Red Run Golf Club ☆ Follow

Red Run Golf Club is a private facility located at 2036 Rochester Rd in Royal Oak, Michigan. The course was designed by renowned Scottish architects Tom Bendelow and Willie Park, Jr., who established a layout characterized by tough but fair play without gimmicks or unseen hazards. Park’s philosophy favored straightforward holes where matches were decided on the putting green, a design ethos that continues to influence the course’s management and maintenance. The grounds are named after the Red Run river, which historically cut through the property before being buried underground in the 1960s.

The layout is described as complex and subtle, demanding strategic positioning on both approaches and greens. The course is maintained to PGA Tour-level standards, with careful attention paid to greens, bunkers, and fairways. Despite its tight design, the club emphasizes pace of play, aiming for rounds to be completed in four hours or less, even with the use of its caddie program. The facility includes a driving range, putting green, and short game area, alongside a golf shop staffed by PGA teaching professionals.

Red Run has a significant history in competitive golf, hosting PGA Tour events in the 1950s. It is the venue for the second oldest Invitational in Michigan and continues to host major amateur events, including the Michigan Amateur and the WGA Western Junior Championship. The club has long attracted skilled players and remains a hub for league play, tournaments, and social golf within the Detroit area.