Meet Mt. Pleasant: The Center of it All

By Tom Lang

The central Michigan area is well known for its namesake – Central Michigan University.

Yet as I visit there more and more, I have learned it clearly offers so much more.

Mt. Pleasant and the surrounding area has great golf – 13 courses within a 30-minute drive – plus more than 100 established restaurants, water sports on the Chippewa River and Lake Isabella, more than 30 parks and nature preserves, a historically-modernized and clean downtown, plus the Soaring Eagle Casino.

All in all, you will not be bored in Mt. Pleasant.

Golf alone will keep a buddies group or golfing couples very busy. Ranging from 2022 Michigan Golf Course of the Year, The Emerald, to the south, to Snow Snake to the north, Buck’s Run to the east and The Pines at Lake Isabella and Tullymore to the west, golfers have tons of choices.

Then there is the venerable PohlCat on the edge of town with course designer and former PGA Tour pro Dan Pohl onsite most days helping golfers get their round started. He can be found in the pro shop or setting up events – and best of all he gives lessons at the expansive practice area to fine tune your game. In any interaction with Pohl, expect him to fill your time there with timeless stories of Jack, Arnold, Freddie, Lee, Chi Chi and more. PolhCat is a fabulous course that requires all the shots in the bag.

Tullymore and partnering course St. Ives are nationally ranked – yet a staple for going on nine decades is Riverwood Resort and Golf Course, located southeast of downtown. Riverwood also has 25 lanes for the only bowling alley in the region.

The Dick Figg family took ownership of the original 18 holes there in the 1960s, and added nine more for 27. In more recent years, the Blue nine was closed when Riverwood purchased The Pines at Lake Isabella about four years ago.

As you will read on later pages in our story about Mt. Pleasant’s incredible production of six PGA and LPGA touring pros, almost all got their start and honed their games at Riverwood and tested themselves early against other top-end juniors in the Annual Riverwood State Junior Tournament, long before the AJGA was born. This year Riverwood held the 52nd edition.

The Chippewa River runs through Riverwood but starts at Lake Isabella – which was formed by the damming of the river – and then goes through the Mt. Pleasant Country Club, PohlCat (with my favorite ‘river’ hole, No. 2) and eventually Buck’s Run, the latter considered one of the premier courses as well. Buck’s Run is 18 holes of gorgeous golf cut through the mid-Michigan woods, with open areas of river and large ponds to navigate your Titleist. For the kids (and the kid side of you) Buck’s Run has an island near the clubhouse that is covered by a natural grass ‘putt-putt’ course providing fun for all.

After you check into your hotel at one of the many convenient lodging options, maybe head to dinner at a local favorite, Mountain Town Station. This staple brewery located downtown offers a wide array of delectable options from their famous Scotch Eggs to a mouth-watering Stone Fired Pizza – with many hand-crafted beers on tap.  Looking for something more upscale? Conveniently located under the same roof, Camille’s Prime is an intimate restaurant featuring certified prime-grade black Angus steaks, fresh seafood, and upscale comfort food.

One of Mt. Pleasant’s newest restaurants, Wood Shop Social Kitchen and Bar, offers New American cuisine and an extensive menu of updated standard and original cocktails, along with a curated selection of bourbon and wine. Mt. Pleasant nightlife can include the largest gaming floor in Michigan at Soaring Eagle Casino (which can also cater to the kids with their huge waterpark) or visit one of the famous Mt. Pleasant landmarks, Rubbles Bar, for some live music.

Due to its central location in the Great Lakes State, many times Mt. Pleasant is considered a stopping point for traveling Up North – a way to break up the trip. But at least once in your golf travels, you need to make it your first and only stop. Learn more at: www.meetmtp.com

In addition to the courses already mentioned, public golf options include:

Eagle Glenn Golf Course (Farwell)

Maple Creek Golf Course (Shepherd)

Pine River Country Club (Alma)

Pleasant Hills Golf Club (Mt. Pleasant)