Boyne Golf – Bernie Friedrich Elected to Michigan Golf Hall of Fame
Petoskey, MI – Bernie Friedrich, Boyne Resorts long-time Senior Vice President of Golf and Resort Sales, has been elected to the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame.
The induction celebration is planned for Sunday, June 2, at Ferris State University’s Katke Golf Club, home of the new Ken Janke Sr. Golf Learning Center, which is also the new home of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame.
Friedrich joins a stellar class including the late George Bayer, a former Detroit Golf Club head professional and PGA Tour player, Ron Beurmann, head professional at Country Club of Jackson, and Al Mengert, a former Oakland Hills Country Club head professional. The 2019 class will bring the number of inductees to 127.
“To receive what many people consider the highest award in golf is very humbling and a dream come true. When I started at Boyne there were only three courses and through the commitment of the Boyne family and the progressive thinking and desire to grow the game, we now have 12 courses across the US.,” said Friedrich. “To be a part of this legacy is a great honor and without Boyne and the passionate people who have worked in our golf departments throughout the years, I would not be accepting this award. I am extremely proud and grateful to have played a small role in the advancement of the game of golf in Michigan for the last 44 years.”
Friedrich joined Boyne Resorts in 1976 as a golf professional at Boyne Mountain. Since then, he has become one of the leading golf operators in the country while helping guide the resort company to becoming the largest family owned golf resort destination in North America. He has played a leading role in the addition and development of Boyne’s golf courses nationwide at three resorts in northern Michigan and one course each at resorts in Maine and Montana.
Friedrich has watched the game of golf evolve and has been very progressive in making the game accessible and fun for everyone. This includes a relaxed dress code, yes to music on the course, having fun, not stressing on the rules or worrying about keeping score. He has also been instrumental in the resort’s profitability including reducing water-usage and developing a unique dynamic-pricing model that has produced significant increases in Boyne’s golf operating cash flow.
Friedrich is a two-time Michigan PGA Golf Professional of the Year (1998, 2001), a four-time Michigan PGA Resort Merchandizer of the Year and has served in various capacities with The First Tee of Northern Michigan, the Michigan Golf Course Association and the Michigan PGA Section. He is also co-founder and a leader of the annual Harbor Cup golf event, which has raised over $400,000 for charitable food projects in Northern Michigan.
“For over four decades, Bernie has been an important part of the fabric of Michigan golf and an amazing example of one of our company core values at work, Developing Great People,” Stephen Kircher, President of Boyne Resorts, said. “It is truly an honor to have worked with him for 43 years, he has taught me so much about respect and dedication, this recognition is so well deserved. His legacy of mentoring hundreds of people over his tenure with us may be his greatest legacy, positively impacting their lives and the trajectory of many organizations across the world.”
About Michigan Golf Hall of Fame
The Michigan Golf Hall of Fame (MGHOF) is a heralded collection of portraits, plaques and memorabilia that currently commemorates 123 members, including Walter Hagen, Chuck Kocsis, Horton Smith and more current notables Dave and Mike Hill, Dan Pohl, Meg Mallon and Kelly Robbins.
The MGHOF is administered by the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Committee, which is funded through the non-profit Michigan Golf Foundation (501(c) (3) since 1996) and includes 18 people representing a cross-section of the state’s golf associations as well as golf media. The MGHOF committee conducts an annual election to recognize the achievements of competitive Michigan golfers, but also accomplishments of individuals who have contributed to the growth of the game.
About BOYNE Golf
Boyne Resorts has been named among the Best Golf Resorts in the America’s by Golf Digestand one of North America’s “Premier Resorts” (Gold) by GOLF Magazine. The Inn at Bay Harbor and Bay Harbor Golf Club, Boyne’s flagship properties, feature 27 holes with three golf course combinations designed by Arthur Hills (Links/Quarry, Quarry/Preserve, and Preserve/Links), and one of the most beautiful and iconic hotels in America, all set along a scenic five-mile stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline.
Boyne Highlands, rated the No. 1 Golf Resort for Value by Golf.com, features 72 holes of premier golf design. The Heather, the 2019 NGCOA Course of the Year, was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., while the Hills Course was crafted by Arthur Hills. In addition, the resort features The Donald Ross Memorial, which is a rendition of the legendary architect’s great holes from around the country, and the always-fun Moor course. The Highlands is the perfect buddy trip destination for golfers who like to play as many holes as they can during the long summer daylight hours northern Michigan features.
Boyne Mountain not only features two fun 18-hole courses (The Monument and Alpine), along with the charming Mountain Grand Lodge & Spa, it is also the leading family friendly golf destination in the region with the Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark, junior golf camps, and various kid golf programs. Golf Digest named Boyne Mountain one of its “Top-10 Destinations for Family Golf Trips.”
Beyond golf, Boyne is centered amid one of America’s most beautiful vacation spots. The scenic Lake Michigan beach towns of Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, and Petoskey are minutes away, and a side trip to Mackinac Island is easily managed. Guests can enjoy award-winning spas, waterfront dining, sandy beaches, watersports, gaming, microbreweries, wineries, hiking, biking, tennis, zip-lining, shopping and more capped by the spectacular northern Michigan sunsets. For more information, visit BOYNEGolf.com
Media Contacts:
Boyne Golf
Ken Griffin
Director of Golf Sales and Marketing
p: (231) 439-4939
c: (231-838-3222
kgriffin@boyne.com
Kevin Frisch PR
Kevin Frisch
(989) 614-0241
kevin@kevinfrischpr.com
