On this episode of Behind the Mitten, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman stop by the West Michigan Golf Show to talk about vacation ideas and getaways in the Golf Mecca of Gaylord with Pine Cone Accommodations, and they also learn about Ferris State University's PGA Golf Management Program.

This show aired Feb. 17-18, 2018 on stations across Michigan.

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at http://behindthemitten.com/

Segment 1: Sandy Mattingly of Pine Cone Vacation Rentals in Gaylord hosts John and Amy at her booth. She books everything from tee times at 15 local golf courses to accommodations to excursions for big and small groups. Learn more at http://www.pineconevacations.com/

Also, Judy Mason of Michaywé Pines Golf Course talks about all the amenities you can experience at their clubhouse. More details at http://www.michaywe.com/

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:43): J.T. Aure of the Gaylord Country Club reveals a name change is coming soon as Gaylord Golf Club, offering 18 holes and is open to the general public. It is the oldest golf club in Gaylord. On the beverage/food side, golfing includes on-course service where golfers can have food and beer delivered to anywhere on the course. More info at http://www.gaylordcountryclub.com/

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:48): Tom McGee, the director of Golf at Grand Traverse Resort, stops by to talk about being a popular vacation spot for local golfers, as well as out of state golfers that fly into the Traverse City airport and go from "Runway to Fairway." Grand Traverse Resort is known for having 3 Golf Courses, including The Bear, one of the Top 20 most challenging golf courses in the country, according to Golf Digest. After a 10-year hiatus, this year marks the return of the Michigan Open (June 11-14, 2018). More info at https://www.grandtraverseresort.com/

Segment 4 (Listen 29:51): John and Amy learn about Ferris State University's PGA Golf Management program from director Aaron Waltz. "Many of our grads tell us they have never worked a day in their lives," he said. Over the course of its 43 years, Waltz said Ferris has graduated 1,900 professionals, and 1,000 are still active in the industry. Students must have an 8 handicap to be accepted into the program, he added. Learn more at
http://ferris.edu/business/program/pga-golf-management/

Also stopping by is Corey Crowell, general manager of the Indian River Golf Club, who offers an 18-hole course between Burt Lake and Mullet Lake. "It's a beautiful area," he said. More info at http://www.indianrivergolfclub.com/

Beer of the Week is from City Built Brewery, a New England-style IPA called PolyHopoury (6.4% ABV), and one of the Grand Rapids brewery's top sellers. More info on City Built at https://citybuiltbrewing.com/