As others already have mentioned, I thought I would also pile-on the Bear course at Grand Traverse Resort. I played it on my first trip to Traverse City, based upon a blind recommendation from a fellow member at my previous club. I happened to be a member of a Nicklaus course in Dayton, Ohio and, generally, most of the Nicklaus courses that I have played have been pleasant (if often nondescript) experiences. I had never been to the area, plus the Resort was relatively close to downtown Traverse City where we were staying.
The 5th hole will probably haunt me forever. One of the worst holes I have ever played; just brutal architecture. 400 or so yards with a creek running down the left side of the hole and then crossing the fairway immediately prior to the landing area, moguls to the right in the rough, then a second shot over a pond that sits both in front and to the right of a skinny green with a bunker to the left. Jack Nicklaus must have designed Grand Traverse as his way of torturing Michigan residents forever.
With as many good to great courses there are in Michigan (and I am not much for rankings anyway), I cannot fathom how this course is in Golf Digest's Top 25 best in state other than the emphasis on difficulty. I think it currently sits at 16th according to Golf Digest's website.