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The McGivney family finds that Egypt Valley has everything they could want in a club, and more.

Mike McGivney, who is the VP of Sales and Marketing with Allen Edwin Homes, and his wife, Courtney, who is currently working toward obtaining her masters in social work at Grand Valley, both grew up on the east side of the state. The couple met while attending Michigan State University together and have been married for 22 years.

“We’ve moved several times after school, from Metro Detroit to Cleveland to Charleston, South Carolina to Chapel Hill, North Carolina,” Mike said of his family, who have since found a permanent home in Grand Rapids.

The couple have four children: Claire, who is 20 and attends Miami University in Ohio; Michael, who is 18 and a senior at Grand Rapids Catholic Central; Caroline who is 14 and Andrew who is 9, who both attend St. Paul the Apostle School. 

Mike, who has been in the home building business for 23 years, started playing golf while in middle school.

“I worked throughout high school and college at Lakelands Golf and Country Club in Brighton, a small country club where I learned the game,” Mike said, explaining the family later joined Canterbury Golf Club in Cleveland and enjoyed being able to meet new people in a new city. The family joined Egypt Valley in 2011, a year after moving to Grand Rapids.

Courtney took up golf only within the last few years since being at Egypt Valley, participating in the Couples’ Twilight and now the Women’s 3-Hole League.  

“The Women’s 3-Hole League and the group of ladies who participate have really helped Courtney get more comfortable and enjoy all the great aspects that golf offers,” Mike said. “Our three youngest have all started golf at a young age, participating in junior golf at Egypt Valley, including the PGA Junior League. Michael is currently on the Grand Rapids Catholic Central Golf Team.”

Mike’s partner at work and mentor, Jim Sanderson, encouraged them to join Egypt Valley, as he thought it would be a great fit.

“He couldn’t have been more right!” Mike explained. “I’ve had a great 10-year partnership with Vic Chiodini (PARDS) in the Men’s League and have enjoyed playing (and winning) several Challenge Cups. My brother, Matt, and I have won our flight three times in the Men’s Invitational and have won my flight for the Club Championship and Match Play once each.” 

When the McGivney family first moved to Grand Rapids, they knew just one other family in the area. Come to find out, they had over a dozen other members that lived in their own neighborhood who were also members.

“We found people with common values as us, with family being a priority,” Mike said. “We also found a staff that cared as much about us as we cared about them. They were always hospitable, willing to go the extra ‘yard’ to help accommodate and make our experience and that of our guests extra special.”

Mike also joined the Golf Committee a few years into his membership with Egypt Valley.

“In 2016, I was asked to be on the Board and will be finishing my sixth and final year this year,” he said. “I’ve had an opportunity to be part of working with some great people on the Membership and Golf Committees who have volunteered their time and talent to make us what we are today. From our staff and leadership to our members, we are very blessed to be part of a place that people have such pride in.”

When it comes to what the family enjoys most about Egypt Valley, Mike says members truly have it all with the Club’s two courses.

“I’m fortunate to play in several invitationals on the east side of the state. Every time I do, I have a list of people who are asking for an invitation to come at play at Egypt Valley,” Mike said. “From those who have played the courses several years ago to people who hear of our reputation of championship golf, they all want to experience what we all take for granted: two championship golf courses. After they play, they’re asking for the invite for next year!”

When not on one of those two courses, the family can often be found on the West Patio.

“We’ve made Sundays our family day at the Club; following our kids participating in the Junior PGA in the summer followed by dinner on the West Patio, usually with several other families,” Mike said. “I believe that Sunday dinner on the patio is one of the best times to come out, have a great meal and enjoy all that we offer.”

When the family moved back to Michigan they were given some great advice they still follow: find activities to do for all four seasons.

“There doesn’t seem to be a season where our children aren’t involved in a sport or activity, and we love it!” Mike said. “Shortly after moving back to Michigan, we found a place up at Boyne Mountain and enjoy forced family fun skiing in the winters. During the summers, we’ve found our home away from home at Egypt Valley with all the activities it offers for all six of us. From golf to tennis, junior activities, to the entertainment for just the couples to the concerts for the whole family and the fall hayride, there are almost too many to list that have grown to be annual traditions for our family.”

The family recently found a second home on Bostwick Lake and are excited to find a place that is as close, if not closer, to Egypt Valley than their current home so they can enjoy all that summer has to offer.

“We love our community—both our church, school and our Egypt Valley community,” Mike said, noting the family is full of lifelong Spartan fans. “We’ve has season tickets for football for 25 years, along with basketball and make fall Saturdays (when there are home football games) a family affair. We enjoy tailgating with family and friends, many of whom are fellow members, and enjoy trips like the Big Ten Football Championship in Indianapolis (which we’ve been to three times), the Big Ten Basketball Tournament and, of course, the Rose Bowl in 2014.”

Ultimately, Mike encourages other members to really get involved at the Club.

“To unlock all that Egypt Valley offers, you have to get involved and take advantage of all the various activities and entertainment that the club has to offer,” he said. “Participate in the committees to help shape the Club and grow our membership and experience. You won’t be disappointed.”

If you see the McGivney family around the Club, be sure to say, “Hello!”