The Bear Archives - The Golf Explorer

Grand Traverse Resort opens early, anticipates booming season

May 3, 2021May 3, 2021 by John Olsa

Text: R. Collins After a wildly successful last season, the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa’s three distinctive golf courses—The Bear, The Wolverine, and Spruce Run—have opened early in anticipation of another great season. After a 14-week off-season, the shortest in…

The Grand destination for fall

September 9, 2019September 9, 2019 by John Olsa

Text: Greg Johnson Fall golf at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, Michigan along Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay begins with a room with a view in the resort’s glass Tower. From its 17-story vantage point, the golfer can…

10 Michigan courses ranked among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses

June 4, 2019June 4, 2019 by John Olsa

Text: Greg Johnson In the 2019-2020 ranking of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses released in May 2019, Golf Digest named 10 Michigan courses as among the best public golf in the country. From Arcadia and Roscommon, to Marquette, and Charlevoix,…

The Bear, a perfect match for Michigan Open Championship

April 18, 2019April 18, 2019 by John Olsa

Text: Greg Johnson Tom McGee, the director of golf operations at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, Michigan, summed up the 2018 return of the Michigan Open Championship at The Bear—the storied Jack Nicklaus-designed course—as almost reminiscent. “It had…

White Lake amateur battles The Bear to win Michigan Open

June 15, 2018 by John Olsa

By Greg Johnson Jake Kneen, White Lake-native and former Michigan Junior Amateur Champion, became the sixth amateur player in history to win the Michigan Open Championship at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa during the 2018 event. Kneen, who noted it…

Michigan Open Junior Clinic tees up state championship

June 12, 2018June 15, 2018 by John Olsa

Sunday Junior Clinic Kicked off Michigan Open Week at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa By Greg Johnson The 101st Michigan Open Championship festivities kicked off with five of some of the most…

Michigan Open heads back to The Bear

June 7, 2018June 7, 2018 by John Olsa

Six-time winner Scott Hebert joins 13 other former champions in a return to an Acme-based course for the annual tournament. By Greg Johnson It’s back to The Bear at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa for the 101st Michigan Open Championship…

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

March 8, 2018March 8, 2018 by John Olsa

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…