By Sara Karnish | Photo: ©Breezy Point Resort

With stunning landscapes, well-maintained grounds and plenty of leisure activities, it’s no surprise that golf resorts check many of the boxes on meeting planners’ must-have lists. Whether a planner is organizing an exclusive corporate retreat for upper management, an incentive trip for top salespeople, or a larger gathering of associates or members, golf resorts are a great choice for functions of all kinds.

Golf resorts differ from a standard hotel with a golf course in that they are all-in-one destinations centered around the game. However, these venues don’t just offer golf.

Brittany Smiley, MBA, CMP, founder of Cornerstone Collaborative, an event staffing firm in Indianapolis, suggests looking beyond the green and taking full advantage of the resort’s amenities when developing event itineraries. “Golf is probably the top amenity, but look at what else might be there. For instance, I’ve found tennis courts at golf resorts. Find other activities that might be a draw to pull the attention of different types of attendees,” she advises, to capitalize on all your prospective opportunities.

Golf resorts provide a good value and an even better experience. “Budgets are the thing people are talking about most right now,” Smiley says. “If there is a way to reduce costs and maybe put those dollars elsewhere, clients want to do it. Gas prices are definitely increasing. Flights are not usually a direct line item for us. We’re aware of the costs, but ground transportation costs affect the budget immediately.”

The goal for planners right now, according to Smiley, is to minimize costs, of course, but also to maximize attendees’ experiences wherever possible. All-in-one venues like golf resorts can do both.

The Midwest is fortunate to have many quality golf resorts throughout the region. The following are just a few that are making a name for themselves here in the Midwest.

ARCADIA BLUFFS IN ARCADIA, MICHIGAN

Situated on the shore of Lake Michigan, Arcadia Bluffs offers three golfing options — The Bluffs, The South and The Dozen, which is its newest course. The Bluffs course has sweeping views of the water and is renowned for its design, complete with wind-swept native grasses, sod-walled bunkers, wide fairways and expansive greens. The South Course is a throwback to a bygone era of golf course design found on only a few private courses during the game’s earliest days. The course is deceptive — simple in its design, but complex in its challenges, as many who’ve played it can attest. The course relies on the land and elements to give golfers a unique playing experience hard to find on other courses in the country.

The Dozen features 12 holes, four guest cottages, a short-iron practice facility and a day-style clubhouse. Its cottages measure 1,900 square feet, with four bedrooms and four baths for as much or as little privacy as guests wish. At the end of the day, guests can unwind and appreciate the landscape from a private covered patio with Adirondack chairs.

“Intimate” and “exclusive” could best describe the meeting spaces at Arcadia Bluffs, which can accommodate groups of up to 80 people. The Sunroom has full audiovisual capabilities and is suitable for a more formal occasion.

The Lakeview Room has a slightly more laidback atmosphere and can accommodate up to 24 people. Both spaces feature incredible panoramic views and outdoor seating on the Adirondack lawn.

BREEZY POINT RESORT IN BREEZY POINT, MINNESOTA

Breezy Point Resort features two 18-hole championship courses, with two new Par-3 courses opening in 2027. Arnold Palmer designed the Deacon’s Lodge course, named after his father. The Whitebirch course was the first championship golf course in the Brainerd Lakes area. Both courses have received accolades.

“Having both the best high-end and value courses is great for us,” says Eric Hart, the general manager and communications director at Breezy Point Resort.

He points out the resort’s location in the Brainerd Lakes area is the golf resort capital of the Midwest. Between Breezy Point and its nearby resorts, guests have their choice of golf courses for all skill levels, along with several restaurants.

“We have four huge golf resorts here. It’s a huge benefit to the golf traveler or traveler who’s looking to golf to stay at the most affordable resort (us), but play at the adjoining resorts,” explains Hart.

The property has a little something for everyone. “There’s a lot to be said about a resort with lots of options,” he acknowledges. “We try and pull people into as many different things as possible so they won’t even think of going to a non-golf resort. We have three fine dining [restaurants] and two faster food [options]. With our five restaurants and what’s available at neighboring resorts, guests never have to leave the area.”

Breezy Point currently has two new golf courses under construction. Three Breeze (formerly the Traditional) will be a 10-hole, Par-30 course scheduled for a spring 2027 opening. Ace Valley, a hybrid real- and artificial-turf course, features 12 Par-3 holes lit for nighttime play. The resort is booking groups as of June 2026 with an expected opening date in summer 2027.

Though golf is at the center of it all at Breezy Point, there are other activities available. Hart says groups often book the resort’s 80-passenger boat, the Breezy Belle, for either business or leisure. Swimming, sports events on site at the Breezy Point Ice Arena & Lodge, and live music round out some of the other events at the resort.

“We’re the only one of the Big Four resorts that is removed from the city area. Being out here, it’s more remote and it gives you the whole getaway feel. It encourages more camaraderie and socializing instead of everyone going off and doing their own thing,” says Hart.

MARGARITAVILLE LAKE RESORT LAKE OF THE OZARKS IN OSAGE BEACH, MISSOURI

The definitive laidback, relaxed vibe of the Margaritaville brand blends with the natural beauty of the Lake of the Ozarks to create a one-of-a-kind experience for golfers and non-golfers.

Golfers can try their luck at the resort’s 18-hole course, The Oaks, and enjoy its beautiful natural views of the lake and majestic oaks, cedars and dogwoods. Paul Leahy, the director of golf, says group business has picked up tremendously since COVID. “The meetings have come back and they brought the golf business with it,” he says. “We just had one of our best months ever. Groups really seem to want to play again.”

Ann Walters, the resort’s director of sales and marketing, says the Margaritaville team is adept at taking care of several groups at a time. The resort has over 76,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, as well as several outdoor areas perfect for receptions or dinners. There are 520 guest rooms on the property. Windgate Hall is a 30,000-square-foot exhibit space ideal for trade shows, business expos or large dinners. An additional 27 meeting rooms give groups of all kinds the space they need to make the venue their own.

“To tie it back to golf, we have a restaurant on site that’s tied to the pro shop and it makes a great ending to a group’s golf game — people can gather together to celebrate their wins and talk about their putts during a golf tournament,” she says. The resort is fully equipped with an on-site catering staff and audiovisual equipment to make the event planning and execution process seamless.

Walters notes the resort’s location is its biggest asset. “We’re on the Lake of the Ozarks in the center of the state of Missouri. We see a lot of state association groups, a lot of leisure travel and Paul gets a lot of springtime golfers from the North who want to play where it’s warm. We see great golf business in the spring and fall. I personally think September is the most beautiful month here,” she says.

When business concludes, attendees can unwind outside and take in the serene views of the lakeshore, or get on the water by renting a pontoon, paddleboat or WaveRunner at the Port of Indecision Marina. “That type of fun is available right outside our door,” Walters says.

There are other landmarks and attractions nearby for attendees who want to do some sightseeing during their stay. “We take care of a lot of people and we will take care of anyone who wants to join us,” she notes.

SAND VALLEY IN NEKOOSA, WISCONSIN

Most meetings and events are held in some variation of a large ballroom or meeting room in a hotel or conference center. What sets Sand Valley apart is: “We’re the polar opposite of most resorts,” according to Mike Carbiener, the general manager.

“Sitting on just south of 10,000 acres, coming onto our property is like coming into a national park — it has that feel and appeal to it. There’s almost a feeling of ‘How did I get here?’ We have large 54 sand dunes and a lot of wide-open spaces. There’s a big emotional appeal to that,” he says.

The rugged dunes that populate Sand Valley’s location in the Central Sands area of Wisconsin give the resort a distinctive landscape not found anywhere else. But, he adds, “At our soul, golf is what we do. That’s what’s incredibly special.”

One of the resort’s newest courses is The Lido, which was originally designed by C.B. MacDonald in 1914, but was demolished after World War II, and lived in golf legend as a “lost course.”

About 80 years later, Michael and Chris Keiser resurrected its path and brought it to Sand Valley. “[The Lido] has a very unique story. It’s a private facility, but based on the European style of membership. Europeans believed golf shouldn’t be behind a gate, but played out in the open. It’s our sixth course,” Carbiener explains.

Sand Valley’s natural landscape is woven into the fabric of the property’s operations. With six hiking trails (some with fat tire biking, which is better for navigating the sandy paths), different ponds and lakes adjacent to the lodging available at each course, and a vibrant community garden, guests are invited to unwind, recharge and reconnect with nature after the day’s business is done.

“Groups have the ability to connect as a unit. All of our lodging has different ponds and lakes. We’ve seen some groups take five cottages in a line that circles the lake, so that’s 20 rooms. Each bedroom has its own private bath, so it’s designed for four people to have their privacy, although there is a robust common area. The [cottages] are popular for groups with 12 to 40 people. We also have the more traditional single, double and king rooms as well.”

The property’s Mammoth Clubhouse is also available for rent. The building overlooks the Mammoth Dunes course and features a shuffleboard court and four private bedrooms.

“You can prop open the door and have the other 12 rooms in the clubhouse available for your group, too. They can become breakout rooms or a hospitality space, and have become very popular,” says Carbiener.

Sand Valley’s other unique activities include grass tennis and court tennis, the original racquet sport. The sport of grass tennis was originally played on grass; however, grass makes up less than 1% of the courts’ surfaces.

“It’s a really fun game to play,” Carbiener says. “The balls are hand-stitched. It’s an interesting combination of tennis, badminton, racquetball and squash. Imagine something the size of a badminton racket hitting something that resembles a present-day tennis ball, and being enclosed in an area the size of a racquetball court, with a pace similar to squash,” he explains.

Whether your group is looking for adventure — on or off the course — these are just a few of the resorts that can give you the Midwest experience that you are craving.

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