BENZIE COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) — A golf course that’s been around since the nineties is now picking up the pieces of what’s left after a fire Sunday left the building in shambles.
The Mistwood Golf Course closed for the season on Wednesday and despite the current look of the clubhouse, the owner said they’re still planning to open back up next spring for the 2027 season.
For now, they’re still trying to figure out what exactly sparked the flames.
Chief Brad Drury was on that scene and said from the look of the fire, it was likely burning for an hour or two before people noticed and called it in.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but Drury said it appears to have started in the kitchen before burning up into the attic and taking out the roof.
Chief Drury said it took crews just under six hours before they were able to clear the scene.
Eventually we get to a point where the fire is overtaking our ability to make that interior attack,” said Drury. “And I made the call to withdraw any interior crews and set up defensive operations.
Chief Drury said it doesn’t look like there’s any sign of foul play.
The Mistwood Golf Course said there was no damage to the course and it remains in good condition.
Mistwood said it plans to inspect and document each part of the facility in accordance with the applicable requirements.
The golf course also plans on working with the Benzie Leelanau District Health Department and Almira Township Fire and EMS Department as it determines what can be returned to service.
The Mistwood clubhouse was not covered by insurance, as saying in a statement released on Facebook:
For complete transparency, the clubhouse was not covered by property insurance. We had been actively pursuing financing for a needed roof replacement that would have allowed us to obtain coverage. There will be no property-insurance recovery from this fire.
Mistwood said the fire is a painful setback, but it will not be the end for the business as it continues moving forward with plans to open for the 2027 golf season with modified operation.
The business is developing a detailed reopening plan and budget and once that is complete, it will share more about the 2027 season and how the community can help.
As the investigation into the fire continues and as Mistwood begins the cleanup process, it is asking people to stay clear of the damaged clubhouse and respect all barriers around the site.