Michigan Golfer, Summer 2016 by Jennie McCafferty

http://michigangolfer.com MICHIGAN GOLFER Publisher/Editor Art McCafferty artmccaf@glsp.com Editor Emeritus Terry Moore

Associate Publisher/Producer Jennie McCafferty Writers Jeff Bairley Susan Bairley Phyllis Barone Jack Berry Mike Duff Keith Gornick Greg Johnson Doug Joy Vartan Kupelian Brad King Tom Lang Chris Lewis Scott Moore Bill Shelton

Scott Sullivan

Photo/Video Kevin Frisch Dave Richards Carter Sherline Scott Sullivan Brian Walters 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 four 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.

Video

Online: http://michigangolfer.tv http://michigantravel.tv http://youtube.com (search “glsp”)

What's New At Eagle Crest GC with Wes Blevins 2016 U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills CC Chris Berlin, GM, Oakland Hills CC Social Media Marketing with Midnight Oil Group Erin Hills to Host 2017 U. S . Open - Jim Lombardo Edukaytion Golf 8.5 Interview with Susan Bairley Drummond Island Resort & Conference Center Allison Gear - Winner Women's Michigan Amateur Christine Meier Two Time Michigan Amateur Champion Arcadia Bluffs GC 2016 Preview with Jack Berry Women's Issues, Novi Golf Show A-Ga-Ming- 3 Great Courses in Torch Lake Country - Mike Brown with Jack Berry Western Junior Tournament Comes to Red Run GC with Dave Robinson & Jack Berry MWGA 30th Anniversary 30 Years Strong and Getting Stronger Red Run GC Welcomes the Ladies The First 30 Years - 1986-2016 Chuck Kocsis With Bill Shelton & Jack Berry: The Walker Cup Years Stories Along the Way, Armour, Toski, Hope and Crosby The Michigan Years The Early Years Chuck Kocsis & 3 Walker Cups Mike DeVries Designs with Jack Berry and Mike DeVries: Pilgrims Run GC: The Kingsley Club Greywalls The Mines GC Cape Wickham LPGA Volvik Championship: Travis Pointe CC with Mike Areddy and Bill Newcomb Local Qualifier at Eagle Crest Golf Club, 2016 Craig Piscopink Speaks to the Preparation of Pros & Amateurs in the Game Izzo Mariucci Golf Classic, Iron Mountain, Michigan, 2003 2006 Ryder Cup: The Opening Ceremony @ the K Club Images, Music & Michigan Golf- Summer of '42 Music with the Neptune Quartet 2004 Ryder Cup Oakland Hills CC : An Interview with Samuel Ryder's Family With Vanessa Bell Ireland Dancing and Chatting Up K Club Ryder Cup Evening at Dick O'Dow's Boyne: PEOPLE history MEMORIES - in Honor of Everett Kircher's 100th Birthday Michigan Golfer - The Drone Ranger Flies Again Rolling In Golf Club - Scott Moore Explains This Courseless GAM Club Shirley Spork - EMU Legend and Founding Member of the LPGA Meadowbrook CC Shuts Down for a Major Re Do - Andy Staples & Bradley Klein

SUMMER 2016 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

In This Issue VOLUME 34

12 16 20 26 30 36 39 40

•

SUMMER

2016

•

NUMBER

Matthews Family Legacy By Tom Lang

Enhancing the Legacy: Red Run GC Recreates the Greatness of Willie Park, Jr. By Vartan Kupelian

The Berry Patch: Oakland Hills Country Club – A Century of Great Golf By Jack Berry Special Celebration to Kick-Off 100th Michigan Women's Amateur Championship, Aug. 8-12 By Susan Bairley

More ‘Green’ Coming to U.P.’s Island Resort as part of $8 Million Expansion By Susan Bairley Arnie’s Place: Bay Hill Club & Lodge By Chris Lewis

LPGA Volvik Championship Changes Olympic Rosters By Jennie McCafferty

Volvik Leaves “Vivid” Image in Ann Arbor

By Phyllis Barone

Slice of Life: John Morse; And the Memory Lingers On By Terry Moore

About the cover:

Photo courtesy of Jerry Matthews, Natural Course Design.

Michigan Golfer News

Weekly email newsletter To join: email artmccaf@glsp.com

MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2016

Matthews Fam

Photo: Michigan Golfer archives.

By Tom

Hidden River Golf and Casting Club. A

mily Legacy

m Lang

Architect: W. Bruce Matthews III

Photo: Michigan Golfer archives.

From left: W. Bruce Matthews III, Wallace (Wally) Matthews, Jr., W. Bruce Matthews, Jerry Matthews.

ichigan has its Big Three automakers – but our state also boasts the Big Three legacy of golf course design in the Matthews family. As much as the auto industry means to Michigan’s identity, it can be argued the Matthews family has had a comparative impact on Michigan’s golf industry and the national admiration as a top golf mecca. W. Bruce Matthews, Sr. started it all in 1925. His son Jerry Matthews, now age 81, and grandson W. Bruce Matthews III, age 62, picked up those same skills and began enhancing the green grasses, blue waters and white sands that adorn the hundreds of Michigan playpens that tens of thousands of golfers enjoy each season. 6

“No other family has had a wider

reaching impact on the game of golf in our state,” said Kate Moore, executive director of the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association. “With course design and renovation as well as maintenance and development, the Matthews family has touched every corner of Michigan for decades on end.” Nearly 250 of Michigan’s golf courses have been original designs, expansions or renovation projects completed by a Matthews. “They are certainly the most prolific course architects in the state of Michigan,” said award-winning course designer Mike DeVries, known for Michigan’s nationallyranked Kingsley Club and Greywalls. “They’ve had a tremendous impact on all levels; particularly they have contributed a lot in the daily fee and resort sector. They have really championed a lot of that

area of golf, and that has had a profound impact on the everyday golfer. I think they have done a lot of wonderful stuff.” All three Matthews are Michigan State graduates and continued on as alumni impacting university students’ futures. Bruce, Sr. led the establishment of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation at MSU and Jerry taught classes at MSU for 11 years. W. Bruce III is still active teaching an extension class through MSU Golf Course Design and Construction each fall. He also taught the same course for four years in Beijing, China. W. Bruce III is currently working on Cascade Hills Country Club’s remodeling of bunkers – plus the practice areas of Edgewood Country Club and Walloon Lake Country Club. Jerry has retired for the time

SUMMER 2016 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

being and enjoys his favorite activity of trout fishing. Jerry and Bruce III Matthews have lived in mid-Michigan for several decades but have native roots in west Michigan where Bruce, Sr. – who passed away in September of 2000 – was designing courses parttime and running the Green Ridge Country Club in Grand Rapids before designing and eventually owning Grand Haven Golf Club for decades.

Home Grown With the exception of a few courses in Virginia, Indiana, Alaska and Canada, the Matthews family found a perfect niche in our state.

“I stuck with it and kept doing it. And I learned I’d rather be here than spending so much time in airports or on planes.” As an example of how Jerry adapted with time, his final course design (Northport Creek) installed solar power panels and set up to play 3, 6 or all 9 holes, with each routing coming back to the clubhouse to accommodate quick rounds. “I didn’t want to create ‘just’ 9 holes,” he said. “I worked harder at making that one challenging, and yet playable and beautiful.”

Another indicator of changing times, Jerry said, was when he joined his father in 1960 it cost about $100,000 to build a golf course. Now it can be $100,000 or more per hole. One person who has taken notice of the Matthews’ commitment to the Mitten State is world-acclaimed designer Pete Dye. “It’s very unique for them to do it all in one state,” Dye said two years ago from his Florida home. “Of course Michigan has so many golf courses, it’s unbelievable. The Matthews have done a wonderful job up there. It’s amazing what they’ve done in one state, and to have so many designs in that area.” Veteran golf reporter Jack Berry, a Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member with Bruce, Sr. and Jerry

Photo courtesy of Grand Haven Golf Club

“I like Michigan, and I was really lucky to come along with my dad at

that point in history,” Jerry said. “The second golf boon was starting in the early 1960s and there was so much work, and I was learning so much.

Grand Haven Golf Club, Architect: W. Bruce Matthews. MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2016

Matthews, made an automotive comparison as well. “It’s almost like Tom Doak is the Cadillac Escalade in this state and the Matthews are the Chevrolets,

and there are a lot more Chevrolets on the road,” Berry said. “They made very good public golf courses, and Bruce, Sr. taught Jerry that you’re designing for the public golf course player, not for Tour players. But in later years, Jerry started to get more aggressive.” Berry referred to The Majestic, Bucks Run, Sundance and Angels Crossing as top-end Matthews’ courses he has played.

Photo by Art McCafferty

“They’ve made some really wonderful golf courses that are really fun to play, and challenging. If you play a public course in Michigan it’s pretty likely that one of the Matthews had a hand in it. And they don’t cost and arm and a leg to play.” W. Bruce Matthews, III looks over The Golf Club at Mt. Brighton. Matthews designed the course, originally named The Jackal.

A Natural Fit The Matthews are outdoorsmen – a hallmark trait they take into every course design – where they let nature lead the design process as if the golf course was already there from the beginning of time. “What I appreciate most about all Matthews’ designs is they use the natural terrain of the property,” said Bob Stipcak, superintendent at Timber Ridge since 1996. “You can find any golf hole at Timber Ridge, go into the untouched woods and see the exact same flow and topography. The slopes are there for a reason for natural runoff and drainage.” Timber Ridge could be considered the Matthews’ signature course in mid-Michigan. Jerry led that project when W. Bruce III (who began designing in 1985 after many years as a superintendent) was a family apprentice for five years before branching off solo. Other mid-Michigan Matthews’ courses include Hawk Hollow, Brookshire, El Dorado, the original Forest Akers West, The Emerald, Hunters Ridge, Pine River Country Club; plus three courses in Mt. Pleasant.

Photo: Michigan Golfer archives.

Many have reached nationalaward status, including Manistee Golf and Country Club (by Bruce, Sr.), Elk Ridge in Atlanta, St. Ives in Stanwood and TimberStone in the U.P. (by Jerry); plus W. Bruce III’s Angels Crossing near Kalamazoo and Hidden River Golf & Casting north of Petoskey. Father and son, Jerry and W. Bruce Matthews, are members of the American Society of Golf Course Architects. W. Bruce Matthews III is also a member of the Society.

Bucks Run near Mt. Pleasant is in part built on an old gravel quar-

SUMMER 2016 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

Photo courtesy of A-Ga-Ming Resort

Sundance course, A-Ga-Ming Resort. Architect: Jerry Matthews.

ry, and had large mounds of decades-old earth piled up around a deep lake. Jeff Sweet, the GM and Superintendent, said about the only dirt moved was to shave the top off those mounds to make elevated tees.

said the one piece of property he’d love to have had access to is Crystal Downs in Frankfort, an Alister MacKenzie (Augusta National) design.

“It’s routed nicely along the river. The whole course just looks like it was meant to be here, it’s such a natural fit with the environment around here,” Sweet said. “Jerry really brought in the playability of the land.”

“When you look at what they did with no scrappers and no earth movers; that’s pretty darn neat,” he said. “You go out to Pebble Beach, to Pine Valley. They did it without all this (modern) equipment. They made their mind work.”

Adding more proof that the Matthews appreciate and preserve the natural land, Jerry

W. Bruce III is also attracted to the freshwater shoreline, similar to his grandfather’s masterful addition

of nine holes at Manistee Golf and Country Club almost 90 years ago. “If you can get on the Great Lakes, anywhere, it’s just so much more dramatic,” he said in dreaming about having the land to work with at Bay Harbor or Arcadia Bluffs. “Core (inland) golf is very pretty. But when you have the outside vistas, a place you can sit on a porch and look out over golf and over the water, you can’t beat it.” - MG -

The Matthews’ Touch Jerry said when he began, course design was more conservative, was intended for the owner to make money in golf, and to develop features that kept maintenance costs down. That’s his base and said he would not change those courses. “My basic theory of design is: I think it should be enjoyable, I think it should be challenging and it should be fun, and there’s quite a gap in there sometimes,” Jerry said. “I also think very strongly that it should be beautiful. I want it to be memorable so they’ll return many times.” During peak golf course construction in Michigan, both Jerry and W. Bruce III had a half dozen staff and apprentices at their individual architectural firms. But a double-whammy occurred when the overall economy dropped not long after golf development reached 10

a saturation point. “Early in the career you’re in it because it’s fun doing the plans, it’s fun going out on the site, it’s fun doing the construction, it’s fun watching it grow in,” W. Bruce III said. “Then during those busy times in the ‘90s you’re just busy cranking it and churning.” Neither Jerry nor W. Bruce III would fully commit to naming a favorite course, but in addition to Bucks Run, Elk Ridge was high on Jerry’s list. “Do you have children?” he asked in reply. “Which is your favorite one?” Angels Crossing and Hidden River did jump out to Bruce III. “Both of those are really nice golf courses, very playable for everybody,

and challenging if you want them to be. Just step back a tee. “But it’s the next one (that’s the favorite), it’s always the next one,” Bruce III added with a broad grin. Every golfer should hope there will always be a next one from these stewards of the Great Lakes State. “I’m very fortunate,” W. Bruce III said. “It’s a great life. It was fun growing up on the golf course; all my cousins, brothers and sisters, everybody got to work on the golf course as a kid. And it’s fortunate my whole family has been involved some way or another. “I’m really proud the family’s been doing this since 1925. That’s a long time. I don’t know if any other family could say the same.” No, they cannot.

SUMMER 2016 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

Michigan Golfer TV and Matthews Family Courses Jerry Matthews Antrim Dells, A-Ga-MIng Golf Resort

http://michigangolfer.tv/2008shows/antrim_dells/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy5hfZB10SM https://youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=0qqo25K_dms

Sundance, A-Ga-MIng Golf Resort

https://youtube.com/watch?v=qxuMfR0vN3o

Bucks Run

https://youtube.com/watch?v=AceyVvMb_OE

Chena Bend

https://youtube.com/watch?v=mVBa4S2w9L4

Cutter's Ridge, Manistee National

https://youtube.com/watch?v=zg0YjbvEQ4U

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/105348553 https://youtube.com/watch?v=_cAM3XbbubE

Holes 10-18

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/105330523 https://youtube.com/watch?v=fyAT3cCna8w

Holes 19-27

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/105320379 https://youtube.com/watch?v=ROQt2hl4-5I

Holes 1-27

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Yn-seE5Qoqs

The Natural GC

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ClyUtgxs7-k

Northport Creek GC

https://youtube.com/watch?v=fhDSOrxw3zc

Cutters Ridge Front Nine

Sandy Ridge GC

https://youtube.com/watch?v=DbxlRXhWSdU

St. Ives GC

Cutters Ridge Back Nine

http://michigangolfer.tv/2012shows/lakes/

Lakes

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/119209866

Lincoln Hills GC & Springdale GC , Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/106766701 https://youtube.com/watch?v=3rO9i0hLExg ,

Lincoln GC

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/106769694 https://youtube.com/watch?v=Oz3J823tmsM,

Springdale GC

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/119198679 https:/youtube.com/watch?v=cPKVCjXN8Yo

The Majestic at Lake Walden

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/105348552 https://youtube.com/watch?v=kiz1LN3cCfw

Holes 1-9

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/119041497 https://youtube.com/watch?v=6Vpw0nYkXic https://youtube.com/watch?v=veXx0uTKOIU

Sycamore Hills, GC

http://michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/timberstone/

Timberstone GC

W. Bruce Matthews Biography with Jack Berry & Jerry Matthews https://youtube.com/watch?v=mNExfl-WNp

W.Bruce Matthews III Angels Crossing

http://michigangolfer.tv/2004shows/show9/

The Golf Club at Mt. Brighton, Hidden River and Emerald Vale

http://michigangolfer.tv/2001shows/show3/bmatthew s03.html

MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;¢ SUMMER 2016

Enhancing The Legacy: Red Run GC Recreates the Greatness of Willie Park, Jr.

Photo courtesy of Red Run GC.

By Vartan Kupelian

Hole No. 1, Red Run Golf Club

ruce Hepner is coming home to Red Run Golf Club with a mission clearly defined.

Red Run, designed by the legendary Willie Park, Jr. in 1914, has long been one of Michigan’s preeminent private clubs. Its history is revered by the championships it has hosted and by the great champions who have played it. The list is long and distinguished, with men of international renown and others with significant local roots. Hepner has been hired by the club to embrace all of that by renovating the century-old layout. 12

“It’s about righting the ship, tweaking, making it feel like a great old club and design again,” Hepner said. “That’s what I specialize in, restoring old golf courses. What I see is that they may have lost their way a little bit, have been steered in a more modern direction rather than the old tradition.” In Hepner’s words, the objective is to “open up the design to breathe again” for the improvement of all the conditions associated with superior golf course maintenance goals. That doesn’t mean arbitrarily cutting down trees. It means doing it with a thoughtful and respectful plan aimed at maximizing the innate

greatness of the course moving into the decades ahead. “It will stand up for the next 50 years,” Hepner said. The architect will consider and act upon many of the basics that are frequently taken for granted by even the most devoted golfers. He’ll evaluate the areas from where run-up shots will be struck, mowing patterns of the fairways, restoring bunkers and, where necessary, repositioning them so they will be back in play. The mowing patterns of the short grass areas around the greens also will be considered.

SUMMER 2016 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

Greens will be restored to original scale and perimeters, with areas that have become shrunken over the years – not by neglect but by the normal course of these things – will be reclaimed. “It’s about returning golf back to the golf course,” said Hepner, speaking in general terms. “I’ll look at every aspect. “We want to make sure every member has a comfortable home for set of tees. We want nice balance and ample space between tees, to find a comfortable home or range, and we want the tees copasetic with each other.” Hepner grew up a mile from Red Run Golf Club. He attended Royal Oak Dondero High, just down the road, and caddied at the club for a season. “It was a long time ago,” he said. “Then I got into other sports. It’s kind of cool to be back in the old neighborhood.”

At Red Run, the plan is to make several visits this spring, have another meeting with the greens committee to prioritize some parameters from a member perspective. He will confer with superintendent Gary Thommes, who has shared his thoughts with Hepner. “By the end of the summer we’ll have a pretty good idea on more specifics,” Hepner said. “Any minimal tree work will be done in fall, winter; correcting mowing patterns by early (next) spring and late fall.” “It will take three to five years to get everything in right order. They’re patient, I’m patient. It’s an interesting project. The last time I walked the golf course was 43 years ago. I’ve driven past it for years.” He adds, “I don’t see any giant projects.” Hepner has pretty much seen every

great golf course in the world during the time he worked with Doak. It’s standard operating procedure. “Tom expects that from you,” Hepner said. “I love traveling the world. Pretty much have seen every great course in the world.” Hepner is delighted to apply what he has discovered over many years in the industry now that he’s back to his roots in Royal Oak and back to Red Run Golf Club after an absence of nearly a half-century. Hepner was born in Detroit and earned a degree in civil engineering from Michigan Tech and had a career in auto design before becoming a lead associate at Forse Designs Inc. for four years before joining Doak’s Renaissance Golf Design, based in Traverse City, in 1994. Hepner was intimately involved with many of the key course designs that made Doak an international star in the industry. As lead associate, he was involved in some of Doak’s most notable courses, including Ballyneal and Cape Kidnappers, the masterpiece in

Photo courtesy of Red Run GC.

Hepner has transitioned to his

own company after an impressive career working as Vice President with noted architect Tom Doak. The company has flourished and Hepner’s calendar is full.

Hole No. 4, Red Run Golf Club

SUMMER 2016 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

Photo courtesy of Red Run GC.

Hole No. 14, Red Run Golf Club New Zealand. Hepner was design associate/shaper at Pacific Dunes, Stone Eagle and The Renaissance Club, a complex tucked between Muirfield and North Berwick in Scotland. As lead design consultant, Hepner’s work included Belvedere, Birmingham CC, Canterbury, Cape Arundel, Detroit Golf Club, Essex G&CC, Holston Hills and Piping Rock. The list is impressive.

into the much-respected gem that it is today. Park came from one of Scotland’s leading golf families and one of the country’s leading centers for golf, the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club. Musselburgh, host to the Open Championship from 1873 to 1891, was home to the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. In 1892, the Honourable Company moved to Muirfield.

Hepner’s niche is to provide a big-picture approach to his projects. He focuses on making sure all of the components mesh perfectly in scale and composition.

There may not be a more glorious stretch of seaside in golf than the Lothians linksland on which Gullane, Muirfield and North Berwick, are situated. The Lothians is a region of Scottish lowlands – in contrast to the highlands to the north – that lies on the southern shore of the First of Forth.

Tom Bendelow laid out the original holes at Red Run beginning in 1914. The prolific Scot, was a course designer who is credited with having designed an estimated 600 courses in a 35-year span until his death in 1936. His inexhaustible thirst for course design earned him the nickname of The Johnny Appleseed of American Golf. But it was Willie Park, Jr., a fellow Scot, who transformed Red Run

Edinburgh is the principal city, with others rimming the eastern shore of the country down to Dunbar. North Berwick Golf Club is a course of impeccable character and charm. Its West Links is one of the most influential and unique courses in the world from which many design

concepts have been borrowed over the years. The West Links’ par 3 15th hole is the original Redan, undoubtedly the most imitated hole in all of golf. What’s significant here is that Park grew up in this region (he also designed nearby Kilspindie and Luffness New in Aberlady, East Lothian) and was nurtured on the designs of courses like Musselbergh, believed to be the oldest unchanged course in the world, and North Berwick. Park’s design concepts were born from his experiences on those courses. To have played those courses is to have experienced many of the Red Run holes in their original incarnations. In 1914, Park was commissioned to finish at Red Run what Tom Bendelow had started. For Park, course design was as much instinctive as creative, practical as much as intellectual. The objective for Hepner is to restore those instincts. - MG -

MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2016

The Berry Patch

Oakland Hills Country Club – A Century of Great Golf By Jack Berry

Ron Whitten wrote in The Architects of Golf that once golf was introduced here “its spread was swift and sure and by the turn of the century courses in the United States outnumbered those in Britain.” We’re fortunate in Michigan that Dornoch-born, Old Tom Morristrained Donald Ross not only stopped here he left some of his finest works topped by Oakland Hills Country Club which celebrates its centennial this year.

Oakland Hills members pride themselves with Ross’s words when he first visited the rolling land on West Maple Rd. in Bloomfield Township. “The Lord intended this for a golf course,” Ross said. Considering Ross was considered the finest architect in America as he designed hundreds of courses from 1912 to his death in 1948, Oakland Hills co-founders Joseph Mack and Norval Hawkins picked a prime piece of farmland.

Photo courtesy of Oakland Hills

Photo by Art McCafferty

here are so many centennial celebrations going around in golf that I think we had forgotten the game’s first Jack Berry big boom in the United States came at the beginning of the 20th century when a tweedy band of Scots and Englishmen arrived and laid out courses for Americans who’d seen the game played over there.

Oakland Hills Clubhouse

SUMMER 2016 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

Hagen decided he could make more money playing exhibitions and resigned from Oakland Hills in 1920. He suggested the club hire Brady to succeed him and the club did. While making big money touring the country Hagen always regarded Oakland Hills as his “home” club and the club made him an honorary member in 1921. Brady wasn’t a piker. Oakland Hills hosted the 1922 Western Open, second only to the Open in prestige, and Brady won it. Two years later Oakland Hills hosted the big one, the Open, and that championship blood has run strong – Six Opens, Three PGAs, two U.S. Senior Opens, a Ryder Cup, the U.S. Women’s Amateur, a Women’s Western amateur, the 1964 Carling World, the Hearst Junior on the North Course, the Western Boys

Photo: Michigan Golfer archives.

From the beginning Oakland Hills members were determined to host the best players in the world and they set the tone by hiring Walter Hagen as their first professional. Hagen won his second United States Open championship in 1919, beating Mike Brady in a playoff.

Donald Ross

Photo: Michigan Golfer archives.

First Robert Trent Jones brought it up to date and more recently his son, Rees, has made it a worthy contender.

Walter Hagen

Photo: Michigan Golfer archives.

Ross delivered two courses, the South, the championship challenger, and the North which for reasons was “the other course,” even a public track for years. That has changed.

Robert Trent Jones

MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2016

and Western Girls Junior Amateurs, two Michigan Amateurs, two Red Cross fund-raisers during World War II pitting sides captained by Hagen and Gene Sarazen. Do they like tournaments?

Photo courtesy of Oakland Hills

This summer, August 15-21,

Oakland Hills will test 312 of the best amateurs in the world with the 116th United States Amateur Championship. It’s the second Amateur hosted by Oakland Hills and Ricky Barnes beat Hunter Mahan in the 2002 affair. Winning the Amateur is usually followed by the player turning professional-- like

The good things about the Amateur for golf fans – tickets are only $20 and you can walk in the fairway following matches. Students with ID are free. Both the South and North courses will be used Monday and Tuesday as the 312 entrants count their strokes and the low 64 earn their way into match play Wednesday morning. There will be two matches Thursday, whittling the field to eight players, four matches on Friday. The semifinals will be Saturday and 36 hole final on Sunday. Fox will televise the championship. Oakland Hills is more than championships for the members. They have one of the most distinctive, recognizable clubhouses in the game and they spent $16,250,000 in 1999-2000 to completely renovate golf’s White House.

Photo courtesy of Oakland Hills

Oakland Hills

Bryson DeChambeau, last year’s champion now on the PGA Tour.

Oakland Hills

SUMMER 2016 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

They have a Heritage Committee which has turned the clubhouse into a “mustsee” museum with pictures, stories, clubs, clothes, trophies and paintings capturing the years and events of the club’s remarkable century including major world events.

And the members should give a big round of applause to Richard Howting who researched and detailed the club’s

brilliant history including finding this quote from Bethpage Black designer A.W. Tillinghast when asked his opinion of Oakland Hills prior to the 1937 U.S. Open: “This course needs nothing more to pre-

pare it for the Open. Oakland Hills is one of the finest golf courses, not alone in this country but in the world.” - MG -

Photo courtesy of Oakland Hills

Tending to the members hooks, slices and putts has been a line of superb professionals starting with Hagen and Brady. Then it was Ernie Ford, Leo Conroy, Al Watrous (who always said with devilish delight that at Oakland Hills “the game begins on the greens”), burly Mike Souchak, Al Mengert, Pat Croswell and, just promoted this year, Steve Brady, no relation to Mike.

Photo courtesy of Oakland Hills

Oakland Hills

MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2016

Special Celebration to Kick-Off 100th Michigan Women's Amateur Championship, Aug. 8-12

The 100th anniversary celebration golf scramble will begin with breakfast at 8 a.m. at nearby Tyrone Hills in Fenton, while the field of state championship contenders begins its first rounds of play at Spring Meadows. The program then will move to Spring Meadows CC for the reception, starting at 5 p.m. and dinner, which will welcome tournament revelers, players and past champions, starting at 6 p.m. 100th Anniversary Celebration Chair Sara Wold said the committee has tried to contact all the champions since 1949. “Before that, all are deceased,” she said. However, among those contacted, there’s been a great response. “We have not sent out invitations yet, but 23 already 20

1950. Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll is women’s golf coach at Michigan State University.

Among past champions planning to Sara Wold attend are several who will part of the celebration dinner program. Representing 16 championships between them, these include: Joan Garety (’97, ’82), Patti Shook Boice (’67, ’71, ’73, 1976-79), Mary Jane Anderson Hiestand (’90, ’95 and 2002), Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll (’96, ’98), Allyson Geer (2015) and Shirley Spork (‘49).

Former University of Michigan Women’s Golf Coach Sue LeClair won in 1960 and ‘62. Former Futures and LPGA Tour Professional Debbie Williams Hoak (‘93, ‘94) is now an LPGA Teaching Pro and Golf Coach for boys and girls at Saline High School in southeast Michigan.

An Honor Roll of Champions

ach of these women, and many other past champions, have had a significant impact in women’s golf. Michigan native and Eastern Michigan University alumna, Shirley Spork was one of the cofounders of the LPGA in

Photo: Michigan Golfer archives

The centennial celebration of the Michigan Women's Amateur Championship, Aug. 8-12, will be something special. In addition to the statewide tournament, which runs that Monday through Friday at Spring Meadows Country Club in Linden, a commemorative golf scramble at Tyrone Hills Golf Club, and reception and dinner at Spring Meadows, honoring past champions, is planned for Monday, Aug. 8.

have expressed an interest in coming.”

Photo: Michigan Golfer archives

ne hundred years old, and simply beautiful.

By Susan Bairley

SUMMER 2016 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

Shirley Spork

Mary Jane Hiestand and Joan Garety continue to win senior championships at the state and national level. Christine Meier (’11 and ’13) now plays on the Symetra Tour. Early tournament winners, Violet Hanley (‘24, '27, '30, and '34) and Dorothy Higbie (‘25, '26, '31, '32, and '33), were among USGA’s notables, and both were part of teams that played internationally. Hanley, chair of the USGA Women's Committee in 1930, managed and played on the U.S. team that traveled to England that year, marking the first women's international competition in history. Higbie, who qualified for the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship 10 times, was a member of the first U.S. Curtis Cup team that followed in 1932.

100 Years of Making Memories

Photo courtesy of Michigan State Athletic Communications

n addition to contributing to the betterment of women’s golf on a broad scale, winning the Michigan Women’s Amateur Championship also has a profound impact on the lives of the players. Past Champion Joan Garety remembers the significance of the tournament.

Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll “The most notable champions that turned professional are Shirley Spork and Meg Mallon (’83)” Wold said. “Joyce Kazmierski (’66, ’68), Elaine Crosby (’81) and Becky Iverson (’87) also won LPGA Championships.” 22

Other champions who became LPGA, Futures or other Mini-Tour Professionals include: Sharon Miller (’64, ’65), Bonnie Lauer (’70, ’72), Lisa Marino (’84, ’85, ’86), Kelly Holland (’88) and Suzy Green (’89).

“The State Amateur was THE tournament each year,” she said. “Prior to 1992, the Golf Association of Michigan did not offer any tournaments for women and there were few opportunities for us to compete at the state level. The State Am was the tournament we prepared for and wanted to win the most. It brought together all the best players in the

SUMMER 2016 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

state. It was good, competitive golf and an opportunity to reconnect each year with friends from across the state who shared the same passion for the game,” she said.

“Having a state amateur title stays with you always,” Garety added. “It demonstrates the quality of the golf you can play in a way that everyone can relate to. It becomes one of your calling cards and means that you are a member of a pretty exclusive club.”

Photo ourtesy of Joan Garety

“Winning the State Amateur was a thrill,” Garety said. “My first win was in 1982, three years after college. The win gave me great confidence in my game and my ability to successfully play while working full time. My second win 15 years later, in 1997 was a little different. It was special because I was able to win with my aging parents watching, and it was a bit of a full circle as I had started golf at age 6 to play with my dad.

Two-time Champion Stacey Slobodnik-Stoll won in 1996, then lost to fellow-Spartan Garety on the final hole in 1997, and came back to win again in 1998. She, too, remembers both wins from distinct- Joan Garety gets a Champion's hug from her Dad after winning the 1997 Michigan Women's Amateur Championship. ly different perspectives. “The first State Am I won (in 1996) was at my home course, Egypt Valley CC. So that obviously was a thrill to be able to win in front of my family and so many members that watched me grow up,” Slobodnik-Stoll said. “I have always felt that the opportunity to play and practice at an amazing facility like Egypt Valley, while having a club and membership that was so supportive, was really special.

“In 1998 I was fortunate enough to win my second State Am title at Boyne Mountain,” Slobodnik-Stoll said. “I played Katie Loy in the final and we set a record for most holes played in a match! I finally won on the 25th hole. I remember driving home with that big trophy in my car and having a lot of time to reflect on how lucky I was to have the opportunity to play such a wonderful game that was so much fun!

“My Dad always told me that being a State Am champion was something very special, proving you are the finest player in your state,” Slobodnik-Stoll continued. “Those weeks are also mentally and physically exhausting. Knowing your mind and body can accomplish so much was a wonderful lesson for me, proving we can do anything we set our mind to.”

MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2016

Photo courtesy of G.A.M.

experience being able to add my name to a list of so many amazing female players in Michigan, including my future Michigan State coach,” Geer said. “I'm really looking forward to playing in the 100th anniversary tournament and feel so blessed for the opportunities golf has given me throughout the years.” Allyson Geer

100th Anniversary Plans Take Shape

H Photo courtesy of Spring Meadows

onoring the centennial Michigan Women’s Amateur Championship in a special way was a natural for Tom Bollinger, Michigan Women’s Am chairman, GAM president emeritus and member at Spring Meadows CC. Bollinger has worked as a GAM rules official at every women’s state am since 2006.

Tom Bollinger

For Defending Champion Allyson Geer (2015), the State Am already has had an impact. Aiming for exemptions to this year’s FireKeeper’s and Tullymore Symetra Tour events, she said she is honored to be part of the Michigan Woman's Amateur legacy. “It was definitely a humbling 24

“About three years ago we started to secure this event for Spring Meadows,” Bollinger said. “We had hosted the 2009 men’s amateur and felt the club would be the ideal location for the women’s 100th. In addition, Bollinger said the added celebration was a must. “I sold the idea to the GAM officer team when I was president,” he said. “It was included so more people would become familiar

with the history of the Michigan Women's Amateur; the people, the host sites and the organizations who made the event what is today. We wanted to recognize and thank them for their efforts.” “For the past 100 years, the Michigan Women’s Amateur has been the premier amateur women’s golf championship in Michigan,” added Wold. “Every year the best female golfers test their skills to determine if they have what it takes to be the champion and compete nationally at the college level and professionally in the LPGA. “I’m excited that we are honoring the champions, participants, host clubs, and the women who conducted the Championships since 1914.” The annual tournament has run consecutively except for a three-year break during World War II. "The Michigan Women's Amateur Championship has a rich and colorful history. The women who conducted it from the beginning had foresight and perseverance,” Wold added. “Also, moving it to the Golf Association of Michigan in 2006 assured its perpetuity while preserving its history.” For more information on the tournament, visit http://www.gam.org. To register for the 100th Anniversary Celebration golf scramble and/or dinner, or for sponsorship opportunities, visit the Michigan Women’s Golf Association website at http://www.mwgolf.org. - MG -

SUMMER 2016 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

2016 Spring Meadows CC 2015 Miss Allyson Geer Spring Lake CC 2014 Miss Jennifer Elsholz University of Michigan 2013 Miss Christine Meier Walnut Hills GC 2012 Miss Emmie Pietila Forest Akers - West 2011 Miss Christine Meier Prestwick Village GC 2010 Miss Natalie Brehm St. Clair River CC 2009 Miss Britney Hamilton Great Oaks CC 2008 Miss Laura Bavaird Walnut Hills CC 2007 Miss Laura Bavaird Egypt Valley CC 2006 Miss Lindsay Davis Barton Hills CC 2005 Miss Mandi McConnell Radrick Farms 2004 Miss Sarah Martin White Pine National 2003 Miss Kim Benedict Black Lake CC 2002 Mrs. Mary Jane Heistand Boyne Resort - Moor 2001 Miss Kim Benedict The Medalist 2000 Miss Stacy Snider Metamora CC 1999 Miss Kim Benedict Tecumseh CC 1998 Miss Stacy Slobodnik Boyne Resort - Alpine 1997 Miss Joan Garety Black River CC 1996 Miss Stacy Slobodnik Egypt Valley CC 1995 Miss Mary Jane Anderson Barton Hills CC 1994 Miss Debbie Williams University of Michigan 1993 Miss Debbie Williams Black River CC 1992 Miss Paige Green Radrick Farms 1991 Miss Erica Zonder Hidden Valley GC 1990 Mrs. Mary Jane Delcamp Midland CC 1989 Miss Suzy Green Berrien Hills CC 1988 Miss Kelly Holland Chemung Hills CC 1987 Miss Becky Iverson Verona Hills GC 1986 Miss Lisa Marino Monroe G&CC 1985 Miss Lisa Marino Hidden Valley GC 1984 Miss Lisa Marino Lenawee CC 1983 Miss Meg Mallon Atlas Valley CC 1982 Miss Joan Garety Tam O'Shanter 1981 Miss Elaine Crosby Verona Hills GC 1980 Miss Susan Scripsema Cadillac CC 1979 Miss Patti Shook Travis Pointe CC 1978 Miss Patti Shook Tecumseh CC 1977 Miss Patti Shook Hidden Valley GC 1976 Miss Patti Shook Grosse Ile G&CC 1975 Miss Suzanne Colin Bay Valley Golf & Tennis 1974 Mrs. Robert Cushing Monroe G&CC 1973 Miss Patti Shook Edgewood CC 1972 Miss Bonnie Lauer Muskegon CC 1971 Miss Patti Shook Washtenaw CC 1970 Miss Bonnie Lauer Plum Hollow CC 1969 Miss Mary Bryan Dearborn CC

1968 Miss Joyce Kazmierski Barton Hills CC 1967 Miss Patti Shook Red Run GC 1966 Miss Joyce Kazmierski Farmington Hills CC 1965 Miss Sharon Miller CC of Jackson 1964 Miss Sharon Miller Tam O'Shanter 1963 Miss Sally Sharp Western G&CC 1962 Mrs. Keith LeClair Battle Creek CC 1961 Miss Sally Sharp Knollwood CC 1960 Mrs. Keith LeClair Flint Golf Club 1959 Mrs. E. L. Goddard CC of Jackson 1958 Miss Sally Sharp Plum Hollow CC 1957 Mrs. Donald Weiss Orchard Lake CC 1956 Miss Sally Sharp Muskegon CC 1955 Miss Wiffie Smith Oakland Hills CC 1954 Mrs. Edgar O. Reynolds Detroit GC 1953 Mrs. Harold Marquardt Kent CC 1952 Miss Mary Agnes Wall Birmingham CC 1951 Mrs. C.U. Wilson Franklin Hills CC 1950 Miss Patricia Devany CC of Lansing 1949 Miss Shirley Spork CC of Detroit 1948 Miss Mary Agnes Wall Plum Hollow CC 1947 Miss Mary Agnes Wall Blythefield CC 1946 Miss Sally Sessions Detroit GC 1945 1944 World War II No Tournament 1943 1942 Miss Majorie Rowe Plum Hollow CC 1941 Mrs. Donald Weiss Detroit GC 1940 Mrs. Donald Weiss Cascade Hills CC 1939 Mrs. Donald Weiss Meadowbrook CC 1938 Miss Margret Russell Lochmoor Club 1937 Miss Jean Kyer Plum Hollow CC 1936 Mrs. Donald Weiss CC of Detroit 1935 Miss Ellen Hess Blythefield CC 1934 Mrs. Stewart Hanley Orchard Lake CC 1933 Mrs. Harley G. Higbie Meadowbrook CC 1932 Mrs. Harley G. Higbie Gull Lake CC 1931 Mrs. Harley G. Higbie Oakland Hills CC 1930 Mrs. Stewart Hanley Western G&CC 1929 Miss Mary Holton Battle Creek CC 1928 Mrs. Sidney R. Small Lochmoor Club 1927 Mrs. Stewart Hanley Bloomfield Hills CC 1926 Mrs. Harley G. Higbie Kent CC 1925 Mrs. Harley G. Higbie CC of Detroit 1924 Mrs. Stewart Hanley Oakland Hills CC 1923 Miss Elisie Hilding Flint Golf Club 1922 Mrs. P.H. Sheridan Lochmoor Club 1921 Miss Lucille Desenberg Kalamazoo CC

MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;˘ SUMMER 2016

Schematic courtesy of Albanese & Lutzke

More â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Gre as part of

een’ Coming to U.P.’s Island Resort & Casino $8 Million Expansion, by Susan Bairley

t’s hard to believe Island Resort & Casino in the Upper Peninsula town of Harris, Michigan, started as a bingo hall in the 1970s. But 40-plus years is a long time ago and the change was gradual. Not anymore.

Resort & Casino Championship, the resort, just west of Escanaba is in the middle of an $8 million renovation and expansion project that includes creating a full-service spa and building a second, 18-hole golf course.

It seems this attractive casino resort has been on a fast track since the new millennium arrived, moving as quickly as it can to meet growing demands for golf, dining and entertainment.

The new, yet-to-be-named golf course is being designed by Sweetgrass architect Paul Albanese, principal of Michigan-based Albanese & Lutzke, golf course architecture and construction management, and member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects.

And, because the site has so many rolls, ups, downs and interesting landforms, Albanese said, his team’s goal is to let the site do the ‘wowing’, and not overpower it with their own ‘stuff. ‘

Photo courtesy of Albanese & Lutzke

Already home to the acclaimed Sweetgrass Golf Club and in its fifth year as host of the Symetra Island

“The idea behind the course is to utilize the natural features and views afforded from this exceptionally interesting site,” Albanese said. “There is a landform on the site called a ‘drumlin,’ which looks like an upside down spoon. It has created some great elevation changes that will enable great views. These will be especially awesome in the fall.”

The landform on the site, called a ‘drumlin,’ looks like an upside down spoon. SUMMER 2016 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

Photo courtesy of Albanese & Lutzke

Finding the best natural holes on the ground was the goal, and we think we have achieved this,” he said. “We wanted the aesthetic to be “rough and rugged”, so golfers are not going to see the manicured ‘greenness’ that is often associated with golf courses. This course will have a greenish centerline and will brown out toward the edges. There is no need to water a lot, and the maintenance will be very organic. We are really minimizing the carbon footprint on this golf course creation.

The 'drumlin' land formation is visible as course construction continues.

“Regarding the golf course routing — we have endeavored via the design to enable golfers to experience the drumlin, and the other interesting parts of the site throughout the round,” Albanese added. “So, the variety of experiences from up to down, to across, to open to enclosed will be continually changing.” The new course is being constructed on 300 acres of land six miles northwest of the resort complex. “It’s going to be 180-degrees different than Sweetgrass,” said Island Resort & Casino General Manager Tony Mancilla. “It will be the same in that it will be a great value for the golf, but that’s the only similarity.

“We put a lot of thought into it, “ Mancilla said. “To me Sweetgrass is more of a championship golf course. It can play tough, has some pretty tough greens and can play a little long, depending on the tee. It also is open to the wind. The new golf course will be more of a resort course – a little more fun, and a little more playable for the average golfer – overall, a different experience.” With 5 holes in the open and 13 holes planned through the woods, the resort as been moving dirt since last fall. This year will be the main construction season, with planting slated for late summer. It’s anticipated the course will open in late 2017 or spring 2018, and also will feature a small clubhouse with a bar, and dedicated

shuttles will run to and from the resort complex. “Successful resorts have everything,” Mancilla said. “They have great dining, great nightlife, the gaming, nice hotel rooms. But the ones that really do well have multiple golf courses, and a spa that complements the golf.” In addition to the budgeted expansion, Island Resort also has set aside separate funds to redesign and expand the hotel reception lobby and retail areas, as well as enhance its bus bays and entryways for bus customers and tour groups. For more information, visit www.islandresortandcasino.com For reservations, call 1-877-475-7375. - MG -

MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2016

Photo courtesy opf Bay Hill

Arnieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pl

By Chris Lewis

lace: Bay Hill Club & Lodge

he year was 1965. A gallon of gas cost $0.31, on average. Songs like Sonny & Cher’s “I Got You Babe” and The Temptations’ “My Girl” were number one hits on the Billboard chart. Millions of people visited movie theatres to watch The Sound of Music. And Arnold Palmer played his first 18-hole round at Orlando’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge. While participating in an exhibition match with three other PGA TOUR members, The King (as he is often referred as) shot a 66, seven strokes lower than his nearest competitor, the rising superstar Jack Nicklaus. Mr. Palmer was immediately impressed by the club—to the point in which he told his wife, Winnie, that he was interested in purchasing it. 32

At the time, Bay Hill was virtually unknown by professional golfers and members of the press. But Mr. Palmer envisioned greatness. Five years after he recorded his 66, The King proved that he was serious: He procured a five-year lease on the property with an option to buy. And then, once the lease expired, he purchased it and became the sole owner.

of championship golf. The first 18 holes, in which the PGA TOUR professionals play every year, feature six sets of tees that range in distance from 5,129 to 7,381 yards; the first nine is known as the “Challenger”, while the second nine is named “Champion”. The other nine-hole course is called “Charger”, and ranges from 2,278 to 3,324 yards.

Since 1975, Mr. Palmer has transformed the property into a worldclass, private golf resort that not only welcomes thousands of guests and members each year, but also hosts one of the PGA TOUR’s most popular tournaments: The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, which celebrated its 37th anniversary in 2016.

To maintain its status as one of the world’s most renowned private golf resorts, each of the Challenger’s and Champion’s greens were re-grassed during the summer of 2015, via a notill method, so that all topographical features and contours could be preserved throughout the process.

The resort currently offers 27 holes

“Course conditions have never been better since the project was completed last summer,” says Brian

SUMMER 2016 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

cannot be more than four inches above the knee. Men’s shirts must have collars and be tucked in at all times, while ladies’ sleeveless shirts need to have collars; if they do not, they must have sleeves instead.

Dorn, director of golf, Bay Hill Club & Lodge. “We were very proud to hear the praise that the course received from many of the best players in the world this past March.”

Three caddy options are also A “Bucket List” Course with available: A forecaddie for $100, a Old-Fashioned Hospitality As has been the case since Mr. Palmer purchased the property in 1975, guests tend to play golf at Bay Hill for a number of reasons. Some primarily view it as a “bucket list” course, much like Pebble Beach, Augusta National and St. Andrews—they have seen it on television for years, but realize that nothing compares to the experience of actually seeing it firsthand. After all, some of the game’s greatest players and most interesting personalities have won tournaments at Bay Hill, from Tiger Woods (an eight-time champion) to Payne Stewart. Not to mention, the Champion course also has one of the best three-hole stretches in the world: the par-five 16th, which was previously a par-four; the par-three 17th, which is surrounded by water and bunkers; and the par-four 18th, primarily known for having a kidney shaped green that is guarded by rocks and water. “Golfers love to play courses that challenge PGA TOUR players,” Dorn adds. “It gives them a chance to walk in their shoes.” Guests also appreciate the club’s old-fashioned atmosphere and hospitality. For instance, gentlemen must remove their hats while they are in the clubhouse. Golfers can wear shorts, but their hem length

single-bag caddy for $80 and a double-bag caddy for $120. “There are not a lot of courses that provide caddy services anymore,” says Ramona Herald, spokesperson for Bay Hill Club & Lodge. “Caddies offer guests an entirely different experience than if they were playing the course on their own, especially when they are playing for the first time.” In addition, more often than not, guests will have a chance to meet Mr. Palmer himself, as The King lives on the property in the wintertime. He can typically be seen throughout Bay Hill’s premises, whether he’s having breakfast in the club’s restaurant or walking through his pro shop. And, as always, he is more than happy to have a conversation with guests and sign autographs.

Amenities for Everyone If golfers are not guests of members, they must stay at Bay Hill’s 70-room Lodge in order to play the Challenger, Champion and Charger courses. All Lodge rooms feature two queen beds or one king bed, Lexington furniture, 27-inch flat screen televisions, DVD players and complimentary Internet access, among other amenities; if guests prefer, suite rooms are also available.

Some guests also choose to stay at single-family homes that are located within walking distance of the Club. Each of these homes have two bedrooms (with one king-size bed and two full-size beds), two bathrooms, a living room, a full kitchen and a patio that either provides views of the golf courses or one of the Butler Chain of Lakes that surround Bay Hill. Aside from having access to Bay Hill’s courses, guests receive a variety of other membership privileges as well. Some may choose to play tennis on the Club’s four Har-tru and two DecoTurf courts, while others may prefer to unwind in the heated Jr. Olympic-size pool. Oftentimes, guests will also use the Club’s Fitness Center, which features certified personal trainers. After working out at the Fitness Center or finishing an 18-hole round, guests may also visit The Spa at Bay Hill. Tailored for a variety of needs, the spa provides something for everyone, including body treatments, personalized skin care and massage therapy. Personalized skin care options like sensitive skin facials are offered, while massages, such as deep tissue, hot stone and prenatal, are available virtually every day. Guests may also choose to relax at The Salon at Bay Hill. Personally customized full- and half-day packages are available, including haircuts, manicures, pedicures and aromatherapy scalp massages. Individual services like perms, color and highlighting are also offered. If guests prefer to unwind outside, they may also be interested in Bay Hill’s private, half-day fishing

MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2016

excursion. Led by Captain Paul, a local, licensed professional fishing guide, the excursion begins at the Bay Hill Marina, which was just completely renovated, and continues throughout the nearby Butler Chain of Lakes for four hours.

As guests prepare for their next vacation in The Sunshine State, they may also be interested in a limited time offer: The “Bucket List Golf Package.” From May 25, 2016 to January 14, 2017, the Club & Lodge will provide guests a lodge

guest room, a full breakfast and an 18-hole round for only $167 (per person, per night based on double occupancy). Through these types of offers and amenities, Bay Hill Club & Lodge remains committed to providing top-notch customer service. “Throughout his career, Mr. Palmer has been renowned as one of the game’s greatest ambassadors, a gentleman who treats everyone with respect and dignity,” Herald says. “With these qualities in mind, Bay

Captain Paul currently uses a 19foot Ranger Cayman, and provides guests all of the gear they need for a successful fishing trip, such as bait, tackle and rods. On average, guests catch 10 to 12 fish during the excursion.

“The Butler Chain of Lakes is highly regarded for some of the best bass fishing in the state,” Roy Schindele, director of sales and marketing, Bay Hill Club & Lodge, says. “This excursion offers guests yet another exceptional vacation experience they’ll long remember.”

SUMMER 2016 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

Hill Club & Lodge has been dedicated to old-fashioned hospitality ever since Mr. Palmer first purchased the property in 1975.” She continues, “To maintain Mr. Palmer’s long-established vision, Bay Hill Club & Lodge will continue these traditions—by focusing specifically on its guests and members.” For further information about Bay Hill Club & Lodge, please visit www.bayhill.com. - MG -

Wine, Dine and Recline Whether guests are interested in starting their mornings off right with a hearty breakfast or they prefer to enjoy an appetizer while lounging by the pool, the following Bay Hill restaurants and/or bars offer something for everyone. The Grill: Members and guests are welcomed to enjoy breakfast and lunch in a casually elegant atmosphere. The Bay Window: Open daily from 2 to 10 p.m., The Bay Window offers views of Bay Hill’s famous putting green and Rolex clock, along with a casual menu that includes salads, sandwiches and brick oven pizza. The Terrace Cafe: If guests are only interested in lighter meals and relaxation, The Terrace Cafe is their best option, as it offers indoor and outdoor dining poolside. Members Lounge: Renowned as a cozy, fireside bar, Members Lounge serves beer, cocktails and fine wine every day from 5 to 10 p.m.

The Arnold Palmer Golf Academy Guests are also invited to attend the on-location Arnold Palmer Golf Academy, which is overseen by Bay Hill’s director of instruction, John O’Leary III, the 2015 and 2016 “Teacher of the Year” for the North Florida PGA Section. The Academy currently provides private lessons, club fitting sessions and nine-hole and 18-hole playing lessons, along with programs that range in length from four hours (all within one day) to 20 hours (five days of instruction in all). Each of the programs focuses on one—or more—of the following four key areas. Mastering the Fundamentals. Guests will learn how to master five of Mr. Palmer’s basic fundamentals: Grip, address, one-piece takeaway, steady head and acceleration. The Scoring Zone. Guests learn how to adjust and improve their addresses and swings for bunker shots, chips, pitches and putts. Practice Like a Pro. Guests will develop practice routines so that they can fully utilize their time, increase their confidence and improve their consistency. Course Management. Guests learn how to choose a strategy that’s best for them—including ball placement, club selection and pre-shot routine—so that they can play to the best of their abilities wherever they golf. MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2016

LPGA Volvik Championship Changes Olympic Rosters By Jennie McCafferty

Olympic Qualifying Rules 60 players; 72 hole stroke play -- Based on a player's official world golf ranking -- All players within top 15 as of July 11, 2016

-- As the host country, Brazil is guaranteed 1 man and 1 women -- Five continents of the Olympic Movement (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania) will have at least one golfer in each of the men’s and women’s events Ariya Jutanugarn

-- Limit 4 per country

Here's how the new Volvik Championship changed the rosters, at least until the next tournament and the final rankings as of Monday, July 11, 2016. • Ariya Jutanugarn wins third 36

lympic golf is being played for the first time since the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis. The Canadian men won that match in 1904 and still hold the trophy. This year in Rio, the women will also play for a trophy. 29 players from 24 countries entered the Volvik Championship holding spots on their country's roster. Another 31 are listed as alternates.

Christina Kim

SUMMER 2016 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

• Injury forces South Korea's Inbee Park to withdraw after Round 1-- Olympics uncertain for World #2. • Guilia Molinaro returns to Italy's roster with a tie for 39. • South Korea's 7 within top 15 are in fierce competition for four spots; Amy Yang moves to alternate status with tie for 20th. Will alternate substitute for Inbee Park?

Photo courtesy of RBC Canadian Open

straight tournament, retains place on Thailand's roster.

Art and Jennie McCafferty with Olympic Golf Trophy

MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2016

• Japan's top player, Haruko Noura, withdrew before tournament began; maintains #15 ranking. • Suzanne Petersen is confident. The Norwegian, #13 in Olympic rankings, sported the Olympic logo on her white bag.

Ann Arbor has had an early look at a sensational champion before. In 2002, Lorena Ochoa won the second of her three Futures Tour tournaments at the Ann Arbor Futures Classic. The runner-up at that tournament was Volvik runner-up Christina Kim. With those three wins, Ochoa earned membership on the LPGA tour in 2003 and rose to become the #1 player in 2007.

Amy Yang

- MG -

Ariya Jutanugarn made history in Ann Arbor. She is the first player on the LPGA Tour to make her first three victories in consecutive events.

Giulia Molinaro

Suzanne Petersen

SUMMER 2016 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

Volvik Leaves "Vivid" Image in Ann Arbor By Phyllis Barone

Presently Volvik's share in the U.S. is about 2 %, over 30% in Korea and represents about 5% of global golf ball sales. With the 2016 launch of the Vivid, (the world's first ever matte finish golf ball) and the Vibe (a tour ball for every swing speed), Volvik hopes to increase that number to 10 percent. Volvik has been quite successful in capturing over 60% of the sales in South Korea and "it wasn't easy," says Moon. Their strategy, according to Jon Claffey, National Director of Sales and Marketing of Volvik, USA, was to sign on South Korean LPGA players " who were open minded and were not influenced by traditional brands." Those

Moon was also eager to compliment Travis Pointe CC and the superior playing opportunities they offered the players all week during the Volvik Championship. Volvik granted Sarah Hoffman, a local Saline favorite Kyung-Ahn Moon CEO/Chairman of Volvik, Inc. who grew up playing Travis Pointe, an barriers were successfully broken as exemption to play in the Volvik the crowds witnessed 13 LPGA Championship and Moon believes players teeing it up with Volvik at that had Sarah made the cut, the Travis Pointe Country Club in Ann crowds would have been off the Arbor, Michigan. charts but Moon says - "we will have to wait until next year." Volvik, is a "fun stylish brand" says Moon and we hope to continue - MG to grow the game as both tour professionals and amateurs embrace the performance of our golf balls. " Regardless of the colors or the style of the ball, this ball performs so we believe that our market share for men will grow." PGA Tour players Craig Stadler (Vibe white), John Huston (Vibe yellow), Tim Petrovic (Vivid orange and yellow) Travis Bertoni are all on Team Volvik. Golf Tech Research supports that 50% of golfers are willing to play with colored golf balls. Volvik now has 5 different colors on Tour and has more colored golf balls in play on Tour (over 800 ) than any other brand. ÂŠ Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Photo couftesy of Volvik, Inc.

olvik is all about growing the game and Volvik's Chairman Moon, is recognized for helping to grow women's golf. Moon says" he is grateful to be doing an event in Michigan and feels that Volvik's presence at Travis Pointe Country Club will continue to contribute to the city of Ann Arbor and the state of Michigan to grow the excitement and encourage more people to play." The Volvik championship showcased 9 of the top ten LPGA players in the field; that "generates excitement and will help maximize awareness of Volvik golf balls."

Sarah Hoffman

MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;˘ SUMMER 2016

Slice of Life By Terry Moore

John Morse; And the Memory Lingers On

Photo courtesy of Terry Moore

his past April I happened to see CBS golf commentator Frank Nobilo in the Masters Press Building so I introTerry Moore duced myself and mentioned my friendship with Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member John Morse whom I knew was a mutual acquaintance. “Give Johnny my best,” said Nobilo. “You know, he should have won the U.S. Open at Oakland Hills in ’96.” We spoke for a few more minutes and it was apparent Nobilo and Morse were buddies from the days the duo played together on the Australasian Tours. “Johnny played so well that week and he really should have won it on Sunday. He was so close.” This June marks the 20th anniversary of John Morse’s exciting run at the U.S. Open title where he was in contention on the final nine holes. That nine as well as the entire week remain vivid in Morse’s mind. “I played well and came in under the radar,” said Morse, now retired from the Tour and living in his native Marshall. “There were lots of family members and friends pulling 40

for me that week.” After qualifying at the USGA sectional, Morse arrived at Oakland Hills on Tuesday of Open week having never played the famed South course. “I had played the North course several times but not the South so it was new to me. But I quickly figured it was a matter of hitting fairways and then aiming for the middle of those rolling, treacherous greens,” said Morse. “I only played 27 holes of practice because Wednesday’s round was curtailed due to heavy rains. But I felt fine with my preparation and I liked how the course was set up. The USGA made par your friend.” On Thursday, Morse opened up better than par after a two-under 68 and was one shot off the lead jointly held by Woody Austin and Payne Stewart. “I just kept to my game plan of hitting fairways, often with three-woods, and playing smart shorts into those greens. You just can’t short side yourself at Oakland Hills. I made some putts and got off to a good start.” He also had a good ending as he holed out from the greenside bunker on 18 for an unlikely birdie. On Friday, Morse fell back after a four-over par 74. “I just didn’t putt well that round. Nothing hor-

rendous happened other than the putts didn’t fall.” But on Saturday, Morse fought right back into the tournament with another two-under 68. In that round, Morse made three consecutive birdies at holes 6, 7 and 8. “Saturday got me within striking distance and I felt good about my chances.” After 54 holes, Morse was tied for third at even par, two shots behind leader Tom Lehman and one shot behind Steve Jones. He was in a three-way tie with Davis Love III and Nobilo. For the final round, he would be paired with his good friend from New Zealand. “That Sunday pairing was indeed fortunate,” recalled Morse. “I had played a lot of golf with Frank and we got along very well. A friendly pairing like that settles one part of the equation: a player can just go about his business.” For the final round, Morse played solid golf on the front side and remained in contention. But a three putt at the 13th hole unsettled Morse. “I made a bad three putt there and the bogey hurt.” But Morse bounced back two holes later with a nice birdie on the 15th hole. In the hunt for the national championship and as a former Big Ten champion from the

SUMMER 2016 • MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE

University of Michigan, Morse was commanding the attention of television commentators and viewers alike. The gallery kept urging the 38-yearold on with chants of “Go Blue!” and singing “The Victors.” A bad bounce on Morse’s drive on the par-four 16th hole proved to be costly. “I drove down the left center of the fairway and somehow it kicked left and into the first cut where I didn’t have a good lie,” said Morse. Missing the green with his second shot, Morse tried to save par but misread the putt. “My eyes were telling me one thing but my feet were saying something else. I didn’t trust my eyes and got burned.”

In an odd twist of fate, Nobilo’s and Morse’s second putts were only inches apart with Nobilo being away. “His putt went hard left and, as it turned out, I would have been better off not watching it. My putt somehow went straight and I missed it.” That final bogey resulted in an even par 70, even par for the week at 280 and two shots shy of winner Steve Jones. Morse put together rounds of 68-74-68-70, earned $111,235 and an exemption into the ’97 Masters.

Looking back at that momentous week at Oakland Hills, Morse admits it’s a tough pill to swallow. “I always prided myself on being a good finisher. I just didn’t get it done. It’s the one that really stings ’til this day.”

A member of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, Moore lives in Grand Rapids and is a Governor of the Golf Association of America.

- MG -

After making a good up and down for par out of the bunker on the 17th hole, Morse came to the 72nd hole with a chance for the title. “I hit a good drive on 18 and had a five-iron into the green,” said Morse. “My second shot was well-struck but it left me on the wrong side of the hogback in the green. It was going to be a tough two-putt.” MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2016

Now on iPad

issuu.com/michigan_golfer/docs 42

SUMMER 2016 â&#x20AC;¢ MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE