Origins Along The Red Run
The club takes its name from the Red Run river, which once cut vividly across the property. In the 1960s, the river was routed underground for infrastructure reasons, but its legacy still shapes the course and its lore.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Red Run Golf Club
Royal Oak, Michigan
Established
1914
Architect
Willie Park, Jr., Tom Bendelow, Bruce Hepner (2022 renovation)
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
5,293 – 6,785 yds
The verdict
Golden Age Tournament Pedigree
Red Run delivers classic parkland golf where tradition meets meticulous conditioning. Post-renovation, golfers encounter a more open, playable, and visually appealing layout—perfect for competitive members and those craving authentic Golden Age architecture.
Course DNA
Difficulty
73
Scenery71
Conditioning89
Shot Variety74
Walkability88
Green Complexity77
Wow Factor70
Design Quality79
At a glance
Quick facts
Restoration Architect
Bruce Hepner (2022)
Tournament Heritage
Hosted 3 PGA Tour events in the 1950s
Greens Style
Classic Golden Age contours
Course Setting
Nestled in leafy Royal Oak
Club Atmosphere
Competitive, members-first ethos
Course Record
Held by Hall of Famer Chuck Kocsis
Signature Par 3
231-yard 6th, a demanding one-shotter
The design
The architecture
Red Run Golf Club is a living testament to Golden Age parkland architecture, thoughtfully modernized for today's game. Originally rooted in the design principles of Willie Park, Jr. and Tom Bendelow, the course features straightforward but subtly strategic holes amid a tapestry of mature trees and historic ground. Bruce Hepner’s 2022 restoration cleared corridors, expanded vistas, and refreshed bunkering—transforming the club’s classic challenge into its most open, playable, and beautiful form yet.
Willie Park, Jr. and Tom Bendelow’s early blueprint set the strategic backbone, while Bruce Hepner’s restoration honors those roots—inviting modern shotmaking into timeless parkland corridors.
Defining features
- Restored and reimagined bunkering for strategic play
- Tree removal and new planting create broader vistas and fairway corridors
- Classic push-up greens with subtle tiers and run-offs
- Mixture of reachable and stout par 5s for risk/reward drama
- Blend of mid- and long-iron par 3s that test accuracy over power
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 5
The Power Alley Par Five
PAR
5
YARDAGE
582
This sweeping, 582-yard par 5 is the longest on the course and a crown jewel for risk-reward decisions. With a generous landing area off the tee, players must weigh the temptation of an aggressive second into a well-guarded green, especially after recent bunker enhancements.
Play it smart
Long and strategic; lay up safely or go for glory in two, but beware pin position.
Where it bites
Well-placed fairway bunkers and undulating greens punish impatient attacks.
Course management
Shots to think about
Reaching the par-5 5th in two
Prioritize position on the layup—angle in is everything.
Surviving the 231-yard 6th
Play to the center and take your par—don't chase tucked pins.
Attacking back-left pins on the 13th
Beware false fronts and undulating greens; center is safe.
Approaching the short 2nd
Better to be conservative—avoid bunkers and focus on solid contact.
Finishing under pressure on 18
Stick to your game plan, lay up if needed, and trust your wedge game.
Navigating tree-lined fairways post-restoration
Embrace the openness—shape shots when needed, but over-confidence brings risk.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Superlative conditioning—greens, fairways, and bunkers are immaculate year-round.
Pace
Member pace—efficient, generally under 4:15, but prime times book up.
Vibe
Classic, competitive, but welcoming; very much a club for the serious golfer and their guests.
Dress code
Traditional private club—collared shirts, no denim, spike-free shoes required.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Get Ready For Pristine Greens
Sharpen your lag putting for slick, subtly crowned bowling surfaces that demand touch.
02
Hit The Range First
With a strong mix of long and short holes, you’ll need every club in the bag from round one—work on your hybrids and wedges.
03
Bring Your Game For Angled Approaches
The restored corridors reward strategic play—practice moving the ball both ways off the tee.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1914
Club founded and course opened
- 1950
Hosts Motor City Open (PGA Tour)
- 1958
Hosts Western Open (PGA Tour)
- 1995
Hosts Michigan Amateur
- 2022
Bruce Hepner leads major course restoration
Stories & legends
What makes it special
A Stage For The Motor City Open
Red Run was a regular host of big-league professional golf in postwar Detroit, welcoming legends like Mangrum, Middlecoff, and Sanders when the PGA Tour called in the 1950s. Today, echoes of that championship pedigree remain in the bones of the course.
A Member’s Club, A Champion’s Test
From local Invitationals—Michigan’s second-oldest—to the elite amateur and junior ranks, Red Run’s member culture has built a deep competitive tradition. It’s a private oasis where both legends and everyday golfers test their mettle.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Red Run’s second hole sits directly above the buried Red Run river.
2
The club’s Invitational is Michigan’s second-oldest annual private event.
3
Chuck Kocsis, Michigan’s greatest amateur, called Red Run his home course.
4
Red Run’s tree removal and restoration have dramatically opened up original corridors.
5
The club hosted the 1958 Western Open, a major championship precursor.
Build the trip
If you're making a Detroit golf trip...
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Rackham Golf Course
Public
Donald Ross public gem within 15 minutes—history meets accessibility.
TPC Michigan
Public (resort guest)
Jack Nicklaus design; former senior tour host, great conditions and facilities.
Oakland Hills Country Club
Private
Historic US Open and PGA Championship site—see its impressive pedigree if you have access.
Downtown Royal Oak for Red Run access, nightlife, and dining, or nearby Birmingham/Bloomfield Hills for upscale accommodations.
Course DNA
If You Like Red Run Golf Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.5
Roanoke Country Club
Roanoke, VirginiaConditioning
Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in Roanoke Country Club's own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.2
Sycamore Creek Country Club
Springboro, OhioConditioning
Why it matches: If Red Run Golf Club is your kind of course, Sycamore Creek Country Club is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Strong DNA Match7.2
Wilson Country Club
Wilson, North CarolinaWhy it matches: There is real overlap here. Wilson Country Club a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Red Run Golf Club.
The architect's other work
More from Willie Park, Jr.
Maidstone Club
East Hampton, NYSeaside classic on Long Island
Community Sentiment
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