GAYLORD, Mich., October 28, 2010 — Barry Owens, under whose stewardship Garland Resort achieved AAA’s highest hospitality rating of any such facility in Michigan, is the new general manager of Treetops Resort.
He will supervise all operations of the year-round resort, bringing stability and experience to a destination resort that offers some of the finest golf in the country.
Owens spent 24 years at Garland, rising through the ranks to become president of the Lewiston resort. Garland was sold last August and Owens left earlier this year. He was a consultant for Treetops management through the summer and was persuaded by Rick Smith, Treetops’ managing partner, and his executive committee to stay on as the permanent general manager.
“I’m really excited,” Owens said. “Obviously, I’ve known of Treetops and Rick Smith from day one and admired the resort from a far and I am excited to be working with Rick and the staff here and I look forward to the opportunity to become part of the Treetops family.”
Owens acknowledged that there was some public perception that the resort has been treading water because of various changes in management. He believes that by bringing a fresh approach seasoned by his years at Garland, he can reinvigorate the resort as a year-round attraction.
“We want to put to rest any talk that we might close down for the winter,” he said. “We will be fully open with better skiing conditions than ever before.”
While he served as general manager at Garland the resort was awarded AAA’s Four Diamond recognition for outstanding hospitality.
“Barry brings a wealth of hospitality and management experience to Treetops, and is very familiar with the Northern Michigan market,” says Mark Ridenour, a member of Treetops’ executive committee.
Owens’ arrival coincides with one if its best fall golf seasons ever, and just in time for the resort’s preparation for the upcoming ski season. In addition, Treetops will celebrate its 25th year as Treetops beginning in 2011.
“Treetops started over 50 years ago as a ski area,” says Owens. “Its role in Michigan’s ski history as well as its dominating presence in Michigan’s golf industry for nearly 25 years is something of which I am excited to be a part.”
Treetops offers 81 holes of championship golf by famed designers Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Tom Fazio, and Rick Smith. Treetops’ Rick Smith Golf Academy is Michigan’s only three-time recipient of GOLF Magazine’s prestigious Top 25 Golf School in the Nation award.
In the winter, Treetops offers downhill skiing on 23 slopes, tubing, a PSIA and AASI-certified winter sports school and a full array of children’s daycare and learn-to-ski programs. In addition to golf and skiing, Treetops offers a full-service spa, conference and meeting facilities, indoor and outdoor pools and whirlpools, tennis courts, kids’ programs and an array of accommodations options.
More information on Treetops can be found at www.treetops.com or by calling (888)-TREEETOPS.
Media Contacts
Barry Owens
989-731-8400
Dave Richards
248-642-6420
