The Natural at The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort

The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort is a Jerry Matthews design located in Gaylord, Michigan, a region in the northern Lower Peninsula known for its concentration of golf courses and rolling, forested terrain. Gaylord sits in an area that has developed into one of Michigan's primary golf destinations, with courses taking advantage of the natural topography shaped by glacial activity. Matthews, a Michigan-based architect, designed The Natural to work with the existing landforms and wooded character typical of the region.

The course routing moves through varied terrain that includes elevation changes, stands of hardwoods and pines, and natural wetland areas. Northern Michigan courses of this era generally emphasize playability for resort guests while incorporating the visual appeal of the landscape, and The Natural follows this approach with a layout that offers different looks and challenges across the eighteen holes. The design allows golfers to experience the wooded, rolling character that defines golf in this part of the state.

Beaver Creek Resort operates as a year-round destination property, with The Natural serving as its primary golf amenity. The course caters to a mix of resort guests and regional players drawn to the Gaylord area for golf trips. The setting provides the quiet, natural atmosphere common to northern Michigan courses, where the forest and terrain create a sense of separation from the surrounding development.