Gull Lake View Golf Resort Stoatin Brae

Gull Lake View Resort on the outskirts of Kalamazoo in Augusta, Michigan is recognized by many as the premier stay-and-play golf resort in the Midwest. There as six golf courses, none of which will beat you up too badly. Each golf course has earned at least 4.5 stars from Golf Digest. In 2017, the Scott family unveiled their latest creation Stoatin Brae, a course unlike any other on the property. Actually, saying it is unlike any other golf course in the state would be more apropos. On a recent visit to the area, I was able to play two of my favorite courses: Stoatin Brae and Stonehedge North.

Except for Bedford Valley in Battle Creek, all of the golf courses at Gull Lake View Resort were designed by members of the Scott family. In creating Stoatin Brae, Gull Lake View partnered with Tom Doak’s Renaissance Golf Design and created a course where every golfer, regardless of ability, can find an appropriate tee box to play from and have a memorable golf experience. Stoatin Brae was named both Michigan and National Golf Course of the Year in 2021.

Stoatin Brae sits at one of the highest elevation points in Kalamazoo County with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area. As you turn into the driveway and make the 200-foot climb up to the top, you’ll find the clubhouse and first tee overlooking the Kalamazoo River Valley. Look to the east and you may catch a glimpse of downtown Battle Creek in the distance.

Years ago, the property was an apple orchard. An investment group bought the property and removed all of the apple trees, with the hope of creating a new residential development. When those plans fell through, they sold the land to the Scott family who planted a wide variety of native grasses and wildflowers. A golfer could play Stoatin Brae once a month and see a different course each time because of the color changes throughout the grass and flower-growing seasons.

Unlike the other courses at Gull Lake View, the fairways are wide open, firm, and fast. Because of its elevation, Stoatin Brae has no water hazards, but that doesn’t make it any less challenging. The green complexes and strategically placed bunkers require golfers to think their way around the golf course. Quite often, your best tee shot is not down the middle. The way many of the par 4s are set up you’ll have a better angle into the green from one side of the fairway or the other. Other than the long, wispy grasses you may encounter when you are well off the fairway, it’s hard to lose a golf ball.

And let’s not forget the wind. At Stoatin Brae there are many constants, and the wind is one of them! When the wind is blowing, Stoatin Brae becomes a different course. If you’re a good player you will be challenged in windy conditions. If you’re a not-so-good weekend warrior, you’ll be able to find your ball and hit it again.

One of my favorite holes is the 10th. At 315 yards from the Black Tees, it’s a short par 4, but as you stand on the tee, you can’t help but wonder where the best place is to hit your tee shot. As it turns out, a long drive down the left side and over the hill provides the best angle into the green. If you can see your tee shot when it lands, you’ll probably have a tougher approach shot. Several rugged bunkers guard the green which angles away from the fairway.

Even though they offer some of the best golf in the area, Gull Lake View Resort is always looking to improve its offerings off the golf course. For those needing lodging, Gull Lake View Resort offers spacious, comfortable, and affordable accommodations. And best of all, they are on-site, giving you more time to sleep for those early morning tee times! They can accommodate just about any size group with one of their three lodging options: villa suites, deluxe villas, and luxury cottages. All three feature a centralized living space with a big-screen TV, full kitchens, 2 bedrooms with 2 full beds in each, 2 bathrooms, and Free Wi-Fi. Luxury cottages also have TVs in each bedroom, fireplaces, and queen beds.

They’ve got you covered when you get hungry, too. Charles and Darl’s is located in the main clubhouse and serves three meals a day, starting at 6 a.m. and serving food until 10 p.m. seven days a week. Each meal is cooked to order with lunch and dinner leaning toward the BBQ side. If you’re looking to feed a large group of people, they offer a bulk pick-up menu. No matter what you order or when you won’t leave disappointed…or hungry!

No matter which course you play at Gull Lake View the goal is to have a fun, memorable experience. Choose the set of tees that best suits your game at any course and that’s almost a guarantee.

Gull Lake View Resort is ideally situated between Chicago and Detroit, the resort draws well from these two markets as well as Columbus, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Toronto. There’s no reason to travel north of Traverse City to find golf courses that will amaze and captivate any golfer. If you’re close to any of these cities, Gull Lake View Resort is worthy of consideration for your next golf trip.