"Scott Family" Educational Support Foundation

2025 Award Winners

Michigan Golf Course Association Announces Honorees

LANSING – Barry Owens, the CEO of Treetops Resort in Gaylord, and Bill Johnson, the CEO of Gull Lake View Golf Resort in Augusta, headline the 2025 Award Winners announced today by the Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA).

The Scott Family, pioneer developers and owners of Gull Lake View for more than 60 years, and Jason Pearsall of Revive Golf Management who serves as the managing partner of Warren Valley Golf Course, are among the distinguished winners who will be honored and celebrated at the Annual MGCA Awards Banquet on Tuesday evening, Dec. 2, during the 2025 Michigan Golf Business Conference and Vendor Fair at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant.

“We are excited to honor award winners that have left an indelible mark and exemplified the spirit of servant leadership in the Michigan golf industry,” Jada Paisley, executive director of the MGCA said.

Barry Owens will be the recipient of the Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award. It is awarded to an individual or organization that over the span of a lifetime has provided steadfast leadership, outstanding service, and continuous commitment to the Michigan golf industry.

His accomplishments and contributions to Michigan’s golf and tourism industry are extensive. In addition to his role as CEO of Treetops Resort, he has served in influential leadership positions with the Gaylord Tourism Bureau and the Michigan Travel Commission, always championing growth, collaboration, and statewide impact.

An example of his visionary leadership is America’s Summer Golf Capital (ASGC). He helped establish and sustain the marketing collaborative, uniting competing resorts and courses to elevate Northern Michigan’s world-class golf as a premier national brand.

Bill Johnson will be the recipient of the Lyle Leeke Distinguished Service Award. It is presented to individuals who have displayed distinguished service to the MGCA and the golf industry in the state of Michigan.

Throughout his career he has displayed a commitment to the broader golf community reaching beyond his professional responsibilities at Gull Lake View. He has served as a trustee on the MGCA Educational Support Foundation for the past seven years providing insight, mentorship, and leadership toward the Foundation’s direction and initiatives.

Johnson also serves as a board member for Discover Kalamazoo, further advancing tourism and the visibility of Michigan’s golf destinations.

The Scott Family will receive the Award of Merit. The award is given for outstanding leadership, perseverance and business acumen in the Michigan golf industry. It has been previously presented by the MGCA just 10 times in 27 years.

The Scott Family has been devoted to golf in Michigan since Darl and Letha Scott broke ground on the first Gull Lake View golf course in 1962. Gull Lake View today is a premier, stay-and-play golf destination. Southwestern Michigan’s idyllic lake country is the backdrop for the resort’s championship golf courses, each of which has earned a rating from Golf Digest of 4.5 stars or higher.

The family has also served as leaders in their community and in the Michigan Golf Course Association. In 1996, they established the Scott Family Educational Support Foundation to provide training, education, and professional development for golf course owners and operators. They have also hosted and sponsored the MGCA's annual golf outing to assist with fundraising for the ESF.

Jason Pearsall will receive the Outstanding Leadership Award. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities in the golf industry, such as inspiring teams, fostering inclusivity, improving operations, enhancing customer experiences and contributing to staff development.

Pearsall is recognized as a visionary leader in the industry and his recent work with revitalizing Warren Valley Golf Course demonstrates his leadership style. He has an open-door policy and promotes transparent communication to create an environment of trust where team members feel empowered to contribute their best ideas. Pearsall is also the CEO and founder of Club Caddie.

CONTACT: To join the celebration, call the MGCA by calling 800-860-8575 or visit michigangca.org to register. For additional information contact Jada Paisley, executive director, (517) 482-4312, jpaisley@michigangca.org.

Past Award Winners