Cartier Mansion

Fairway Sponsored by Gary and Sue Ann Schnitker

Obstacle donated by Cartier Mansion Bed and Breakfast

• Four families making their mark on Ludington

  • 1905 Warren & Kate Cartier

  • 1950 Abbie & Genevieve Schoenberger

  • 2005 Gary & Ann Schnitker

  • 2020 Jenna & Chris Simpler

• Neo Classical home built in 1905 using leading edge technology including zone heating, central air conditioning, and double-plumbed chandeliers that use either gas or electric. 

• The most remarkable is the interior finish, American Sycamore, black Walnut, Chery Mahognay, and Read oak reveal Warren Cartier's expertise as a lumber baron. 

• The ten-room property including the renovated Carriage House, offer modern advances such as full campus cloud WIFI, Smart TVs, a digital player Piano, and car charging station, continuing the legacy of the Cartier family. 

• The Cartiers wintered in Florida with friends Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone.

S.S. Badger Lake Michigan Car Ferry

Sponsored by S.S. Badger Lake Michigan Car Ferry

• The 410' Badger entered service in 1953, designed to handle rough conditions during the year round sale on Lake Michigan. 

• It was built primarily to transport railroad cars with passenger accommodations until 1992 when the ship was re-fitted to transport vehicles and passengers.

• It is the largest car ferry ever to sail Lake Michigan

• It is the only coal-fired steamship in operation in the United States; designated as a National Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers

•  It is also designated as a National Historic Landmark; Registered Michigan Historic Site; and Registered Wisconsin Historic Site. 

Mini Golf Course

Sponsored by The Ludington Area Jaycees

• Started in 1967 to generate funds to support community enrichments. Almost $500,000 has been donated back to the community.

• Renovated in 1987. Patio and main hut were built among other course modifications and obstacle replacements

• In 1997 Improvements and obstacle replacements were made

• In 2016-2017, the 18 hole course was raised and rebuilt with a "Landmarks of Ludington" theme. The course is now wheelchair and stroller accessible!

Park Dairy / House of Flavors

Sponsored by House of Flavors Restaurant

• 1948 - Bob Neal Sr. purchases Miller's Dairy, the name is changed to Park Dairy.

• 1959 - The Neal family decided to quit processing milk, butter, and cottage cheese to focus solely on ice cream.

• 1964 - Park Dairy changes it corporate name to the well-known name today - House of Flavors.

• House of Falvors Restaurant is in its third generation of Neal family ownership.

• House of Flavors Mfg. produced 30,000,000 gallons of icevream, shipping nationally as a private label ice cream producer. Sweet.

Pere Marquette River & Lake / Lake Michigan

Sponsored by 2016 Lake Jump Beneficiary

• PM River is designated a National Wild and Scenic River - 66 miles over four counties

• Flows westerly into Pere Marquette lake and eventually Lake Michigan. The PM River averages 2 to 4 ft. deep and about 30-40 ft. wide/

• Jesuit priest and explorer Father Jacques Pere Marquette died in 1675, and was burried at the mouth of the river

• Pere Marquette Lake (554 acres) is a rivermouth lake with a direct connection to Lake Michigan.

• Fishing for the typical fresh water fish such as salmon and steelhead, pike, trout, and perch. 

Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Plant

Fairway Sponsored by Community Foundation of Mason County

Obstacle Sponsored by Consumers Energy

• Began producing electricity in 1973. Consumers Energy operates the plant and shares ownership with DTE Energy

• Called one of the world's biggest electric batteries. It can provide energy at a moment's notice. 

• Sits on a 1000 acre site along Lake Michigan, four miles south of Ludington. 

• Lake Michigan water is pumped uphill to reservoir during periods of low electric demand. When electricity demand is high, the water is released from the reservoir through six pumpturbines for power generation. 

• Has a capacity of 1,875 megawatts, enough to power a community of 1.4 million people.

The First Curve on M-116

Sponsored to be revealed at a later date

• Ludington State Park Beach is known by many as "First Curve."

• As you head out to the Ludington State Park along M-116, you make your way down a winding road long lake Michigan nestled between sand dunes.

• "First Curve" is a favorite place for beachgoers looking for a more secluded beach. While there are no amenities, that is was makes this beach attractive to visitors and locals alike. The scenic atmostphere is quiet and relaxing. Many people hunt for stones and driftwood. Looking onto Lake MIchigan feels like you are at the ocean.

• The Ludington State Park entrance is located about 5 miles down the beach, which means there are any number of places to pull off the road and enjoy the beach. 

Fruit Production

Sponsored by Indian Summer Cooperative

• Indian Summer has been a grower owned since 1973 

• It is one of largest employers in Ludington, MI

• The cooperative continues to support the community as much as possible.

• Uses roughly 180 million pounds of apples for juices and applesauce products annually. 

• Ships products all over the United states, Puerto Rico, and Israel.

Big Sable Point Lighthouse

Sponsored by Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association

• Constructed in 1867, the original oil lamp was visible 19 miles out on the lake. Today it is only visible 15 miles out on the lake.

• Early 1900's, the tower was clad in steel and the back and white day mark was introduced.

• In 1949 Big Sable became one of the last Great Lakes lights to be electrified. The last keeper to live at Big Sable left in 1968.

• In 1987 Big Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association was formed, guaranteeing the preservation of this historic landmark. 

• One of the tallest in the State of Michigan at 112 ft. 130 steps to the op of the toper located 1.8 miles north of the Ludington State Park parking lot. 

White Pine Village 

Sponsored by Meijer

• Since 1976, experience what life was like more than 100 years ago in Mason County.

• Part of Mason County Historical Society, it also houses an extensive research library covering West Michigan and Mason County history. 

• 13 acres overlooking Lake Michigan, with more than 30 museums. 

• Many original buildings were moved to the village like the first Mason County Court House, built in 1849. Another original was Marchido School - an original one-room schoolhouse from Mason County, built in 1895

Petunia Parade Beautification Project

This fairway is open and available for sponsorship. 

• Entering Ludington along West U.S. 10 / Ludington Ave., petunias line the road. 

• Each spring, hundreds of volunteers gather along Ludington Avenue and the marina to plant 30,000 red, white, and blue petunias. 

• This has become an annual tradition, started by Ellery and Sue Sabin in 1987. Petunias were chosen because they are vibrantly colorful, spread nicely, and grow well in sun and shade. 

• Each block is assigned a captain responsbile for making sure the petunias in that block are well maintained throughout the season

• It literally 'takes a village' to keep the tradition going. 

• The cost for each planting season is about $10,000. The Petunia Parade is a non-profit organization which relies solely on donations for funding. 

Ludington Area Jaycees' Freedom Festival

Sponsored in memory of Julie Payment, past Ludington Area Jaycee's President

• Patriotic festivities begin July 3rd with the Children and Pet Parade

• The main events, the Grand Parade, 1 Mile Dash, and Spectacular Fireworks are always on July 4th. 

• Thousands line Ludington Avenue to watch this hometown parade as the entries travel downtown.

• What would a 4th of July be without Fireworks? JCI Ludington makes it happen! At dusk, the colorful 20 minute display delights the crowd watching on land or water. Its the perfect ending to the annual celebration.

The Power of Music

Sponsored by fundraising in connection with Ludrock Nation

• Ludington Features and hosts live music festivals, music venues and events year round.

• Live music brings our community together, continues to inspire, and will be a force of positive change.

• "Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. Its transporting, for sure. It can take you right back, years back, to the very moment certain things happened in your life. It's uplifting, it's encouraging, it's strengthening."

-Aretha Franklin

Hamlin Lake & Ludington State Park

Fairway Sponsor is Sargent Sand Company, Inc

Obstacle Sponsor is Sunset Bluff Resort

• 1856, Charles Mears built a wooden damn in the Big Sable River and lumber sawmill, which created Hamlin Lake.

• In 1850 it was renamed Hamlin honoring US Vice President Hannibal Hamlin.

• In 1914 the concrete damn was completed after the original damn collapsed in 1912 wiping out the village of Hamlin. 

• In 1936 the 5,300 acre Ludington State Park opened with nearly 7 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. 

• It is known as the most popular state park in Michigan for its abundant natural resources and endless activities. 

North Breakwater Light

Fairway Sponsored by Beacon Cremation & Funeral Services

Obstacle Sponsored, created, and donated by P&J Welding & Fabricating

• North Breakwater Light was built in 1924

• It is not an official lighthouse since a house has never been attached to it. 

• The light towers 57 feet from the pier. 

• the square, pyramidal, steel framed design was used to deflect the strong waves of Lake Michigan

• In 1994, the crib upon which it sits settled, tilting the tower 4 degrees to the Northeast.

Sunsets over Lake Michigan

Sponsored by Ken and Eldonna Tabor

• Especially during the warm weather months, many people head to the beach at sunset. It doesn't matter if you're a long time resident or a first time visitor, few can resist the chance to watch another glorious sunset over Lake Michigan.

• The angle of the Sun combined with a greater variety of low hanging cloud formations provide the perfect backdrop to reflect the sun's hues as daylight fades.

• Photographing a magnificaent sunset calls for good timing. Make sure that you - and your camera - are ready in plenty of time. 

• Appreciate the awesomeness. 

Ludington Area Jaycees / JCI Ludington

Sponsored by Spuller Concrete Specialists, General Contractor

• Ludington Jaycees Chapter was established in 1947

• The Jaycees are an organization of young professionals aged 18 - 40 who focus on growth, development and community. 

• In 2021 started being known as JCI Ludington, to align with the State (JCI Michigan) and National (JCI USA) levels

• Jaycee (JC) stands for Junior Chamber

• Projects include the Freedom Festival, Oakview Bingo, Back 2 School Bash, Thanksgiving Baskets, and this Minigolf.  

Stearns Park & Beach

Sponsored by Michigan Department of Natural Resources

• Picked by USA Today as one of the 51 Great American Beaches!

• The city's largest beach with 2,500 feet of sandy shoreline and plenty of free parking.

• Three acccessible walkways to the water by the north and south concession stands... as well as in the middle of the beach. 

• Across from the beach and Stearns Drive is grassy area with picnic tables and grills. 

• South End: half mile breakwater to the light; shuffleboard courts; skate plaza; playground; and of course the Mini Golf Course.