Closure of Ann Arbor Golf and Outing Club limits tailgating for Michigan vs. MSU

UM tailgating

Sue Bonkowski cooks breakfast while tailgating with friends outside of Michigan Stadium.Matt Weigand | The Ann Arbor News

ANN ARBOR, MI - The premature arrival of winter weather this week has forced the Ann Arbor Golf and Outing Glub to close off all parking for Saturday’s clash between Michigan and Michigan State.

Parking will not be available for either the public or season pass holders, Ann Arbor Golf and Outing Club President & Parking Director Ira Mark said. Only club members will be permitted on site prior to the game at noon Saturday, Nov. 16 in Michigan Stadium.

The Ann Arbor Golf and Outing Club is one of the most popular spots for tailgaters on football Saturdays in Ann Arbor. The 9-hole course and club is located directly across Stadium Boulevard from the south end of the stadium, abutting the 18-hole University of Michigan Golf Course.

In addition, the UM Golf Course also is closed Saturday, with the State Street, Main Street and driving range entrances closed to the public. ADA cash sales will be available in the Green Lot in front of the clubhouse.

Before the Monday snowstorm, Mark said he fully anticipated parking being allowed on most of the course for Saturday’s game, with space for around 1,500 vehicles - even with some areas off limits.

“When the golf course is firm and dry, which has been rare the last several years, we can park 2,000 vehicles,” Mark said. “The heavy snow Monday is ultimately the factor in closing. If the snow melts, the course will be saturated and be subject to additional extreme damage. Conversely, if the snow remains, it would be very difficult to traverse the course safely.”

Tailgating for the MSU game is typically filled to capacity, Mark said, while hundreds of others typically gravitate to the area to tailgate with friends on the golf course.

“Our site offers a great setting and atmosphere which will be missed by many Saturday,” Mark said.

Heavy snowfall will limit the number of parking spots available near the stadium, Park n Party Manager Taylor Bond said, including at the area’s other popular tailgating spot at Pioneer High School. Park n Party helps patrons reserve parking and tailgating spots ahead of Michigan football games.

“It’s easy to say there are 2,000 to 3,000 spots that will probably evaporate, compared to a normal game, and that doesn’t even include the UM Golf Course," Bond said.

Bond said those still staking out a spot for tailgating Saturday will have limited options, including the old Fingerle Lumber site at South Main and East Madison streets, and the larger “524” lot across the street. Some spots also are available on South State Street near Vedder Electric and State Street Auto Service.

The biggest issue resulting from the significant snowfall Monday, Bond said, is that spots will now be filled with snow that has been plowed to make way for customers.

“When you move the snow, there are large piles that take a lot longer to get rid of than the rest of the snow itself,” he said. “We’re not going to be getting any weather in this time frame that is going to result in a rapid meltdown.”

For more information on parking near Michigan Stadium, visit the Michigan Athletics website.

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