Crystal Mountain

There are storied courses and there are courses with stories. This weekend’s featured destination, Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa, could qualify as having a bit of both. Home to the Mountain Ridge and Betsie Valley courses, Crystal Mountain is revered as a premier northern Michigan golf destination.

Established in 1956, Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa has earned distinction as:
   • #1 Resort in the Midwest - SKI Magazine
   • #1 for Lodging, #1 for Dining on-mountain food - SKI Magazine
   • #1 for Families - SKI Magazine
   • Top 25 Golf Schools in America - GOLF magazine
   • Top 50 Women Friendly courses in nation (#24) - Golf for Women Magazine
   • Best Family Resort, Best Golf School, Best Instructor (Brad Dean) - Michigan Living magazine "Best of Michigan Golf" reader survey
   • "Top Family Golf Resort" - GOLF magazine
   • Top Five in Nation for Instruction - Golf for Women magazine
   • Top 100 Women-friendly Courses - Golf for Women magazine

A round of golf at this multiple award-winning 1,500 acre facility is nothing short of exceptional. Crystal Mountain’s two championship golf courses have been recognized both regionally and nationally as offering one of the best golf experiences around. Both of these Golf Digest-rated 4-Star courses are cut from the same soil, though that is where the similarities end and the stories begin.

Recently, a substantial renovation of the resort’s Betsie Valley course, originally built in 1981, resulted in a greatly enhanced golfing experience. Seven of the holes on the front nine of the Betsie Valley course have been completely overhauled with water coming into play on nine of the eighteen holes. Players choose from four sets of tees while navigating strategically placed sand traps and towering hardwoods on comparativley moderate terrain. This par-72 track will keep golfers honest throughout the round, measuring a walkable 6,567yds from the tips, testing golfers with a 72/132 course rating/slope. In short, Betsie Valley is an ideal setting for a memorable round of golf, amidst gorgeous northern Michigan scenery.

The Mountain Ridge course was finished in 1998 and will proudly play host to the Michigan PGA Women’s Open for the ninth consecutive year. Regarded as the tougher test of the two courses, Mountain Ridge offers a 7,007-yard sightseeing tour, culminating in a 200-foot uphill climb with a rewarding panorama of the pristine Northern Michigan landscape. Testing your skill with a 73.5/135 rating from the tips, Mountain Ridge at Crystal Mountain also offers three other sets of tees measuring 4,956, 5,700, and 6,258 as their respective difficulties increase. Golfers at the Mountain Ridge course are given great latitude to choose their own destiny and enjoy their day!

Crystal Mountain’s Golf School is a nationally ranked Top-25 program, offering over 100 schools, clinics and opportunities for golfers to take their game to the next level. With practice facilities spread over 10 acres, the lineup of PGA and LPGA professionals are among the most sought-after instructors in the Midwest. Led by three-time Michigan PGA Teacher of the Year Brad Dean, Crystal Mountain’s instructional staff have been named by Golf Digest as some of the top teachers in Michigan.

And if all the golf makes you a little hungry, don’t worry, because the food at Crystal Mountain bountiful! The Thistle Pub & Grille is Crystal’s most elegant dining spot. Its Celtic-inspired ambience and Northern Michigan accents are home to signature appetizers, delicious dinner entrees and dessert dishes, as well as a full bar featuring Scottish ales and flavored martinis. Great for families, the Wild Tomato Restaurant & Bar features a variety of appetizers, entrees, desserts, beers and margaritas as well as great breakfasts. The Little Betsie Bistro & Grocery is the perfect place for a quick bite when hunger hits! Choose from pizza, subs, salads, beverages, snacks and more.

A little stressed about your unfortunate luck on the course? Make sure to stop by the 18,500 square-foot oasis in the heart of Crystal Mountain. The Crystal Spa is a celebration of relaxation, renewal and the environment on a grand scale. From the first moment you enter its doors, you’ll appreciate the comforts of this elegant and memorable retreat.

Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa is committed to being a favorite destination among golfers and their families for years to come, as evidenced by the constant attention to a quality recreational experience. Come visit Crystal Mountain, and better yet, make it a tradition — your family and friends will surely thank you for it.