DJTheoret - 9/19/21
Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort has been owned and operated by the Scott family for over 50 years. Every day, four generations of Scotts go to work at the resort in one capacity or another. There were no big-name golf course architects called in to build the golf courses; no Tom Fazio, no Pete Dye, no Ron Garl. Gull Lake View is a did-it-themselves golf resort. Except for Bedford Valley - which was purchased by the Scott family in 1988 and with a little help from Tom Doak's Renaissance Golf Design on Stoatin Brae - the golf courses were designed and built by the Scotts.

Darl and Letha - the matriarch and patriarch of the Scott family - began work on the first of Gull Lake View's golf courses in 1962 and three years later, Gull Lake View West was opened for public play. Gull Lake View West plays through fields and valleys, up and down hills, and around woods and ponds. You'll encounter several blind tee shots, so course knowledge is at a premium. The back nine plays much harder than the front with considerably more elevation changes. It's not often that a par 3 is the #1 handicapped hole on a golf course but that's the case with Number 6. From the Back Tees, the hole plays 192 yards. The small green is protected by bunkers on either side. Your best bet is to hit your tee shot short and right of the pin as balls tend to bounce hard left. Gull Lake view will have you hitting every club in your bag at least once.

The success of their first course gave the Scotts a vision of how lucrative a Michigan golf resort could be. Knowing that they need more than one golf course to be a successful golf resort, they purchased the land across the street, and Darl and his son Charles started on their second course. Ten years later Gull Lake View East opened and has consistently earned high praise from golfers and raters alike; it has been ranked as high as Michigan's 10th best course. At only 6,032 yards (68.9/124) from the back tees, Gull Lake View East isn't going to overwhelm many players. Length isn't the big factor out here, in fact, on at least 5 or 6 holes you'll likely hit something less than driver off the tee. It's all about playing for position and leaving yourself a clear shot and a manageable distance into the green. Number 8 is a good example. From an elevated tee box, you're playing downhill to a small landing area. The water on the left comes into play at about 235 yards with trees on the right. Water comes into play again, guarding the front of the green. It may be one of the shortest par 4s out here but it's also a good test of golf. Director of Golf, Dean Kolstad feels that number 18 is the toughest finishing hole of any of the Gull Lake Resort courses. It's a dogleg right that plays slightly downhill off the tee then at least one club extra into the green, which is protected on the left side by a bunker. There's nothing wrong with a par to end your round.

With two courses under their belt, the Scotts believed that their dream of a fabulous Michigan golf resort was well within reach. Now they needed a place for golfers to stay so Darl and Letha designed and constructed the Fairway Villas, located across the street from the East and West courses. These 2-bedroom, 2 bath villas boast fully equipped kitchens, spacious living areas, and patios overlooking the golf course. They are the perfect accommodations for groups of four to relax and enjoy everything Southwest Michigan's finest golf resort has to offer. Since then, about 24 2-bedroom, 2-bath villas have been added which has increased the number of lodging options to 67 units.


Stoatin Brae is not only the newest course at Gull Lake View but also their crowning jewel. The course was built by the Scott family with a little input and help from Tom Doak’s Renaissance Golf Company. Translated from Gaelic, Stoatin Brae means Grand Hill and since the course sits on the highest point in Kalamazoo County, it just makes sense! The course can be described in 4 words: fast, firm, and wide open (and doesn’t count)! When the wind is up, you’ll have a good idea of what it’s like to play golf in Scotland. The course plays 6,667 yards from the tips with a course rating of 71.5 and a slope of 122. You’ll have to shoot a 71 if you want to play par golf here. And it’s priced right too. It’s probably one of the best golf values in the country. There are no water hazards at Stoatin’ Brae. But what it lacks in water, it makes up for in strategically placed bunkers and challenging green complexes. And if the wind’s blowing, you’ll forget all about the lack of water. At 336 yards, the 10th hole is relatively short however as you stand on the tee, you can’t help but wonder where is the best place 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.

Although the majority of Gull Lake View's guests come from Detroit, Chicago, and Toledo, it's not uncommon to meet golfers from Cincinnati, and Wisconsin, and Canada while you're there. Golfers may come out to just play Stoatin Brae but once they get a feel for one of the other courses, they're hooked! And at Gull Lake View, there is something for everyone.

  BBCoach42 - 8/6/21
1st time playing the course. Greens and Fairways in excellent condition. Greens difficult to read and many tiers and undulations (a real challenge). The fairways were very nice and rough was rough! Not a cheap course and plenty of challenges with bunkers and water coming into play. Will play this again when in the area.

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