Otsego Club Up For Sale

Otsego Club Up For Sale

The Otsego Club, a four-seasons resort in Gaylord, Michigan is up for sale. A listing at Ten-X Commercial says it will go up for auction starting on June 18. Starting bid is $800,000.

Otsego Club dates to 1939, when it opened as a ski resort. In 1955, the original property was bought by Alan Gornick, a former general counsel for Ford Motor. It later was bought by his son, Keith. Under the Gornick, the resort added two golf courses: “The Classic,” in 1957, and the Tribute in 2002. The Tribute is a Rick Robbins and Gary Koch design known for its spectacular views of the Sturgeon River Valley. The Tribute was a featured course in the Microsoft Links 2003 video game.

Word about problems at Otsego first started leaking last summer. Unconfirmed (and thus likely worthless) rumors Up North had it that there were problems with a liquor license, and squabbling owners. I don’t generally like to publish rumors, but they speak to the idea that the sale was not unexpected.

In the fall, the formerly private ski resort opened its slopes to the general public.

On May 10, the club issued the following statement:

To whom it may concern,

The Otsego Resort is in transition of new ownership and has chosen not to run golf operations until new ownership is in place. The resort will continue to operate all hotel and special events this summer.

Anyone that has purchased rounds of golf or ski passes online or with the resort will have their funds returned to them. If anyone has booked a golf package through the resort, they have the option of rebooking their golf at other golf courses which the resort will help facilitate. They also have the option of getting their deposits returned to them.

We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.
Please contact the resort at 989-732-5181 or at [email protected] if you have any further questions.

Respectfully,
Mike Bedells
General Manager

One unconfirmed story is that Otsego had a potential buyer in early May, but that the offer was well short of $800,000.

It is a shame, but there may be a business opportunity there: For sale at Otsego are:

• 696 acres of land along the Sturgeon River Valley.
• Two 18 hole golf courses: The Classic and The Tribute
• 24,000 square feet of conference space
• 29-run ski slope with a 400 foot vertical drop
• 8.5 Miles of ski trails and 160 acres of skiable land
• Two 18-Hole golf courses
• Multiple restaurant and bar options
• On-site pool and exercise facility
• 80 owned guest rooms and an additional 60 available through a condo rental pool

If anyone knows more about the property, leave a comment below.