apple Mountain was built to challenge golfers of all ages and abilities, offering four tee boxes, grand fairways, scenic vistas, and the feeling of up-north style golf.

The land the golf course occupies was once an apple orchard, and subtle clues to the history of the property are integrated in the course’s design. Ben Schippers, marketing manager at Apple Mountain, indicated that the fifth hole of the course, a par-3, features an apple-shaped green and bunker complex, and on the sixth hole, a par-4, there is an apple-shaped bunker complex in the middle of the fairway, requiring a well-placed tee shot.

“Holes five and six are the pinnacle of the Apple Mountain experience as both are played from the top of the mountain,” Schippers said. “The change in elevation on the par-3 fifth hole requires careful club selection to place the ball on a green that is full of subtle breaks. The tee shot on the par-4 sixth hole features views from the highest peak in the region, and a well-placed shot makes way for good opportunity on the approach into a forgiving green.”

Apple Mountain’s location just off Interstate-75 makes it an accessible up-north style golf course for those in the lower part of the state, as well as an easy stop for groups making the trek farther north during their golf trip, according to Schippers.

While golfing at Apple Mountain, guests can also grab a bite to eat. Offering quick, casual fare, Putter’s Pointe Café on the main level of the Club House is a simple solution to those wanting a snack or beverage before or after playing the course. Mountain View Restaurant hosts casual elegance and a variety of cuisine and beverages, a perfect venue for a sit-down meal with clients, friends, or a date night.