WEST BRANCH, MI -- Attention golfers: An auction tees off next week for a prime piece of northern Michigan real estate.

After nearly 27 years of running the Apple Valley Golf Course in West Branch, owners Gary and Sharon Tedford are ready for retirement. And while they'd prefer to see a buyer continue to run the operations as a public, 18-hole golf course, they're open to any idea for the property.

"It's kind of a golfer's dream to own their own golf course, so when we had the opportunity to buy, we jumped on it," Gary Tedford said. "But we're ready to retire and relax. It would be nice to continue this as a golf course, but it could be a lot of things -- an RV park, a hunt club, there are a lot of options."

A one-day online auction begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, wrapping up in the afternoon. Those interested need to register online at LastBidRealEstate.com.

The golf course is to remain open through Sept. 30.

To make the property attractive to all interested buyers, it's divided into three separate parcels.

Parcel 1 is 77 acres of scenic rolling hills, woods, ponds and a half-mile of spring-fed trout stream that feeds into the Rifle Rifle. It also includes 12 holes of the golf course, which could be enticing to a buyer looking to jump on the new trend of 12-hole courses. Jack Nicklaus recently opened a new 12-hole golf park in Utah.

The second parcel includes a 2,000-square-foot, four-bedroom, three-bathroom home with a finished walk-out basement, and a sizeable portion of Crapo Lake. The home is used as the golf course manager's residence.

The third parcel includes a 2,000-square-foot clubhouse and restaurant and 46 partially wooded acres.

Dan Shaarda, online auction manager for Last Bid Real Estate, which is handling the sale, said those interested in the property can register a maximum bid before the auction begins on Tuesday. All three parcels are starting at $20,000, he said.

There is no reserve price, but any sale is contingent upon seller approval, Shaarda said.

Gary Tedford turns 74 next week. He still plays an occasional nine holes, but a hip issue keeps him off the course more than he would like.

In retirement, the Tedfords are planning some time in Florida during the winter, but expect to remain in the West Branch area where they hope to spend more time with their grandchildren.