By Al Zehnder, Chairman of Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth
In 1984, the owner of the then Frankenmuth Golf and Country Club informed us that he was planning a career change and asked if we were interested in purchasing his golf course just 435 yards or so from the front door of Zehnder’s. We knew nothing about golf, and it was only a 9-hole layout but felt this may be an opportunity to expand our guest experience into recreation. I remember one person on our team at the time telling me if golf doesn’t work out for us, we could always turn it into overflow parking! I wasn’t going to let that happen.
We approached this opportunity with a simple philosophy; let’s give the golfer an elevated guest experience on an exceptionally maintained course. The same basic philosophy that had proved successful in our then food service and retail divisions.
Over the next few years, the property to the west became available, which allowed us to expand to 18 holes. We closed the facility in 1990 and began the transformation, under the direction of golf architect Dick Nugent, to an 18-hole championship level course. We opened in 1992 as The Fortress with that same guiding philosophy began in 1984.
While we have received many accolades over the years, I am most proud of The Fortress being named the #1 Public Golf Course in Michigan and #41 in the U.S. by Golf Pass. These are unsolicited reviews by individual golfers, rather than a panel of judges, rating their experience, value, course conditions and friendliness of staff.
This year marks our 42nd golf season, 34th as The Fortress. If you’re looking for a great golf experience, visit The Fortress. I think you’ll agree it’s much better as a golf course than a parking lot.
Hospitably Yours,
Al Zehnder, Chairman
