Grand Times at Grand Traverse Resort
By Tom Lang
Recently my wife made the comment that she knows it’s finally summertime when there is a June trip to Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.
Our family has made many excursions to the northern Michigan jewel, dating back to a family reunion 25 years ago.
And while reunions and business conferences are very common for the special Traverse City location, more often summer trips are made by golfers. Grand Traverse Resort, often called GTR, is the home of three high-level challenging golf courses, with none like the other, and each uniquely stationed out of one clubhouse.
Built to be the toughest golf course in the state in 1985, Jack Nicklaus’ The Bear, is joined by Spruce Run (1979) and the Gary Player designed The Wolverine (1999).
“We’ve been doing buddies groups for decades, and what we have to offer is the three great golf courses, and they are all completely different courses and challenges, but all based out of the same clubhouse,” said Tom McGee, director of golf. “It’s so convenient. When they arrive, they drop off their clubs and never have to move them again, nor take them to their rooms or car. And they can walk just 400 yards to the main hotel entrance. If they are playing 36 holes in one day they don’t have to drive to another facility or clubhouse.
“We have the nightlife as well with Turtle Creek Casino down the road. And there’s downtown Traverse City, which is very vibrant in the summertime. So, there’s a lot to do for the buddies – male or female. And we’re seeing more female groups of 10, 12, 20 ladies; I’m seeing a lot more of them than in the past.
“It’s all the same for the couples” McGee added. “But it doesn’t have to be golf all the time. There’s the wineries on Mission Point, and here at the resort we have the Spa (7,000 square feet with 23 treatment rooms) and the Beach Club, and Aerie Restaurant. But if they want to go off property there’s a lot of choices.”
On Property Golf:
Right out of the gate, The Bear’s Hole 1 green complex sets the tone as it will give golfers many clues as to what the rest of your day on The Bear will look like. Deep, difficult bunkering surrounding uniquely-shaped greens that have small corners and various plateaus that can make for difficult, tucked pin locations depending on the mood of the grounds crew that day.
Overall, there is a ton of mounding and moguls found off the fairways, all across the course, so if you go there, not only are you dealing with the longer grass, but you likely will not have a level stance.
I really like holes 12 and 13 -- for both playability and attractive landforms. The first is a shorter par 4 slight dogleg right with a wide fairway to start that narrows down on the approach (not uncommon on Nicklaus' design here) to the green that is on the other side of a pond. Then 13 is a medium par 3, going over an extension of the same pond but going the other direction. And remember the clue about deep bunkers? There are stairs built into five of the bunkers surrounding the 13th putting surface. Overall, this pair of holes is one of the more aesthetically attractive parts of the course.
The closing hole at The Bear is an iconic par 4 with a green protected by water front, with two different routes to choose from off the tee on either side of a huge tree. Pick one and live with the decision on how your round ends – but most people go left and make the hole a little longer.
When I play The Wolverine, the back nine is my favorite, especially starting at supposedly “unlucky” hole 13. From the tee box the hole looks fairly routine, but reach the corner of the dogleg right and the approach to the green is a beautiful, wide-open view of your downhill shot to a bunker-protected green against a backdrop of water and a massive cherry orchard. No. 14 is a medium par 3 that runs right alongside the same downhill shot you had at 13, making for back-to-back beauties.
Spruce Run: “It’s a lot of golf course,” McGee said regarding those who maybe picture it as the trio’s stepchild. “It’s more the typical northern Michigan golf course – tighter fairways, more tree-lined. You have to be more accurate off the tee box, where The Wolverine and The Bear you can actually spray it off the tee a little and be okay.”
Spruce Run hosted the Michigan Open from 1981-84, and no player ever broke par for the tournament. “It’s a heck of a golf course, it just doesn’t have the famously named designer.”
NBC GolfPass raters recently voted Grand Traverse Resort as the No. 8 best resort for golf in the U.S., in part for: ‘being just minutes from downtown Traverse City's breweries, Grand Traverse Bay's beaches, the Leelanau Peninsula's wineries and its sister casino property.’
Midweek days offer Unlimited Golf Packages: Monday through Thursday golf is unlimited if you pick a package of lodging and golf. “You can play as many rounds as you want to, all free replays, during mid-week,” McGee said.
Mark Hill, Director of Instruction at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, once told me he started to see a noticeable change in how many women were participating in golf in 2021. McGee said a school for ladies this May was sold out in 10 days from its first announcement, and at least one or two more are coming this summer.
Hill mentioned that women are also getting into the game more, as an activity to do with their husbands or partners. With more lessons, clinics and events being offered, women of all skill levels can pick up a club and get out on the course and be a part of the nearly 1 million women nationwide to have taken up the game the past few years.
$10.5 Million Hotel Renovation:
The Resort’s original six-story Hotel opened in 1980. The newest renovation that began in November of 2022 was done entirely by Michigan companies.
Matthew Bryant, general manager, said the guest room totals went from 239 to 242, adding two new junior suites as well as four updated hospitality suites. Every guest room was gutted and redone with excellent updates, including their bathrooms, plus corridors, elevators and four public restrooms. Exceptional comfort and quality was the mantra plus convenient amenities including refrigerators, tile showers, and expansive in-room storage space.
“We brought the beauty of northern Michigan into the rooms while also celebrating our owners, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians, with artwork and décor,” says Bryant.
I stayed in the revitalized hotel in June and had a great experience. Just rearranging some aspects of the former rooms provided a greater sense of open space and comfort.
Special Fall Events and Activities:
September 1-4, 2023: Labor Day Weekend Golf Special
$89 The Bear & The Wolverine, $59 Spruce Run
Say goodbye to the summer season with special pricing all Labor Day weekend. Exceptional course conditions make for a day of golf you will never forget, and our special pricing makes it easy to try out each of our three highly acclaimed courses.
October 7, 2023: 12th Annual Big Hole Golf Tournament
$280 per team, includes golf, cart, and prizes
This four-person scramble on Spruce Run features gigantic, impossible-to-miss 10’ cups!
October 22, 2023: 14th Annual Tuff Enuff Golf Tournament
$130 per team, includes golf, cart, and prizes
Play one of Michigan’s toughest courses, The Bear, at its absolute hardest. We turn The Bear into 7,000+ yards of long-range tee boxes, aggressive greens, and challenging hole locations.
Golf Packages Anytime
One-night Golf Package (midweek and weekend options available – can be booked more than one night)
· One night of accommodations
· One day of unlimited golf per person (midweek), one round of golf on any course per person (weekend)
For current golf rates or to reserve a tee time, call 231-534-6000, visit the Pro Shop, or book online.
