Grand Traverse Resort & Spa (The Bear)

Welcome to The Bear, every bit the bruin it was when Jack Nicklaus first unleashed the course on June 17, 1985. Celebrated as not only the toughest 18 holes in Michigan, The Bear was ranked as the 18th toughest course in America, according to Golf Digest. Nicklaus’ signature design features Scottish terraced fairways, tiered greens, deep grassy roughs, moguls and mounds, and deep pot bunkers. With rolling land, trees, lakes, streams, fruit orchards, and a variety of wildlife, you have a mixture of different elements people see in different places, but rarely on one course. The Bear golf course's name is a tribute to its designer, Jack Nicklaus, whose trademark blonde hair earned him the nickname, “the Golden Bear.” Born in 1940, Jack Nicklaus is a legend both as a player and a course designer. His competitive career spanned five decades, including 18 professional major championship titles. He is the only player in history to have won each of the game’s majors at least three times, and is the only player to have completed the career “Grand Slam” on both the regular and senior tours.