March 28, 2024

Chestnut Valley

Aug. 10, 2008
Harbor Springs’ Scott and Kurt LaFave know how to put their money where their golf is. The CMU grads-turned-real-estate-pros, who have been visiting Harbor Springs for the past 40 years (since their days as kids at basketball camp), have embraced a favorite summer vacation destination more than most - by purchasing and revitalizing it. That destination would be Harbor Springs’ Chestnut Valley Golf Course, which was originally established in 1994, fell on hard times in 2006, and was reopened by the LaFave brothers in May of this year.
The LaFaves own a lot more than just the course itself, although golf and the restaurant remain the primary focuses for now.
“We own the golf course, clubhouse, pro shop, and the Chestnut Valley Grill restaurant,” Scott LaFave says. “We also own many surrounding lots which will be developed and sold in the future. Both of us (Kurt and Scott LaFave) own homes in the Chestnut Valley community, and I am here as a full-time resident, running all aspects of the golf and restaurant operations. I am also a licensed Michigan real estate broker, and will be overseeing the future development of the surrounding property.”
Some development is already established in Chestnut Valley, but there’s still plenty of room for growth. According to LaFave, the Chestnut Valley community has over 40 log homes built throughout, some for full-time residents and some for seasonal owners; many of the homeowners are also members of the golf course, which is one of the neighborhood’s big draws.
Golf pro Bob Wilson, a Harbor Springs native, previously worked at the Harbor Point course in Harbor Springs as well as Birchwood Farms Golf and Country Club and True North Golf Club; Wilson’s expertise is yet another ace for Chestnut Valley, while the course itself is said to be playable in a way that doesn’t demand Tiger Woods-level golf skills, yet is still challenging enough to be entertaining.

GOLF-N-FOOD
The LaFaves are also working to combine golf and food offerings in several interesting packages.
“We are sensitive to today’s economic environment, and really want to bring an excellent value to our customer,” Scott LaFave explains. “Our price points are more than fair, and our portions are healthy.”
On Mondays, Chestnut Valley offers Lunch-n-Links, which combines 18 holes of golf (with cart) with a “grab-n-go” sandwich, chips, and soda for $39.00, while on Fridays, they offer the Golf-n-Gorge Special, which teams up 18 holes of golf (again with cart) with All-U-Can-Eat Perch for $45.00.
As far as the regular menu is concerned, skilled Chef Donald Thorn brings 16 years of experience to Chestnut Valley, including his “creative flair” with sauces, as LaFave points out, and his range of cuisine experience, from steaks and All-American fare to seafood and Mexican dishes. But it’s the basics that prove most popular.
“One of our menu favorites is the Turkey Club Sandwich, with generous portions of turkey, ham, and bacon,” LaFave enthuses. “Our dinner favorites include the Baby Back Pork Ribs, which are marinated in a special seasoning, baked, then barbecued on the grill; they are so tender they fall off the bone. My personal favorite is the Shrimp Scampi, with jumbo shrimp and a garlic herb butter sauce that is concocted to perfection.”

ALL-SEASONS CLUB
The clubhouse/restaurant is in a log cabin style, keeping with many of the other structures in the Chestnut Valley neighborhood, and has a casual, friendly atmosphere. Plans to renovate the clubhouse/restaurant are in the works, too.
“We will keep the warm log cabin feel,” LaFave says, “with the wood-burning fireplace and all; but we are considering making it a steakhouse in the future.”
That fireplace will prove handy in the winter months, since Chestnut Valley is now a year-round destination.
“We are open year-round,” Scott LaFave confirms. “Our property is right next to Nub’s Nob Ski Resort, and their cross-country ski trails extend throughout the snow-covered fairways of our golf course. The snowmobile trails run right along our property line, and we are the only place to get gas for miles, so we cater to the snowmobilers, too. We will have live entertainment and lunch/dinner specials throughout the fall and winter seasons.”

Chestnut Valley Golf Club is located at 1875 Clubhouse Drive in Harbor Springs; telephone 231-526-9100.

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