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Michigan Golf News May 7, 2010
Vol. 10, no. 19
Photo by Art McCafferty
Treetops Resor t http://treetops.com • Treetops Television Network http://glsp.com/treetops/ • Golf Packages, 2010 http://treetops.com/index.php?method= golf&subpage=golfpackages
Estelle Dul, grandson, and daughter, Kathy Aznavorian cut the ribbon to the new Strategic Fox Golf Course. Marsh Ridge Resor t and the Natural Golf Course http://www.marshridge.com • Marsh Ridge Resort Television Network http://glsp.com/marshridge/ • 2010 Golf Package Rates http://www.marshridge.com/golf/ proto/marshridge/packages/packages.htm
Hidden River Golf & Casting Club http://www.hiddenriver.com • Golf Packages http://www.hiddenriver.com/sites/ courses/view.asp?id=392&page=10449 • Big Fore: http://www.bigfore.com/ Jeff Lesson Half Off Golf at
http://lessonongolf.com
In This Issue:
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Estelle Dul Passes MGN On the Road: Orchard Lake CC Walter Hagen Returns to French Lick: By Brad Shelton New Ownership Revives Railside: By Terry Moore GAM Welcomes New President Tom Gillis Still Cashing Checks Hidden River Owner Follows Dad's Customer Credo Genesee County Amateur Championship Scheduled PGA Professional Ins and Outs Golf Channel's Big Break Series Returns with All-Female Cast Jack Berry Interviewed by Emily Gail Minzey's Musings: The Amazing Cucumber Michigan Golfer Magazine - Spring Issue http://issuu.com/michigan_golfer/docs/mgspring10 Michigan Golf Calendar http://michigangolfer.com/mgn/calendar.html Michigan Golf 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
==================== ESTELLE DUL PASSES ==================== In 1974, Estelle and Al Dul purchased Fox Hills CC in Plymouth. They have owned and managed it for the past 35 years. Fox Hills is now a 63-hole golf & banquet center. Estelle and Al, had two daughters, Kathleen Aznavorian and Sandy Mlly, who manage the facility today. The MGCOA and Dul family have established the Dul Family Player Development Award. 2008 Carol Farquhar, PGA Master Professional. Saskatoon Golf Club http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcWFx3lf7QI 2009 Jason Guss and Kevin McKinley , Treetops http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnRGSXhimO0 ================= MGN ON THE ROAD ================= Orchard Lake - Orchard Lake CC The Michigan Open will be played for a second time at Orchard Lake CC and then travel to the The Orchards in Washington for 2011 & 12. Last year, Ryan Brehm won http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4to4gEE3f_A The first Michigan Open was in 1916 and won by Leo Diegel. ============================== GAM WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT ============================== The Golf Association of Michigan recently inducted its new president, Lee Juett (Oakland Hills CC) at the 2010 GAM Annual Meeting at Pine Lake Country Club. Juett takes the torch from outgoing 2009 GAM President Bill Wright (Lakelands CC). Juett is a longtime member of Oakland Hills CC and was assistant vice chairman when the club hosted the 1996 U.S. Open and executive vice chairman of the 2002 U.S. Amateur. He has volunteered with the GAM for 15 years. Richard Topp (Muskegon CC) is the GAM’s newest Vice President joining Rondal Gaines (Burning Tree CC) and John Schulte (Birmingham CC) in that role. James R. Kohl (Meadowbrook CC) is the secretary for 2010 with Thomas Bollinger (Spring Meadows CC) acting as the assistant secretary. The newest additions to the GAM Board of Governors are Patrick McGurk (Spring Lake CC) and Lynn F. Saunders (Lakelands CC). Also honored were Dr. Walter Albers (Walnut Creek CC), recipient of the Distinguished Service Award; James D. Standish Jr Award recipients Philip Eklem (University of Michigan) and Kevin DeStefanis (Michigan State); and Thomas Ahern (Michigan Publinx Senior Golf Association) recipient of the Club Representative of the Year award. The GAM also recognized its Players of the Decade: Russ Cunningham (men); Stacy SlobodnikStoll (women); Joan Garety (senior women); Greg Reynolds (senior men) and the 2009 GAM Players of the Year: Tom Werkmeister (men); Christine Meier (women); Joey Garber (junior boys); Devon Compton (junior girls); Bill Zylstra (senior men); Garety (senior women). Taken and edited from a Susan Smiley GAM release
====================================================== WALTER HAGEN RETURNS TO FRENCH LICK: By Brad Shelton ====================================================== French Lick, IN - Eighty-six years after winning the PGA Championship over Englishman James Barnes on the 36th and final hole of a two-round match, Walter Hagen will return this year to the French Lick Resort in French Lick, Indiana. No, Walter Hagen will not be in attendance – he died in 1969. Rather, the trophy named in his honor, the Walter Hagen Cup, will be awarded to the winner of the 2010 Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) National Club Professional Championship to be contested in French Lick June 27-30, 2010. In 1924, Walter Hagen won the second of his five PGA Championships on the Hill Course at French Lick designed by legendary architect Donald Ross. Hagen, the winner of 11 major championships including two U.S. Open Championships and four British Open Championships, is a charter inductee in the World Golf Hall of Fame. Walter Hagen served as the first club professional at the now legendary Oakland Hills Country Club, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan where he worked for Oakland Hills into the early 1920s. This year, more than 300 of the best PGA Club Professionals will test their game and vie for the 43rd Annual Hagen trophy in French Lick on the Donald Ross Course, renamed in honor of the renowned designer, and the recently completed Pete Dye Course, named after the Hall of Fame architect, opened for play in 2009. Contestants in this year’s championship will face the challenge of two distinct course designs. The Donald Ross Course will test the players’ ability to meet Ross’ classic design, which invites run-up shots but includes severe trouble at the back of the green. Once reaching the putting surface, the Ross Course adds diabolical greens with turtleback designs and severe slope originally meant for stimpmeter readings of 4 or 5 – not the 10-12 common on today’s greens. At the Pete Dye Course, small greens and collection areas will test the shot-making abilities of the players – not to mention the length of the course, which can play to over 8,000 yards, and volcano bunkers that await wayward tee and approach shots. When asked what Walter Hagen or Donald Ross would think of the design and set up of the two courses for the PGA National Club Professional Championship, Pete Dye responded, “Neither would recognize golf today. Even in 1924, both thought the technology, equipment, and players were too advanced for the game and golf course designs.” Located two-and-a-half hours south of Indianapolis, French Lick Resort is a compelling long weekend option for the avid golfer, their playing partners, and families. Beyond the two championship golf courses, French Lick offers first class accommodations at West Baden Springs Hotel and French Lick Springs Hotel, spa treatments, horseback riding, hiking, first-class entertainment, fine dining, and a Vegas-style casino. But for the PGA Club Professionals this June, French Lick Resort is primarily about winning the prestigious National Club Professionals Championship and connecting with the immortal Walter Hagen. Note* Brad and Bill Shelton also visited French Lick at the Grand Opening of the Dye course. Here is their report http://michigangolfer.tv/2008shows/french_lick_dye/
Photo courtesy of Railside Golf Club
================================================ NEW OWNERSHIP REVIVES RAILSIDE: By Terry Moore =================================================
Railside Golf Club
Within West Michigan private club circles, it was breaking news last fall to learn Jim Bultema, the head golf professional at Cascade Hills Country Club, had left the prestigious Grand Rapids club to become part of a new ownership entity at Railside Golf Club. It was a little headline that could have justified a scrolling message at the bottom of local sports telecasts. That’s not meant tobe a knock on Railside, a friendly private club located in the suburban bedroom community of Byron Center, 20 minutes southwest of downtown GR, with a well-maintained golf course designed by Jerry and W. Bruce Matthews III. No, it’s just that the 34-year-old Bultema was only the fourth head golf professional at Cascade Hills, founded in 1921. That’s right, in 88 years there have only been four head golf honchos there—Maury Wells (1921-’61), Glenn Stuart (1962-’66), John Celestino (1967’03) and Jim Bultema (’03-’09.) Suffice it to say, being a head golf pro at Cascade Hills is akin to being on the U.S. Supreme Court, at least in terms of job security. “I often thought about spending my entire career at Cascade Hills,” said Bultema. “It was a tough, tough decision to leave the club due to its outstanding members and staff. It was a family-like atmosphere but the opportunity presented by Railside was extra special and offered many entrepreneurial challenges.” A recent visit last month to Railside, which opened in 1991, lent perspective and insight to Bultema’s surprising career move. Amid a bustling and pardon-my-dust remodeling and expansion of the clubhouse, Bultema—a Grand Rapids native, Christian High School and Ferris State grad— showed me around and provided background on the “turn around” story going on at Railside. A year ago, Railside—like an Ebenezer Scrooge in plus fours—faced a dreary financial past, present and future. As in the case of many private clubs in Michigan, Railside was saddled with heavy monthly debt payments that made positive cash flow increasingly difficult. “In some years, the members were assessed a special fee just to make payroll,” said Bultema. In short, prospects were indeed bleak. The knight in shining armor coming to Railside’s rescue turned out to be one of its members, Jim Engen, President and CEO of the highly successful NETech Corp., a technology integration firm based in Grand Rapids. “Long time members of the club and residents of Byron Center, the Engens felt strongly about Railside and how many valuable memories it held for their family,” said Bultema. “Jim
knew the club was broken and wanted to save it.” Engen purchased the club and retired its debt in one fell swoop. Presto! Railside was off the respirator and breathing freely again. As importantly, Engen also persuaded Bultema to come onboard as his General Managing Partner and to lend his well-regarded management, leadership and member relations skills to the equation. “I was very fortunate to work for John Celestino at Cascade Hills,” said Bultema. “He taught me the importance of service and making sure each member is treated the same way. And Jim Engen is that same sort of person.” Right now Bultema is focusing on Railside’s membership and growing it. “Our short-term goal is for 180 playing members and 250 members overall. And we want to maintain a four-hour golf round pace.” Bultema says the response to the new ownership and its new directions have been “overwhelming.” All membership categories are rebounding nicely especially in the social category. For $1250, a social member can take full advantage of the clubhouse, dining, and pool while also playing eight rounds of golf per year. “We’ve already added 30 new social members and that speaks volumes about the club.” Meanwhile, the clubhouse is finishing up an impressive remodeling and expansion effort. Newly enlarged full and casual dining areas, along with a new outside patio, will officially open on May 13, complementing improved facilities for banquets, meetings and special events. “But at the center of it all is making sure our members feel comfortable and at home at their club,” said Bultema. Also, added financial support is being provided to the golf course maintenance budget which had been strapped in previous years. “With an excellent superintendent in Jeff Hopkins, we needed to make sure he had the staff and the budget to keep the course in great shape.” An intriguing sidebar to the Railside story is the plan sometime in the future for making it a template for other private club acquisitions. “Right now we’re focused on Railside but our business plan is to look at similar purchases where a club is burdened with debt but has significant membership assets,” said Bultema. “Our business model is threefold: one, it’s important to have little or no debt; two, we believe, like American Express, that membership has it privileges and must be recognized; and three, hire and motivate the best people and let them do their jobs.” On the second point, Bultema has an interesting take on some new private club purchases in West Michigan where the membership has access to other clubs in a new ownership model while opening its clubhouse dining to the general public. “To me, the problem isn’t having more courses to play for one’s membership dollars; it’s really finding time to play and to enjoy your own club.” And as far as opening a club’s restaurant (usually a loss leader at most clubs) to the public, Bultema understands the rationale but he feels it only detracts from the membership experience and ambience. When asked how he would evaluate new opportunities posed by other struggling private clubs, Bultema cited two key factors. “It will depend upon the appraisal value of their land and upon the viability and sense of community of the members.” With a refreshing optimism in a industry often fraught with naysayers, the savvy and energetic Jim Bultema is determined to see the cup half full. To the lucky members at Railside enjoying a post-round beverage inside their new sports lounge, the cup is now bubblin over. http://www.railsidegolf.com/
================================ TOM GILLIS STILL CASHING CHECKS ================================ Tom Gillis, who won the 2008 Michigan Open and picked up his PGA card by having a great Nationwide year in 2009, finished tied for 17th at Quail Hollow and added 91K to his total of 480K and 74th ranking on this year's money list. http://www.pgatour.com/players/00/87/25/
“My dad (Joe) was the longtime pro at Oceana Golf Club and he always told me to treat people with respect,” said Foster, a former PGA club professional, manufacturer’s rep, and now the owner with his wife Lisa of Hidden River Golf & Casting Club in Brutus, Michigan. “Owning and running a golf course all gets back to my dad’s core values and making sure our golfers are all treated well.”
Photo by Dave Richards
====================================================== HIDDEN RIVER OWNER FOLLOWS DAD'S CUSTOMER CREDO ====================================================== A son of a P.G.A. golf professional, Tom Foster knew early on the importance of customer service.
From the day it opened in 1998, Hidden River— located north of Petoskey off US-31-- was a favorite course of Foster, a former head golf professional at Spring Lake CC after serving as an assistant at Muskegon CC and Bloomfield Hills CC. “I knew the management and owner of Hidden River and played there on many occasions,” said Foster. “The layout was so appealing with such a variety of holes and settings that I fell in love with it.” When the W. Bruce Matthews III designed-course came up for sale in the summer of 2007, Tom and Lisa Foster became interested. “The price was right and we believed in northern Michigan’s future as a golf destination.” Almost three years later, Foster doesn’t regret his decision to purchase Hidden River, also known for its popular Rainbow Room Restaurant and its impressive log cabin clubhouse, in spite of the challenging times for the state and the golf industry as a whole. “Yes, this is a tough economy but we’ve learned to adapt and to work harder,” said Foster who also spent 13 years as manufacturer’s rep
for a number of leading golf companies, including Nike, Ben Hogan and Lynx. “And whenever we hear our golfers tell us they want to go right back to the first tee after holing out on 18, we know how lucky we are to be the owners of Hidden River. As many people remind us, it’s one of best kept secrets of northern Michigan.” Foster also reports 2010 is off to a good start. “Our pre-bookings are up over 30% compared to a year ago,” said Foster. “With less doom and gloom in the air, people want to enjoy their free time.” When Hidden River opened twelve years ago, it quickly became widely known for its distinctive design and how it respected the Maple River, a blue ribbon trout stream, that meanders within sight of the picturesque clubhouse terrace. “It’s a beautiful piece of land,” said course architect Matthews who counts Hidden River as one of the “underrated gems” of northern Michigan. “There are five sets of tees that will test golfers without embarrassing them. And the surroundings just make you feel good being there with the wild turkey and deer and the sense of isolation.” Awards and accolades for Hidden River include a 4 ½ stars (out of 5) rating by Golf Digest, “Top 100 courses in U.S. under $100” by Travel & Leisure Magazine and “Top 4 Golf Course Restaurants in the Midwest” by PGA Travel. A member course of the Golf Association of Michigan and a charter participant in the GAM’s new “Exclusive Tee Times” program (www.gam.org), Hidden River also is a partner in the Big Fore Golf Package (www.bigfore.com). Along with Black Lake GC, Dunmaglas GC, and Little Traverse Bay GC, Hidden River offers a stay-play-and-dine golf package which includes accommodations at Hamlet Village and Trout Creek Condominiums. Hidden River also works with a number of area motels and hotels in the Petoskey area for special golf packages. For more information about Hidden River Golf & Casting Club call 1-800-325-4653 or visit http://www.hiddenriver.com Taken and edited from an All About Golf release ===================================================== GENESEE COUNTY AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULED ===================================================== Amateur golfers should note that the Genesee County Amateur Championship will be held at IMA Brookwood Golf Club on June 25, 26 and 27, 2010. Presented by the IMA Recreation Association, the event will provide four divisions for golfers: an open division for players of all ages; a senior division for golfers 50-62; a super senior division for golfers 63+ and NEW this year a women’s division for female participants of any age. All divisions will play a 54-hole individual stroke play format. Participants can register on-line at http://www.brookwoodgolfclub.com =============================== PGA PROFESSIONAL INS AND OUTS =============================== Don White is out at Garland and Tom Pomante from Metamora Golf and CC is in at Garland. John Myers is out at Washtenaw CC but in at True North. Gene Bone II is out at Treetops. Bone left and returned downstate, to be closer to his mother, who is in failing health.
============================================================== GOLF CHANNEL'S BIG BREAK SERIES RETURNS WITH ALL-FEMALE CAST ============================================================== Competition will be at an all-time high when Golf Channel's popular Big Break series returns for a 13th season in June. Featuring an all-female cast who will bring serious golf skills, beauty and brains, Big Break Sandals Resorts will premiere June 21 at 9 p.m. ET. Taking place at Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma, Bahamas, Big Break Sandals Resorts will showcase a field of 11 women - nine currently play on the Duramed FUTURES Tour - competing against each other in an attempt to make their lifelong dream of playing alongside the world's top golfers a reality. While many of the competitors are friends and travel companions on the road, when it comes to Big Break, those friendships will be put to the test. In addition to other prizes, the winner will receive an exemption to compete in an LPGA Tour event and a Ladies European Tour event. http://www.worldgolf.com/newswire/browse/62809-Golf-Channel%E2%80%99s-Big-Break-seriesreturns-all-female-cast ====================================== JACK BERRY INTERVIEWED BY EMILY GAIL ====================================== Jack Berry, long time sports writer based in Detroit who received the Masters Major Achievement Award at Augusta this year having covered 43 Masters was a recent guest on Emily T. Gail Talks Golf and Other Sports radio show on the Big Island of Hawaii. Jack talked about his five decades as a golf writer, which included reporting on more than 70 of golf's major Championships. Jack was one of the advocates for the Detroit Free Press Golf Schools and it’s partnership with PGA professionals, a program that was a forerunner for the First Tee Program. He talked about his early professional sports "beat" featuring the Detroit Red Wings of the thensix-team National Hockey League; how he grew up around the Detroit Tigers where his father was the traveling secretary. To listen to Jack click on http://www.espnhawaii.com and select May 2 Emily T Gail Talks Golf. Taken and edited from Emily Gail's newsletter =========================================== MINZEY'S MUSINGS: THE AMAZING CUCUMBER =========================================== 1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc. 2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours. 3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance. 4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds?
Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area. 5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!! 6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!! 7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation. 8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water. 9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone! 10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams. 11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath. 12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but it won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean. 13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!! ========================================= MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE - SPRING ISSUE http://issuu.com/michigan_golfer/docs/mgspring10 ========================================= Table of Contents "Shenandoah and the Michigan Golf Classic" - By Jack Berry Larry Ziegler had the Michigan Golf Classic well in hand, but the $20,000 first prize money was not in anyone's hand. This infamous golf tournament where the professional golfers were not paid after
their win (the new PGA Tour eventually paid the players), made history. From then on, tournament organizers had to have tournament prize money in escrow. Jack Berry, tracts down the story of one of Michigan's little known stories. Of special note is that Berry was able to find the scorecard from the tournament and see all of the disappointed golfers, including Mike Hill, who finished, fifth. "43 Years at the Masters" - By Jack Berry Jack Berry is one of our nation's greatest golf writers and he has the plaques to prove it. Of late, he has received the PGA Lifetime Journalism Award, The Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award and this month, the Masters Major Achievement Award. During his half century of golf writing, Berry has been at the Masters on 43 different occasions. This is a great read from a great writer. “Collegiate Spotlights: Michigan Golf Programs Provide Opportunities for Students - Albion College" - By Chris Lewis Chris Lewis continues his series on Michigan collegiate golf, this time visiting Albion. "Treetops: Golf at its Best" - By Mike Duff Long time course reviewer, Mike Duff, had the opportunity to golf a number of the courses at Treetops this fall. His first review of Treetops was prior to its grand opening and part of his foursome was the new head golf professional, Rick Smith. In our Summer Issue, Duff has been assigned to review the recently refurbished Jones Masterpiece. "Michigan Golf Association and Legislative Leader, John Dodge Passes" By Bill Fountain Bill Fountain provides his thoughts about his mentor and friend, the late and great John Dodge. "Slice of Life: Torrey Pines, San Diego and The Bucket List" By Terry Moore Michigan Golfer Editor Emeritus, known as the "King of Comp" by Michigan Golfer writers, has an enviable list of courses and places that he has golfed. Here is the latest Moore adventure and a subtraction from his "Bucket List."
Art McCafferty GLSP 4007 Carpenter Road #366 Ypsilanti, MI 48197 E artmccaf@glsp.com C 734-507-0241