In This Issue •
FALL
2018
•
NUMBER
3
Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios
VOLUME 36
4 6 10 14 20 29 31
A newly redesigned Meadowbrook hosted the 97th GAM Championship.
Michigan Golfer TV: New Videos Ally Is Up to the Challenge By Art McCafferty
The Berry Patch: Remodeled – Welcome Home By Jack Berry
Golf Channel – a Look Back at the Last 10 Years By Chris Lewis
Michigan Golf History from 1911 - 1920 By Art McCafferty
Books about Michigan Golf and Their Writers By Art McCafferty
Slice of Life - We Love the PGA Jr. League By Terry Moore
Michigan Golfer News
Weekly email newsletter To join: email artmccaf@glsp.com
MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • FALL
2018
3
New Videos
http://michigangolfer.tv http://michigantravel.tv http://youtube.com (search “glsp”)
Publisher/Editor Art McCafferty artmccaf@glsp.com Editor Emeritus Terry Moore
Associate Publisher/Producer Jennie McCafferty Writers Jeff Bairley Paul Bairley Phyllis Barone Jack Berry Mike Duff Greg Johnson Doug Joy Vartan Kupelian Brad King Tom Lang Chris Lewis Brian Marshall Scott Moore Bill Shelton Scott Sullivan Illustrator Tytti Fallon
Photo/Video Paul Bairley Kevin Frisch Gary Morgan Dave Richards Carter Sherline Scott Sullivan Composer Jamie Fallon Director of Accounting Cheryl Clark
Michigan Golfer is produced by
Great Lakes Sports Publications, Inc.
GLSP Advertising & Business Office 4007 Carpenter Road, #366 Ypsilanti, MI 48197 734.507.0241 734.434.4765 FAX info@glsp.com glsp.com
Michigan Golfer is published online three times a year by Great Lakes Sports Publications, Inc., 4007 Carpenter Rd, #366, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. All contents of this publication are copyrighted, all rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. All unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and illustrations will not be returned unless accompanied by a properly addressed envelope, bearing sufficient postage; publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited materials. The views and opinions of the writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect endorsement of views and/or philosophy of Michigan Golfer. Back Issues: May be ordered by sending $5.00 with your name, address and issue requested to Michigan Golfer, 4007 Carpenter Road, #366, Ypsilanti, MI 48197.
4
FALL
Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios
http://michigangolfer.com MICHIGAN GOLFER
Online:
Henry Do (in magenta) shakes hands with other players at the conclusion of their match at the 97th GAM Championship at Meadowbrook CC. James Piot of Canton won the tournament.
Tournaments Scenes at the Ally Challenge 97th GAM Championship Held at Meadowbrook CC - James Piot Winner LPGA Marathon Classic - A Carter Sherline Photo Essay Sights & Sounds of the Donald Ross Classic Symetra Tour at French Lick The Tours de Force at French Lick– Donald Ross Classic, Alice Dye Invite & LPGA Seniors GAM Senior Women's Amateur Championship at Moors Golf Course Eric Smith & Jennie McCafferty Scenes from the 2018 LPGA Volvik - A Carter Sherline Photo Video U.S. Senior Open at Broadmoor with Jack Berry and Jennie McCafferty Courses William Newcomb - Designing The Moor GC, Boyne Highlands, 1975 Jim Dales, Meadowbrook CC Member & Archivist Talks About the New Course Sara Wold, President of GAM, Praises Meadowbrook CC for its Largess Ypsilanti 4th of July Parade - Including Some EMU Campus & Golf Scenes Manistee Golf & CC - Historical Presentation by W. Bruce Matthews III Paul Albanese Discusses The Construction of Timberstone GC
Golf History and People Tom Durant & Golfing the Great Lakes on Hosts Tom Cleary, Frank Beckmann & Larry Adderley TV Producer Tom Durant & the Start of the Golfing Michigan Show in the 90's Remembering Susan Bairley - Writer, Reporter and Visionary in Golf Susan Bairley - An Incredible Person We are All Going to Miss The Caddies of French Lick Resort: Part V with William Kendall
2018 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
Children's Museum of Indianapolis - Pete and Alice Dye Golf Experience The First Tee of Indianapolis at The Children's Museum 2018 Meijer LPGA Classic - Simply Give - A Carter Sherline Photo Video
The Bear's 25th Anniversary Videos Kevin Helms, Executive. Director of Michigan PGA on the Bear's 25th Anniversary Greg Johnson, - "I shot a billion the first time I played The Bear Terry Moore - I love The Bear - I won a Tournament that sent me to Scotland - Free Dave Richards, Resort & Golf Marketing, on The Bear's 25th Anniversary Tim Hygh, Media Specialist, "If the Geese Leave the Pond on 18, Lightning is Coming" Scott Hebert - The Person Who Conquered The Bear - A 25th Anniversary Video J Mike DeAgostino PR - Say Something Nice About The Bear" Susan Bairley, Memories of The Bear - It Was a Dark And Stormy Day Dave Lovejoy & Paul Nine on The Bear's Appetite for Golf Balls Doug Grove, Played with Nicklaus on Opening Day Roger Putman, Director of Tournaments, On The Bear's 25th Anniversary The Bear and Director of Golf, Tom McGee Tim Meadows and The Bear The Bear and MSU Golf Coach Casey Lubahn The Bear and Tom Gillis The Bear and Record Eagle Reporter John Davis The Bear and Jeff Roth The Bear and Tom Harding
Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios
Instruction Fox Hills Learning Center - Featuring Jordan Young - Michigan Golfer
Fan favorite Fred Couples returned to Warwick Hills to play in the Ally Challenge.
MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • FALL
2018
5
Ally Is Up to the Challenge
Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios
By Art McCafferty
Illustration by ‘Tytti Fallon
Vijay Singh signs autographs.
A
n older gallery, an older field and an older media scrum were on hand to bring back and celebrate the Art McCafferty return of golf to the venerable Warwick Hills Golf Course. The course was in spectacular shape with deep rich rough with nary a weed in sight. Roughly 25% of the trees that were around in 2009 are now gone. The aerial shots provided by McLaren 6
FALL
were spectacular on a mostly clear weekend. On the final day, there were white puffy clouds framed against a blue sky and the ground on which everyone was standing was a lush and a vivid green. The 17th hole area, which at one time was known for being a rowdy beer drinkers haven, had been set up stadium style to provide cheers and jeers for the professionals. In addition, the area featured a beer garden to the left of the tee and an observation area to the right. While the area
2018 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
was well positioned for fun and drama, the bleacher seats behind the green were lightly attended. As a member of the media, it was great to see some some of the writers, reporters of a decade ago, along with some new faces that were reporting their observations through new streaming technologies. Frank Beckman, of WJR fame, and Lynn Henning, of the Detroit News, represented media who had attended their share of Buick Opens in the past, were per-
haps our media stars in print and radio. The volunteers were very helpful and quickly established the tone for the tournament. We attended the tournament two out of the three days and really felt welcomed. The media room was very well run and a lot of old friends had a chance to catch up with each others lives.
Michigan Professionals
Weather: Mostly sunny with a high in the mid 80s. Wind from the SE at 5-10 mph.
The Ally Challenge
Summary: Paul Broadhurst won in Michigan for the second time this season, as a final-round 66 gave him a two-shot victory at the inaugural Ally Challenge. It was Broadhurst’s Tour-best third victory of thehist season and he improved to No. 6 in the Charles Schwab Cup.
Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club | Grand Blanc, Michigan | September 14-16, 2018
Final-Round Notes Sunday, September 16, 2018 Par 72 / 7,064 yards (R3 average: 71.421; Cumulative: 70.750)
Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios
Tom Werkmeister
$7,200 Tom Gillis $1,400
Tom Werkmeister hits out of a bunker. MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • FALL
2018
7
Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios
Frank Beckman presents trophy to Ally Challenge champion Paul Broadhurst.
Former Buick Open Winners Rocco Mediate – T5 (-11) Fred Couples – T13 (-9) Dan Forsman – T13 (-9) Billy Mayfair – T17 (-8) Kenny Perry – T17 (-8) Vijay Singh – T24 (-7) Woody Austin – T29 (-6) Scott Verplank – T50 (-1) Larry Mize – T63 (+2) Tom Pernice Jr. – 72nd (+5)
PGA Notes Broadhurst started the day one shot off the pace at 9-under, and he earned a share of the lead with a birdie on No. 1. He broke away from the group with birdies on Nos. 5-7 to move to 13-under and take a two-shot lead. After bogeying No. 11 to fall into a tie for the lead with O’Meara, Broadhurst birdied Nos. 12 and 13 8
FALL
to regain a two-shot cushion. Brandt Jobe and Tom Lehman cut the lead to one, but Broadhurst birdied the 18th hole to post a 15-under total and secure the two-shot victory. This is Broadhurst’s second win in Michigan this year, as he won the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship in Benton Harbor for his second senior major victory. He leads the Tour with three victories this season and is now No. 6 in the Charles Schwab Cup. Broadhurst topped the field in putts per GIR this week (1.513). He was also No. 1 in that category (1.57) when he won the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. He was 14-under and bogey-free on the par 4s this week, the best in the
2018 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
field. With the win, Broadhurst earned $300,000 and increased his season total to $1,447,004, a new career high. His previous best was when he made €1,141,431 ($1,269,170 USD) on the European Tour in 2006. Broadhurst was one of eight players in the field that did not play the Buick Open on the PGA TOUR. Four of his five wins on PGA TOUR Champions have come in his first start on that golf course, with the exception being this year’s KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. -- Source: PGA TOUR Communications Department - MG -
The Berry Patch
Remodeled - Welcome Home
W
The purse was $2 million, just a bit less than the 2009 Buick which went out at $5 million, Tiger Woods winning for the third time. No Tiger now. He’s just a kid, eight years shy of senior status. But 10 past champions are led by double winners V.J. Singh and Kenny Perry plus Woody Austin who had seven top tens in 15 years, Fred Couples, Dan Forsman, Billy Mayfair, Rocco Mediate, Larry
Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios
hat’s new but old in Michigan golf? Son of Buick? First Annual Buick Alumni Championship? Jack Berry Now it’s the Ally Challenge, new name of the General Motors Acceptance Corp. which disappeared in the bad bankruptcy times.
By Jack Berry
10
FALL
2018 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
Mize, Tom Pernice and Scott Verplank. Add Bernhard Langer, who wins about everything despite being a real senior senior at 61 years, then Paul Broadhurst, the Brit who won the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship over at Harbor Shores in May and current USGA Senior champion David Toms, John Daly, Kid Rock’s buddy, a couple of local newcomer 50-year-olds, Tom
I was there at the beginning, 1958, when I was the Michigan sports writer for United Press International. Until then the world’s best pros teed it up annually in 11 Motor City Opens on courses surrounding Detroit. Ben Hogan beat Dutch Harrison in the first one in 1948 at Meadowbrook Country Club. It was an 18 hole playoff in those days and Hogan pocketed $2,600 of the $25,000 purse.
Photo from Michigan Golfer archives
Gillis and Tom Werkmeister, and it’s a field that ranks with the best of the Buick pasts.
Ben Crenshaw
Those fields included Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen, Cary Middlecoff, Horton Smith, Jack Burke, Jimmy Demaret, Doug Ford, Walter Burkemo, Chick Harbert, all major champions. The golf remained terrific, exciting, and entertaining with six playoffs including one that remains the longest in PGA Tour history, 11 holes between Middlecoff and Lloyd Mangrum at Meadowbrook in 1949. It got too dark to continue so they split the purse. Middlecoff virtually owned the MCO with two more victories.
It pulled in the rising stars of the game. The top 10 of the opener was Billy Casper, Arnold Palmer, Ted Kroll, Tommy Bolt, Doug Ford, Art Wall, Julius Boros, Billy Maxwell, Jack Fleck and Max Evans. Not far behind were Bob Rosburg, George Bayer, Tony Lema, Gary Player, Lioneland Jay Hebert. The tournament also managed to have one lousy weather day every
Photo from Michigan Golfer archives
Photo from Michigan Golfer archives
One thing that didn’t change over those years was the purse, $25,000 at the start and $25,000 for the last one in 1962. But up the Dixie Highway (no I-75 then) in Grand Blanc a housing development sprung up and buyers figured a golf course would fit right in. It did. Those early folks, not Buick, talked the PGA into running a tournament. When they raised $52,000, not only double the MCO but nearly every other tournament in the country, they got a tournament.
year starting with the first one. Palmer was out in the morning group and shot a low round. I admit my memory isn’t what it used to be but the score disappeared because it rained so hard that it was washed out. They did things differently 60 years ago. If everyone didn’t get in
John Cook
Kenny Perry
MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • FALL
2018
11
Over the years 14 Buick champions also won major championships and before Tiger the best-loved of those major winners might well have been Julius Boros. He showed up the Big Three, Palmer, Player and Jack Nicklaus, in 1963. They all skipped the Buick to warm up for the U.S.Open which was the next week at the Country Club in Brookline, Mass. Photo from Michigan Golfer archives
Boros chose Grand Blanc and Warwick Hills and set the Buick record, winning at 14 under par. He was the first champion to break par in all four rounds.
Phil Mickelson
Then he went to Brookline and in typical U.S. Open deep rough popped his shots up and out as though they were popcorn. Tied with Palmer and Jacky Cupit he beat them in the playoff, a 70 to Cupit’s 73 and Palmer’s 76.
Photo from Michigan Golfer archives
Boros seemed like a kindly grandfather, moving easily and at the Buick they had a rocking chair for him in the interviews and he wanted out, “Is that enough? Is that enough?” he’d say going over what happened in his round. No in-depth interviews.
Mark O’Meara no scores counted. So the next day Arnie shot 76. Billy Casper shot 70. And when everything was added up Sunday Casper won the $9,000 first prize by one shot. 12
FALL
after his second Buick victory in 1965. He was ready to buy again in 1966 but shot 73 Sunday and finished three shots behind fellow Californian Phil Rodgers so he turned over his treat to Rodgers to hand out. Sadly the next month, after playing in the PGA Championship in Akron, Lema and his wife were on a private plane flying to a Buick dealer’s Little Buick Open in suburban Chicago. The piloted radioed they were out of fuel and, just short of the airport the plane crashed into a water hazard on a golf course killing the Lemas, the pilot, co-pilot and another passenger. Boros, who finished third to Lema in the 1965 Buick, returned to his easy chair throne in 1967. How times have changed. Julius played 10 Buicks and besides his two victories he had six top tens and earned $50,402. Kenny Perry, the last two time winner, won $1,981,519 in 13 finishes. No surprise that Tiger Woods was the alltime leader with $3,485,740.
Boros was a complete change from Champagne Tony Lema, the first double winner. The tall handsome Californian won by three in 1964 over Dow Finsterwald. Ironically former champions Boros and Casper tied for 35th. Jack Burke, the 1961 champ, also was in that T-35 pack. Lema was a threetime winner nationally that year, like Nicklaus and Casper.
While the money jumped it almost seemed the course shrunk. When the Buick started it was long, over 7200 yards. Sam Snead reportedly said (I don’t want the credit/blame) it was a long walk spoiled. Trees grew and tightened 1, 9, 10 and 18 but the equipment, balls and physical conditioning turned Warwick Hills into Birdieland. Perry won at 25-under 263 and Singh and Tiger Woods won with 264s.
Lema got the nickname for his celebratory beverage for victories and he treated the media in the tent
Low scores not only make the players happy but the fans love it and gathered around the clus-
2018 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
ter of holes on the highest part of the old farmland with plenty of trees. Top feature was two par threes, 8 and 17, plus greens for 7, 12 and 16 are nearby. Plenty to see and a lot of beverages, especially around the 17th. The area started with small bleacher stands and grew to a miniature of the raucous 16th of the TPC Scottsdale’s Waste Management Open. In the early Buick days fans in the 17th grandstand bet on tossing beer cans at the trash cans.
The Buick came close to being one for the record books, brothers winning in successive years. But Tom Weiskopf closed with a 3-under-par 69 and beat Mike Hill by a shot in 1968. Brother Dave became the only home state champion the next year edging Frank Beard by a shot.
I think the greatest shot ever made in the Buick was Ben Crenshaw’s left-handed, turned-over 9-iron on the par 5 13th hole of the final round in 1986. Crenshaw’s group had been warned at the 10th hole to pick it up. He was tied for the 54 hole lead with Davis Love, Tom Purtzer and Steve Pate.
Rocco Mediate
Photo from Michigan Golfer archives
A birdie on the 544-yard 13 was a must and eight years after Crenshaw’s incredible shot long-hitting Fred Couples played the 13th birdie-eagle-eagle-eagle, shot 270 and beat Corey Pavin by two shots. That year also was memorable for
- MG -
Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios
Crenshaw, beset by a hyperactive thyroid problem that resulted in winning only $25,814 in 1985, was on the comeback trail and needed a victory but on the 13th he pulled his 4-iron second way left of the green and under a small tree. No way he could pitch it right-handed so he went lefty with his 9-iron and hit it with the back of the club. It stopped three feet from the cup and the fans didn’t know whether to laugh or shout. Ben made the birdie and went on to a one shot victory over J.C. Snead and Doug Tewell. It was worth $90,000 from the Buick’s first $500,000 pot.
There will be a lot of great memories for the Ally contestants, the first Buick Open Alumni Reunion.
Photo from Michigan Golfer archives
Paul Azinger’s first tournament since his battle with cancer. Nervous about his first shot, with a crowd on both sides of the tee and loads of cameras, he nailed it down the fairway and shot 76.
Tom Gillis
Tom Lehman
MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • FALL
2018
13
Photo courtesy of The Golf Channel
Golf Channel– a Look B By Chris Lewis
Back at the Last 10 Years
Illustration by Tytti Fallon
A
Chris Lewis
sa young child, I never had much interest in golf. In fact, I don’t remember ever touching a golf club or watching a tournament on television.
But something changed when I was in eighth grade. My interest in the game was suddenly sparked. And I owed it all to my grandfather. On a hot summer day, for whatever reason, he decided to invite me to come out to the golf course and watch him play nine holes with his friends.
But, as I watched him and his friends hit little white balls into the fairways (and elsewhere), I was hooked. I even decided to hit some shots myself, while using my grandpa’s clubs, which were a bit long for me at the time. Fast forward to 2008. By this point in time, I had finished three years of college and decided on a potential career: full-time writing. My passion for the game of golf had increased exponentially over the past decade. Not only did I play on my high school golf team, but I also learned everything I could about the history of the game—to the point in which I knew who had won every major championship, dating back to the 1800s.
Photo courtesy of The Golf Channel
I’ll admit it. At first, I relented. But since I was really close to him, I decided to go ahead and join him
on the links. After all, it provided me an opportunity to spend some time with him for a few hours.
An aerial view of Golf Channel’s studios 16
FALL
2018 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
I also watched Golf Channel extensively. Live From… and Golf Central were two of my favorite shows (they still are, in fact), and I watched most of the network’s other shows whenever I had a chance. As I prepared for my first year of college during the summer of 2005, I actually told myself I would achieve one significant goal—a goal that most would deem nearly unachievable for a teenager who had only golfed for a small, private high school—someday: to work for Golf Channel full-time. Three years later, that goal remained fully intact. I just wasn’t quite sure how to achieve it. After thinking about some possible ways to get my foot into the door, I decided to mail my resume and cover letter, along with some writing samples, to Golf Channel’s Public Relations department.
But then one day, roughly four months after I had mailed my resume and writing samples, I was caught off guard, much like the day I saw my grandpa play golf. A representative from Golf Channel emailed me to let me know she had an opening that summer—for a Marketing and Promotions internship.
Photo courtesy of The Golf Channel
And then…I waited. And waited. And waited. Nothing. Not even a response to verify whether or not someone had received my resume.
She was looking at several other resumes, but mine had stood out to her, and she was interested in interviewing me. She knew I lived over a 1,000 miles away from Golf Channel’s headquarters though. I immediately responded by thanking her for the email and letting her know that distance was not a factor. As yet another surprise, she responded right away, asking if I would be available for a phone interview that week. Needless to say, I was—and, ultimately, I had three conversations with her on the phone. A few days later, I received another email from her. To be honest, I was a little afraid to open it, wondering if it would be a polite rejection. I don’t remember the exact email now, but the context was along the lines of this:
Co-founders Joseph E. Gibbs and Arnold Palmer launch the Golf Channel. Congratulations. You have been chosen as one of Golf Channel’s Marketing and Promotions Interns. That was all I needed to know. My dreams had suddenly become reality. A goal I had established a few years ago was no longer a goal. I was about to live it.
A Journey of Over 1,000 Miles I had roughly one week to find a place to live in, pack my belongings and drive to Golf Channel’s Orlando headquarters. Whether or not it was fate, my mother—who was a teacher at the time—mentioned my circumstance to her colleagues. Another teacher at her school happened to have a cousin who lived in the Orlando area and
rented out townhouses. After receiving his number and reaching out to him, I learned he still had a townhouse available, and that I could rent it from May to August—one burden immediately removed from my mind. Now I needed to determine how I would complete the drive from metro Detroit to Kissimmee, Florida (where I would be living for the next three months). I had completed quite a few road trips in my life, but never on my own. Although the idea of driving over 1,000 miles by myself didn’t necessarily bother me, my mother wasn’t overwhelmingly pleased about it. So I decided to invite one of my best friends to join me. Although he was only able to stay in Florida for a
MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • FALL
2018
17
Photo courtesy of The Golf Channel
Morning Drive hosts Damon Hack and Lauren Thompson interview Justin Thomas. couple days after we arrived, our road trip together is still a great memory for both of us, and, as we become older, I’m sure we’ll look back and laugh about it. I still remember how relieved I was when I crossed the Florida border (I actually ended up completing the entire drive myself). And then I was even more relieved when I arrived at my townhouse and realized how nice it was—from the two pools and two hot tubs that were nearby, to the fact that it was a gated community. But nothing quite compares to how I felt the following Monday morning when I arrived at Golf Channel’s headquarters for the first time. 18
FALL
I had never seen any photos of the headquarters before, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. As I pulled up to the network’s main office, I was surprised by its humble appearance. Aside from some large satellite dishes nearby and a green awning that stated “The Golf Channel”, it looked like a normal office. When I walked inside the main office, the humble appearance remained fully intact. If someone had taken me to that building beforehand (and not let me know it was Golf Channel’s headquarters), I would have just perceived it as a typical office. The friendliness of the staff members immediately caught my attention though. I still
2018 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
remember how kind the receptionist was as she provided my employee badge to me; we would actually become friends in the coming months. This tight-knit, family-like atmosphere was quite common at Golf Channel, as I would learn over time. To be honest, my first day was a blur. But, over time, I became more and more comfortable with my role, to the point in which I actually began to assist other team members outside of the Marketing and Promotions group. My first experiences as a writer with Golf Channel began when I was assigned a press release to develop for the Public Relations department. One press
release opportunity led to dozens of others over the next three months, along with another unique (and, looking back, a bit rare for an intern) opportunity: to write articles for TheGolfChannel.com. Due to my Michigan roots, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. That August, Oakland Hills Country Club was hosting the PGA Championship. So I decided to write about everything I knew about the golf course, the metro Detroit area and Michigan golf in general. In all, I wrote more than 10 articles for the website that summer. My journey of over 1,000 miles—from metro Detroit to Orlando—had indeed come full circle.
A Decade of Positive Changes As I reflect back on my internship with Golf Channel, so much has changed, not only in regard to my own life, but the television network itself. At the time, The Golf Channel was in the midst of a significant branding project, as it was being renamed Golf Channel. Founded in 1995, the network had already achieved so much—a deal to become the exclusive cable home of the PGA TOUR; reaching more than 100 million homes worldwide; winning a Sports Emmy Award— but very few could have imagined just how successful the network would become in the coming years. In 2010, it launched new, HD capable studios and production facilities (ultimately developing a campus that now encompasses more than 160,000 square feet of space), thereby becoming one of the most technologically advanced television networks in the United States. One
year later, it became part of the NBC Sports Group, as Mike McCarley was hired as the network’s fourth president. By May 2012, Golf Channel had become the fastest-growing network on television, among those who served at least 80 million homes. The positive changes continued, as NBC Sports Group extended its partnership with the PGA of America to become the exclusive U.S. broadcast partner of the Ryder Cup in 2013, a partnership that will continue until 2030. Two years later, NBC Sports Group also developed a 13-year partnership with the R&A so that it would become the exclusive media partner of all R&A events, leading the network to televise The Open in 2016 (the first time it had ever broadcast a men’s major championship). And this month NBC Sports Group announced it would be the broadcast partner of the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur, a championship that provides the world’s best female amateur golfers an opportunity to compete at Augusta National Golf Club. Considered a significant milestone in women’s golf, the announcement proves the game is not only continuing to take important strides to an even brighter future, but Golf Channel’s broadcasting capabilities are also virtually limitless.
A Family Atmosphere There’s no doubt about it. Very few television networks, let alone companies, have grown quite like Golf Channel has the last 23 years. From its humble beginnings in a small studio on January 17, 1995, to its current status—available to
roughly 500 million viewers (known as the most affluent audience in television) in approximately 80 countries and nine languages—the evolution of Golf Channel is, to say the least, astonishing. Yet, despite all of the changes, its constant rises in viewership, its everincreasing platform and its brand recognition around the world, the network has not forgotten its roots. In fact, from what I have heard from my fellow colleagues who are still employed at Golf Channel, the network maintains its family atmosphere—the same atmosphere that immediately caught my attention when I received my employee badge 10 years ago. This shouldn’t be overly surprising though. After all, the network was co-founded by Arnold Palmer, one of the kindest, most humble gentlemen in sports history. In spite of all the trophies and accolades he received for more than 50 years, he never forgot where he came from or how it all began. I hope the same remains true for Golf Channel. Perhaps there is a teenager who currently has the same dreams I once had. I am confident the network will provide him or her the same types of opportunities I received 10 years ago, and treat him or her with the same amount of respect. May the network continue to achieve what was once unforeseeable, and transform other people’s dreams into reality. For more information about Golf Channel, please visit www.golfchannel.com. - MG -
MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • FALL
2018
19
Michigan Golf History from 1911-1920: The World War I Years
D
uring the years 1911-1920, the participation in golf in this country exploded. However, World War I slowed golf course construction in both Europe
By Art McCafferty and the United States. Michigan mirrored the country and at the end of the decade, the golf inventory of the state totaled 63.
"What is there about this game that has increased its players from the 5,000 of ten years ago to the 2,500,000 or 3,500,000 of today?" is the question. And the answer is "Try the game once," according to a 1915 article in the New York Times. Another answer to the question might have been the dramatic U.S. Open win of Frances Quimet over Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in 1913. The youngster, just 20, beat back a strong European field to capture the victory. The following year, he was followed to the victory stand by the ever-flamboyant Walter Hagan. American golf was on its way. In Michigan, 40 golf courses were added from 1911-1920. Tom Bendlelow and Willie Park, Jr., who designed many of the courses from 1896 to 1910, kept up their pace by collectively designing seven more courses during this period. However, the story of the era was the emergence of Donald Ross in Michigan. During this decade, Ross designed nine courses in Michigan, some of which were to become nationally renown.
Francis Quimet and his caddie, Eddie Lowery on their way to the legendary victory in the 1913 US Open.
20
FALL
2018 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
Born in Dornoch, Scotland in 1872, Ross left behind a legacy of 413 golf courses that his company designed, including such luminary venues as Seminole, Pinehurst No. 2,
Oakland Hills, and Wannamoisett in Rhode Island.
Michigan. He loved golf and was a real evangelist for it.
Ross continued to contribute to the game in his later years by helping to found the American Society of Golf Course Architects in 1946 and then serving as its first president. Ross died in 1948 but his work continues to be honored by the Donald Ross Society.
The Muskegon Country Club was organized and incorporated in 1908. In 1909, under the aegis of Country Club President Paul S. Moon, Tom Bendlelow, the Scottish architect, was hired to develop the course. The first nine holes opened for play in late 1910. In 1911 the course had grown to 18 holes and 6,380 yards.
It has been said that of the 413 courses Ross designed, he probably only saw a third of them before or during construction and perhaps visited another third that had been completed by his staff, later on in his life. The courses were constructed in 30 states, six Canadian provinces, Cuba and Scotland. He, much as Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer or Arthur Hills, had a stable of eager architect apprentices working for him. They worked out of his office/cottage behind the third green at Pinehurst No. 2. It was at this cottage in Pinehurst that L.C. Walker, a prominent businessman from Muskegon who wintered there, met and became friends with Donald Ross. L.C. Walker was one of many furniture moguls who arose from the western part of
However, L.C. Walker, who was the chairman of the grounds committee at the time, felt a need to upgrade what he considered a very 'primitive' course. It was during that time that he approached Ross, who made a visit to Muskegon in 1920. In a letter dated September 16, 1920 Ross laid out the plans to do a major renovation of each of the 18 holes. This fact contrasts considerably from the 1911 date that is cited in the Ross book; "Golf Has Never Failed Me: The Lost Commentaries of Legendary Golf Architect Donald J. Ross," a publication of Sleeping Bear Press. Shaw Walker, L.C. Walker's son, continued the Walker tradition in golf, business and involve-
Donald Ross Course Design in Michigan
Barton Hills Country Club Ann Arbor Oakland Hills Country Club Bloomfield Hills Dearborn Country Club Dearborn Warren Valley Golf Club Dearborn Heights Detroit Golf Club Detroit Rogell Golf Course Detroit (Closed) Elk Rapids Golf Club Elk Rapids Franklin Hills Country Club Franklin Highlands Golf Course Grand Rapids Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club Grosse Ile Rackham Golf Course Huntington Woods Shadow Ridge Golf Course Ionia Monroe Golf and Country Club Monroe Muskegon Country Club Muskegon Western Golf & Country Club Redford St. Clair River Country Club St. Clair
MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • FALL
2018
21
ment in Muskegon and with the Muskegon C.C. Collectively, father and son represent a membership of some 80 plus years.
We met at The Timbers GC near East Lansing and produced two shows. At the time of taping, the rule of thumb on online videos, was to keep it under 10 minutes for a
Photo courtesy of Red Run
Shaw had the opportunity to play with Ross on a number of occasions. Shaw was a member of the Yale golf team in the mid 30's. He was a good player, but not good enough to beat Ross. "Donald Ross was always an impressive dresser. He wore knickers, a jacket and tie when playing and it never seemed to hinder him. We always played Pinehurst No. 2 and in one round, I remember that he shot a 72 and I shot a 78. As I recall, he was about 60 at the time. He had a complete game. He was an accurate driver, good with his irons and he putted well. Ross was a fine gentlemen and a friend of our family until his death," said Walker. In a letter to the Muskegon Board of Directors, Ross said: "It is a magnificent property and a wonderful golf course. When you get all the adjustments made and get it into good condition it will rank high as a test of golf."
Tom Bendelow’s Grandson Chats about his Grandfather, Tom Bendelow The Johnny Appleseed of Golf. In 2004, I was contacted by Stuart Bendlelow during the time I was writing the first edition of Michigan Golf History. We had a nice conversation about his grandfather, Tom Bendelow, one of America’s storied golf architects. The problem, as Stuart defined it, was that no one knew his grandfather’s story, and he had made it one of his projects, since he retired from the business he was in. I was also without a host at that time, with Bill Shelton leaving for a university job at East Carolina State University. One possible host, I was looking at was Bart Lower, a member of Eastern Michigan University’s golf team, and a contestant on Rick Smith’s “The Big Break”.
Red Run Golf Course 22
FALL
2018 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
show, thus Part I and Part II. We would also alert you to an interview Stuart Bendelow did for Golf Club Atlas. For readers who play on a Bendelow course or want to know more about him, here are a couple of starting links:
Tom Bendelow, the Forgotten Architect With Bart Lower, Part I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =iTrKdWhpwmg
Tom Bendelow, the Forgotten Architect - With Bart Lower, Part II
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =EsACHfiMyfQ Golf Club Atlas - Tom Bendlelow http://golfclubatlas.com/featureinterview/stuart-bendelow-september-2002/
The Michigan Courses of Tom Bendelow
Albion Golf Club Albion, Currently not available Duck Lake Golf Course Albion 1922 Huron Hills Golf Course Ann Arbor 1922 Bay City Country Club Bay City, 1909 Michicago Country Club Benton Harbor Currently not available Birmingham Golf Club Birmingham 1916 Bloomfield Hills Country Club Birmingham 1909 Wawonowin Golf Course Champion 1915 Charlotte Country Club Charlotte 1929 Phoenix Country Club Detroit 1914 Escanaba Country Club Escanaba 1924 Flint Country Club Flint 1909 Grand Beach Country Club Grand Beach 1912 Atlas Valley Country Club (Flint Golf Course) Grand Blanc 1912 Grand Rapids Elks Country Club Grand Rapids Currently not available Green Ridge Country Club Grand Rapids 1922 Highland Park Golf Course Grand Rapids 1929 Highlands Country Club Grand Rapids 1909 Mosanic Country Club Grand Rapids Currently not available
Park System Grand Rapids Currently not available Hillsdale Golf & Country Club Hillsdale 1904 Portage Lake Country Club Houghton Currently not available Golf Club Ishpeming Currently not available Cascades Golf Course, Cascades Eighteen Jackson 1929 Cascades Golf Course, Executive Nine Jackson 1929 Ella Sharp Park Golf Club Jackson 1924 Meadow Heights Country Club Jackson 1909 Sharp Park Golf Course Jackson, Michigan 1924 Kalamazoo Country Club Short Course Kalamazoo 1909 Kalamazoo Country Club Big Course Kalamazoo 1909 Riverside Country Club Lansing 1901 Ludington Golf Club (Lincoln Hill Golf Club) Ludington 1920 Manistee Golf & Country Club Manistee 1901 New Hotel Course (Manistee National Golf & Resort) Manistee Currently not available Marshall Country Club Marshall Currently not available Riverside Country Club Menominee 1901
Mullet Lake Golf & Country Club Mullet Lake 1930 Muskegon Country Club Muskegon 1910 Niles Golf Club Niles Currently not available Plym Park Golf Course Niles 1923 Northport Point Golf and Country Club Northport Point Currently not available Owosso Golf Club Owosso 1923 Palisades Park Golf Club Palisades Park 1906 Port Huron Golf & Country Club Port Huron 1909 Stag Island Golf Club Port Huron Currently not available Redford Country Club Redford Currently not available Gull Lake Country Club Richland 1929 Rochester Golf Club Rochester 1925 Red Run Golf Club Royal Oak 1914 Royal Oak Golf Club Royal Oak Currently not available Saginaw Country Club Saginaw 1898 South Haven Golf Club South Haven 1910 Spring Lake Country Club Spring Lake 1911 Traverse City Golf and Country Club Traverse City 1915 White Lake Golf Course Whitehall 1916
MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • FALL
2018
23
Spring Lake Country Club (Private) Spring Lake Designed by Tom Bendelow Renovation of holes: Bruce and Jerry Matthews 1978/85 Renovation by W. Bruce Matthews III 1999 Website: https:/springlakecc.com
1911
Gull Lake Country Club (Private) Richland 1992 Designer - Master Plan: Arthur Hills Website: http://gulllakecc.com
Atlas Valley Country Club (Private) Grand Blanc Designed by Tom Bendelow Website: https://atlasvalleycountryclub.com Prairie's Golf Club (Public) Kalamazoo Website: http://prairiesgolf.com
Red Run Golf Club (Private) Royal Oak Designed by Willie Park, Jr Website: http://redrungolfclub.com Michigan Golfer Videos Bruce Hepner Renovations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =JXLYBUSOxbs Western Jr.Championship http://michigangolfer.tv/ 2016shows/western_junior/ Chuck Kocsis - The Best There Ever Was http://michigangolfer.tv/ 2016shows/western_junior/
1914
Photo by Traverse City Record Eagle
Wesburn Golf Course (Public) South Rockwood Website: http://www.wesburngolfcourse.com
Grand Beach Golf Course (Semi-Private) Grand Beach Designed by Tom Bendelow Website: http://grandbeach.org
1912
Walter Hagen Testimonial Dinner at Traverse City Golf and Country Club, August 14, 1967. Left to Right: Ed Karczienski, Johnny Relvolta, Wally Burkemo, Walter Hagen, Johnny Farrell, Tom Draper, Al Watrous, Warren Orlick, Cary Middlecoff, Arnold Palmer, Cliff Settergren. 24
FALL
2018 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
Leland Country Club (Private) Leland Website: http://lelandcc.com Petoskey Bay View Country Club (Private) Petoskey Designed by Tom Bendelow Website: https://www.pbvcc.com
1915
Traverse City Golf & Country Club (Private) Traverse City Designed by Tom Bendelow Website: https://www.tcgcc.com Michigan Golfer Videos Walter Hagen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =Zw4Lrexhbng Scott Hebert Head Professional https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =3Dk0k-PMizHZ0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =k0k-PMizHZ0 Birmingham Country Club (Private) Birmingham
Original nine designed by William Connellan. Second nine designed by William Diddel 1920. Renovation 3rd Hole Bruce and Jerry Matthews 1963. Renovation Arthur Hills 1985-1994. Website: http://www.bhamcc.com Michigan Golfer Videos Walter Burkemo - Golf Professional https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =a4NQrJQLoQE
Photo by Art McCafferty
1916
Oakland Hills Country Club (Private) Bloomfield Hills South Course Opened 1918 Donald Ross Architect Walter Hagen Hired as First Golf Professional Michigan Golfer Videos 2002 U.S. Amateur https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =Y-4uh1Vg7As 2004 Opening Ceremonies of the Ryder Cup
Walter Hagen, first pro at Oakland Hills CC
Andy Staples conducts a walking tour with Meadowbrook members. MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • FALL
2018
25
Photo courtsy of PBVCC
Meadowbrook Country Club (Private) Northville Designed by Willie Park, Jr. Remodeled by Jerry Matthews & Associates 1976/85/96 . Renovation by Andy Staples 2016. Website: http://meadowbrookcountryclub.com Michigan Golfer Videos Centennial Celebration http://michigangolfer.tv/ 2016shows/meadowbrook/
Detroit Golf Club, North and South Courses (Private) Detroit Designed by Donald Ross. Renovation Arthur Hills 19781980, 1985. Website: http://detroitgolfclub.org Michigan Golfer Videos Mike Tirico at the GAM (2004) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =k08oR-qVK2U Paul W. Smith Golf Smith Classic (2011) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =5umuA-7pg5k
Petoskey Bay View Country Club
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =RXCQ97Umdqo 2004 Interview with the Samuel Ryder Family https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =SkvOMwCSPkU 2016 U.S. Amateur Championship https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =6M3S4OZxla4
Pontiac Country Club Public Pontiac Designed by Ernest Way Website: http://www.pontiaccountryclub.com Michigan Golfer Videos Frank Syron Tournament (2018) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =-YxtSpH2-DE Lloyd Syron: Michigan Golf Hall of Fame (2018) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =7CyVItb_wqk 26
FALL
Lochmoor Country Club (Private) Grosse Pointe Woods Designed by John Sweeney & Walter Travis. C. H. Alison and H. S. Colt renovated in 1920. Renovation- Arthur Hills 1981. Website: http://lochmoorclub.com
2018 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
Shadow Ridge Public Golf Course (Public) Ionia Designed by Donald Ross Website: http://shadowridgegolf.net
White Lake Golf Club (Private) Whitehall Designed by E. E. Roberts. Bruce and Jerry Matthews renovation1965 Website: https://www.whitelakegolfclub.com Oakland Hills Country Club South (Private) Bloomfield Hills Designer - Donald Ross. Renovated by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. 1951. Minor renovation, Arthur Hills, 1998. Michigan Golfer Videos U.S. Amateur Championship Preview with Lee Juett, General Chairman, Oakland Hills CC.
1917
Donald Ross’s Monroe Golf & CC course routing.
M3S4OZxla4 U.S. Amateur Championship At Oakland Hills Scenes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =6XrsTEeXsdM U.S. Amateur Championship At Oakland Hills Final Press Conference https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =gh8itgCBP1I Nick Carlson and Curtis Luck - The Match
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =IfrNuKOPZKY 2008 PGA Championship https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =agmB0xbTfXY Robert Trent Jones - The Monster https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =STo939AIWbY North Course Renovation at Oakland Hills CC with Shawn Smith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
Photo courtesy of Detroit Golf Club
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =MN5ABpr_Jgg Chris Berlin, GM at Oakland Hills CC - 2016 U.S. Amateur https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =EiInkvrEcdQ 2004 Ryder Cup - The Sam Ryder Family https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =sQnScLjyEcs 2004 Ryder Cup -Oakland Hills Opening Ceremonies http://michigangolfer.tv/2005shows /irish/OpeningDay/ 2016 U.S. Amateur Championship Presser - No. 1 Amateur Maverick McNealy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =5aeTrf8Ewww 2016 U.S. Amateur Championship Presser - Mike Trostel - USGA Museum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =y495sano5lo 2016 U.S. Amateur Championship Presser - USGA's Ben Kimball - The Monster https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =UHyIq7ReudU U.S. Amateur Championship At Oakland Hills Curtis Luck and Brad Dalke https://www.youtube.com/watch=6
Detroit Golf Club Clubhouse
MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • FALL
2018
27
Photo courtsy of Barton Hills CC
=G_YEaV4vhYk Art Hills & Steve Forrest Series Oakland Hills CC North Course https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =Em0FddkbVRE 101st Michigan Amateur https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =_sfoZt3EClI Meceola Country Club (Semi-Private) Big Rapids Name Changed to Clear Lake Golf Club Website: http://clearlakegolfclub.com
1918
Paw Paw Lake Golf Club (Public) Watervliet Website: http://pplgcgolf.com
28
FALL
Barton Hills Country Club Clubhouse Sylvan Glen Municipal Golf Course (Public) Troy Website: https://golftroy.com
1919
Monroe Golf and CC (Private) Monroe Designed by Donald Ross. Historical Renovation Bruce Matthews 1999. Website: https://www.monroe.golf Barton Hills Country Club (Private) Ann Arbor Designed by Donald Ross. Master Plan Arthur Hills 1983-1994 Website: https://bartonhillscc.com
1920
Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club (Private) Grosse Ile Designed by Donald Ross.
2018 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
Landscape Plan Arthur Hills 1983. Website: https://www.gigcc.com
Klinger Lake Country Club (Private) Sturgis Designed by Morey Wells. Second nine by Jimmie Millar 1930 Website: http://klingerlakecc.com
Michigan Tech. University G. C. (Public) Houghton Website: https://www.go-michigan.com/Michigan-TechUniversity-G-C/# Orchard Hills Country Club (Private) Buchanan Website: http://orchardhillscc.com South Haven Golf Club (Public) South Haven Closed Designed by Tom Bendelow - MG -
Books about Michigan Golf and Their Writers By Art McCafferty
M
ichigan has done well in the golf literature world with a number of authors taking to the quill. We have listed the books along with videos that include thoughts by the author.
Vartan Kupelian Red Run Golf Club - Reflections of the First 100 Years, 1914 - 2014 – Jennie McCafferty Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =YGK0JxmzKoQ
Jeff Barr
Tom Doak
1001 Golf Holes You Must Play Before You Die – Art Hills Designed 10 of them with Jennie McCafferty https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =a11mhSJKG68
Little Red Book of Golf Course Architecture – With Jennie McCafferty https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =Rbqu6F-TUIs
Golf's Best-Kept Secrets : Awesome and Affordable Courses Anyone Can Play Business Traveler's Guide to Golf: Quick Access to Courses Coast to Coast
Forever Scratch - Chuck Kocsis The Monster 1916 - 2016 – 100 Years of Golf and Glory - Oakland Hills CC
Les 1001 Trous de golf: qu'il faut avoir joués dans sa vie
The Anatomy of a Golf Course: The Art of Golf Architecture The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses Great Britain and Ireland The Life and Work of Dr. Alister MacKenzie
Stalking the Tiger MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • FALL
2018
29
Shirley Spork
Gary Wiren
Michael Patrick Shiels
Green to Tee – With Susan Bairley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =MKLAOGPzbao
When Golf is a Ball – Gary Wiren - With Terry Moore https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =t1iJMQ4T6C8
Secrets of the Great Golf Course Architects
Arthur Hills
New Golf Mind
The Works of Art - Art Hills with Michael Patrick Shiels https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =a11mhSJKG68
Molly Kircher
Good Bounces and Bad Lies – Ben Wright Speak Wright – With Ben Wright
The Golf Magazine Complete Guide to Golf The PGA Manual of Golf: The Professional's Way to Play Better Golf
Boyne: People History Memories – With Jennie McCafferty https://www.youtube.com/wtch?v= OsKCW_9bJnk
Greatest Game Ever Played – Shiels interviews the late Bill Paxton on this Mark Frost book. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =JLtBBzfknWo
Michael Patrick Shiels collaborated with Arthur Hills 30
FALL
2018 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
- MG -
Slice of Life
A
Illustration by Tytti Fallon
We Love the PGA Jr. League few weeks ago I traveled to Binder Park GC in Battle Creek to check out the PGA Jr. State League Championship. My grand nephew was competing on a team from Grand Rapids and I wanted to
see him in action. Over the past few years, he’s been bitten by the golf bug and he absolutely loves the game. His parents and grandparents have helped him along the way but also junior programs such as The First
Photo by Terry Moore
Terry Moore
By Terry Moore
Junior golfers are ready to play. MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • FALL
2017
31
Tee, Youth on Course, the Drive, Chip & Putt
At Binder Park, 230 junior golfers from all over Michigan gathered with their coaches, families and friends to crown a state PGA Jr.
Photo by Terry Moore
Photo by Terry Moore
Championship and the PGA Jr. League. All of these initiatives are playing an important role in engaging juniors to embrace a lifelong game.
A junior golfer tees off. 32
FALL
2018 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
League champion. It was a most impressive, colorful, and fun competitive event. As background, the PGA Jr. League first began as a concept—borrowing the team appeal and uniforms of Little League baseball— in 2011 with teams from Atlanta, Tampa, Dallas, and San Diego.
Since then, it has grown exponentially with 42,000 participants in 2017 and promoted by such Ambassadors as Rory
Photo by Terry Moore
McIlroy, Michelle Wie, Rickie Fowler and Lexi Thompson. The PGA of America and its Sections across the country, including Michigan, have done remarkable work with this program.
With matching golf shirts and hats, three-person teams squared off at Binder Park in the popular two-person 9-hole scramble format. Coaches also substituted players every three holes, so that all the golfers on each team participated. There were written guidelines for the tournament that clearly outlined the responsibilities of players, coaches, walking scorers and parents.
“Golf Warriors” All-Star team from the First Tee of West Michigan. Such notes as “slow down, On my phone, I took hands closer together on down some notes as I was chips, don’t hold the club observing Owen, my during a long wait grand nephew, play on his between shots, and decide with the rules of the game. They did look for errant shots!
Photo by Terry Moore
Coaches refrained from offering any advice once play began other than for a player’s safety, pace of play, rules or conditions of play. Thus juniors were forced to be accountable for their game. Parents (and great uncles!) likewise kept their distance and refrained from offering any advice in keeping
PGA Junior League includes both girls and boys.
MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • FALL
2018
33
Photo by Terry Moore
PGA junior golf is all about fun.
as a team about what’s a better putt to take on a green.”
dismissed the advice of his two playing partners After two days of spiritto take an uphill putt on the 18th green and instead ed competition which saw every parking place at opted for his putt which
Photo by Terry Moore
On that last note, Owen
was a tricky and fast downhill putt of equal length. A life and golf lesson were at play here. It was the riskier putt to take especially given the urgings of his teammates. (Hold on, Owen, I’m thinking.) But lo and behold, he stepped up and holed the 30-foot downhill putt! Bombs away! Life and golf lesson now had an asterisk.
The winning team of “Dude, Where’s My Par,” captained by Doug Brody of Warwick Hills, came out on top over “Traverse City,” captained by Scott Wilson of Bay Meadows. 34
FALL
2018 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE
Binder Park taken on pavement and grass, the winning team of “Dude, Where’s My Par,” captained by Doug Brody of Warwick Hills, came out on top over “Traverse City,” captained by Scott Wilson of Bay Meadows.
“What I like about it the most is how parents and relatives come out to watch these juniors. It reminds me of the days when I was a Little League baseball player,” said Osborne.
“The parent involvement By the way, other fitting is awesome. And it happens with every PGA and clever team names Junior match we ever included “Casually have here. In fact, the Legendary,” “Wie Love Golf,” “Angry Birdies,” “Birdie Bandits,” “May the Course Be With You,” and “Hear Me Rory.” Host PGA head professional Ron Osborne, a past president of the Michigan PGA and twice a Youth Player Development honoree, shared his thoughts about what makes the PGA Jr. League such a popular and appealing program.
whole extended family is often out here watching sons, daughters, grandchildren, sisters and brothers. “It helps to start a connection to a game that can last a lifetime.” Nailed it, dude. - MG -
MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • FALL
2018
35