Fred Michael Muller

Fred Muller, of Traverse City, MI, died peacefully at home from pulmonary fibrosis in the care of his family on February 3, 2025, with the support of staff from Hospice of Michigan. Fred was born in Grand Rapids, MI on May 6, 1948. He attended Grand Rapids Christian High School, where he was a talented three-sport athlete competing in golf, football and basketball. He was point guard on his school’s state championship boy’s basketball team in 1966. Fred later pursued English Literature at Hope College and earned MIAA League Golf Medalist honors as a golf team member in 1969. Fred completed his final two undergraduate years at Georgia State University while competing on the golf team there. For 42 years Fred served as the Head Golf Professional at Crystal Downs Country Club in Frankfort, MI. His retirement at the end of the 2018 season was filled with accolades and tributes from grateful Club members, staff, and former employees. Although he is often credited with elevating The Downs to one of the world’s finest golf courses, he found his true purpose as a role model and mentor for the countless young golf professionals, caddies, and bag room employees who were fortunate enough to work for him. As a gifted player and PGA Professional, Fred competed on the PGA Tour, the Australian Tour, and the South American PGA Tour. In 1981, he won the Michigan Open hosted at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City, MI. His travel to renowned, as well as obscure golf courses around the world, provided Fred with a breadth of knowledge about golf course architecture and the history of the game and reinforced his love of the treasure that is Crystal Downs In recent decades Fred relished playing hickory golf with authentic clubs, and eventually became a five-time national hickory stick champion. He made a hobby of finding and repairing antique hickory golf clubs to create complete sets. Although Fred enjoyed traveling the world his favorite place was Frankfort. Most notably, he was keen to play golf with family and friends at Crystal Downs. He loved to turn his face to the wind. Fred was preceded in death by his parents Nicholas and Evangeline Muller and younger sister Sandy. He is survived by his best friend and wife Kay, and his beloved children, Gaby Gillis (Tim) and Gates Muller. The family intends to hold a private celebration of Fred’s life this summer. Those wishing to donate in his memory may contribute to the Fred Muller Scholarship Endowment Fund at the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation or to the Traverse City Junior Golf Association. Fred strongly believed in mentoring young men and women by making a permanent and positive impact on their lives through both education and learning the rewards of the game of golf.

Fred Michael Muller

May 6, 1948 - February 3, 2025