Chase Kuyers
Co-Owner & PGA Professional, Pigeon Creek Golf Course & Event Center
Chase Kuyers grew up on a dairy farm in West Olive, where an unexpected decision by his father and uncle introduced him to the game of golf and ultimately changed the direction of his life. Golf took Chase from Ferris State University to some of the country’s most respected golf destinations before eventually bringing him home to Pigeon Creek Golf Course.
In this episode of Inspire West Michigan, Chase joins host Amy Atkinson to talk about growing a family business, creating opportunities for women and young people to discover golf, investing in his community and learning how to become a better leader along the way.
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⏱️ Timecodes: 00:00 – Introduction to Chase Kuyers and Pigeon Creek Golf Course
02:08 – Growing Up on a West Olive Dairy Farm
06:21 – The Structure of PGA Professional Certification
11:38 – Why the PGA was failing to help them get better jobs
18:59 – Coming Home to Run the Course was the Biggest Opportunity of his Life
19:17 – The Development of Women’s and Children’s Programs
25:00 – Founding Chasin’ Birdies and Building Youth Programs
28:47 – Recognized by Michigan Golf Course Association for their Youth Program
31:10 – Being Involved in the Community to Build Awareness
33:11 – Navigating COVID-19: Creating a “Mental Health Sanctuary” & Post-Pandemic Golf Boom
39:20 – Co-Owning with Family: Balancing 50/50 Partnerships Across Generations
47:05 – Building Trust with Your Team & Managing Mistakes
53:02 – Pigeon Creek Named MGCA 2026 Course of the Year
Get in touch: info@inspirewestmichigan.com
Learn more: inspirewestmichigan.com
After graduating from Unity Christian High School, Chase enrolled in Ferris State University’s Professional Golf Management program. Through the program, he gained hands-on experience at some of the country’s most respected golf destinations, including Pinehurst in North Carolina, Bandon Dunes in Oregon and Mission Hills in Southern California.
When Chase learned his family was considering selling Pigeon Creek, he made the decision to return home in 2011 and put that experience to work. He began developing programs designed to make golf more accessible, particularly for women and young players.
Today, Pigeon Creek’s women’s clinics serve more than 200 participants annually, while the nonprofit Chasin’ Birdies youth program introduces more than 250 kids each summer to golf, leadership and other outdoor activities. In 2018, Chase and his cousin Mike Kuyers purchased Pigeon Creek from their fathers. Since then, they have continued to invest in the course, their team and the future of the business, including the addition of the Pigeon Creek Event Center. Chase has also become deeply involved in the West Michigan business community and the golf industry, while continually working to grow as a business owner and leader.
In 2026, Pigeon Creek was named Michigan Golf Course Association Course of the Year, recognizing the family-owned course for its investment in the facility, its community involvement and its programs dedicated to the growth of the game.
