Classic at Otsego Golf Club

Otsego Golf Club's Classic Course sits in the rolling terrain of northern Michigan near Gaylord, a region that became a significant golf destination in the latter half of the twentieth century. Bill Diddel designed the course, bringing his architectural sensibility to land characterized by the gentle elevation changes and mixed hardwood forests typical of this part of the state. The routing takes advantage of the natural topography, with holes moving through corridors of mature trees and across modest valleys.

The layout reflects mid-century design principles, with strategic bunkering and greens that reward accurate approach play. Northern Michigan's sandy soils provide firm playing conditions during the summer months, and the course benefits from the area's relatively cool climate, which helps maintain turf quality throughout the season. Diddel, who worked primarily in the Midwest, created a course that fits comfortably within its landscape rather than imposing dramatic features on the property.

Otsego Golf Club serves as a traditional member club in a community where golf has long been central to recreational life. The Classic Course offers a straightforward test of golf without the resort amenities or championship length found at some of Gaylord's better-known facilities. It represents the kind of solid, playable design that forms the backbone of American golf—a course built for regular play by a membership that values the game's fundamentals and the social traditions of club life.