Some people might buy new golf clubs to relax, Mike and Linda Rogers, however, sought a serious challenge and decided to build a new golf course.

The Rogers are the owners and developers of Juday Creek Golf Course. But, before that, they owned a chain of five Lindy's restaurants in Michiana. When the couple decided in 1985 to cut back to only one restaurant, they sold all but the original in Dowagiac, Michigan and thought they would take it easy. Retirement, however, proved to be a bit too relaxing for the energetic pair. "I took it easy for about one summer and got bored," Mike says. "When you're used to working 60-80 hours a week, even to cut back to 40 hours is hard. I think part of our enjoyment in life is making other people happy."

After Mike spent a lot of time on the golf course that one summer, they decided to balance the need to work with the desire to relax and the couple began searching for a golf course. "We thought maybe we'd get into the golf business and take the winters off," Mike said. After looking for a year, they realized it made the most sense to build a new course and a residential development along with it to help finance the project.

The golf course eventually opened for its first full-season in 1989, making this year the 22nd Season of the course. The Rogers have continued to make improvements to the course to keep it one of the best in Michiana. Often viewed as one of the premier sites for golf outings, Juday Creek also strives to do the most they can for their members, daily fee customers and as well as to grow the game of Junior and Ladies Golf.

With an extensive clubhouse addition in 2000, the facility gained the ability to host exceptional banquets including Wedding Receptions, Holiday Parties and Corporate Functions. The combination of the beautiful golf course view and the Rogers expertise in food make Juday Creek an ideal setting for almost any function.

Michelle Wittig, the Rogers only child has been the Juday Creek Golf Course General Manager since 1997. This gave the Rogers a little freedom and along with their residential development experience to fully invest in new challenge, building custom homes. Their new venture, Nugent Builders specializes in high-end custom homes and has constructed some of the finest homes from Elkhart to New Buffalo.