Michigan Golfer News, September 16, 2011

Sponsored by:

True North Golf Club • •

Website: http://truenorthgolfclub.com Course Tour: http://tiny.cc/jmswu

September 16, 2011

Vol. 11, No. 37

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Rates, Tee Times: http://tiny.cc/811yg Website: http://lochenheath.com Course Video Tour: http://tiny.cc/k4txr

Photo by Nile Young

LochenHeath Golf Course

Sandy Ridge Golf Course • •

Website: http://golfsandyridge.com Course Video Tour with Jerry Matthews: http://tiny.cc/yrdd3

True North Golf Club

Buck’s Run Golf Club

In This Issue:

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Website: http://bucksrun.com Course Video Tour with Jerry Matthews http://youtube.com/watch?v=qxuMfR0vN3o

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Durant Brings His Magic Camera to True North Golf Club

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25th GAM Senior Amateur Championship at Spring Lake Country

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Preview with Jon Conklin: http://tiny.cc/wnci1

Club Next Week -By Terry Moore __/

Natalie Gulbis Returns to the Loon

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Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by Mastercard® - Buy One Get One Offer for Mastercard Cardholders

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24th Annual Pepsi Charity Fall Invitational - September 25thSeptember 27th - Treetops Resort

Treetops Resort - 25th Anniversary of Robert Trent Jones Masterpiece • • •

Website: http://treetops.com Tour the Courses Video: http://glsp.com/treetops/ Unlimited golf packages for Fall: http://treetops.com/?page=106844

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Michigan Golfer Magazine Fall Issue - Coming Soon http://michigangolfer.com

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Devine Thoughts: Ken Devine Contributor

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Minzey’s Musings - By Dr. Jack Minzey

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Michigan Golfer Television Channel - 2011 Shows

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Michigan Golf Calendar

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Michigan Golfer Archives http://michigangolfer.com/mgn/archives.html

Arcadia Bluffs

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Michigan Golf History http://michigangolfer.com/mgn/history.html

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Michigan Golf Association Links

Website: http://arcadiabluffs.com Golf & Lodging Rates: http://tiny.cc/p57kt Preview with Bill Shriver: http://tiny.cc/3s98b

Half Off Golf •

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

http://michigangolfer.com/mgn/associations.html __/

Michigan Golf Hall of Fame http://michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/ghf/

Editor: Art McCafferty Associate Editor - Jennie McCafferty Writers and Contributors: Jack Berry, Susan Bairley, Tom Cleary Ken Devine, Rob Ford, Kelly Hill Tim Hygh, Tom Lang, Chris Lewis Jennie McCafferty, Jack Minzey, Kate Moore Terry Moore, Dave Richards, William Shelton Brad Shelton, Norm Sinclair Michigan Golfer Magazine Past Issues http://michigangolfer.com/#pastissues Michigan Golfer Television http://michigangolfer.tv ============================================================= DURANT BRINGS HIS MAGIC CAMERA TO TRUE NORTH GOLF CLUB ============================================================= As reported here last week, Tom Durant joined our team to produce a video for True North Golf Club.

It is unquestionably one the finest videos we have produced for the Michigan Golfer Television Channel.

Jim Engh, one of America's finest golf architects, along with new GM Kevin O'Brien, take the viewer on an eighteen hole journey that captures the beauty of the course and the strategy to play it. The video also highlights the clubhouse, the new True North Cottages and the Compass Room restaurant.

Finally, the page also highlights each of the 18 holes individually. Looking at these videos will make you want to throw your clubs in the car and head North, True North. http://michigangolfer.tv/2011shows/true_north_tour/ ================================================================================= 25TH GAM SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT SPRING LAKE COUNTRY CLUB NEXT WEEK -By Terry Moore ================================================================================= Leave it to celebrated amateur and long time member Cliff Taylor to sum up his affection for his beloved Spring Lake Country Club, site of the 25th GAM Senior Amateur Championship next week.

“It’s a treasure. For me it’s been a joy for its social and golf occasions among friends. And it’s a wonderful golf course.” An 18-time club champion and the runner-up in the 1966 Michigan Amateur, Taylor has been a member at Spring Lake since 1950. As such, he’s looking forward to the club hosting its first GAM Senior Amateur as part of its Centennial celebration this year. “It should be a great tournament and I’m certain the players will enjoy the golf course.” That’s been the verdict for years as the course annually has hosted the Spring Lake Invitational Tournament, the oldest established women’s golf tournament in the state and the second-oldest women’s match play in the U.S., dating back to 1919.

The tourney was won a record ten times by Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member Patti Shook Boice.

To be sure, Spring Lake has come a long way since noted course architect Tom Bendelow (of Medinah CC fame) was retained for $50 and laid out a six-hole golf course in 1911. Greens were made of clay and golfers played the holes three times for a complete round. Following the addition of three more holes in 1919, Bendelow returned in 1920 to add another nine holes to the layout that borders Spring Lake which feeds into Lake Michigan.

Today, Spring Lake boasts an active and loyal golf roster of 250 members plus an additional 200 social members. Due to its walkable and friendly layout, the majority of its members prefer to walk (hooray for P. 2

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that!) with the club storing over 80 Speedcarts for their use. While most clubs have struggled with maintaining memberships, Spring Lake continues to thrive while being progressive in its marketing and member services. In addition to celebrating its Centennial with a number of events, including a hickory stick golf club tourney, Spring Lake has lent added value to its members by offering reciprocal golf privileges at several area private clubs. Explained Head PGA golf professional Josh Lathwell: “The idea was to offer our members some options if the event of business travel or conflicting member-guest play.”

Lathwell and the club also have kept a keen eye on the future of the game via an active junior golf program that attracts more than 120 youngsters. There are nine Wednesday mornings devoted to junior instruction and play. Depending on their age, junior golfers play one, three, six, nine or 18 holes.

Longtime member Pat McGurk, who’ll be serving as the tournament director for the Senior Amateur, said the club’s family emphasis has evolved over the years. “It’s much more family-oriented than when I first joined 24 years ago. The addition of the pool in 2000 has been a positive move too,” said McGurk.

Echoed newer member Steve Wooldridge: “Spring Lake is a very welcoming club. Everyone goes out their way to make you feel at home.”

But besides its membership, the heart of a club is the golf course and Spring Lake is blessed with a good one. Spread out over an ample 200 plus acres, it’s a course known for the quality of its conditioning and its many tree-lined fairways. Its superintendent is Kirk Carls who does his best, weather permitting, to deliver fast, true greens and firm fairways. “Our membership expects our greens to be fast—in the 10.5 stimp range—and we try to deliver on it,” said Carls who actually became a superintendent as his second career beginning at age 34. “And maintaining green speed is always a challenge especially during a hot, humid summer,” added Carls who’s not adverse to rolling the greens several times in the morning to get them tournament ready.

Another challenge for Carls and his staff are the many trees on the course property. In his ten years at the club, Carls estimated more than 800 trees have been removed. “The members realize the advantages of fewer trees on the course and how it will lead to better playing and turf conditions,” said Carls. In spite of these tree-clearing efforts, Spring Lake still would benefit from a more aggressive cutting and pruning program. As in the case of some many older parkland courses, too many trees and overhanging branches at Spring Lake have shrunk fairway widths and corridors to the green. Simply put, it’s not what Bendelow intended. Many clubs have followed the once controversial lead of Oakmont CC and other storied clubs by adopting their tree removal approach. It would behoove Spring Lake, inspired by its Centennial, to do the same.

In his day, Bendelow was fond of describing his courses as “sporty,” meaning his layouts “should present an enjoyable play for both beginner and advanced player, not too hard…and not without challenge.” A hundred years later, sporty is still an apt description to describe Spring Lake. It has a nice blend of par threes and par fours of various lengths. And its championship tees pegged at 6587 yards will be a fair test for the state’s best amateurs.

Its no. 1 handicap hole is the 412-yard par-four 14th hole, a slight dogleg left with a green that’s sharply pitched from back to front. Naturally, par is a good score here. I also like how the par-threes are set at varying directions and, depending upon the tee placement, require different club selection. Despite overhanging branches impeding the right side of the fairway, the par-four 18th is a good uphill finisher that demands two sound shots to the large two-tiered green. Walking off the final green, my impressions of the day were: here is a fine golf course highlighted by excellent playing conditions.

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Looking back at Spring Lake’s distinguished 100-year legacy, one would be hard-pressed to find a better and sportier return on a $50 investment. ====================================== NATALIE GULBIS RETURNS TO THE LOON ====================================== The Loon Golf Resort announced that LPGA's Natalie Gulbis will return to Gaylord this fall to participate in The Natalie Gulbis Showcase September 29 – October 1. This event allows golfers the opportunity to golf with one of the top stars on the LPGA Tour. The format is a two-day 36-hole event played in a four-person team format with amateurs competing in both gross and net divisions. Gulbis will be on hand participating with private clinics for the contestants, including a junior clinic for kids, as well as participating on golf holes, and interacting with each group.

Taken and edited from a Gaylord Golf Mecca release ================================================================================= ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY MASTERCARD® - BUY ONE GET ONE OFFER FOR MASTERCARD CARDHOLDERS ================================================================================= We have covered this tournament the past two years and it is a real hoot. The tournament is extremely customer friendly, with parking and fan movement to the tournament site effortless. Below is an update for those that will be in Florida during that time and may be interested.

ORLANDO, Fla. (September 12, 2012) — The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, one of very few “invite only” tournaments on the PGA TOUR, is inviting consumers to take advantage of an exclusive savings opportunity available today through September 25, 2011. In celebration of Mr. Palmer’s birthday on September 10th, tickets for the 34th annual tournament March 19-25, 2012 at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando go on sale September 12th. MasterCard cardholders have the opportunity to pre-purchase tickets for the 2012 event, including a special offer from MasterCard for Daily Tickets. From September 12th – 25th only those who purchase an Any-OneDay ticket with their MasterCard card will receive a second Any-One-Day ticket FREE. Tickets can now be purchased online at ArnoldPalmerInvitational.com, by phone at 866-764-4843or 407-876-7774. ================================================================================= 24TH ANNUAL PEPSI CHARITY FALL INVITATIONAL - SEPTEMBER 25TH - SEPTEMBER 27TH - TREETOPS RESORT ================================================================================= Kevin McKinley, Director of Golf and Skiing at Treetops, indicates there are just a few spots remaining for this highly popular tournament sponsored by the Pepsi Bottling Group on the Rick Smith “Signature”, Robert Trent Jones “Masterpiece” and the only Tom Fazio design in Michigan – the “Premier” Course. The format of play is a four person Scramble utilizing gross and net scores. A percentage of the team's total index will be used to determine net score. There is a cash payout for the professionals and prizes for the Amateurs (gift certificates, clubs and merchandise).

The deadline for entries will be, today, September 16th if the field does not fill prior to that date. http://treetops.com

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======================================== DEVINE THOUGHTS: Ken Devine, Contributor ========================================= When my doctor asked me about what I did yesterday, I told him about my day:, "Well, yesterday afternoon, I waded across the edge of a lake, escaped from a coyote in the heavy brush, stood in a patch of poison ivy, crawled out of quicksand, and jumped away from an aggressive rattlesnake."

Inspired by my story, the doctor said, "You must be an awesome outdoorsman!"

"No," I replied, "I'm just a lousy golfer." ======================================================= MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE FALL ISSUE - COMING SOON http://michigangolfer.com ======================================================= Table of Contents Irene Tees it Up - Bill Shelton Island Paradise in Southwest Michigan - Paul Bairley LochenHeath Golf Course - Doug Joy Where Would You Play? - Bill Shelton Sweetgrass - How Sweet It Is - Susan Bairley Mississippi Golf - Tom Lang Houtteman Wins Boyne Tournament - Tim Hygh Eight Days a week - Art McCafferty ================================== MINZEY'S MUSINGS: By Dr. Jack Minzey ================================== WHY GOD MADE MOMS Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions: Why did God make mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.

2. Mostly to clean the house.

3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.

2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.

3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.

2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. We're related.

2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

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S E P T E M B E R 1 6, 2 0 1 1 - M I C H I G A N G O L F E R

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What kind of a little girl was your mom?

1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.

2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.

3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1. His last name.

2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?

3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot.

2. She got too old to do anything else with him.

3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.

2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.

3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?

1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.

2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.

3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.

4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time.

2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.

2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.

2. I'd make my mom smarter... Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.

3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head. ========================================================= MICHIGAN GOLFER TELEVISION CHANNEL -- 2011 SHOWS http://michigangolfer.tv/archives.html ========================================================= **************************** NOW PLAYING *************************** A Tour of True North Golf Club Morning Comes to True North

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Paul W. Smith Golf Classic Pure Garland Garland Golf Boyne Tournament of Champions Thunder Bay Golf Resort Jack the Antler Guy Morning Comes to Fieldstone GC A Tour of the Fieldstone Golf Club's 18 Holes Swinging at a Wish Tournament Rick Smith Academy with Henry Young Ladies Golf School at Treetops Resort with Judy Mason The Treetops Cup 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 *********************** California Golf P. 12

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====================================== MICHIGAN GOLFER CALENDAR OF EVENTS ====================================== SEPTEMBER 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 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 29/12-1 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 http://michigangolfshow.com FEBRUARY 10-12 West Michigan Golf Show http://westmichigangolfshow.com 25-27 28th Annual Chicago Golf Show MARCH 2-4 Michigan Golf Show, Novi http://michigangolfshow.com SEPTEMBER 25-30 Ryder Cup, Medinah CC, Chicago, IL

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