21st Annual Northern Michigan Golf Trip (2019) – Post Trip Summary

Scores:

Hidden River (Par 72)

Bob F - 99

Bob S - 122

Clay - 103

Danny - 117

Dave - 86

Jay - 99

Jim - 114

John - 124

Marv - 100

Monroe - 112

Randy - 105

Little Traverse Bay (Par 72)

Bob F - 93

Bob S - 140

Clay - 101

Danny - 133

Dave - 96

Jay - 110

Jim - 112

John - 125

Marv - 106

Monroe - 105

Randy - 104

Gaylord Golf Club (Par 72)

Bob F - 102

Bob S - 124

Clay - 112

Danny - 135

Dave - 93

Jay - 101

Jim - 98

John - 112

Marv - 102

Monroe - 118

Randy - 114

Total Score Predictions and Results:

(-3) Jim - (Predicted 327, Shot 324)

(-4) Clay - (Predicted 320, Shot 316)

(5) Monroe - (Predicted 330, Shot 335)

(-5) Randy - (Predicted 328, Shot 323)

(-8) John - (Predicted 369, Shot 361)

(9) Bob F. - (Predicted 285, Shot 294)

(-21) Jay - (Predicted 331, Shot 310)

(-24) Dave - (Predicted 299, Shot 275)

(25) Danny - (Predicted 360, Shot 385)

(-28) Marv - (Predicted 336, Shot 308)

(48) Bob S. - (Predicted 338, Shot 386)

Skins:

Bob F - 1

Bob S - 1

Clay - 3

Danny - 0

Dave - 8

Jay - 4

Jim - 2

John - 1

Marv - 4

Monroe - 1

Randy - 2

Skin Stats:

Total skins: 27

Eagles: 0

Birdies: 8

Pars: 16

Bogies: 3

Double Bogies: 0

Weather:

We had dry, sunny weather. The temperatures were in the middle to upper 70’s, but with the sun on the course it was pretty hot!

Summary (and various derogatory comments)

The courses were nice and in very good shape. Hidden River was the most playable. Gaylord Golf Club was also playable until you got onto the “mildly” undulated greens. Little Traverse Bay was the most scenic, but as everyone knows the 10-minute tee times were not adequate; they needed to be 15 minutes apart. This combined with poor course management, we were forced to skip a couple of holes at the turn (to free up the backed-up course). In the end, all worked out and we were able to go back to the turn after the 18^th hole to play the skipped holes. To top it off, the greens were severely undulated and not fun (unless you want to practice your putt-putt golf skills). I think it was a unanimous decision to put LTB on the “do not play again” short list (along with Lochenheath and Black Forest).

Restaurants visited were Ray’s BBQ, Brews and Blues in Grayling, The Side Door Saloon in Petoskey (home of the world famous Olive Burger), Beards Brewery in Petoskey (overlooking the bay), and La Senorita in Gaylord.

Many of us spent some time at the Odawa casino, which was a short 10-minute shuttle ride from the hotel. We each received free-play and food vouchers for each day we stayed, which I’m sure everyone used wisely.

Highest Payout(s):

Jim @ $78 (closest to predicted score plus a couple of skins)

Lowest Rounds (good for bragging rights):

Dave with an 86 @ Hidden River

Highest Rounds (not good for bragging rights):

Bob S with a 140 at Little Traverse Bay

A-hole winners:

Jim with a 9 on hole 1 @ Hidden River

Bob S with an 11 on hole 2 @ LTB (after two tie breaker holes)

Danny with a 6 on hole 4 @ GGC

Practice up for 2020! I think we’ll do another casino stay somewhere, maybe Mt Pleasant.