Stoatin Brae Golf Course Earns National Golf Course of the Year

AUGUSTA, MI - The Stoatin Brae Golf Course at Gull Lake View Golf and Resort in Augusta, Mich., has been named the "National Golf Course of the Year" by the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA). The announcement was made recently during the NGCOA's Golf Business Conference 2021, held virtually alongside the annual PGA Merchandise Show January 25-27.

Known officially as the Jemsek National Golf Course of the Year Award, the honor recognizes members demonstrating four criteria: exceptional quality of the course, exceptional quality of ownership and management, outstanding contribution to its community, and significant contribution to the game. The Course of the Year Award winners come from the NGCOA's core membership, which make an outstanding contribution to the game of golf in their markets and are model operations to their peers.

Stoatin Brae is the fifth Michigan golf course to receive the national recognition. The course was recognized for its several areas of community impact like the course's work with the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Special Olympics, women's and junior golf programs including Youth on Course, as well as the Audubon Society.

"This is truly an honor to be recognized by the NGCOA and alongside so many top golf course facilities across the country," said Bill Johnson, Vice President of Gull Lake View. "Gull Lake View has been part of the fabric of the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek community for six decades impacting area golfers. This recognition is a testament to the Scott family and Darl Scott's vision that continues today with Stoatin Brae."

Going on its fourth generation with the Scott Family at the helm, and as one of the largest family-owned golf resorts in the U.S. with six championship courses, simple-yet-charming lodging, and multiple dining options, Gull Lake View is a fun and rewarding experience for everyday golfers. This is the ultimate golf destination where working-class buddies can have a similar kind of experience and camaraderie as golfers have at the nationally acclaimed high-end destinations, without breaking the bank. Gull lake View is also a favorite among families, women, and kids looking for a fun golf destination with variety.

In 1963, Darl Scott, an entrepreneur at heart and golf course superintendent at nearby Gull Lake Country Club, decided to build and open his own public golf course. As the story goes, Darl and his wife Letha worked hard, first building the West and then along with his son Charlie, built the East course. Charlie also worked with his dad designing and building the Stonehedge North and South courses. In 1988, the family acquired its fifth course, Bedford Valley near Battle Creek, a popular William Mitchell parkland design that has hosted multiple Michigan Opens.

Stoatin Brae, which means Grand Hill in Scottish Gaelic, was a departure from the normal pattern of growth at the resort. The course is only the second course of the six that was not designed and built by the talented Scott family with landscape architecture backgrounds. The decision by the family was to collaborate with Renaissance Golf Design and its A-Team of senior associates, Brian Schneider, Eric Iverson, Don Placek and Brian Slawnik. The highly acclaimed course, a magnificent design situated on a picturesque bluff overlooking the Kalamazoo River Valley, marries a minimalist classic links-style with architectural elements from golf's golden design era of the 1920s and 1930s to create a stunning and memorable golf experience.