Black Lake Conference Center
About Black Lake Conference Center
Not everybody realizes that the Black Lake Conference Center - also known as the Walter and May Reuther UAW Family Education Center owned by the United Auto Workers - is open to the general public. It was built in the 1970s on roughly 1,000 acres of remote, idyllic property in northern Michigan. Accommodations range from 228 rooms in the Lodge to a selection of condos, apartments and camp sites. With a massive auditorium, Black Lake is perfect for conferences, retreats, weddings, family vacations and reunions. Rees Jones added the award-winning Black Lake Golf Club in 2000. Other recreation includes exploring the surrounding forests hiking and biking or fishing in Burt Lake, Mullett Lake or its namesake Black Lake, teeming with walleye, bass and perch.Facts
Amenities & Services
Rules
Golf courses at Black Lake Conference Center
Images from Black Lake Conference Center
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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Lush fairways Photo submitted by ChixWithStix1955 on 09/02/2025
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Manicured greens Photo submitted by ChixWithStix1955 on 09/02/2025
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Photo submitted by wwzemla on 07/01/2025
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Photo submitted by rmaynar2 on 07/05/2023
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Photo submitted by sueandbillwmsncom on 07/23/2021
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Photo submitted by yumpeboy on 11/02/2020
A true Northern Michigan golf experience!!
Driving north from Kalkaska, it took about an hour+. GPS had us on 2 lane highways instead of I75 . We arrived 30 mins before our tee time. The staff was able to accommodate us by holding off a group of 12 and letting us play first. It was a slight hurry but no problem. The morning sun hadn't even risen over the pines so it was indeed feeling a little Black and gloomy in the trees.
Overall, great course!! The all woods layout separates nearly every hole and your nestled away 1-18. Some seem a bit repetitive. Very challenging green complexes and par 3s. Good fairway forgiveness. Immaculate condition and phenomenal sand. We paid 49 bucks on a Monday. Huge burger and slaw hit the spot post round.
Black Lake was a little rough this year
We played here June July & August this year. It’s always been a true gem of our northern Michigan golf experience. I can honestly say I’ve played this course every year since it’s opened as well. Unfortunately we found it to be a bit rough this year. Greens pock marked with unrepaired ball marks, traps unraked and when the course was wet, it had been damaged by carts that should not have been allowed on fairways. We also encountered more none golfing golfers then we’ve seen before. I mention that only because I believe social media is promoting a poor level of behavior on golf courses and Black Lake was not exempt from it this year. Surprisingly Alpena’s public course was in better shape as well as Rivers Edge (which has always been well looked after). We’re hoping for a return to the previous spectacular conditions we’ve experienced in the past. The restaurant and bar staff are still excellent.
why
Don,t know why you would switch the front and back nines? The course played better the other way!
Great course
Very nice course,this is the first time I played it in the rain making it more of a challenge.it was still very nice
Beautiful and hard
This may be the best test of golf anywhere. Perfect condition and a golfers golf course. Plays long.
Maintenance not suited for promoting pace of play
Watching most golfers hack and chop out of the rough, couldn’t help but wonder what grounds team is thinking. Surely not the greens, worst I’ve putted on this year. Very bumpy and speed was anything but consistent
Very disappointed, played the course last three years, always a treat, not this time.
A gem "up north"
Nestled in the "middle of nowhere", near the small town of Onaway, Michigan, you will find a beautiful and challenging layout. We had first available tee times, so pace of play was excellent. I can't tell you if afternoon rounds will be as fast, though. Staff were very friendly and helpful, and the course was in great condition (other than where some people can't seem to repair their ball marks). Carved out if the woods, wild tee shots will hurt you, but the course is not overly narrow. Bring your insect repellent - you are in Michigan, adderall. We played twice during the week, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Very nice course
Fun to play. Good price. Every hole is cut nicely into the woods. Challenging with lots of tee box options.
Family outing
The course, amenities, and all were great. Course was in super shape. The greens were fast and true. The 5 tee box selections made it nice as we had several levels of golfer
First time play at Black Lake
Traditional track layout. Courteous staff. Course was in good shape for the cool spring conditions experienced in Michigan. I had heard of Black Lake from many others previously and finally decided to play the course... glad I did.
Nothing special
Be prepared for a long day on the course. Many players that come here probably should be hitting the forward most tees. Mold took over some of the greens. The layout is a typical northern Michigan type course. No beverage cart. Cart gps is not correct distance. Driving range balls are tore up.
Hidden Gme!
This course is the hidden gen of Up North golf. Course is in perfect condition, which will challenge golfers of all skill levels. Course plays longer than you think. Lots of risk/reward opportunities around this track. Will be back to play here again, price is good, pace of play is outstanding (not sure we say any other golfers!). Very scenic and definitely has that Up North feel in the woods away from it all. Practice facilities were top notch as well, Driving Range looks like it belongs at a PGA tournament!
Such a great track.
Rewards good shots. Punishes bad shots. Great fast green. This is a new great classic course you would love as your home course. Only paid $49 as hot deal on Golf Now. I pay that to play goat ranches in Texas. One of my top 5 favorites in Michigan.
Beautiful course
This has become one of our favorite courses to play. Always well maintained and very friendly staff.