Michigan Golfer News, July 15, 2011

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July 15, 2011

Vol. 11, No. 28

Buck’s Run Golf Club

Arcadia Bluffs • • •

Website: http://arcadiabluffs.com Golf & Lodging Rates: http://tiny.cc/9vx3f Tour the Course: http://tiny.cc/13yy1

Photo by Jennie McCafferty

• http://bucksrun.com/golf/proto/bucksrun/ • Tour the Course Video with Jerry Matthews http://youtube.com/watch?v=qxuMfR0vN3o

American and Canadian golfers play Foursomes, Fourball and Singles Matches in the third annual Treetops Cup.

LochenHeath Golf Course • •

Website: Video:

http://lochenheath.com http://tiny.cc/k4txr

Sandy Ridge Golf Course • •

Website: Video:

http://golfsandyridge.com http://tiny.cc/y18s8

In This Issue: __/

__/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/

Treetops Resort - Celebrating R.T. Jones Masterpiece 25th Anniversary • •

Website: Video:

http://treetops.com http://glsp.com/treetops/

Half Off Golf •

Jeff Lesson’s Website: http://lessonongolf.com

__/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/

MGN on the Road Marsh Ridge Resort Otsego Club Shanty Creek Resort Hawks Eye Resort Treetops Thunder Bay Resort 94th Michigan Open Won by Randy Hutchison Pietila Wins 20th GAM Women's Championship:

By Susan Smiley of GAM Shanty Creek Names New GM Treetops Schedules 1st Annual Patriot's Shootout Michigan Golfer Magazine - Summer Issue Now Online Minzey's Musings Michigan Golfer Television: 100th Michigan Amateur Championship http://michigangolfer.tv/2011shows/michigan_amateur/ Michigan Golfer Television Channel - 2011 Shows Michigan Golf Calendar Michigan Golfer Archives http://michigangolfer.com/mgn/archives.html Michigan Golf History http://michigangolfer.com/mgn/history.html Michigan Golf Association Links http://michigangolfer.com/mgn/associations.html Michigan Golf Hall of Fame http://michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/ghf/

Michigan Golfer Magazine Past Issues http://michigangolfer.com/#pastissues Michigan Golfer Television http://michigangolfer.tv Editor: Art McCafferty Associate Editor - Jennie McCafferty __/ MGN ON THE ROAD Marsh Ridge Resort - We stopped by for lunch at Larry Bowden's resort, one of a number of fine eateries in Gaylord. Like many northern resorts this year, the weather caused a poor start to the season.

However, his Memorial Day Madness was nearly sold out and his parking lot was full of cars. Everyone is hoping for a great summer. http://marshridge.com *** Otsego Club - Mark Hogan, Director of Golf at The Otsego Club, seemed in fine spirits as we checked out the latest at the resort.

The Osprey Group has an Ultimate Golf Getaway, which they are advertising in the latest issue of GolfWeek http://www.ospreygiveaway.com/?SID=ospreygolfgiveaway Osprey's Ultimate Golf Giveaway Detail - A $12, 000 value, Winner Plus 3 Friends Will Receive, * Private 3-hour golf clinic with Jason Guss (Top 20 Teachers under 40), * Custom Nike Golf Clubs, * Fitting using Trackman Computer Analysis, * Nike golf bag and balls, * 5 Day/4 night unlimited golf at Otsego Club & Resort courses, * 2 Day/1 night unlimited golf at Manistee National w/lodging, * 1 Foursome of golf at The Medalist Golf Club We also checked out Jason Guss's new teaching arrangement at the club. Guss, who left Treetops this past year, has taken over the old pro shop at Otsego Club. Besides housing his office, he has a hitting net, all the latest in video equipment and his own memorabilia from his days at Treetops. Guss and Brian O'Neill will show off their students in a new Michigan Cup tournament at Boyne Highlands in mid-August. *** Shanty Creek Resort - Roger Gieseck, the Head Golf Professional at the Legend and Summit, was answering phones and minding the register when we stopped by. We just waived hello and headed out as he was buried with golfers wanting his attention. The parking lot was jammed and it was another “beautiful day at Shanty Creek�. As mentioned last week, golf professionals and talented amateurs from the U.S. and Canada are invited to partake in their new Michigan Pro-Am Tournament. The 54hole event is scheduled for Sept. 7-11. http://www.michiganproam.com

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*** Hawks Eye Resort - We finally got to see the interior of the recently new, four years old, Hawk's Eye Resort, in Bellaire. Dave Hill, long time golf professional at Hawk's Eye and The Chief, showed us the magnificent condos, which also serve as rentals.

Both the Chief and Hawk's Eye were designed by John Robinson, a Canadian architect. Hawk's Eye has grown in tremendously, since we did a preview of the course with Robinson back in 2006 http://michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/hawkseye/ *** Treetops - We had a blast video taping the 3rd Annual Treetops Cup http://michigangolfer.tv/2011shows/treetops_cup/. Kevin McKinley, the architect of the tournament has watched the tournament grow in size in each of the past three years. Seventy-eight golfers from the U.S. and Canada competed on the Fazio, Signature and Tradition courses. Both the American and Canadian players really got into the spirit of tournament competition, but made sure that they all had fun. We have two of three videos now online, Day 1, with Foursomes and Fourball being played and Day 2, the day of singles. A third show, most likely up next week, will feature interviews of the captains and many of the participants.

In 2008, we did a show featuring Judy Mason's Treetops Ladies School and it was one of the most watched shows we have had on golf instruction http://glsp.com/treetops/. We thought it was time to update the school with our HD treatment and hope to have the 2011 version of her school up by next week.

Still at the helm of the Rick Smith Golf Academy, we put together an instructional show with Henry Young, which will air next week. Young has been with Rick Smith forever and is one of the high profile golf instructors in Michigan.

What seemed to be the biggest news at the resort in the come back it has made under new GM Barry Owen. Owen, former GM at Garland, has developed a team spirit at Treetops that has everybody in a terrific mood. Their golf numbers are way up over last year, even with such a poor spring. They have begun to devote more resources to the courses and you could easily spot the difference from last year.

Treetops is on a roll and it was great being there and experiencing that. *** Thunder Bay Resort - If ever there was a golf course survival manual about Michigan Golf, Jack Mathias would be one of the authors with Mike Husby and Larry Bowden as contributing writers.

Mathias developed an elk viewing area, created carriage rides to see them, developed quilting classes with one of America's top quilting experts, has done a number of those mystery weekends, created a winter sleigh ride on property that was highlighted in USA Today and now is putting together some wine tasting events for this fall.

We played a couple of rounds at the resort and found the course in great shape and user friendly. John Kuzewski, the head professional, has done a terrific job the past decade or so at the resort. He does some teaching when the occasion arises and has a terrific following.

Video Tour of the Course http://michigangolfer.tv/2009shows/thunderbay/

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============================================ 94TH MICHIGAN OPEN WON BY RANDY HUTCHISON ============================================= WASHINGTON – Randy Hutchison saved the best for last. The 24-year-old mini-tour professional from Traverse City made a dramatic birdie on the 18th hole to win the Michigan Open Championship Thursday at The Orchards Golf Club.

“I knew I had to make a birdie, and I didn't expect him to make a bogey,” he said of the final hole drama in which he eclipsed the one-shot lead of Matt Thompson, who had birdied holes 16 and 17 to take a one-shot lead. “My last birdie had been on the sixth hole, so I was due for one.”

Hutchison hit a sand wedge shot to just two feet for the final birdie, while Thompson missed the green with a 7-iron shot, just missed making a chip shot from left of the green and finally missed a seven-foot par-saving putt. Hutchison then knocked his final short putt in for the win and fist-pump celebration.

“It reminded me of a putt I made at a qualifier to get in a Buick Open (2009),” he said. “I had good thoughts and just knocked it in.”

Hutchison, a former Michigan State golfer, won $10,000 and heads back to the NGA Hooters Tour. His final birdie gave him a 2-under-par 70 for a 16-under-par 272 total.

Thompson, a Battle Creek resident who will be a senior on the University of Michigan golf team in the fall, finished at 273 with a 68.

Brian Ottenweller, a former University of Michigan Michigan player now on the mini-tour circuit, finished at 275 and in third place with a 67.

Muskegon pro Andy Ruthkoski, the 2007 Open champion, shot 70 for 279 and fourth place, and Ann Arbor amateur Martin Jeppesen, an Eastern Michigan University golfer, shot 66 for 280 and fifth place.

Sixth place went to mini-tour pro Ryan Lenahan of Grosse Pointe Shores, who shot a course-record 63 for 281. PGA Tour star Mike Weir was the previous record-holder at 65.

Hutchison was feeling great about his win.

“It's always great to play in the Michigan Open, and to get my first professional win in this tournament is great,” he said. “Winning with my parents here – it's just great, exactly the way you want it.”

Thompson, who was also second in the 2009 Michigan Open, missed at being the first amateur to win a state Open since 1975.

“I feel like he beat me,” he said of Hutchison. “I made bogey on the last hole, missed the green, then just missed that chip, but I shot 15-under. He just beat me. Randy's a great player. He made a great birdie there to win.'

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J U L Y 1 5, 2 0 1 1 - M I C H I G A N G O L F E R

NEWS

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================================================================= PIETILA WINS 20TH GAM WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP: By Susan Smiley of GAM ================================================================= RICHLAND – On the fringe of the 17th green at Gull Lake Country Club, Emmie Pietila (Brighton/Huntmore GC) did what is second nature to her. On the request of one of her playing partners, she marked her ball – and then she cleaned it.

“I picked it up and cleaned it and I forgot I wasn’t supposed to because it was on the fringe,” said Pietila. “I was just kind of on auto pilot. I ended up getting a one-stroke penalty for cleaning the ball.

That wasn’t the best part of the day, but what do you do?”

The best part of Pietila’s day came on the 18th hole when after hitting her tee shot into the trees; she birdied the hole and walked away with the GAM Women’s Championship title. She shot 73-72—145 and edged last year’s runner up Alainna Stefan (Dearborn) by one stroke. Stefan shot 71-75 – 146 for the two-day event.

“I just had really good focus and my head was in it all day,” said Pietila. “I was able to put two holes together which I have not been able to do for a while. I started the day with a par and when I do that, I know I will be able to get up and down for the rest of the day.”

Pietila did not get a chance to play a practice round at Gull Lake, so the first round was a learning experience for her. She put that knowledge to use in the second round and adjusted her tee shots which enabled her to stay on the fairway most of the time in her second round.

“There were a couple of tee shots I hit differently today and because of that, I stayed out of the trees,” said Pietila. “I did go into the trees on 18, but I punched out and then hit a great shot with one of my woods and ended up with a birdie on the hole.”

Pietila plans to attend Eastern Michigan University in the fall. Her next competition will be the 95th Michigan Women’s Amateur at Prestwick Village July 25-29. ============================== SHANTY CREEK NAMES NEW GM ============================== Shanty Creek Resorts today announces Pete Bigford as its new General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. Bigford, who was born and raised in Niles, Michigan, returns to his home state to oversee the premier northern Michigan resort destination.

Bigford brings over 20 years of experience in the resort and golf development industry. He has held executive positions with top facilities like Copper Mountain Resort in Colorado, as well as developing various award-winning golf course development projects and membership programs including Cherry Hills and St. Albans in St. Louis.

Taken and edited from a Shanty Creek Fusion Media Strategies release

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====================================================== TREETOPS SCHEDULES 1ST ANNUAL PATRIOT'S SHOOTOUT ====================================================== Treetops is looking for golfers with any military affiliation to sign up for a chance to play in the 1st Annual PATRIOT'S SHOOTOUT. Golfers with any military affiliation (retired, active, reserve, spouse http://treetops.com//?page=116522. From those who register by August 1, 2011, Treetops will choose 10 lucky individuals to play in the Patriot's Shootout.

On the afternoon of Friday, September 2nd, 10 golfers will begin on the 1st tee of Threetops and play stroke play. The highest score on #1 will be eliminated from the field. In the event of a tie, a chip off will immediately take place. This process will be followed until one golfer is left standing on the 9th green. This individual will be crowned The Patriot's Shootout Champion and will be given the honor of naming a $10,000 Folds of Honor Foundation Scholarship (in honor of, in memory of or on behalf of) any individual of their choosing. http://treetops.com =================================================== MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE ONLINE SUMMER ISSUE http://michigangolfer.com ==================================================== Table of Contents Memorable Masters - By Jack Berry Impressions of the 100th Michigan Amateur - By Terry Moore Collegiate Golf : Eastern Michigan University Eagles - By Chris Lewis Stephanie Kin Wins Island Resort Championship - By Lisa Mickey Northern Indiana Golf - By Mike Duff Michigan Golf Hall of Fame: Class of 2011 Collegiate Golf - University of Detroit Mercy Titans - By Chris Lewis ==================== MINZEY'S MUSINGS ==================== 1. Accept the fact that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue!

2. Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

3. Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

4. Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.

5. If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

6. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

7. It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

8. Never buy a car you can't push.

9. Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

10. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

11. Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

12. The second mouse gets the cheese.

13. When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

14. Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

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15. You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

16. Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

17. We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.

18. A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour. ============================================================= MICHIGAN GOLFER TELEVISION CHANNEL -- 2011 SHOWS http://michigangolfer.tv/archives.html ============================================================= **************************** NOW PLAYING *************************** Brian O'Neill and the Nike Golf Camp MGCOA Legislative Golf Day 100th Anniversary of Michigan Amateur Terry Moore Interview with Jennie McCafferty Terry Moore - Michigan Golf Hall of Fame - Class of 2010 Art Hills - Michigan Golf Hall of Fame - Class of 2010 Don Perne' - Michigan Golf Hall of Fame - Class of 2010 Jim Briegel - Michigan Golf Hall of Fame - Class of 2010 Vartan Kupelian and his Golf Writer's Association of America Presidency Practice Makes Perfect - Photography by Jennie McCafferty The Sundance Course at A-Ga-Ming: Narrated by Jerry Matthews Antrim Dells Becomes an A-Ga-Ming Property: Mike Brown Interviewed It Started with Chick Harbert: The Torch Course at A-Ga-Ming Antrim Dells GC: Narrated by Jerry Matthews Bucks Run Golf Club with Jon Conklin Arcadia Bluffs - A Top Stay and Play Experience Jason Guss Golf Academy Boyne Golf Schools and Boyne Golf Academy at King Par Tullymore Has New Leadership with the Returning Terry Schieber The Michigan Cup - Top Jr. Golfers Battle it out Ryder Cup Style Kevin O'Brien Joins True North Team 25th Anniversary Preview of the Jones Masterpiece at Treetops with Kevin McKinley and Jack Berry 25th Anniversary Preview of The Legend at Shanty Creek Resort with Brian Kautz and Jack Berry 100th Anniversary Preview of the Michigan Amateur with David Graham and Jack Berry Boyne's Tournament Season and Golf Packages with Jeff Ecceleston and Jack Berry Brian O'Neill's Quick Golf Tips LochenHeath is Back and Basking with Mike Husby and Jack Berry LPGA Futures Tour - Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass with Dave Douglas and Jack Berry Railside Golf Club @ Byron Center - Club Membership on the Rise with Jim Bultema and Jack Berry PGA Michigan and Patriot Day with Kevin McKinley and Jack Berry The Treetops Cup: USA vs Canada - Ryder Cup Style with Kevin McKinley and Jack Berry The Madness at Marsh Ridge Resort Larry Bowden and Jack Berry The Cyber-Geezer a.k.a. Thad Gutowski with Peter Fitzsimons and Al Lynch http://michigangolfer.tv/archives.html *********************** COMING ATTRACTIONS ***********************

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Fieldstone Golf Course: An Arthur Hills Design The Treetops Cup: USA vs Canada Paul W. Smith Golf Classic Treetops Ladies Golf School with Judy Mason Thunder Bay Resort Golf ======================================== MICHIGAN GOLFER CALENDAR OF EVENTS ======================================== JULY 14-17 British Open Royal St. George's Golf Club 18-23 U.S. Girls' Junior / Olympia Fields Country Club (South Course) / Olympia Fields, Ill. / http://www.usga.org/ChampsSchedule.aspx?taxid=17179869201 25-26 Michigan Women's Amateur, Prestwick Village GC, Highland, MI http://gam.org 25-26 Senior PGA Championship, Charlevoix Golf & CC, Charlevoix http://michigan.pga.com 28-31 U.S. Senior Open / Inverness Club / Toledo, Ohio / http://www.usga.org/ChampsSchedule.aspx?taxid=17179869201 29-30 Tournament of Champions, Pro Am - Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls http://michigan.pga.com 29-31 Butch Harmon Showcase, The Loon Golf Course, Gaylord http://www.loongolfresort.com/ AUGUST 1-3 Boyne Tournament of Champions, Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls http://michigan.pga.com 2-5 Junior PGA Championship. Sycamore Hills Golf Club, Fort Wayne, IN http://www.pga.com/pga-america/feature/sycamore-hills-gc-selected-host-2010-junior-pga-championship 8 Pro Assistant Championship, Treetops, Gaylord 11 MGCOA Summer Golf Outing http://mgcoa.org 11 Swinging for a Wish, Gaylord, MI http://treetops.com 8-14 U.S. Women's Amateur / Rhode Island Country Club / Barrington, R.I. http://www.usga.org/ChampsSchedule.aspx?taxid=17179869201 8-14 PGA Championship, Atlanta Athletic Club, Atlanta, GA 15-16 GAM Championship, Barton Hills CC, MI http://gam.org 17-18 13th GAM Women's Mid Am, Oak Pointe CC, Brighton, MI http://gam.org 22-28 U.S. Amateur / Erin Hills / Erin, Wis. http://www.usga.org/ChampsSchedule.aspx?taxid=17179869201 29-31 Michigan PGA Championship, Eagle Eye GC, Bath http://michigan.pga.com 29-30 15th Annual GAM Women's Senior Tournament, Belvedere GC, Charlevoix, MI http://gam.org

J U L Y 1 5, 2 0 1 1 - M I C H I G A N G O L F E R

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SEPTEMBER 1-2 GAM Mid-Amateur, Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs, MI http://gam.org 2-4 Patriot Golf Day Shootout, Gaylord, MI http://treetops.com 7-11 Michigan Pro-Am Golf Tournament, Shanty Creek, Mi 10-11 Walker Cup / Royal Aberdeen Golf Club / Aberdeen, Scotland http://www.usga.org/ChampsSchedule.aspx?taxid=17179869201 10-15 USGA Senior Amateur / Kinloch Golf Club / Manakin-Sabot, Va http://www.usga.org/ChampsSchedule.aspx?taxid=17179869201 12-14 Match Play Championship, Forest Akers, East Lansing http://michigan.pga.com 19-20 25th GAM Senior Championship, Spring Lake CC, Spring Lake, MI http://gam.org 22-25 The Tour Championship, East Lake CC, Atlanta, GA 22-25 41st Golf Collectors Society Annual Meeting & Trade Show-Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest Resort http://www.golfcollectors.com/events.html 25-27 Pepsi Fall Charity Invitational, Gaylord, MI http://treetops.com 25 MGCOA Golf League Championship at Hawk Hollow Golf Course, Bath http://MGCOA.org 29/10/1 2nd annual Natalie Gulbis Showcase, The Loon GC, Gaylord OCTOBER 8-9 Toughman/Princess Scramble Gaylord, MI http://treetops.com 31 PGA Fall Meeting NOVEMBER 17-20 President's Cup, Royal Melbourne, Victoria, AUS 29/1 MGCOA Golf Business Conference and Vendor Show at the Somerset Inn in Troy http://MGCOA.org 2012 JANUARY 13-15 Southwest Michigan Golf Show at the Kalamazoo Expo Center, Kalamazoo MARCH 2-4 Michigan Golf Show, Novi SEPTEMBER 25-30 Ryder Cup, Medinah CC, Chicago, IL

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