Gull Lake View Resort Invests Nearly $2M for Golfers
By Tom Lang
There is no resting on laurels for Gull Lake View Resort near Battle Creek, in Augusta.
Located halfway between Detroit and Chicago, the fourth-generation family resort, one of the largest in the country with six golf courses, won National Golf Course of the Year in 2021 for its highly-rated Stoatin Brae layout.
When some courses would sit back and simply buff the shine on such a trophy, the staff and family owners at Gull Lake View got to work to make even more improvements to carry the torch long into the future.
Where most of the renovation is most noticeable is in the 67 condos, utilized most often for family and buddies’ trips (yes, women have buddies’ trips too, which have been increasing), but the huge investment can be seen all over the multiple properties. They can sleep about 280 people per night on property.
“We spent a lot of time with the lodging,” said resort president Bill Johnson. “The buildings were first put up in the 1970s so we updated them with new beds. Three buildings got all new floors in the Villas, where we have our ‘Stay and Plays.’ We put in all new cabinets in the kitchens, and we’ve always kept updating the appliances as needed. Just trying to modernize the experience for guests.”
They’ve added all new golf carts to Gull Lake View East and West and Bedford Valley – and while the public won’t necessarily see it, lots of new equipment for the grounds crew to make their jobs easier, more efficient and making for more pleasant grounds for the golfers to enjoy. There are also plans to rebuild many cart paths this summer.
One popularity point for Gull Lake View is its location between Chicago and Detroit, and not too far from Indianapolis (3.5 hours). Johnson said being a lake region with hilly land and the closeness to large cities makes it attractive; basically 2.5 hours in either direction. “Those things really help us stay in the game.”
While Stoatin Brae gest lots of attention, as it should for its masterpiece links design on one of the highest points in Kalamazoo County, the formidable Bedford Valley continues to host important state tournaments annually, like high school state finals. It also used to host the Michigan Open, and regularly still hosts the Michigan Sr. Open.
According to Johnson, the theme is ‘big.’
“It’s a good old-fashioned golf course. There’s no tricks,” Johnson said. “It’s big. The bunkers are big, the greens are big. The trees are big. And the yardage can be big (when necessary). Bedford withstands the challenge, for all ages and genders.”
Stonehedge North has also hosted Div. 3 college tournaments as Gull Lake expands in more of those style events.
Last year the resort hit a milestone in that someone from every U.S. state (lower 48) has now been to Gull Lake View Resort. Getting Golf Course of the year in 2021 helped push some new guests to travel a long way give it a try.
“We’re getting some international play too,” Johnson said. “We have some people coming over from Scotland because they want to see Stoatin Brae (which from day one has intentionally had a Scottish feel). And every year the course matures more and more. A super fun golf course that keeps getting highly-rated. I still say the Stonehedge courses are under-rated.
“All is good at Gull Lake View.”
