Back to The Bear: Grand Traverse Resort and Spa to host 2018 Michigan Open

By Greg Johnson

ACME – Grand Traverse Resort and Spa hosted the best golfers from Michigan in the storied Michigan Open Championship 28 times between 1981 and 2008, and in the last 25 of those years the battleground was The Bear course.

In 2018 it’s back to The Bear for the 101st Michigan Open Championship, which will be presented in part by Yamaha Golf Cars Plus with additional support from Pepsi. It will be administered by the Michigan Section of the PGA. Save the dates: June 11-14. Matt Thompson of Marshall Country Club is the defending champion.

PGA members in the state are excited about returning to the popular Jack Nicklaus-designed resort course and registration is open at michiganpgagolf.com.

“I think it goes back to all the great memories they have from when the tournament was played up there for all those years,” Justin Phillips, tournament director for the Michigan PGA said. “They took their families there and made it a vacation in Traverse City. It’s a great championship venue.”

Tom McGee, the director of golf at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, said the resort is excited the best golfers in Michigan are coming back, too.

“Everybody at the resort is excited to have the Michigan Open coming back, and I’ve heard from a lot of the PGA professionals and other very good golfers who are excited it is back as well,” he said. “The great challenge of The Bear is one thing, but also a lot of people feel it is really the home of the Michigan Open. To have it back here is exciting for them, and they remember making it a vacation for their families while they are playing in a great tournament.”