Laying along the shores of Pokegama Lake is Grand Rapids’ 18-hole picturesque golf course that is turning 96-years-old in 2024. Opened in 1901 with nine holes, Pokegama Golf Course has made some but few changes over the last century: adding a back-nine in the late 70’s, a layout design change here and there, and a new clubhouse outfitted with a restaurant in 2010. Now after 35 years as Director of Golf at Pokegama, Bob Cahill has retired, and Tom Beaudry has been selected to fill the vacancy left by the long-time director, marking a new era for the heralded local course.
Beaudry replaces Cahill as Director of Golf and with that, a few more slight changes may be noticed as golfers begin making their way to the revered course over the next six months.
Although Beaudry is in a new position, he is not new to the position. Beaudry, a Marine Veteran, has made golf his career since exiting the service. Having spent years in golf course and restaurant management at premium courses in the region, such as Thumper Pond, Nemadji Golf Course, and Wilderness at Fortune Bay. This next challenge, Beaudry was ready to return home to where it all started for him: Pokegama Golf Course in his hometown. Beaudry is a Grand Rapids native, having graduated from GRHS in 1988 before he enlisted in the service and has memories caddying and playing junior golf on the lakeshore course. He became addicted to the game when he holed his second shot on the ninth as a teenager.
Beaudry saw the opportunity to return home with his background and experience, and now oversees his childhood golf course and will see what changes he can implement in a course that’s seen so few over the years.
He intends to start with staff training to provide “best in-class” customer service to patrons of the course, and wants that to be the course standard.
“We want to provide that great experience,” Beaudry says.
He golfed at Pokegama last fall and was impressed with the conditions of the course. There will be likely less noticeable changes to the course and more to the experience surrounding the course, by the sounds of it.
Along with great customer service, Beaudry has brought in a brand-new fleet of golf carts with upgraded GPS systems. There may be potential plans to build a storage facility for the carts that would include a wash facility.
The course’s website will see an upgrade to create a greater social media presence, along with improving and implementing processes that will streamline the facility's operations with the ultimate goal of increasing the pace of play and reducing bottlenecking on the course.
Besides the new carts, and course efficiency, another noticeable change at Pokegama this spring will be a new range ball machine. Rather than having buckets provided from the clubhouse, a new machine will be your first stop before hitting the range to have your buck of balls distributed right to you - another opportunity to increase efficiency for the course.
Pokegama will continue to host Men’s, Ladies’, and Senior leagues, as well as continue a “robust” junior program as well as lesson-opportunities from certified golf-teaching professional Jerrod Stark.
Beaudry’s advice to anyone ready to give golf a try: “keep it fun and have realistic expectations,” he says. “Enjoy the nature and company and if you play well - that’s a bonus.”
Pokegama Golf Course is now open for the season. Additional information regarding the event schedule, season passes, and other course information can be found on the Pokegama Golf Course website.
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