Leisure and Special Events

Two nine-hole municipal golf courses are open to Royal Oak residents and businesses. Royal Oak Golf Club and Normandy Oaks offer open golf, with league play available at Normandy Oaks. Both courses feature a pro shop and individual or group instruction by the golf pro.

If you enjoy playing golf or would like to learn, Golden Bear and Adventure Miniature Golf (Family Golf Center) will appeal to your needs. The pro shop extends a full line of golf equipment, accessories and services. Complete instruction is available from one of several golf pros on staff, as are junior and adult clinics. There are 70 lighted hitting areas, including 10 covered tees that are heated for year-round practice. An elaborate and challenging miniature golf course will entice even the most discriminating miniature golfer. Location: 3500 Edgar Ave (Just East of Coolidge and on the North side of 13 Mile Rd). Phone: (248)549-4653. Web: Royal Oak Golf Center.

Established in Royal Oak in 1914, the posh, private golf club features an 18-hole golf course, pool, tennis courts, three dining rooms and meeting rooms for members. Location: 2036 Rochester Rd (Just North of 12 Mile Rd) Phone: (248) 548-7500. Web: Red Run Golf Club

Grand Slam Baseball Training Center, a full service training facility, provides seasonal camps for little league through college age baseball players, as well as slow pitch and girl’s fast pitch softball. Grand Slam is contracted by some area schools to provide instruction to their teams. Location: 3530 Coolidge Highway (Just North of 13 Mile Rd). Phone: 248-549-7100.

The indoor, bubble-domed structure has been operating in Royal Oak for over 13 years. The facility offers soccer leagues, camps, clinics and tournaments for soccer players from age 4 to 40 and older. Total Soccer operates seasonally from October to April. Location: 1319 Lexington Blvd (North of 13 Mile, East of Crooks). Phone: 248-288-2110; Web: http://www.totalsoccerinc.com/royaloak.htm

Throughout the year, Royal Oak hosts a number of social events that bring families together from Royal Oak and surrounding areas. Some events are centered in Royal Oak’s enchanting downtown district, while others are held at other locations throughout the city. Some celebrated activities held in Royal Oak are:

• Royal Oak in Bloom (sale of annuals and perennials)
• Memorial Day Parade
• Oak Apple Run (10-K foot race)
• Royal Oak Clay & Glass (downtown art show)
• Antique & Garage Sale;
• Royal Oak Outdoor Art Fair (at Memorial Park)
• Fire & Ice Charity Softball Game between the Detroit Red Wings and Royal Oak Firefighters (at Memorial Park);
• Arts, Beats and Eats (Oakland County Festival held in downtown Royal Oak)
• Aids Walk Detroit, sponsored by Steppin’ Out
• Spooktacular (Halloween event)
• Holiday Magic Parade and Events
• Tree Lighting Ceremony in December.

Woodward Dream Cruise

Collectively, Royal Oak and six other cities welcome over 1 million spectators to the area for the annual Woodward Dream Cruise. Held in August, the one-day event is the world’s largest classic car cruise, drawing cruisers and spectators from around the world to ogle autos of yesteryear. Participating communities provide optimal viewing, cruise-related activities and entertainment throughout the day.