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Podcast

Barefoot Podcast

Welcome to Barefoot, the official lifestyle podcast of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa and all things northern Michigan. Whether you are dipping your toes in the lake, sipping wine on the peninsula, or playing your best round of golf, let us guide you on your next up north adventure!

Episode 19

Episode 19

Let the Special Olympics Winter Games Begin

Episode 19

Let the Special Olympics Winter Games Begin

The Special Olympics Michigan Winter Games have been at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa for more than a dozen years. In this episode of the Barefoot podcast, learn more about what the organization does, the incredible athletes, dedicated coaches, and passionate volunteers. Plus, how the entire team at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa rallies behind SOMI.

   

Episode 18

Episode 18

Traverse City's Sports Hub

Episode 18

Traverse City's Sports Hub

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa has always been known as northern Michigan's premier resort destination for things like meetings, events, and golf, but in this episode of our Barefoot Podcast, we'll tell you how we are becoming Traverse City's sports hub.

   

Episode 17

Episode 17

Join The Club

Episode 17

Join The Club

As northern Michigan's premier golf, tennis, fitness, and social hub, The Club at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa attracts friendly, energetic residents from Traverse City and surrounding areas. Club members have access to three championship golf courses, an award-winning tennis program, pickle ball courts, fitness classes, indoor and outdoor pools, and discounts across the Resort property.

   

Episode 16

Episode 16

IT'S TIME TO TRAVEL IN PURE MICHIGAN

Episode 16

IT'S TIME TO TRAVEL IN PURE MICHIGAN

Business, leisure and international travel is back. Dave Lorenz with Pure Michigan and Trevor Tkach with Traverse City Tourism discuss the trends and expectations for the upcoming busy summer season. Plus, learn more about key topics and discussions from this year's Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism.

   

Episode 15

Episode 15

PERFECT YOUR GAME AT THE GOLF ACADEMY

Episode 15

PERFECT YOUR GAME AT THE GOLF ACADEMY

Spring, summer, winter, or fall, there's never a bad time to visit our Golf Academy. The Golf Academy is our year-round, 2,000-square-foot facility featuring three heated, indoor-outdoor hitting bays equipped with mirrors and motion-capture technology for swing analysis.

The Academy offers lessons, SuperSpeed golf training, practice sessions, and play on our golf simulators. We also have two outstanding options for golf instruction: the Dave Pelz Scoring Game School and the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa PGA professionals.


   

Episode 14

Episode 14

NEW CHEF, NEW MENU AT AERIE RESTAURANT

Episode 14

NEW CHEF, NEW MENU AT AERIE RESTAURANT

A 17-year veteran of restaurant cooking and cuisine, Chef Auston Minnich is Aerie Restaurant & Lounge's Chef de Cuisine. Chef Auston joined the Resort in 2021 after working at Gordon Ramsay Steak at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.
 
Chef Auston's new menu ranges from delicious starters like shishito peppers, pork belly and butternut squash soup to mouthwatering entrees like a 60-day dry aged 28oz bone-in Tomahawk and seared salmon.

   

Episode 13

Episode 13

FROM VINE TO WINE AT BLACK STAR FARMS

Episode 13

FROM VINE TO WINE AT BLACK STAR FARMS

It is harvest time at Black Star Farms! The vineyard and winery, with locations on Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsula, has been in operation since 1998. Their Arcturos Sur Lie Chardonnay is our top selling local wine in Aerie Restaurant & Lounge. Learn more about the history of Black Star Farms and the production process of getting the grape from the vine to your wine glass in this episode of the Barefoot podcast.

   

Episode 12

Episode 12

UNDER THE RADAR WITH PURE MICHIGAN

Episode 12

UNDER THE RADAR WITH PURE MICHIGAN

The state of Michigan is home to incredible places -- some well-known while others are hidden treasures. Dave Lorenz with Pure Michigan and Tom Daldin from the PBS show Under the Radar Michigan share what they love about our mitten state and why it's a special place for both visitors and those who call it home.

   

Episode 11

Episode 11

GOLFING FOR OUR HEROES

Episode 11

GOLFING FOR OUR HEROES

The Heroes Cup is an annual charity golf tournament hosted by Grand Traverse Resort & Casinos to honor and raise funds for Northern Michigan organizations that support our military veterans, first responders, healthcare workers, and other community heroes. This year, a portion of all proceeds generated from the Heroes Cup Invitational will be donated to Veterans in Crisis. Veterans in Crisis is a Traverse City-based nonprofit organization that supports veterans who have been honorably or medically discharged with financial, mental health, and job support programs.

   

Episode 10

Episode 10

SUMMER INTERNSHIP

Episode 10

SUMMER INTERNSHIP

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is fortunate to bring on a summer intern class every year. This hands-on, paid experience gives college students a front row seat to what it is like working in the hospitality industry. From the front desk and housekeeping to golf operations, food & beverage, marketing, and engineering, there is an opportunity for everyone. Hear from five of our 2021 interns about what their summer was like working and learning at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. 

   

Episode 9

Episode 9

AMERICA'S SUMMER GOLF CAPITAL

Episode 9

AMERICA'S SUMMER GOLF CAPITAL

It's no secret that northern Michigan is home to some of the top-rated golf courses in the country. America's Summer Golf Capital, a collection of 10 resort properties representing 28 golf courses, and Cherry Capital Airport are working together to share this premier golf experience with the world. 


   

Episode 8

Episode 8

CONNECTING PEOPLE TO TRAVERSE CITY

Episode 8

CONNECTING PEOPLE TO TRAVERSE CITY

Located 10 minutes south of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) is your gateway to adventure in northern Michigan. Kevin Klein, Airport Director, and Susan Wilcox Olson, Media Relations, discuss the incredible growth TVC has experienced, the current 17 non-stop flights and how they share the stories of Traverse City across the country.

   

Episode 7

Episode 7

SUMMER FUN IN TRAVERSE CITY

Episode 7

SUMMER FUN IN TRAVERSE CITY

A 17-year veteran of restaurant cooking and cuisine, Chef Auston Minnich is Aerie Restaurant & Lounge's Chef de Cuisine. Chef Auston joined the Resort in 2021 after working at Gordon Ramsay Steak at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.
 
Chef Auston's new menu ranges from delicious starters like shishito peppers, pork belly and butternut squash soup to mouthwatering entrees like a 60-day dry aged 28oz bone-in Tomahawk and seared salmon.

   

Episode 6

Episode 6

CAPTURING SPECIAL MOMENTS IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN

Episode 6

CAPTURING SPECIAL MOMENTS IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN

The beauty of northern Michigan is one of the most popular backdrops for special occasions. From the sandy shores of Lake Michigan and beautiful cherry blossoms to the vibrant fall colors and glistening white snow, you can find all of those scenes at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Whether it's a proposal, engagement photo session, or your wedding day, Meg Bowen with Megan Renae Studios and Melissa Lande with Lux Light Photography share their experiences with capturing these special moments in northern Michigan.

   

Episode 5

Episode 5

YOUR ONE-STOP WEDDING SHOP

Episode 5

YOUR ONE-STOP WEDDING SHOP

Offering memorable on-site amenities and a trove of regional excursions, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is a premier northern Michigan wedding destination. As a Knot.com Hall of Fame venue, we are here to bring your dream wedding to life.  From pristine beaches and snow-covered views to blooming flowers and bright autumn foliage, the Resort has the perfect backdrop for your big day. 

   

Episode 4

Episode 4

NORTHERN MICHIGAN'S SPORTS HUB

Episode 4

NORTHERN MICHIGAN'S SPORTS HUB

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is getting creative with their 86,500 square feet of meeting space and bringing national sports tournaments to the region, starting with the American Cornhole Organization on April 30 and May 1. Plus, the Pit Spitters open their third season on May 31. Learn more about what you can expect at Turtle Creek Stadium this summer. 

   

Episode 3

Episode 3

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Episode 3

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Golf is back at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa! After a short 14-week off-season, The Bear and The Wolverine are open for the 2021 season. The Resort's Director of Golf Operations and Director of Golf & Grounds talk about what it takes to get the courses ready, upcoming golf events, and what makes each of our three championship courses so unique. Looking to spend more time outside? Traverse City Tourism shares their message on the different ways you can experience wide open spaces throughout northern Michigan. The great outdoors are always open in Traverse City!

   

Episode 2

Episode 2

WINE WITH A VIEW & BEER BY THE BAY

Episode 2

WINE WITH A VIEW & BEER BY THE BAY

Traverse City is surrounded by award-winning restaurants, local breweries and wineries full of rich history. From Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner Aerie Restaurant & Lounge to Bonobo Winery on Old Mission Peninsula, experience fine dining and locally grown wine with exceptional service and spectacular views of Old Mission Peninsula and Grand Traverse Bay. More of a beer drinker? There are dozens of breweries surrounding Traverse City, but Stone Hound Brewing Company is the newest spot to check out. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at how they get your drink from barrel to pint glass as you sip it from the tasting room.

   

Episode 1

Episode 1

NEW THINGS HAPPENING IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN

Episode 1

NEW THINGS HAPPENING IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN

It's been almost a year since COVID-19 shut down businesses and changed our daily lives, but even during this unbelievable year, new and exciting things are still happening in northern Michigan. In this episode of Barefoot, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa's general manager Matthew Bryant talks about the way the industry has changed over the last year and how the Resort has had to pivot and pilot new programs while staying open, safe and profitable. In September,Onyx Sports Book by William Hill opened at Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, bringing the world of sports betting to northern Michigan. Onyx manager Jonathan Idec shares what it was like opening with COVID-19 restrictions and how Onyx stands out among other sports books.