LOCATION: Gaylord, MI, ten minutes from I-75 ADDRESS: 3962 Wilkinson Road YARDAGE: Varies by course. 81 holes of Golf ARCHITECTS: Rick Smith, Tom Fazio, Robert T. Jones Sr. YEAR OPENED: 1987; 2003 renovation PHONE: (888) TREETOPS WEBSITE: www.treetops.com

Nearly a quarter of a century ago, Robert
Trent Jones, Sr. stood on the sixth tee of his acclaimed course, The Masterpiece – the
original course in the 81-hole collection at Treetops in Gaylord. The hole’s 120-foot plunge from tee to green and the panoramic views of the tree tops in all directions moved him.

His sentiments that day not only launched what would become the famed golf resort known as Treetops, but helped create a movement that put northern Michigan on the golf map. Since then, Treetops has grown into a world-class golf destination and the anchor of the thriving Gaylord Golf Mecca, known as “America’s Summer Golf Capital.”

Designed by masters, Treetops’ four 18-hole courses – Rick Smith’s Tradition and Signature courses, Tom Fazio’s Premier course and Jones’ The Masterpiece – have been played by the likes of Phil Mickelson, Lee Trevino, Fred Couples and Arnold Palmer and can stack up with any foursome of resort courses in the country. The Smith-designed Threetops remains the No. 1 Par 3 Course in the nation and was the famed location of ESPN’s Par 3 Shootout for eight years.

The Rick Smith Golf Academy at Treetops features one of the lowest student-to-teacher ratios in the Midwest (2:1). It is Michigan’s only three-time recipient of Golf Magazine’s Top 25 Golf School in America award. Headlined by Smith and led by Henry Young and Jason Guss – two nationally recognized instructors – the academy offers midweek, weekend, masters and couples’ schools.

One of The Academy’s most successful programs is its Junior Development Program, taught by Jason Guss, who has been named a Top 20 Teacher in America Under the Age of 40. Featuring an astonishing 1:1 student-to-teacher ratio, the program is dedicated to the true development of junior golfers by providing ongoing instruction throughout the course of the entire summer – four hours a month for five months. Additionally, the junior golfer sets his or her own schedule and curriculum with Guss; there is no pre-set schedule. There is also a junior golf camp for juniors age 9-17.

For those seeking some “girl time,” Treetops’ signature Ladies Golf School Escape focuses as much on the game as it does on allowing women more freedom to plan their getaway, and includes spa and retail vouchers.

In addition to 81 holes of golf and the Rick Smith Golf Academy, Treetops offers a full-service spa, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools and whirlpools, a variety of accommodations and dining. Located just three miles east of I-75 in Gaylord, the Straits of Mackinac and other northern Michigan day-trip destinations are within an easy drive.

Packages to suit all tastes can be found by calling 1-888-TREETOPS or by visiting www.treetops.com. Treetops. A higher level of golf.