Spruce Run at Grand Traverse Resort

Spruce Run at Grand Traverse Resort in Acme, Michigan, was designed by Bill Newcomb and serves as one of three championship courses at this northern Michigan resort property. The course sits on rolling terrain characteristic of the Grand Traverse Bay region, where the landscape transitions between wooded areas and more open ground shaped by glacial activity. Newcomb, a Michigan-based architect who worked extensively throughout the Great Lakes region in the latter decades of the twentieth century, designed Spruce Run to complement the resort's other offerings while providing a distinct playing experience.

The routing takes advantage of natural elevation changes and incorporates mature stands of pine and hardwood trees that frame many holes. Water features come into play on several holes, typical of courses built in this area where wetlands and streams are common. The layout generally favors strategic positioning over pure length, asking players to consider angles and landing areas rather than simply overpowering the design. As a resort course, Spruce Run accommodates a range of skill levels while still presenting challenges for accomplished players.

Grand Traverse Resort, located just outside Traverse City along the shores of East Grand Traverse Bay, has long been a destination for golf tourism in northern Michigan. The property's multiple courses allow visitors to experience different design philosophies and playing conditions. Spruce Run contributes to this variety as a woodland-style layout that contrasts with the resort's other courses, providing golfers with options suited to different preferences and weather conditions during their stay.