Member Highlight: Gilda Johnson, owner of Lake Forest Golf Club, featured on Life in MI Podcast

This week we’re chatting with Gilda Johnson, owner of Lake Forest Golf Club. She shares her unique journey into the golf industry, discusses the secret to their from-scratch dining scene at Ellsworth Food & Spirits, and explore why local wildlife seems to love the course just as much as the golfers do.

From Banking Suits to Hot Dogs & Beer

Gilda reflects on her journey from growing up in Argentina to earning her BA and MBA at the University of Michigan. She opens up about her sudden late-90s pivot from corporate banking to running a newly built golf course—a shift she describes as going “from wearing suits, high heels, and pantyhose to serving hot dogs and beer.”

From Dairy Farm to 18-Hole Sanctuary

Discover the story behind the land itself: how a historic turn-of-the-century dairy farm at Ann Arbor-Saline and Ellsworth Roads evolved into Lake Forest Golf Club, complete with its original carriage house and landmark silo.

Elevating the Vibe with Chef Blake Reetz

Learn how Lake Forest created Ellsworth Food & Spirits and brought in local culinary legend Executive Chef Blake Reetz (formerly of Ann Arbor’s EAT) to craft a from-scratch, approachable menu—featuring everything from elevated power bowls to homemade sweet corn ice cream.

Breaking Barriers & Building Community

With women making up only about 15% of Michigan golf course owners, Gilda shares what it’s like navigating customer assumptions, leaning on industry mentors like Kathy Aznavorian of Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center, and fostering a collaborative culture among local business owners.

Wildlife, Stargazing, & The Perfect Michigan Day

From over 60 bird species spotted via the Merlin Bird ID App to cozying up by outdoor fire tables under the Ann Arbor night sky, Gilda breaks down why golf courses make great wildlife habitats—and reveals her ultimate way to unwind on a Michigan morning.