The amazing stories of golf and golfers in Michigan never ends so it seems.
Here in August, we can see it easily: Start with a review of yet another Michigan golf club celebrating 100 years in service. Rob McIntyre, a former high school golf coach, shares his unique perspective.
PGA Tour player Keegan Bradley was named 2025 Ryder Cup captain, and we bring inside perspectives from the Country Club of Lansing/and PGA of America president John Lindert, plus comments from former captain Jim Furyk, and Boo Weekly, you won’t find elsewhere.
A new list of Michigan’s Top 20 public golf courses.
Detailed updates of a story we first broke in March, on a new nine holes soon to be under construction at Sage Run in the U.P. near Escanaba. The upcoming PGA Tour Champions’ Ally Challenge at Warwick Hills should be as good as any to date. Shanty Creek is looking fabulous with its ‘Phenomenal Five’ courses and a special $90 deal for 90 holes in September.
And we have the National High School Golf Coach of the Year from Michigan, Vicki Kowalski of Farmington Hills Mercy – and her former player Meg Mallon shares some special insight.
Thank you as always for joining us.
TomLang EditorandPublisher
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MORE GROWTH IN THE UPPER PENINSULA
Island Resort & Casino Expansion Coming with New Golf Course, Golf Shop and Convention Center
The leading golf and casino resort option in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is growing – again – just announcing a $19 million capital investment as the Island continues to expand and prepare for future growth. The two-year project will feature the development of a new nine-hole golf course, golf shop, and additional convention space.
NewNine-HoleGolfCourse
With the increased demand for golf, Island Resort will add a new nine-hole course, the Cedar Course (Kishki), on the Sage Run Golf Course site. The new course, designed by Paul Albanese, who also designed Sweetgrass and
Sage Run, will be inspired by golden age architecture focused on natural landscapes and featuring popular template green complexes designed into the natural environment while offering beauty and strategic play. Green complexes were inspired by C.B. Macdonald's great National Golf Links and overseas links such as Prestwick.
“We are very busy in the summer and often booked on both of our other courses in the morning,” says Tony Mancilla, General Manager for Island Resort & Casino. “We decided to add nine holes to accommodate our guests looking for early morning tee times before they head home. We are not adding to Sage Run but making these nine holes their own course.”
The name Cedar (Kishki in Potawatomi) is derived from being one of the four sacred medicines known for its protective and purifying properties. The logo design will pay tribute to tobacco, another sacred medicine. Cedar complements the existing courses, Sweetgrass and Sage Run, to complete the representation of medicines that, in Potawatomi culture, represent the connection to the earth.
“We are taking some great concepts from the
golden age of course architecture in the early 1900s and incorporating them into the Cedar course,” Albanese said. “The course will feature some of the game’s most popular green templates like the Punchbowl, Double Plateau, and even a Juniper hole like the famous 6th hole at Augusta National. Many Midwesterners have not experienced this kind of architecture, so we wanted to give them a flavor of what it would be like to play overseas or from that era.”
Mancilla added: “We are also going to have a variety of different-length holes, short par-4s inspired by holes like No. 10 at Riviera, maybe a short par-3, and even church pew bunkers like Oakmont.”
The new course will be routed on some great rolling land adjacent to the front nine of Sage Run – as shown in Albanese’s initial rendering.
“The land we have for Cedar is perfect for the concept,” Mancilla said. “The course will wind through a valley with gently rolling hills and some elevation. It will be less severe land than Sage Run but have more movement than Sweetgrass – somewhere right in-between.”
In addition to the course, Cedar will offer a multi-hole complex featuring multiple greens with varying short and mid-level par 3 shots that can be played in all directions. This will be a fun golf experience for groups and golfers looking for extra golf that can be played in about an hour.
Sweetgrassaddsanewgolfshop
Along with the new nine holes being developed at Sage Run, the Sweetgrass golf course will build a new golf shop. The shop will overlook the golf course ' s scenic 9th and 18th holes, which share the same double green complex. The Hardy Plank traditional design includes 3,000 square feet of new space, including an upper deck overlooking the golf course with a full-service pro shop, covered outdoor terraces, a full-service bar, and locker rooms with guest showers.
Moremeetingsandconventionsare comingtotheIsland
In addition to the golf expansion, the resort will add to its convention center featuring 16,900 square feet of new convention space. The modern design includes high-volume ceilings, state-of-the-art audio and visual accommodations, a high-capacity kitchen, multiple event bars, and outdoor courtyards that complement the existing architecture, providing a timeless design suitable for an array of events, including weddings, banquets, business conventions, special events and Continuesonnextpage>>
MORE GROWTH IN THE UPPER PENINSULA
more. The new grand ballroom will have the capacity to accommodate an additional 750 guests seated and up to 1200 guests for larger expos and events, adding a much-needed large event space to the area.
“The new facility is designed to better accommodate larger events, including business conventions,” Mancilla said. “By offering expanded meeting space conveniently located between Lower Michigan
and Northern Wisconsin we will meet the increased demand from regional groups. Many of these groups are looking to have multiple day events during the week. We are in the unique position to also provide hotel accommodations sufficient for these large conventions.”
This expansion comes on the heels of the recently completed $33 million hotel tower in 2022. The newer hotel tower – connected to the south end of the resort’s Palm Tower –features 138 guest rooms and suites, with some special attention for golfers with expansive golf suites. Each 675 sq ft suites are complete with a King bed, a double queen and a common area, all with incredible views of the Sweetgrass Golf Course – perfect for foursomes looking for added space and a fun environment.
common area, all with incredible views of the Sweetgrass Golf Course – perfect for foursomes looking for added space and a fun environment.
Located in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula 15 minutes west of Escanaba, Island Resort & Casino is one of the Midwest's largest golf, casino and entertainment resort destinations. The resort features over 450 guest rooms, more than 1,200 of the latest slots, a poker room, various gaming tables and a bingo hall, two championship 18-hole golf courses, the luxurious Drift Spa, an RV Park, a headline entertainment showroom, a dedicated Sportsbook space, a pool with waterpark features, a customizable, expansive convention space and enough dining choices to please every palette. The Island Resort and Casino is easily accessible via two regional airports in Escanaba and Marquette connecting through Detroit, Saginaw, Lansing or Grand Rapids.
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Shanty Creek: a Great Northen Michigan Golf and Travel Hub
ByTomLang ByTomLang
In his first-ever visit to Shanty Creek, my media broadcast partner quickly summarized his highlights of the well-known Bellaire resort.
“I’m calling Shanty Creek the ‘Phenomenal
Five,’ because it’s a five-mile radius, and in there you’ve got five golf courses, with something for everyone,” said 3-time Michigan Broadcaster of the Year, Jack Ebling, out of Lansing.
Ebling’s personalized label encompasses Shanty Creek’s Cedar River Golf Course design by Tom Weiskopf – now celebrating 25 years –The Legend (1986) by Arnold Palmer, the
original Summit course, Schuss Mountain GC and the recent acquisition of nearby Hawk’s Eye, which has been in Shanty Creek’s portfolio since 2021.
The development of The Legend at roughly the same time Jack Nicklaus debuted The Bear at Grand Traverse Resort
is widely agreed upon as the kick-start combo to the northern Michigan golf boom on the heels of the very first, The Heather at Boyne Highlands, in the late 1960s.
“It is remarkable, it really started the trend up here,” said Shanty Creek’s PGA professional Steve Scheuermann. “There’s a lot of great courses in Michigan designed by some very famous golfers and architects and that says a lot about our state. We do have the best golf courses in the country overall, I feel, and so many (of them) considering we’re a seasonal opportunity.
“For the longest time it was my favorite golf course in Michigan,” Scheuermann said of The Legend. “It’s very challenging. The greens are difficult if you’re on the wrong side of the hole. There’s so many great, unique holes… 40 years later the
trees are pretty tall, so it’s much more difficult than it was.”
Lindsey Southwell, director of marketing at Shanty Creek and president of the local Chamber of Commerce, joined the conversation with Steve, me and Ebling on ‘The Long Drive’ broadcast back in mid-May.
“If you’re a golfer, you know Shanty Creek is a golf destination,” Southwell said about the fourseasons resort that’s also popular for skiing and other winter sports. “There are not many places in the state, let alone the nation, that have this concentration of golf courses in one location. I mean, 90 holes of championship courses in a five-mile radius. Cedar River and The Legend, an Arnold Palmer design – you can’t ask for
two better designers in one location.”
Southwell is a former high school golfer, and nowadays a mom. She really likes the wide variety of offerings that her family can participate in, including footgolf on occasion at The Summit.
“My family, with two young boys, it’s great for us,” she said of The Summit. “We have par 3 tees on every hole, so my sons really like that. They don’t have to play all the length, but mom and dad can join them and get in a good round.”
When asked what stands out about Shanty Creek’s five golf courses, Scheuermann replied: “They’re all unique in their own way, so they
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will appeal to many different people. When you ask anyone who walks in the door of the pro shop what’s their favorite, you’ll get differing opinions, which I think is fantastic. Someone may love Cedar River, yet they still like one of the originals, the Shuss course, which is fantastic and always in excellent condition.”
Shanty Creek courses being in great condition is not a stroke of luck, but rather very intuitive planning that other multiple-course resorts might be wise to consider. With Shanty’s 90 holes, management made the decision a few years ago to close every course at least one day per week, sometimes two days, so the grass can rest and the superintendent’s crew can do their jobs without being underfoot of the golfers.
In essence, every course is open on the weekends, but on weekdays, each 18-holer shuts down at least one day. It’s a financial sacrifice management has made, but has done so to give golfers the best playing experience possible.
Cedar River is considered by many golfers the resort favorite. I put it right up there as well, but I’ve enjoyed the others very much, too.
Southwell commented that many people don’t know that Hawk’s Eye was a stand-alone course before becoming part of the Shanty Creek collection.
“And it’s quickly becoming our second most popular course at the resort, and for very good reason,” she added. “It plays similarly to Cedar
SchussHole12
River. There’s a lot of challenge in the shots. There is water on nine of the 18 holes. It’s a good challenge and I think it plays differently every time I play it, so that makes it a fun play.”
CEDARRIVERat25:
“It is my favorite, but they are all very close, for different reasons,” Scheuermann said of Cedar River. “But it’s the one course I would play every single day and never get tired of it – and that’s not very normal for golfers, not typical. The way it’s laid out, the terrain, the woods, it’s a genius design.”
Cedar River has five par fives, five par 3s and eight par fours.
“Par fours are the challenging holes for most golfers. So, even on a day that’s not so great, you can still shoot some good scores.”
Hole 5 at Cedar River is the No. 1 handicap hole.
“Absolutely the hardest hole on the golf course,” Scheuermann said. “You have to play it smart. You have to hit the fairway to start. The second shot tempts you to go for the green, especially when the pin is on the left side. Don’t do that. Hit it
down the right side, and if you do it correctly the ball will bounce left toward the green.
“Take your medicine, hope for a good pitch or chip, and to maybe save par. But you don’t want to turn it into a harder hole. If the ball goes left, you’re going to hit a higher score. If you get a great drive and get over the hill and start going down the backside, you’ll get a lot of roll and can use an iron into the green. Go for it.”
Ebling’s closing thoughts on Cedar River:
“There’s so many different ways to play this course. And talk about playability, that and memorability of it for visitors to Shanty Creek. If you’re a really top-notch player, a scratch golfer and you want to go to the blacks, it’s 6980 (yards) and it will test you. Then the red tees are 5315 and there are a lot of options between those with the blue, the white, the silver and some hybrid tees; so lots of different ways to play it.”
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TheLegend
GETTINGOFFCOURSE:
With her ‘Chamber hat’ on, Southwell had many things to share about what friends and family can do before or after golf in the Bellaire/Chain of Lakes region. Shanty Creek Resort is anchored halfway between Pure Michigan tourism icons Sleeping Bears Dunes and Mackinaw Island.
“A lot of people come up to Bellaire just for Short’s Brewery,” she said. “It’s really transformed the town with a hot little night life in our village. We now have a distillery and lots of unique dining options and it’s become a really ‘happening village.’
“Outside the village we have the chain of lakes, that includes Torch Lake, which we call the Caribbean of the North. Its Caribbean blue waters are unlike any other lake I’ve ever seen. It’s popular for very good reason.
“You cannot top the beauty of Torch Lake. It’s the setting for Kid Rock’s song ‘Summertime’ with the great sandbar attraction. The Chain of Lakes is 55 miles of lakes and waterways combined. They start up here by us and end at Lake Michigan in Elk Rapids. It provides all kinds of recreation. You want to do something on the water, we have it all.”
Antrim County, which Southwell said is the snowiest county each wintertime, is flooded with great trails for hiking and biking and other nonwater sports.
“When you think Northern Michigan, you think woods and water, and we have all that here,” Southwell concluded. “It’s a real family destination, and we are very centrally located. It’s easy to make day trips to Traverse City, to Cheboygan, or Petoskey. So, you can really get out and explore northern Michigan, see all the things you want to see.
“We like to say, ‘we’re more Traverse and less city.’”
Ally Challenge the Final Pro Tour Stop This Season
ByTomLang ByTomLang
Defending champ Vijay Singh, 2020 champion Jim Furyk and almost-rookie on the PGA Tour Champions circuit Boo Weekly – headline the early commitments to play in the upcoming Ally Challenge, August 19-25 at Warwick Hills in Grand Blanc.
In speaking one-on-one with Furyk, he said the memories the Buick Open buzz generated are still found at the Ally.
“As a player, we enjoy coming to Warwick Hills and the Flint area because it’s a big deal to this community,” Furyk recently told me as we stood on the famous 17th tee at Warwick. “We
can see it. It’s one of the biggest crowds we get all year, and that’s why we want to play in it. It’s a lot of fun for us. It feels like the old Buick Open and a PGA Tour event. And Ally does so much with its charitable dollars. I think it’s just a great partnership with the community.
“What Ally has done is really embrace this community,” Furyk continued. “I look at the
charitable dollars they’ve been able to generate, over $7 million, then the concerts. This community has always really supported the event.”
Speaking of concerts, country music awardwinning star Thomas Rhett headlines the 7th annual Saturday evening community concert on the Warwick Hills driving range with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Also the Concert @17 presented by Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort will feature multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated poprock icons Smash Mouth, on Friday evening, August 23, following the first round of tournament competition.
2023ChampionVijaySingh
Two fun and meaningful golf events will kick off the week on Monday the 19th. The pro tournament welcomes the PGAJr.League Championship. This group of youth players from seven junior golf teams across Genesee County who have played competitively all summer. The event will serve as the league’s season-ending Championship round, offering a special opportunity to play a tournament-ready PGA TOUR Champions course. And for the third year, professional adaptive golf instructors from across the country will be at the practice area to give lessons and tips to players who have challenges composing a growing category of ‘adaptive golfers.’
The Ally Challenge will be one of the premier Regular Season events on the PGA TOUR Champions in 2024, featuring a $2,200,000 purse and leading to the Charles Schwab Cup
Playoffs, a season-ending, three-tournament series used to determine the TOUR’s season-long champion.
All three rounds of The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren will be broadcast on Golf Channel.
Since its inception in 2018, the tournament has donated more than $7.3 million to support local charities.
Tickets for The Ally Challenge can be purchased at theallychallenge.com/tickets. Several ticket options are available. The tournament is open to spectators from Thursday (August 22, pro-am) to Sunday (August 25). Ticket prices start at $15 children 17 and under receive free grounds access with a ticketed adult. For a complete listing of ticket options and tournament incentives and programs, visit the tournament website at theallychallenge.com.
Inside Perspective to Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup Selection
ByTomLang ByTomLang
The PGA of America announced Keegan Bradley as the next Ryder Cup captain, for the international match that will take place next year at Bethpage Black in New York.
We got a one-on-one inside look and commentary from PGA Tour players Boo Weekly, former Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk, and the PGA of America president, John Lindert – who is also director of golf at Country Club of Lansing. BooWeekly,formerUSARyderCupplayer:
“I’m happy for him, ya know. I mean, he’s a grinder. I got to play with him when I was out on the Tour, and I mean he’s a super nice guy.
I’ve never had no problem with him and a lot of the guys, you know, they enjoy playing with him. We’ve all kinda got our own winks and kinks in how we play, but at the same time, I think he’s going to do good. I think he’ll be a good captain and can get the boys ready to play.”
JimFuryk,USA Captainof2018 RyderCup:
“One of the things I did hear Keegan say was that he was surprised to get the call, so I think it was probably a surprising nod right off the bat. I have since reached out and congratulated him, and also said if there’s anything I could do, or if he’s got any questions, I’ve been there – and have some past experience, both good and bad. And some lessons to learn and if he needed any advice or help or just wanted to call and chat, I’d be there for him.”
“Ultimately, the thing for a captain in a Ryder Cup is that … we’re so used to, as players, to just worry about us. We put a team around us, whose sole job is to help us. Our caddie, a swing coach, maybe a putting coach, a mental coach. Whatever it may be, whatever the team is, folks tend to surround themselves with people that are there to help them play well.”
“When you’re a Captain, it’s the reverse. You become a CEO. You’re not just overlooking 12 people – you’re looking at the team, the caddies, wives and significant others, a whole group of PGA of America folks. You’re now running a group of 50 people, and there’s no real good way to judge right off the bat who is that person, who’s going to be that great CEO and that great leader. I think Keegan has a great opportunity. I think it’s wonderful that he’s doing it here in the United States.
“The fans at Bethpage are the loudest – I’m going to say it in a nice way – they are the loudest crowd I have ever seen in my entire life. They are vocal, and they’re going to be a huge asset for the Americans. Keegan will have one of the most important tasks – how to set up that golf course to try to give the
Americans a little advantage or a little tilt, and I think he is wise enough he’s going to surround himself with enough people that are good folks, that have experience and will lead the team in the right direction.”
Lindert said the Ryder Cup committee was made up of himself, two more PGA reps and players Zach Johnson, Jordan Speith and Justin Thomas. Lindert confirmed that Tiger Woods was a candidate who took himself out of consideration for the near future, and then went on to talk about who can handle the pressures both inside and outside the ropes – plus the fan base of a ruckus America-centric crowd in New York.
“You need somebody who can level-set the players, and make sure the players are laser focused on the Concludesonnextpage>>
job at hand,” Lindert told me. “Keegan Bradley … went to St. John’s University as a standout player there and the team played Bethpage on a regular basis. He’s a big New York City fan, and New York City is a big fan of Keegan’s... he’s the son of a PGA professional, he’s a PGA Champion and a two-time Ryder Cuper. He is a fierce, fierce competitor – and when you talk to him about Ryder Cup and you talk to him about competing, it’s personal.
RYDER CUP CAPTAINCY
PGAPresidentJohnLindertandKeeganBradley
“These players travel from city to city and they have their routines. When you have a guy like Keegan Bradley who is currently ranked 19 and is traveling and playing, he gets it, he gets what the routines of the players are today… and anytime you break a player’s routine, you don’t benefit them to perform at their highest level. And when you are a player playing with your potential team members, you gain a really good understanding of what they need. You want to help them facilitate the very best options to perform their very best.”
Lindert said he thinks Keegan has a chance to qualify on points to be a player on the Ryder Cup, and the PGA has in recent years hired a manager to take care of the many logistical things a captain, like Furyk, used to handle. “As he said (at the press conference), Keegan still thinks he’s in his prime. He is 38 years
young and can still perform at a very high level, so it will be very interesting. I think it would be one of the coolest things in the world to have Keegan Bradley follow Arnold Palmer (the last, 60 years ago) as the next playing captain.
“Just take a look in his eyes,” Lindert said of Bradley’s passion. “There are a thousand photos of Keegan staring down the line of a putt or staring down a shot, and that’s fierce competitiveness. But it’s also focus. It’s passion… He is focused and he is committed to being a winning Ryder Cup captain.”
Bradley has since announced that Webb Simpson will be Vice Captain. Like Bradley, Simpson is 38 years old.
“Webb is someone who I have long admired and respected as a competitor and friend,” Bradley said. “He possesses a wealth of team golf experience and knows what it takes to win.”
GOLF AT THE OLYMPICS
Former U-M Golfer Tagged for 2024 Olympics
Former University of Michigan All-American women ' s golfer and current Epson Tour professional Ashley Lau secured a spot to compete for her native country of Malaysia at the XXXIII Olympic Games in Paris.
“It’s simply an incredible achievement; It’s hard to put into words,” said U-M Women’s coach Jan Dowling. “It wasn’t too long ago that golf wasn’t even part of the Olympics, but since its return in 2016, the prestige keeps building in our sport. There may not be a higher honor in sport than to represent your country on the world stage, and Ashley is flying that Malaysian flag with great pride. Michigan golf’s first Olympian is quite thrilling, and we are excited to cheer her on in Paris.”
In her legendary Michigan career, Lau started all 43 of her career events, carrying a U-M record 73.24 scoring average. A four-time medalist, a UM record, Lau was a two-time Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All American (2021, '22).
Helping U-M win its firstever Big Ten title in 2022, Lau was named the program's first Big Ten Golfer of the Year.
Boyne’s Updates at Ross Memorial Are Truly Memorable
ByTomLang ByTomLang
For the past few years, BOYNE Golf has painstakingly made improvements and detailed updates to the Donald Ross Memorial course that; 1) most properties would never create in the first place, and 2) made thoughtful revisions as more information on Ross’ true dimensions, scale and blueprints became available.
For the past few months, golfers have been able to enjoy these once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece replica holes from around the country while located on one piece of northern Michigan land.
BOYNE Golf’s founder, Everett Kircher, had a vision 35 years ago to create a new and unique golf course at the time that would pay homage to the golden era of classic course architecture of Ross. His vision was to re-create some of Ross’ signature holes from his top courses east of the Mississippi River. The course features classic renditions from historic venues like
Seminole, Pinehurst No. 2, Oakland Hills, Oak Hill, Scioto, Detroit Golf Club, Aronimink, Plainfield, and Inverness, to name a few.
Today, President and CEO Stephen Kircher of Boyne Resorts continues his father’s vision by curating a pure Donald Ross experience for golfers.
“When we began this journey in the late 1980s, Dad wanted to create a unique golf experience that no other resort had done before, replicating some of the great designs of famous holes in one compositive golf course,” said Kircher. “Bringing a focus on arguably the most prolific and successful architect of the 20th century was the driving force in the selection of Donald Ross’ works, especially since so many of his best works were not readily available to the general public (being located at private courses). This has been very exciting for us and our resort guests, who will now have a more genuine Donald Ross experience (than before)."
The original national search included visiting 50 clubs to find the best holes. Kircher and long-time BOYNE executive Bernie Friedrich, the Director of Golf Course Renovations and Development for BOYNE Golf, were also part of the original selection and execution team during the course ' s initial development in the 1980s.
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“The opportunity we now have through technology makes this process so exciting,” explained Friedrich. “We didn’t have iPhones or camera phones back then, so we took pictures of the holes with a Polaroid camera. We now have more access to Ross’ original drawings, Google Earth data (past and present), CAD drawings, and, maybe most importantly, Lidar maps.
“The green complexes have always been a priority,” explained Friedrich. "Today, through the new technology, we can gather photos and dimensions to replicate each green more accurately, creating an authentic Donald Ross experience. We are getting the greens within one inch of their original grades now.”
The accuracy of the updates has surprised many.
"We were at the PGA Show in Orlando and ran into Jeff Kiddie, the PGA Head Professional at Aronimink," Friedrich said. "I mentioned we just remodeled our 15th hole, which is their 11th. We showed him a picture of our hole, and he looked at it for a while and then said, 'Did you get that picture off of our website?’ That is how accurate the construction and attention to detail has been.”
Next on tap will be the 10th hole, a rendition of No. 14 at Royal Dornoch, where Ross grew up, was the superintendent, and learned
the trade under Old Tom Morris. Construction started in June and will be done by 2025.
Boyne provided this description of updates to four holes:
Hole2(No.4PlainfieldCountryClub)
There are now three new, larger tee boxes better aligned with the fairway. Select trees were removed from the left side of the fairway, which improved the view of the pin from the tee box and fairway. In addition, two bunkers were added to better replicate Ross’ original design. One bunker was added to the right side of the fairway, approximately 40 yards from the most forward tee box, and the second was added about 220 yards from the front tee box just inside the fairway on the right side near the top of the knoll.
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DONALD ROSS MEMORIAL
Hole13(No.15 Seminole)
The green complex has been modified extensively, reducing its size by 10 percent and raising it approximately three feet. The entire green complex, including greenside bunkers, was reshaped, and the fairway cut around the green was extended to better replicate Ross’ original design.
Hole15(No.11Aronimink)
Several years ago, officials at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania determined that the hole was altered from Ross’ original design, and the club restored the hole to Ross’ plans. The BOYNE team received the original design and restored our version of the hole to its original layout. A new set of tee boxes was added, the fairway was widened, fairway bunkers were added but reduced in size, and the entire green complex was expanded by 65 percent and reshaped to replicate Ross’s original design. The team added multiple levels at the front of the green and off-set bunkers in front of the lower level, creating a challenging illusion on the approach shot.
Hole16(No.10PinehurstNo.2)
Renovations on Hole 16 changed it back to the original Ross design. Boyne built a larger back tee. The fairway was reshaped and corrected to the same width as Pinehurst No. 10. The grasscovered mound on the left side of the fairway was removed, while a new mound was added on the right-hand side near the front of the fairway. The bunker on the right side of the fairway was removed, and the remainder of the bunkers were rebuilt, with most being slightly reduced in size. The green was completely redone, increasing the size from 4,100 sq. ft. to its correct size of 8,300 sq. ft. It’s very undulating, producing the subtle ball movement that Ross greens often create. The green complex now has an additional run-off area on the side and back of the green that’s found on many Ross signature holes.
Epson Tour Growing in Michigan, 3 Tour Stops Planned
The Epson Tour announced a new tournament coming to the 2025 schedule, the Great Lakes Championship at The Highlands. The inaugural event will be held from June 9-15, 2025, and played on the historic Boyne Resort’s Heather course at The Highlands.
“The Petoskey Area is well known as a tremendous golf market, and I know our athletes will be excited to visit the community and take on the challenges that The Heather at The Highlands will offer,” said Jody Brothers, the Epson Tour’s Chief Business and Operating Officer. “With the help from the Great Lakes Sports Commission and the BOYNE Golf, we’re confident that this event will instantly become an athlete favorite and help prepare them for their ultimate goal of playing on the LPGA Tour.”
The Great Lakes Championship at The Highlands will offer a $250,000 purse and a $37,500 winner’s check. This new event in Harbor Springs will mark the third Epson Tour
event in Michigan – joining the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship in Battle Creek, and the Island Resort Championship in Harris – and will also place Michigan golf on the national stage for three consecutive weeks while testing the Epson Tour athletes with a Tour-worthy track.
This expansion of the Midwest stretch continues the Epson Tour’s efforts in creating regional clusters of events to simplify travel experiences for
players each week. The 3-week Tour within Michigan’s boundaries will provide a long-term exposure to fans and golfers alike, while being more practical and a true cost savings on tight budgets for the women who are trying to make it to their biggest stage on the LPGA Tour.
Josh Richter, Boyne Resorts Sr. Vice President of Golf said in the release: “The Heather was the first BOYNE Golf course and is widely credited as the spark that started the golf boom in northern Michigan. The Heather launched the region as America’s Summer Golf Capital and has hosted many prestigious championships, including five Michigan Amateur Championships since it opened in 1966. We look forward to the test it will provide the outstanding golfers on the Epson Tour on their journey to the LPGA.”
Additional details will be provided when the 2025 schedule is released later this year. More information about the Epson Tour can be found at epsontour.com and thegreatlakeschampionship.com.
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Fall Golf and Much More at Crystal Mountain
ByTomLang ByTomLang
There’s no secret that fall golf in Northern Michigan is a dynamic treat of color bursts all around for those who like to play outdoors, and the views and scenes at Crystal Mountain are certainly up to the task.
The fiery reds, deep oranges and golden yellows generally start to pop as the calendar officially turns fall in late September each year in Benzie County.
"We’re excited to embrace autumn in northern Michigan and show our guests how beautiful this time of year is,” said Jen Roberts, Recreation Manager. “When the trees begin to change color, we know the perfect spots for them to soak in the views, whether it’s on a bike, chairlift or just a taking stroll on our hiking trails.”
And, of course, on the two golf courses at Crystal Mountain.
The Mountain Ridge course is home to the Michigan Women’s Open each June, but you don’t have to play like a pro to enjoy the majestic views and fun challenges of this unique course. Each hole is cut through trees at the base of, and traversing down the backside of the famous ski runs.
On the long, winding journey from 15 green to the 16th tee, make sure to stop for a minute at the scenic overlook of Benzie County’s Betsie Valley along the cart path, or at the 17th tee; nothing but colorful trees as far as you can see across four counties.
While not having the significant elevation changes as its sister course, Crystal’s Betsie Valley Golf Course is also a huge treat with fall colors plus the panoramic meadow views filled with wildflowers, water features and wildlife.
Some people with autism may find traveling to new places overwhelming. Crystal Mountain recognized this and took the opportunity to train its staff to better prepare and welcome all guests to the resort.
“One in six people has a sensory need, and one in 36 children is diagnosed with autism – those are some astounding numbers,” said Jennifer King, Senior V.P. of human resources for Crystal Mountain. “So, hearing that kind of information and those kinds of statistics, we knew that we wanted to be a part of this program (the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards) along with other employers and businesses in this region, in order to make a difference for our all of our guests.”
The resort has sensory guides available for guests with autism to help them determine which activities and areas are best for them.
NewDualAlpineSlide:
Crystal Mountain’s Crystal Coaster Alpine Slide is now open. Any day-guest or house-guest at the resort must not miss the new and improved – and only – dual
alpine slide in Michigan. It’s like a luge track but without ice, complete with high bank turns, tunnels, and dips. Riders sit up straight on the sled outfitted with wheels and riders utilize a hand brake to adjust the speed. Riders must take the Loki chairlift up the mountain to the start line where they’ll take in spectacular views before flying down on the coaster. Two parallel runs twist downward 1,600 feet to the bottom of the ski hill. It’s a very safe way to be wildly adventurous.
CrystalMountainScholarshipInvitational:
August 9-10 is the annual Crystal Mountain Scholarship Invitational, played on both Mountain Ridge and Betsie Valley golf courses. Money raised goes to the Crystal Scholarship Foundation (CSF) which helps qualifying Crystal Mountain employees or their dependents further their education. Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate the four pillars of solid character, strong work ethic, community service and academic proficiency.
The Foundation has funded more than $70,000 in scholarships since 2021 thanks to generous community donations and the golf tournament’s proceeds.
DualAlpineSlids
Farmington Hills Mercy’s Kowalski: National Coach of the Year
ByTomLang ByTomLang
Vicky Kowalski’s first-ever golfer at Farmington Hills Mercy 45 years ago was her best ever: World Golf Hall of Fame’s Meg Mallon.
Now Kowalski is the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s 2023-2024 National Coach of the Year for Golf.
“To think about Vicki and where she started and where she is, it’s just a great story of perseverance and the joy of coaching, and the joy of helping kids,” Mallon told me. “What she’s accomplished in her career is amazing. She’s created quite the varsity program.”
As a high school junior, Mallon asked Kowalski, then a new young teacher in the school, to oversee a new golf program as a club sport. Mallon finished second in the state as a senior in 1980, went on to Ohio State and also won the 1983 Michigan Women’s Amateur which elevated her to the OSU starting lineup.
Kowalski has won four golf state tiles as coach at Mercy, in 1999 and 2001, plus the past two seasons as the Marlins eye a three-peat this fall with a strong returning varsity of seven seniors.
“She just really carries the joy of coaching; you can really see that and I’m sure the kids get that too,” Mallon said. “I’m sure being around her makes them happy as well. It shows how she loves helping them develop as young women.”
The awards have piled up for Kowalski, who also coaches the Mercy bowling team. She is in many state and local halls of fame with 30 conference titles as well. Her national awards list includes two-time National Federation of High School Coaches, and this summer a 2nd one: the National High School Athletic Coaches Association of the Year.
Kowalski praised all the assistant coaches she’s had over the years, many who helped with skills training while she managed players’ mental game.
“All the girls are different. They don’t all come out of the same can of corn,” Kowalski said. “(As a coach) you need to learn which one needs the TLC, which one needs for you to get in her face and learn to buck it up and start playing better? Which one needs a shoulder to cry on. You have to figure those things out – and which ones need left alone to figure it out themselves?
“It’s really nice to be recognized for all the years and dedication that you’ve put in.”
Oakland Hill’s ‘Next 100 Project’ which includes rebuilding the historic clubhouse lost in the tragic fire of 2022 was briefly paused to host the USGA Junior Amateur Championship in late July, featuring the world’s best players under 19.
OAKLAND HILLS REBOUNDS
The new clubhouse’s steel beam structure was poking up out of the ground during play.
"It’s truly a spectacular feat by the team," said Club Second Vice President Mark Bowman, regarding the progress made since breaking ground in late December 2023.
Bowman praised the tireless collaboration between contractors, staff, and member-run committees, a news release read. "Our hopes and excitement have been raised," he told attendees. Construction of the clubhouse is on schedule, with an anticipated opening in the first half of 2026.
Ahead of the Championship, the Club released an updated rendering illustrating a view up the South Course’s 18th hole, which has crowned numerous champions, including Cyril Walker in the 1924 U.S. Open.
Restoring the grand pillared verandah, original roofline, and expansive views from dining areas were key focus areas. When completed, the front of the clubhouse will once again be three steps away from the championship venue’s first tee.
2024 US Junior Amateur Results:
Trevor Gutschewski, a 17-year-old from Nebraska and University of Florida golf commit, won the 2024 title of U.S. Junior Amateur, on July 27, with a 4-and-3 score over Tyler Watts of Alabama in a 36-hole final on the Oakland Hills South Course.
“The course is incredible,” Gutschewski said. “One of the best shape courses I've ever seen. So much history here, too. It's just an incredible place. All the members were great. All the volunteers were top tier. Everyone I talked to was super nice, cheering you on. Just incredible. I couldn't think of a better place to play at, win at.”
Two Michiganders qualified for the tournament – Connor Fox of Lake Orion and Ieuan Jones of Ann Arbor. Jones made the cut but was bounced out in the first round of the always grueling event.
Oakland Hills next hosts the 2029 U.S. Women’s Amateur, with the clubhouse completed by then.
So many positives to this 100-year-old club that’s open to the public. Entering the property there is a full range on the right. The clubhouse looks pleasant and the pro shop fully functional. So far, good stuff.
The bar was reasonably priced to provision my cart with essential fluids. Yes, not gouged at all. How rare is that?! The staff was polite and helpful. The patio seating was pleasant. You know, nice. It was what everyone should expect from car to cart.
I will say to a golfer who is looking for a selfloathing round, you should not come here. If you are a +1 and want to have fun with your friends, it’s a good time and you will still have to make some shots. If this is one of the three times you are dusting off your mixed set of clubs
this year, no problem. This place even has junior tees! Best idea ever. Our 70+ year old in the group has more scar tissue than professional bull riders (combat vet). He played from the juniors and was able to announce his score in reference to par. That hasn’t happened since the Bush administration.
The course itself initially may seem a little boring. The fairways are wide. The rough isn’t gnarly. The design is simple. There are few targeted landing areas. The bunkers are placed correctly relating to tee and approach distances, but nothing tricky. There are very few points where the optics encourage you to aim incorrectly. Risk reward decisions are present in a mild fashion. There are no blind shots hiding death. It is all right there. When you have enough swing lube going, you can declare you are going to cut that corner knowing that your equation is mostly correct. Mostly.
Only 3 holes remind you of the traffic on highway 32. After the first few holes you relax into the feeling of up north golf. More trees and solitude. The dwellings on the course are sparsely placed. These dwellings don’t cause the worry of putting a ball through a kitchen window or killing a child playing in the yard. If you ' re hitting near these cottages, quit the game. Plenty of opportunities for $1 long drive bets on the wide fairways. Greenies, camels, snakes ,.. the course is fair to every skill level of compulsive gambler in your group.
Looking on the web site do not be deceived. There is elevation change that is lost on a computer screen. Did I say a little boring, it isn’t. At the same time, it isn’t some intentional rollercoaster of uneven lies so the designer can reflect on their brilliance. No, the variety of lies are fair and playable. In the fairway means a good lie. The greens are so much better than you would think. They are proudly rolled by the recently acquired equipment.
Nothing crazy. Maybe a 9.5 on the stimpmeter for a Monday. There is no need for practice rounds, local knowledge or coaching. Sure, it would help, but no need. It’s all right there. It’s fair.
At the turn staying hydrated is not a problem.
Again, I didn’t feel like I was being shaken down in provisioning the cart. I caught up to the group in front of us (one of our foursomes). Mr. 110 is on pace to a 104. California Sober is tracking to break 90 for the first time this year. IT guy is really hoping he has a number that can beat me today (spoiler: I kicked his ass... again). I really hope he reads this!
The point is that everyone in the group was having fun. They weren’t ignoring the score. It was as competitive as it gets for us. At the same time, I had not seen so many smiles in a while. The complaining about their game was still there. It just didn’t have the same teeth. There was far less swearing.
All in all, GCC was fun. Isn’t that the point of a golf trip? To have fun with your friends. There are better courses out there. However, I had a great time with my buddies playing this course.
Nice Job Gaylord Country Club.
MICHIGAN JUNIOR STATE AMATEUR:
Connor Fox Wins
Connor Fox of Lake Orion earned the bigger trophy this time.
MICHIGAN TOURNAMENT RESULTS
“It feels really good, especially after not being able to get it done last year,” he said after winning the 46th Michigan Junior State Amateur Championship at Ferris State University’s Katke Golf Course, a year after being the runner-up.
Fox, who has verbally committed to play college golf at Michigan State University after his final year at Lake Orion High School, beat future MSU teammate Julian Menser of South Lyon, 7 and 6, in the championship match.
“I know this golf course decently well. Our cottage is just about 20 minutes from here, and I played (high school state championship) here a couple of years ago. I just felt like I had an advantage there and I had a lot of confidence because I was playing well.”
“I wasn’t playing great coming in, so I’m very happy that I played well during the tournament,” Morgan said. “I’ve always been fortunate that I can get my focus back for tournaments, and that I play better in tournaments than I do in practice rounds. So, it worked out well.”
As the overall champion, Fox earned a spot in the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship played at Oakland Hills Country Club. He missed the 64-player cut for match play. Fox was T5 at the high school state finals in June.
Alena Li: 46th Michigan Junior Girls’ State Amateur Champion
ByGregJohnson ByGregJohnson
Alena Li of Okemos looks forward to playing in the Michigan Junior Girls’ State Amateur Championship each year, and this year she firmly set her
and 4 in the championship match at Michigan State University’s Forest Akers West Golf Course.
sights on winning the 46th edition of it.
Mission accomplished.
The 16-year-old senior-to-be at Okemos High School topped Macie Elzinga of Byron Center 5
With the title, Li added her name to the Wright Memorial Trophy and also earned an this year, no problem. This place even has junior tees! Best idea ever. Our 70+ year old in the group has more scar tissue than professional bull riders (combat vet). He played from the juniors and was able to announce his score in reference to par. That hasn’t happened since the Bush administration.
“It’s a really big accomplishment, something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Li said of winning the state championship for girls. “I was the (stroke play) medalist last year and I lost in match play (the semifinals) and I was disappointed. I’m really excited and very honored to win this year. It was a huge goal of mine to win and I’m so glad to finally be able to do that.”
Julian Menser Wins Michigan Publinx State Match Play Championship
Julian Menser’s good golf summer just ramped up another notch.
The 18-year-old from South Lyon won the Michigan Publinx State Match Play Championship with a 2 and 1 victory in the final match over Anthony Sorentino of Shelby Township.
“This was my first Publinx event and it’s my first win in a true amateur event with older, more experienced players in the field, not just high school or junior golf competition,” said Menser, who this fall joins the Michigan State University golf program as a freshman.
Menser, who earned a qualifying spot for the field of the U.S. Amateur Championship in August, birdied the first three holes of the final match and never trailed against Sorentino, a four-time Michigan Publinx Player of the Year and one of the state’s top veteran players.
Menser said he thought early in the day about his runner-up finish to Connor Fox in the Michigan Junior State Amateur, and that he didn’t want to lose another final match.
Menser played for Detroit Catholic Central and won the MHSAA Div. 1 state championship in June.
Competition brings out the best in John Morgan of Novi, who proved to be the best once again in winning the 10th GAM Super Senior Championship presented by Saint John’s Resort at Apple Mountain Golf Club.
Morgan, a Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member, won among the age 65-plus set for the second consecutive year after shooting a final-round 73 for even-par 144.
He beat the 2018 and 2019 champion, Ian Harris of Bloomfield, by one shot. Harris also closed with a 73.
First-round leader Rick Herpich of Orchard Lake, the 2020 champion, shot a closing 78 to finish third at 147, and Mitch Wilson of Portage, who shot 77, was next at 149.
“I wasn’t playing great coming in, so I’m very happy that I played well during the tournament,” Morgan said. “I’ve always been fortunate that I can get my focus back for tournaments, and that I play better in tournaments than I do in practice rounds. So, it worked out well.”
The day worked out well for Mark Ochsankehl of Caledonia, too. He won The Legends Division (ages 70-plus) by shooting a closing 73 for 145.
John Morgan of Novi Repeats as GAM Super Senior Champion
MICHIGAN TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Elise Fennell and Jessica Jolly, Joan
Elise Fennell and Jessica Jolly, Joan Garety and Terry Delcamp Win 14th Garety and Terry Delcamp Win 14th
GAM Women’s Four-Ball Titles
GAM Women’s Four-Ball Titles
Elise Fennell of Caledonia and Jessica Jolly of Rockford birdied the first hole of sudden-death to win the Overall Division, and Joan Garety of Ada and Terry Delcamp, formerly of Grand Blanc, won an unprecedented eighth Senior Division title in the 14th GAM Women’s Four Ball Championship presented by Saint John’s Resort at Boulder Creek Golf Club.
Fennell and Jolly, who will be freshman golf teammates at Illinois State University this fall, shot a final-round 5-under 67 to land at 8-under, and were tied with the 66-shooting tandem of Grand Valley State University golfer Rachael Krieger of Commerce Township and Brooke Morris of Canton, who will be a freshman golfer at Central Michigan University.
In the resulting playoff Fennell hit a wedge shot to 12-feet and made the putt for the suddendeath win.
Meanwhile, Garety and Delcamp shot a second consecutive 67 to finish at 10-under 134, four shots clear of Lori Schlicher of Lewiston and Donna Tepper of Grosse Pointe Park, who closed with a 68 for 138.
“There's no one I'd rather play golf with than Joan,” said Delcamp. “We have so much fun and every time I play with her, I learn something. She’s a Hall of Famer (Michigan Golf Hall of Fame) for a reason, and she fires me up and she’s just awesome.”
AJGA Coca-Cola Junior Championship at The Highlands
The Highlands, part of BOYNE Golf in northern Michigan, hosted the AJGA CocaCola Junior
Provided by Boyne Golf
Championship for the 23rd time in early July. The international junior event, contested on the Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed Heather course, attracted 132 top junior boys and girls from 19 states and seven countries, including 32 Michigan natives.
Two international players captured both the girl's and boys' divisions. Mingyu Zhang of Beijing, China, won the girl’s division with a birdie on the second playoff hole. She shot a 2under par 70 in the final round and a 54-hole total of even-par 216. This was Zhang’s third AJGA win, and she has committed to playing golf at The University of Michigan.
Spencer Shropshire of Ontario, Canada, won the boy’s division for his first AJGA victory. Shropshire opened the tournament with a firstround 67 (-5). He finished the event with 16 birdies and a 54-hole total of 8-under-par 208.
Michigan Top 20:
GolfWeek’s Best in State
List
The latest from GolfWeek’s rating system came out and most of the usual suspects in Michigan are on the list again from past years.
What makes it interesting for me is how Michigan gets room in the publication for 20 courses on the ‘Best in State’ list. The vast majority of states across the country get only 5 or 10 courses, while Michigan, North Carolina and South Carolina get space for 20. This is a nod from GolfWeek that our Great Lakes State has such good golf that they needed to list more than other states.
Even Wisconsin, which is climbing fast in the national rankings, was only given room for 15 courses – as did Ohio, Illinois and golf-rich New York – yet Indiana and Missouri were only given space for 10 courses.
HereisMichigan’stop20 Publiccourses:
1. Arcadia Bluffs (Bluffs)Arcadia
2. Marquette GC (Greywalls)Marquette
3. Forest Dunes (The Loop Red & Black) - Roscommon
4. Forest Dunes (Weiskopf)Roscommon
5. Arcadia Bluffs (South)Arcadia
6. Belvedere - Charlevoix
7. Boyne’s Bay Harbor (Links/Quarry) - Bay Harbor
8. Eagle Eye - Bath StoatinBrae
T9. Sweetgrass at Island resortHarris
T9. Gull Lake View Resort (Stoatin Brae) - Augusta
