Entering its third season, River Club in Glen Arbor, a miniature golf course and restaurant located on the Crystal River, is building on its growing popularity with a series of new offerings, expanded events, and fresh experiences—while staying true to the food, fun, and scenic charm that have made it a favorite along the Crystal River.
“What hasn’t changed is what people love most—great food, live music, specialty drinks, friendly competition, and the natural beauty of the Crystal River,” said Mike Sheldon, founder of River Club Glen Arbor. “What has changed is how much more there is to experience.”
The restaurant and miniature golf course opened Friday, May 1, despite the cold temps. Sheldon is excited for the big season ahead.
In the first year of operations (2023), River Club Glen Arbor was focused solely on opening its doors, while the second year was spent smoothing out operations.
Now in its third year, River Club Glen Arbor is excited to do more of the things Sheldon dreamed of when opening: cross-promotions, events, and different food, beverage, and merchandise options.
“We had to breathe, and now we are able to do some things I’ve been wanting to do since we opened,” Sheldon said.
The artificial turf miniature golf course has come out of the winter just fine.
“Looks as good as the day we opened,” Sheldon said.
As awareness continues to grow, River Club Glen Arbor has seen a significant increase in private bookings, with more than 60 events already scheduled for the upcoming season.
These include wedding rehearsal dinners, corporate outings, civic gatherings, and celebrations of all kinds.
This season introduces several new menu items including the Walking Frito Bandito Taco, featuring Fritos, seasoned beef, and house-made salsas, as well as a Friday-only blackened mahi mahi taco.
On the beverage side, the new “Mega-Rita” offers a 16-ounce margarita crafted with premium Patrón tequila, Grand Marnier, and the River Club’s signature mix, served in a collectible metal cup.
In addition to culinary upgrades, River Club is expanding its entertainment lineup. Beginning June 19, there is live music seven days a week, with approximately 30% of bands new to the venue this year.
A major new event, the inaugural River Club Run, is scheduled for September 12. This high-energy 5K and 10K race will start and finish at River Club, followed by a celebratory atmosphere featuring live music, a DJ, complimentary food for participants, and a unique “Hole in One” putting challenge with prizes.
Guests will also find an expanded retail selection in the Clubhouse, including a dozen new apparel items designs inspired by Northern Michigan and Glen Arbor, along with a variety of new gift items.
Local Courses Open For Business
Time to warm up the swing. As the weather improves, local courses across northern Michigan are ramping up and welcoming golfers for their first rounds of the 2026 season.
Sugar Loaf The Old Course in Cedar is open for General Manager Kris Wakeman’s 44th season at the helm.
“We’ve been busy making those repairs in the spring. We got a lot of groups and a lot of golf outings,” Wakeman said.
In addition to Sugar Loaf, the nearby Manitou Passage and Suttons Bay’s Bahle Farms opened on Friday, May 1. Meanwhile, Northport Creek Golf Course opened April 22, and the Dunes Golf Club in Empire officially opened April 28.
Manitou Passage general manager Josh Schlump is excited to announce the course’s new Yamaha electric carts, equipped with GPS software and providing a quiet ride. Roughly 60 carts will be roaming the Cedar course this year.
“From a comfort and GPS unit standpoint, we are really excited about them ... We got the cart barn ready, putting up new chargers, all that good stuff,” Schlump said.
Northport Creek mowed fresh stripes into the course last week as frost still hung around on May 2.
Birds are chirping, and the sounds of clubs smacking golf balls are prevalent at Bahle Farms Golf Course.
The Suttons Bay public golf course is introducing the ‘Cherry Harvest Event, ’ an exclusive, all-day golf experience in partnership with North Coast Golf Company, set during peak cherry season on Friday July, 17.
A limited number of guests will enjoy a fully curated day that captures the North Coast way of life, where great golf, elevated hospitality, and summer culture come together. Oh, and plenty of Northern Michigan cherries. Registration is available on the Bahle Farms website.
The Dunes Golf Club in Empire had this to say about opening for the season on its social media.
“The course is greening up, and the leaves are starting to POP. The Dunes is officially open and ready for summer. Huge thank you for all the support this spring — from familiar faces to new members. Let’s make this the best season yet,” Dunes Club said.
Other golf courses now open for play include: Northport Creek Golf Course; The Bear Golf Course (Acme); Spruce Run Golf Course (Acme); Traverse City Country Club; The Crown Golf Club (Traverse City); Elmbrook Golf Course (Traverse City); Bay Meadows Family Golf Course (Traverse City); Interlochen Golf Course; Bahle Farms Golf Course (Suttons Bay); Crystal Mountain (Thompsonville); Mistwood Golf Course (Lake Ann); Dunes Golf Club (Empire); Kingsley Club; Wolverine Golf Course (Acme); Crystal Downs Country Club (Frankfort); Crystal Lake Golf Course (Beulah); Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club (Arcadia); Champion Hill Golf Course (Beulah).
Individual course hours vary, so golfers are encouraged to check with each course to determine availability.
