Michigan Golf Journal December 2022

Editor’s Letter

With cold weather holidays upon us, December is a great time to look at the sport of golf through the lens of wintertime opportunities. These include a wintertime Elk viewing/ dinner/wine tasting tour through the woods alongside the Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman. Gentlemen: you’ll be hard pressed to find a more unique opportunity for your significant other near Valentine’s Day or any other winter weekend.

We also look at golfviaanNFLfootball lensin two stories. We’ve got a Q&A with former Detroit Lion and Michigan Hall of Famer Eddie Murray, plus information no other media have shared with you behind the scenes of Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback Kirk Cousins’ purchase of Clearbrook Golf Club in Saugatuck.

Speaking of golf trips for significant others, what could be grander than the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island, and its 18-hole Jewel golf course? Or a buddies tripforladies to the Upper Peninsula, featuring the Perfect Foursome package of Island Resort’s Sweetgrass and Sage Run, with Greywalls and Timber Stone. We also feature the 2022 Players of the Year and tons of Michigan golf news.

Thanks for joining us on these adventures and more.

TomLang

EditorandPublisher

NFL’s Kirk Cousins and Wife, Julie, NFL’s Kirk Cousins and Wife, Julie, Purchase Classic Michigan Golf Course Purchase Classic Michigan Golf Course

Word has slowly leaked out across Michigan that the nearly-100-year-old Clearbrook Golf Club in Saugatuck was recently purchased by the Kirk Cousins family, from the previous owners of 38 years, Jim and Candy Jeltema. As most Michiganders know, Kirk Cousins was a standout football QB at Michigan State and is currently the starting quarterback for the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings.

Only the golf course property was sold, for now. The Jeltema’s retained ownership of the clubhouse restaurant, as a way to stay involved but also slow down their careers a little as they age.

“This is a plan for the future in making this

financial arrangement with the Cousins family, so that we can be pretty well assured that the land will remain as a golf course,” Jim Jeltema told me. “Kirk has a real passion for it, and not just the game and playing the game, but the (property’s) heritage, history and design. He likes all of that stuff.”

Cousins is a native of Holland, MI, and now resides in the Saugatuck area.

"Our family recently purchased the Clearbrook Golf Course from our friends and longtime owners, Jim and Candy Jeltema," the Cousins wrote in a letter to the community. "They have managed the course for many years, making Clearbrook a place of connection and fun for our entire community.

"West Michigan is a special community, and we

WithTomLang WithTomLang

have enjoyed living in Saugatuck/Douglas since we built our home here in 2018. As Jim reflected on his future, he wanted to keep the golf course in the community. As we discussed the history of the golf club with Jim, we agreed it is a community treasure and should remain a golf course for the next generation.”

That action of kindred minds is why the sale happened. Jim said Kirk came to them in 2021 to begin discussions.

“It was a long process, but a very pleasant process, because we are dealing with like minded people,” Jeltema said. “He wanted the same thing from the property we want, and that’s to see it stay a golf course and have the restaurant still thrive.

“We really responded to his passion, there’s no question. I had had offers from developers,” Jeltema added. “I just wasn’t interested. The course has been very good to the community over the years, and we want to see that

continue. And Kirk and Julie are interested in that same thing.”

Jeltema described the 6,400-yard course as having over 2,000 linier feet of brook running through a valley.

There are three blind fairways on the course and the greens are smaller than many golf courses, keeping it in line with classic layouts. He and Candy purchased it 38 years ago, and in that timeframe made changes to every hole, ranging from just tweaking a couple bunkers to complete do overs with a bulldozer – all without changing the routing. Most of the major work was to fix poor drainage.

“The two main things a superintendent has to do; get water on and get water off,” he said.

“Most of the customers comment that our greens are smooth and true. We maintain it like a modern golf course with all the latest equipment, but it still has that old style classic design.”

The Jeltema’s first interest in the property was always the clubhouse, which was expanded about the time the course went from 9 to 18 holes. His research has shown that it opened for play in 1926, as Liberty Links, but he was never able to discoverer who designed it, or who the first owners were.

In the 1940s it became Saugatuck Golf Club with its second owner. Then in the ‘50s it turned into Hamilton Lake Country Club. In

PhotoCourtesyoftheVikings

the late ‘60s it became Clearbrook and the expansion included the larger clubhouse. The Jeltema’s became the fifth, and longest running, owners.

“Aside from enjoying the atmosphere of a golf property, I didn’t buy it so I could play a lot of golf,” Jim said with a chuckle. “We did it thinking it would become our career, and it has. It really came down to hospitality. The clubhouse was under-utilized and was probably over built at the time and never really lived up to its potential.”

Over time they turned it into a very popular food establishment and its one reason they want to keep that going.

“We felt the golf course has interesting topography and a fun history, so the combination of all that made us say we wanted to invest our life into it.”

And now the Cousins’ have taken one step in the same direction.

ByTomLang

A trip to the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island is certainly a rare golf trip experience.

And that’s the way it should be.

A trip to Mackinaw Island and the historic hotel that dates back to its doors opening in 1887 is not just a ‘history tour’ but rather all guests actually live inside the grandiose history itself. To say that guests can step back in time to a simpler lifestyle is not just a marketing tagline it’s reality.

The hotel has 388 distinct rooms. Again, the word distinct is often a marketing tagline – but not here. Not a single room looks like the other because the designs are all unique from one another in colors, furnishings and theme.

As most every reader knows, no cars – just horses, bicycles and walking are allowable island transportation features.

The Grand Hotel and the island in general is not just for seekers of the historic lifestyle of a previous century. The entire theme and goal for everyone whether a one day visitor or a long staying guest is to slow down and experience ‘Island Time.’

Grant DeMoss is the director of golf at the Grand Hotel and has seen it all because he grew up on the island in the summers. His uncle used to be the head chef in the hotel’s massive kitchen.

“As a kid it was very cool to kind of live in a time capsule here, and kind of envision what it might have been to live back then,” he said. “As a kid growing up I was really into the idea of going to the fort, and when you get off the ferry there’s carriage rides you don’t see that day to day (off the island). I think all the horses bring a different side out of people. For people who understand Island Time it gives you a good excuse to move at a leisurely pace.

“As a kid I just loved exploring the island, and

JewelHole1

as a parent it’s a little easier to let your kids go explore the island than a city like Detroit or Toronto. They are locked on the island. There are lots of trails and historical stories at different sites.”

My wife fell in love with all the trails and famous rock formations like Arch Rock and Sugar Loaf (a tower of limestone), along with St. Ann’s cemetery, the butterfly house, Fort Holmes, and the incredible elevated views of the water, Mackinaw Bridge and Round Island lighthouse to name a few. Her reaction after returning from a day of island exploration was ‘best day ever.’ Her response was so emphatic, I knew I would also lose her for day two because she had so much more to see.

But that’s okay a trip to Mackinaw Island and the Grand Hotel offers so many different options, including maybe the grandest of them all; the newly remodeled Ester Williams Pool. It’s named after the competitive swimmer and movie star who made a Hollywood film on location here in 1947.

The pool complex includes an excellent large jacuzzi and separate pool area for the adults, overlooking the Straights of Mackinaw and the Mighty Mackinaw Bridge. Private cabanas are available for rent and the larger pool is very kid friendly (or those who are handicapped) with a walk in ground level end that gradually feeds into deeper water.

The pool complex includes an excellent large jacuzzi and separate pool area for the adults, overlooking the Straights of Mackinaw and the Mighty Mackinaw Bridge. Private cabanas are available for rent and the larger pool is very kid friendly (or those who are handicapped) with a walk in ground level end that gradually feeds into deeper water.

TheGolf:

My wife’s chosen absence allowed me to test out the 18 hole golf course with no guilt. The Jewel is made up of the Grand Nine (holes 1 9, with the Grand Hotel looking over your shoulder) and the Woods Nine, a 15-minute horse carriage ride to the northern part of the island for holes 10 18. Both nines were designed several years apart by legend Jerry Matthews, who recently passed away at the hotel in September. (a full story in our October magazine).

The Grand has the most elevation changes and is filled with holes that range from narrow

fairways to very generous. The premium lookout is the tee at Hole 7, a really long par three (245 yards) with a huge drop to the green surrounded by water in back. Most golfers playing it safe will benefit with a long ball that stays a little short and can be chipped up and down for a possible par. The sightlines of the bay where all the ferries come in are wonderful. One day there was a very large lake going cruise ship docked off land for day visitors.

The Woods Nine resembles a more typical Michigan trek through the woods, with modest elevation changes making for interesting sightlines and a variety of playability choices. My favorite stretch of holes is 12 14. Hole 12 is a gorgeous par 3 over water, then 13 gives the golfer a new look with several outcroppings of rocks to carry after the drive, while on approach to the right to left slanted green. Hole 14 is another

par 3 but can be played from two very different and highly elevated tees that make the hole completely different. All in all, the Jewel is what you want in a resort course; fun, not overly brutal and attractive to the eye.

Onsite historian Bob Tagatz who came to the Grand Hotel for a threeyear deal and stayed 27 years and counting said that in 1904, there were 1,200 large wood frame hotels with 200 rooms or more, built by transportation companies. The Grand Hotel is only one of 11 left standing. Taking one of

his guided tours is a must.

“We have many four generation guests, and the year before Covid hit I had my first 5thgeneration guest,” he said. “I attended a wedding in the tee garden one year where a young lady got married at the same spot her great grandmother got married. We’re not just rooms and food, we provide memories and if we do a good job, generation after generation comes back.”

JewelHole12

Thunder Bay Thunder Bay Golf and Golf and Elk Tour Elk Tour

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“Over the river and through the woods,” is not just a holiday time music lyric, but one that comes to life at Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman, Michigan, virtually every weekend in the winter and many evenings all summer long.

Thunder Bay Resort is due west of Alpena on Michigan’s ‘sunrise side.’

As Michigan golfers head into the winter months and look forward to springtime, I’m reminded of my experience there in summer of 2020. The trip with my wife wasafunand uniqueenoughexperiencethatmyspouse said,‘let’sgobackinthewinter.’And we just might, sooner than later.

Well, no, not to play golf when the snow flies rather to participate again in the resort’s award-winning Elk viewing carriage ride, complete with gourmet dinner and wine tasting inside an updated but rustic looking cabin in the woods.

In the winter, and when snow conditions allow it, the Belgian horse drawn group carriage is changed over from rubber tires to be fitted with sleigh runners and people bundle up under blankets for the tour through the 160 acre Elk nature preserve on the way to dinner inside a warm comfortably large cabin.

The Thunder Bay Resort Elk tour meanders through one of the few wild Elk preserves east of the Mississippi. Thousands of travelers come in from other regions across the U.S. to

WithTomLang WithTomLang

Agolfweekendexperiencelikenoother

participate. The Elk Tour has been often rated as the "Best of the Best" in the "Adventure" category by DestinationsMagazine.

“Some people think the Elk are tame, and we can get quite close to totally wild Elk as well, but most of these animals have never been touched by a human being we keep them as close to totally wild as we can,” said the founder and current property owner at Thunder Bay, Jack Mathias. He first developed the front 9 of the now 18 hole course in 1971 meaning the property is more than 50 years in operation.

The sleigh ride is an excellent look at, and history lesson for, the Elk habitat in Michigan. On the Saturday evening we went along, at least three dozen Elk were easily seen, with one coming up to within 15 feet of the carriage to graze.

The dinner was very good and although the spouse and I rarely touch wine the wine tasting portion was done well and my wife found an ‘Ice Wine’ from Modern Craft Winery in Au Gres, MI that she fell for.

Virtually every weekend on the year round calendar has Elk rides with dinner and wine. Occasionally the resort offers ‘Murder Mystery Weekends’.

Accommodations at Thunder Bay Resort were built in the early 1990s. They are roomy and comfortable and according to my spouse (she has the sensitive nose) they smelled fresh, without any hint of mustiness. The overnight choices range from condominium style Chalets to Suites in 2 story buildings along the second hole. There’s a rough equivalent of 70 bedrooms on the property.

There is also an RV Park for summertime, that on our trip was filled with many high end motor coaches, from Texas, Florida and Alabama.

“The second most inquiries we get from the website come from Texas,” Mathias said. “We’re the only people doing something like the Elk Tour that’s east of the

Rockies. We get rave reviews, and almost everybody says we exceeded their expectations. Our word of mouth is very good, and when it comes to couples’ golf getaways, I am reasonably confident that we can compete with just about anything you can do anywhere.”

Here’s a sampling of TripAdvisor ratings I found online: January,2022: “It has been a childhood wish to ride a horse drawn sleigh in the snow. This was such a relaxing two night package. My husband and I enjoyed the room, the resort bar and grill. Good cocktail selection. The ride included elk viewing and dinner. The weekend exceed expectations.”

ValentinesWeekend,raterfromGrossePointe Farms:

“It was pretty nippy (below zero) the night we went on the sleigh ride, but we were kept warm

by sitting on a wool blanket and having one thrown over our laps (both provided by the resort). This trip was so worthwhile because it's rare to do this kind of thing without having to go out West. We've done a similar sleigh ride/dinner in Snowmass, Colorado and this one is just as lovely. Lucky for Michiganders to have this right in our backyard!”

WhenSpringArrivesforGolf:

Three golf experiences are included in the summertime traditional Getaway Package – at Thunder Bay, plus Red Hawk and Black Lake three courses combined as a loop to hit Red Hawk in Tawas on the way north, two nights at Thunder Bay, then finish at Black Lake to the northwest on day 3. But they can be played in any order golfers desire.

Thunder Bay doesn’t have a famous designer’s name affiliated with the layout, but it’s a nice parkland style course surrounded by trees. The first three holes start out with tree-lined fairways before Holes 4 7 open up on a piece of land across the street with wider fairways and large greens. Once the routing goes back across the same residential road, you’ll never encounter a straight fairway again, sans the par

ThunderBay17thHole

3s. Every hole 8-18 has some amount of turn in them that in all but one case hides the green from view of the tee box.

Ponds dot the course to serve as drainage and hazards. Reaching the 3rd, 8th and 11th greens requires going over the edge of ponds, while 12 and 17 require full flight approaches over water.

Although it was abundantly clear Thunder Bay is a buddies’ trip destination, lots of couples were also out playing together, a refreshing change from most courses.

RedHawk is an excellent Arthur Hills design north of Tawas situated on a gorgeous track of land. Holes 2 4 might be my favorite run of holes, but that certainly doesn’t mean the fun stops early.

No 2 is a drivable par 4 to an elevated green surrounded by bunkers so if your sand game

still needs work it’s best to layup off the tee. No. 3 is a stunning par 3 with a huge drop off from the tee. It’s tempting to club down for that very reason but it’s still a good poke to get your ball there. No. 4 is a beautiful par 4 that turns right to left as it glides downhill just a picture-perfect

setting (which honestly can describe plenty of holes on the course).

BlackLake was designed by Rees Jones at the UAW property near the top of our mitten. Jones might have created the routing and some green complexes, but God did the land design. A handful of holes have ravines to clear off the tee, which also highlights the several elevation changes on site.

As long as accuracy is maintained in your golf game, the sand bunkers can be viewed as artistry instead of hazards. Several greens have two-tiers offering multiple pin placements, with the 12th hole par 3 the most dramatic in the two different levels to conquer par. All in all, a great place to culminate a fun weekend getaway.

For more information and pricing, visit: www.thunderbayresort.com

BlackLakeHole17

Teammate Teammate

ValeryPlata ValeryPlata

tturning urning professional professional mid-season mid-season

ByTomLang

The buzz around the golf program at Michigan State a few days before Thanksgiving was loud and strong.

Valentina Rossi, a junior, had just wonthe prestigiousWomen’sAmateurLatinAmerica, with four rounds played at the Pillar Golf Club in Buenos Aries, Argentina.

Almost simultaneously, Valery Plata was successfully completing stage 2 of the LPGA Tour Q School, and has since decidedtoturn professional after completing the fall schedule, and skip her college spring season, MSU coach Stacy Slobodnik Stoll told me. A new LPGA rule requires players to be pros to advance to the third and final stage, the 8 round Q Series in Alabama in early December. Under the same circumstances, at the last minute before Stage 3 began, U M’sAshleyLau made the same

Valentina Rossi Women’s Amateur tin America

decision to forgo the spring season and turn pro.

Last year, Plata had won the same Latin America tournament Rossi just did. It’s the second time they mirrored each other’s play. In 2020, Plata reached the semifinals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur, and Rossi did the same in 2021.

“I’m so happy for Valentina, her family and our program,” Slobodnik Stoll said in a release about the Latin America. “This is such an incredible achievement for her and it’s a testament to the hard worker that Valen is. She never quit, she never thought she was out of it and continued to play her game and she was rewarded with a tremendous victory.

“It is a great accomplishment for our program to have back to back winners of one of the most prestigious amateur events in the world. Valery (Plata) and Valentina (Rossi) have been wonderful representatives of our program over the last few years and it’s just incredible to see them have such great success while representing their home country at the same time.”

Rossi came from behind by four strokes in the final round in Argentina. Via a Michigan media Zoom from Brazil, she said she played it like match play with the then leader in her group. Rossi made three birdies on the front nine to be one stroke back at the turn. But she went up two strokes with four holes to play.

“That’s when I felt like I can win this tournament,” she said. “Winning the Women’s Latin American after (Valery, her college roommate) is incredible. I’m pretty happy and I think it’s pretty cool for Michigan State.

“Those were both pretty important tournaments for us (Plata at Q-School) so we were talking about it, wishing good luck to each other. We were talking about how for Michigan State this is incredible, with so many changes in just a week.”

Rossi’s Latin America win automatically qualifies/exempts her for three LPGA majors in 2023: the AIG Women’s Open, the Amundi Evian Championship and the The Chevron Championship as well as the Women’s Amateur Championship and the Hilton Grand Vacations ANNIKA Invitational. It did not come with an automatic bid to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, but she still could make it there which would be two years in a row for MSU.

“With this win I’ll go up in the (World Amateur) rankings, but I don’t know if it will be enough to qualify (for Augusta).”

Golf Q&A: Eddie Murray Golf Q&A: Eddie Murray

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Former Detroit Lions kicker Eddie Murray loves golf, despite his unusual introduction to the sport, hitting balls in a field in England.

He never played American football until attending Tulane University and setting school records there. He was drafted by the Lions in 1980. During his 11 year Lions career, Murray appeared in 174 games making 244 field goals and scoring 1,113 points. He made the NFL All Pro team in 1980, was a two time Pro Bowl selection, and was named a second team NFL 1980s All Decade Team. Murray was elected to the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and inducted in 2010.

His best golf handicap was 1.5, and now in his mid 60s he’s at 5.8. He works full time for Hope Network in metro Detroit as a community relations rep/fund raiser. We recently talked about his love for golf.

Q: A:

Doyourecallhowyoufellinlove withgolf?

“From age 5 to 15 I lived in England. And the friends I hung out with, playing soccer and rugby and cricket, we would like to just go hit golf balls. Not go play, but back then you just went to open fields, hit them, go find them then hit them again. What was also unique in England at that time was putt putt,

on real grass. You could go to a park, and they’d have an area that was usually nine holes…One big, huge lawn.

“I really got the golf bug in college where a lot of my teammates grew up playing golf. We’d go to Audubon Park (golf course) across from the campus and I’d go with buddies and play out of their bag. I was married in college and my junior year my wife bought me a set of golf clubs for Christmas, and that’s when the bug hit me the most. Now I had all the weapons and things to go out and play.”

Whatattributesofgolfdrew youintothegame?

“It’s always different. Every day the swing is different. It’s the old adage that you have to play with the swing that you take to the course that day. And as you get better you

get more command of your swing and what kind of shots you like to play maybe a draw, a fade, high and low. All of those challenges are there every time you go to the driving range or to the course, that you have to try to overcome. And that’s really what I find intriguing about the game.”

Doyouseesimilaritiesbetweengolfand football,especiallythepositionyouplayed?

“Absolutely, there’s a lot of correlations. Like with alignment, finding what your target line is, and swing plane. My swing toward the target kicking a football is what you’re trying to do with a golf club and a golf ball. All of those

principles are pretty similar to kicking a football.

“And also having to deal with the elements at the same time. Dealing with wind and rain and cold, heat and all those things are part of the equations in golf as they are in football. Kicking in Green Bay in December is different than kicking in Green Bay in September. Footballs and golf balls don’t travel as far in cold weather and they both do in warm weather.”

WhoaresomeformerNFLplayersyou mightfaceonthegolfcourse?

A:

“A lot of placekickers were golfers. Al Del Greco (who even became the golf coach at Samford University after the NFL) played during my time period, and we both played on that Celebrity Players Tour before it folded up. That was a fun thing to do because tournament golf is just way different than playing with your buddies. Al was a very good tournament player. Billie Joe Tolliver was another really good player. As an athlete you always like to be challenge and have good competition. I think it really elevates your game, increases your concentration and that’s what is great about golf.”

Q:

Youseemtobeabigsupporterofcharity golfevents.Whyisthat?

A:

“Golf outings are a great way for charities

to raise money, but also get the word out about what they do and who they help. For golfers it can be a lot of fun, great networking opportunity, sometimes there is a celebrity involvement as well. I think they are always good win win situations. It’s good for the charity, it’s good for the people who come play and donate and support the outing.”

Q:

Doyouhaveanygolfsuperstitions anddidyoualsoforfootball?

A:

“Not really for golf. But I did have a tradition for football, going out to the field about 45 minutes before specials teams did. Especially at away games I’d walk the field, examine the turf, evaluate the weather and wind. And when I did that, I always liked to chew gum. So, I’d get out 3 sticks of Juicy

Fruit gum. Two sticks were not enough, four sticks were too many, but three was my number and I did that for years. At the time it didn’t seem like a superstition … but it sort of became a habit.

“For golf, I don’t have a lucky ball marker, I don’t carry a certain number of tees. There’s enough crazy things you need to think about than worrying about how many damn tees I have in my pocket.”

GAM PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

GAM Player of the GAM Player of the Year: Spring Lake’s Year: Spring Lake’s Nick Krueger Nick Krueger

ByGregJohnson

Just prior to winning the 2022 Michigan Amateur Championship, Spring Lake’s Nick Krueger had decided he wanted to play professional golf after his collegiate career at Grand Valley State University.

“Then playing the way I did and winning helped get rid of any doubts and the questions like should I try this,” he said. “The list of names on that trophy includes so many golfers who had pretty successful professional careers. That reinforced for me that I was headed in the right direction and it is something I want to pursue.”

The 21 year old future professional who is currently a junior at GVSU with plans to maintain his amateur status through his senior year, has been named the 2022 GAM Men’s Player of the Year.

Winning the Michigan Amateur by topping Patrick Deardorff of Clarkston and Eastern Michigan University in 19 holes in the championship match at Hawk Hollow, helped Krueger total 644 points for the summer.

August Meekhof of Eastmanville, a Michigan State University, finished second with 625 points. He won the 2022 GAM Championship. Bradley Smithson of Grand Rapids, another MSU golfer, was third with 615 points.

Krueger said having his complete game come together during the Michigan Amateur highlighted his summer.

“I struggled in stroke play as I worked through some things with my swing,” he said. “I felt pretty good about a lot of my game, but I needed ball striking to come around and for some reason in match play everything clicked at the right moment. I was able to rely on every part of my game. It’s special when you can play golf and not have to worry about a single part of the game.”

Krueger’s father Bill started him in the game before age 10, and golf has become the family game with his mother, Amy, and sister Kayla, also playing at Spring Lake Country Club.

“About the seventh grade or so I decided I wanted to pursue the game, practice and get better,” he said.

“My Dad, Josh (Lathwell, Spring Lake CC) and (college) Coach Bissell have all helped me along the way and made sure I worked on the right things to get better,” he said.

GAM Women’s Player GAM Women’s Player of the

Year: Midland’s of the Year: Midland’s Kimberly Dinh Kimberly Dinh

ByGregJohnson

tends to put too much pressure on herself in pursuit of playing well in competition.

“I get back in the grind of it, chase my goals and forget to

make sure I’m having fun doing it,” she said. “I enjoy it more when I embrace the ups and downs of tournament golf. It doesn’t always go the way you want.”

For example, Dinh felt she played poorly in June while defending her 2021 Michigan Women’s Amateur title.

“Then I played much better in the (USGA Women’s Mid Amateur Championship) and I let myself enjoy the experience,” she said. “I just wanted to play as well as I could and I let myself just play.”

Dinh eventually reached the match play quarterfinals in the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur at Fiddlesticks Country Club in Fort Myers, Fla., where she fell to the eventual champion, Krissy Carman, 4 and 3.

That performance helped her top the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) Points List and she has been named the GAM Women’s Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.

Dinh, age 30 and a GAM member through

Midland Country Club, keyed her season with the U.S. Mid Amateur run and topped the list with 635 points. A Senior Research Specialist for Dow Chemical in Midland, she paired her four weeks of vacation from work with tournaments.

Dinh said her highlight golf moment of the summer wasn’t on the GAM or USGA schedule. She played with fellow GAM member Chaithra Katamneni of Midland against the LPGA stars as a two-person team in the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational (72 hole, $2.5 million foursomes and four ball LPGA Tour competition).

“That was a great thrill getting to play in my hometown against the LPGA players,” she said. “It’s rare that you get to play in your hometown, so to do that and represent the golfers from here and have family and friends out to watch was a once in a lifetime opportunity. We didn’t make any putts and we missed the cut, but we didn’t play poorly and I know I enjoyed every minute out there, especially seeing all the people I’ve met over the years through golf.”

Kimberly Dinh of Midland

GAM Senior Player of GAM Senior Player of the Year: Jackson’s the Year: Jackson’s Steve Maddalena Steve Maddalena

Steve Maddalena of Jackson plays smarter, understands his limitations, practices as much as his body will allow and continues to learn by watching others.

“I try to give myself every advantage and every opportunity to win when I go play somewhere,” he said. “I want to be competitive as long as I can. I don’t see the point in playing if I’m going out there and getting my brains beat out. As long as I compete and there is a remote chance I can win once in a while I’d like to keep playing. I enjoy competitive golf and don’t particularly get much of a thrill out of recreational golf.”

Maddalena, 62, has been named the GAM Senior Men’s Player of the Year for the third time in the last four years. Maddalena, a Country Club of Jackson member, won the GAM Senior Match Play Championship early in the season to score key points. He also played in five other GAM tournaments, won the Senior Division at the GAM Mid-Amateur Championship and topped the points list with 418 points.

“I didn’t expect to be (Senior Player of the Year) this year after I didn’t qualify for the (U.S. Senior Amateur),” Maddalena said. “Those are big points

and that was a big disappointment. I think I put too much pressure on myself to play well that one day (in the qualifier).”

He called the Senior Match Play win at Muskegon Country Club the highlight of the summer. He tied Tom Gieselman of Commerce Township at No. 17 with a 25-foot birdie putt and then won it at No. 18 with a 50 foot shot using his putter from the fringe of the green.

The three time Michigan Amateur champion and Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member has played significantly on the national senior level in recent years and said he continues to learn. The practice regimen he has always followed has been tweaked, especially because some health issues and age have forced him to cut back on the amount of time he practices.

“Practice is kind of therapeutic for me,” he said. “I enjoy it. I wish I could practice more.”

GAM SR. Woman’s GAM SR. Woman’s Player of the Year: Player of the Year: Holt’s Julie Massa Holt’s Julie Massa

ByGregJohnson

Julie Massa of Holt changed putters this year, in the middle of the season no less, and changed styles going from her usual blade putter to a mallet.

“That’s very unusual for me, I’ve probably only used three or four putters my entire life,” she said. “My putting and chipping are the strength of my game, certainly the consistent part of my game normally. I qualified for the (U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur in Alaska) with a blade putter, but then I didn’t play well up there, didn’t putt well, and changed after that.”

After the switch Massa found her usual consistency again and won the Michigan Women’s Senior Amateur Championship which propelled her to the top of the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) Points List for senior women. It’s a familiar spot for 59-year-old Massa, who has been named the GAM Senior Women’s Player of the Year for the seventh time in the last eight years.

Massa’s late-season win in the Michigan Women’s Senior Amateur, a Senior Division win in the GAM Women’s Mid Amateur Championship and finishing second in the GAM Women’s Senior Championship helped the Forest Akers Golf Course member total 580 points for the season.

Stacy Slobodnik Stoll of Haslett, the women’s head golf coach at Michigan State University, Country Club of Lansing member and a first-

year senior at age 50, finished second with 520 points. She won the GAM Women’s Senior Championship and made a run in the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur before falling in the match play round of 32.

Massa, an Oregon native, used the same fitted blade putter for several years but was forced to change in 2019.

“My clubs were stolen when I was in Oregon that year and I feel like I haven’t found the right putter since then,” she said. “This is the first time I’ve tried a mallet style putter in competition. I’ve fiddled around with them before, but never took them on the course. I putted consistently, at least in the Michigan Women’s Senior.”

Massa beat Susie Keane of Orlando, Fla., a Michigan resident in the summer, in 20 holes in the title match at Sugar Springs Golf Club in Gladwin. That’s also where she shot 69 in stroke play qualifying, which she said was her best round of the summer.

Super Senior Player Super Senior Player of the Year:

Alma’s of the Year: Alma’s

Randy Lewis Randy Lewis

“A lot of things were going on and I really didn’t play until the Fourth of July so I just tried to have fun and enjoy the rest of the season,” Lewis said. “I really enjoyed playing Atlas Valley in the Super Senior and played pretty good there, and then I enjoyed Kittansett in the Senior Amateur. It was kind of a mixed season. I didn’t play at all at the start, and then I played a lot for a couple of months and found my game a few times.”

Lewis, age 65 and a Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member, found his game often enough to top the Golf Association (GAM) Points List for super senior men (age 65-plus) and has been named the GAM Super Senior Player of the Year.

One of the state’s most accomplished amateurs, Lewis is now a Player of the Year in his third age category. He was a two-time GAM Men’s Player of the Year and the GAM Player of the Decade in the 1990s, and after turning 55 he was the GAM Senior Player of the Year for four consecutive years. Among the things on his playing resume are the 2011 U.S. Mid Amateur Championship, a start in

the 2012 Masters Tournament, 36 starts in USGA championships and two Michigan Amateur titles.

“I honestly didn’t realize there was a Super Senior Player of the Year category,” he said. “I think it’s great. I saw some great players over 65 playing this year. It’s always nice to be recognized. It makes me want to play more and work on my game more next summer.”

A GAM member through Pine River Country Club, Lewis topped the points list with 265. Finishing second was Mike Raymond of the Country Club of Jackson, who topped Lewis by one shot to win the GAM Super Senior Championship. He had 190 points.

GREAT U.P.

GOLF

Island Resort in U.P. and the Perfect Foursome is Perfect for All

ByJaninaParrottJacobs

Men have been the focus of golf buddies’ trips since the term was invented but a newer wave of travel is heating up for women golfers who have friends and don’t think these marathon getaways should be exclusively for guys. And really, why limit the fun to one gender?

Considering the newest and most prolific growth spurt lies within the women’s and girls’ markets, resorts and top golf operators are offering more that appeals to women – and families who when treated properly, will become repeat customers.

Some Michigan resorts are ahead of the curve, having earned early recognition years ago for women’s specialized golf programs and customized schools mainly because women have different wants and requirements than

men. Certainly, they love to play golf, but prefer to also enjoy other experiences a destination has to offer, such as spa services, entertainment, casino gaming, area attractions, and great food options.

IslandResortandCasino in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula offers all that, but went one step further by creating and hosting the Island Resort Championship in 2011 at their much heralded Sweetgrass Golf Club, to this day actively welcoming future stars of women’s professional golf.

To promote the tournament, Island Resort General Manager Tony Mancilla enlisted the help of the nearby cities of Escanaba and Harris, with great success. While the LPGA’s Developmental Tour has been pretty much the sole ‘Road to the LPGA’ despite sporting several titles, the FUTURES, SYMETRA, and now the

EPSON Tour, there has been only one purpose in celebrating this much anticipated annual late-June event: to showcase women’s professional golf while embracing the entire community. Many women search out opportunities for their daughters and sons to get acquainted with golf and this Championship is one way for kids to see what success looks like.

“I think the biggest thing is having the pros play and the kids watch them,” said Mancilla. “They are young golfers trying to make their

way and accomplish a huge goal. And we’re right in the middle of it. Hopefully the little kids will think they can do it, too.”

The players look forward to crossing the Mackinaw Bridge into God’s country where they are treated extremely well, can enjoy Island Resort’s first class amenities and also the crowd appreciation usually reserved for LPGA Tour stars. Partly because of these endeavors, Sweetgrass was selected as the Michigan Golf Course of the Year in 2021 and National Golf Course of the year in 2022...both incredible honors when considering stiff competition like Pinehurst and Streamsong Resorts.

The EPSON championship is contested on the original Sweetgrass course, conveniently adjacent to the hotel and casino.

Designed by Paul Albanese in

2008, originally an added perk to casino operations, this immaculately conditioned layout, courtesy of Superintendent John Holberton, is a very playable course sweeping through farmland, across lakes and rivers, all lined with plentiful areas of local Native American ‘sweetgrass’, an aromatic herb and sacred plant used in Indian peace and healing rituals. Golfers can also learn about Hannahville’s rich history at each tee, with signs and symbols explaining hole names.

Notable holes include the easily hittable island green 15th, and the par 5 18th which pays homage to the seven elders of the Hannahville community, via seven well placed and visually appealing left bunkers. Combine that with the adjacent par-5 9th hole’s shared green and pond, complete with cascading waterfall, and you have two equally stunning finishing holes. Mancilla and the Tribal Council again commissioned designer Paul Albanese to create sister course, Sage Run, which opened in 2018 and is already attracting major attention, having hosted three Island Resort Collegiate Division I Invitationals in 2019, 2021 and 2022.

Only eight miles north of the more level casino grounds and course, the contrast in topography is surprising. This impressive layout meanders across a ‘drumlin’ mountainous ridge with severely challenging uphill and downhill holes, especially two par 3’s that play almost straight uphill, one on the front nine and one on the back. Certainly, a more difficult course, but a fun routing and scenic views mitigate that challenge.

Both courses offer multiple tee locations and generous green complexes for all levels of play. According to Director of Golf Dave Douglas, another fastgrowing segment of Island Resort’s business is couples golf, so gentlemen, don’t feel as if you cannot use more forward

tees, over 5000 yards at Sweetgrass, and especially at Sage Run. Measuring over 5200 yards and factoring in substantial elevations and protected greens, the course is not easy for anyone. Yet, while Sage Run ramps up the difficulty, it is still extremely enjoyable to play….and to treasure the views and your playing partner while you’re doing it.

One interesting feature there is somewhat ‘free style’ teeing areas on fairway turf. Only one marker is set, and you can pick your starting point. One recommendation for women or seniors might be to choose your own teeing grounds farther up the fairway,

SweetgrassIslandGreen

fashioning something more playable, especially on uphill holes where there is minimal carry and roll. Why not? You’re there for fun.

ThePerfect Foursome:

Take advantage of Island Resort’s imaginative and affordable Stay-and-

Play packages:ThePerfectFoursome, which includes hotel accommodations and optional play at two other stellar and award-winning courses in addition to Sweetgrass and Sage Run. Forty minutes west in Iron Mountain is Timberstone, a Best in State Jerry Matthews (and Paul Albanese) course built on an incredible site amidst towering pines and dramatic competitive ski hill elevations. Head north to Marquette Golf Club’s highly-ranked

Greywalls and enjoy the circuitous cart tour up toward the property’s first tee pinnacle where golfers are gifted with unparalleled views overlooking the bluffs of cerulean Lake Superior. Architect Mike DeVries fashioned 230 acres of rocky outcroppings, hills, woods and wetlands into yet another award winning Michigan course.

This fully customizable package offers 3 and 4 night lodging options with four rounds of golf ranging in price from $365-$728 per person depending upon season, and includes special casino and pro shop perks. With the Perfect Foursome package, when compared to most resort hotel costs, golfers are basically getting four rounds of golf at four incredible courses for free.

A 6 hour drive from mid Michigan; air service is available from Escanaba, Green Bay, and Marquette.

Timberstone

For more information about Island Resort and Casino, its golf packages, and other amenities, visit www.islandresortgolf.com or call 877-4754733.

GreywallsPar3

DeWitt’s Liz Nagel Wins LPGA Award

Heracceptancespeechisone everybodyshouldsee

ByTomLang

Michigander Liz Nagel, who played golf at Michigan State University and has been playing on the LPGA and Epson Tour’s ever since, recently received the Heather Farr Perseverance Award, which honors an LPGA player who, through her hard work, dedication and love of the game of golf, has demonstrated determination, perseverance and spirit in fulfilling her goals as a player.

Her acceptance speech was truly inspiring, and it barely touched on her cancer survival story, but it had words of support and wisdom for anyone in any area of life especially women. It’s so important to read that we have transcribed it below:

Way to go Liz, and congratulations: “There probably isn’t a single person in this room whose life hasn’t been touched by cancer. Some in big ways, and some a little less big, but none small and none, easy. I will spare you the cancer sucks speech, because I think we all know that already.

The truth is I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to say in this speech, I was a little overwhelmed that I even won this award, until I started reading a little bit more about Heather Farr. The very first article I pulled up gave me chills.

I knew we were both golfers with big smiles, and fighting spirits, but I had no idea how similar our stories and journeys with cancer actually were.

She was 23 and I was 20 when we both heard the C word for the first time. We were both eventually told you’re too young to have cancer, and asked, how could this happen to someone so young? We were both at crucial

times in our golf careers, hers a little further along at the time than mine, but both of our diagnosis shook both our families and our golfing families.

The love and support of those families were what helped both of us going forward. For me it was my family and my team and my coaches at Michigan State. For Heather it was her family and her LPGA family.

of the members of this Tour, because we are all persevering something.

And our struggles do not define us, but they do prove how strong we are. I’m honored to now represent Heather, because I’m lucky enough to still be here and to tell our stories, and to follow my dreams on and off the golf course something that was taken form her that we should never take for granted.

My favorite quote that I read about Heather was from Nancy Lopez; she said ‘Heather was a little bundle of special.’ And Heather’s sister, Missy, said, ‘Heather just had a light to her.’

One in two man, and one in three women will get cancer at some point in their life, so I am not standing up here as a unique situation. I represent all of us. I represent all cancer fighters and survivors. I represent people living without a major organ in their body. I represent everyone who has to rely on taking a pill every day for their body to feel ‘normal.’ I

My story may be cancer when you look at the cover, but just like every woman on this Tour, if you read a little further, the things we overcome, and are enduring every day to play on the LPGA are truly incredible. Our stories are all of strength and perseverance and spirit. I’ve never been more proud to say I play on the LPGA Tour. Truly, we all deserve this award. You all inspire me to persevere as a cancer survivor, as a golfer and as a woman. Thank you for choosing me to be the one to accept this award. I accept it for all of us. Thank you.” represent those who have had to deal with quirks after having surgery, because my neck will forever tilt a little bit this way now (leaning to her left).

I represent the daily struggle we all face. Minor things like adjusting to changes in temperature, and feeling tired and a little bit foggy, but really I represent all

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa Grand Traverse Resort and Spa Undergos $10 Million Hotel Renovation Undergos $10 Million Hotel Renovation

Construction has begun at northern Michigan’s largest conference and convention center for the property’s most extensive hotel renovation.

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa announced a $10 million renovation of its original six-story Hotel, following the completion of a $3 million renovation of the Resort’s meeting space. Work began on November 7 and is expected to be finished in spring 2023, completing a four-year, $13 million renovation plan.

“This project is exciting for everyone. Of course, our guests, but also our associates,” said Matthew Bryant, general manager. “This total renovation brings in new and updated amenities that both our guests and staff will benefit from.”

The hotel renovation

will include a total transformation of 242 guest rooms, including two junior suites, four hospitality suites, and all corridors.

“The Resort is a northern Michigan landmark, and the décor will reflect that,” Bryant added. “Guests will enjoy a balance of refined and rustic character with organic beauty, plus artwork that is rich in the history of Traverse City.”

The design combines a contemporary feel while celebrating the Resort's owners, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

The Resort has more than 550 guest rooms to offer businesses and organizations looking to meet in its 86,500 square feet of newly renovated meeting space.

BOYNE Golf Receives National BOYNE Golf Receives National Recognition for Sustainability Work Recognition for Sustainability Work

BOYNE Golf has been honored as E Z GO’s first Green Ambassador. Best known for its innovative golf cars, E Z GO is honoring “Michigan’s Magnificent 10” golf courses for their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.

To qualify as a Green Ambassador, a course measures its business initiatives on a numerical scale for:

Habitat and Water Conservation Facilities and Buildings Waste and Recycling Education, Advocacy and Community Outreach

In 2021, BOYNE Resorts committed to a goal of net zero emissions across all 13 of their golf courses by 2030 they call it the “ForeverProject.” From selective watering days, to the expansion of natural areas around fairways, and building buffer zones around water features to decreasing the frequency of mowing fairways, the ForeverProject is now saving thousands of dollars and reducing emissions.

Michigan Golf Michigan Golf Course Course Association Association

golf industry in Michigan. She is the owner of Lake Forest Golf Club and a past president of the MGCA. JimandChrisMacInneswillbetherecipients oftheMatthewsLifetimeAchievementAward. It is awarded to an individual or organization that over the span of a lifetime has provided steadfast leadership, outstanding service, and continuous commitment to the Michigan golf industry. They took over leadership of the Crystal Mountain family business in 1985. TheDulFamilyandFoxHillsGolfandBanquet

recipient. This award is reserved for significant, measurable, and meaningful work in and for the golf industry and has only been presented nine times in 26 years by the MGCA. The Dul family (sisters Kathy Aznavorian and Sandy Mily) is receiving the Award of Merit in recognition of their long standing family ownership and management of Fox Hills and the history of their 48 years of leadership in the golf industry from 1974 to 2022.

AND NOTES

The Ally Challenge Gets New Leader The Ally Challenge Gets New Leader

The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren announced that Erin Mazurek Stone has been named director of business development & community engagement of the HNS Sports Group managed,

award winning PGA TOUR Champions event, now entering its sixth year at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club (August 21 27, 2023).

Stone joins The Ally Challenge management team afterfiveyearsasthetournament directorfortheFedExSt.JudeChampionship.

Under her leadership, the PGA TOUR FedExCup playoff event experienced an unprecedented growth in commercial business development, more than doubling total revenues during her tenure. Stone’s experience also includes the creation of new and innovative ways to partner company objectives with sports marketing deliverables, as well as a focus on marketing and community outreach leading to increased regional fan attendance.

Additionally, her time with the PGA TOUR included training in the TOUR’s tournament leadership initiative, learning and serving with tournaments like THE PLAYERS Championship, WM Phoenix Open, and WGC Dell Technologies Match Play.

Stone has more than 20 years of professional career experience in sports and event marketing. Prior to her time in golf, the Michigannativespent five years with the Detroit Red Wings & Olympia Entertainment.

Ace Indoor Golf Helps Five Ace Indoor Golf Helps Five Iron Golf’s Steady Growth Iron Golf’s Steady Growth

Ace Indoor Golf, a leading builder, designer and installer of golf simulator hardware and technology, has strengthened its partnership with Five Iron Golf, the leader in upscale indoor golf destinations with a growing collection of locations across the country.

Recently, a multi bay simulator installation was completed at the new Five Iron Golf location in Shelby Township, Michigan while projects at several other forthcoming Five Iron Golf locations are underway. The 6,000 square foot space features six TrackMan golf simulators, a full bar, putting green and a graffiti wall painted by local artist Desiree Kelly.

The Shelby Township site is just one of a growing number of Five Iron Golf locations across the country to which Ace Indoor Golf will be lending its expertise and proven installation methods. The Five Iron Golf space is designed with guests in mind to enjoy the good vibes of golf and can become the perfect entertainment space. It’s also a golf oasis for all new and skilled players.

Mizuno JPX 923 Iron Review Mizuno JPX 923 Iron Review

byJustinPahl,MilesofGolf

Mizuno dropping a new iron line is always an exciting time in the golf world.

With the release of the new JPX 923’s, Mizuno has every level of golfer covered. From the elite ball striker to the weekend warrior, there is now a Mizuno iron model for you. The biggest addition that they made was adding in a third Hot Metal iron, the JPX 923 Hot Metal HL. A very forgiving iron that has a slightly lowered center of gravity and weaker lofts. This model is going to be a game changer for players looking for forgiveness that will still produce more spin and steeper landing angles.

Now we can’t forget about the JPX 923 Hot Metal or JPX 923 Hot Metal Pro. These two models have been the workhorse for Mizuno for the better half of a decade. While consistent with their recipe using the Chromoly metal in the three hot metal irons, a new blend is now on the scene.

The new 4335 Nickel Chromoly is 35% stronger than the previous generations while offering an 8% thinner face. This creates a larger sweet spot with consistently higher ball speeds. Needless to say, these irons are little rocket ships. Since they made the face thinner, they still wanted these clubs to feel like a Mizuna.

To do so they changed the shape of the chassis to create a more solid and satisfying vibration pattern. All I will say is that they still feel very much like a Mizuno.

The JPX 923 forged and tour are not released yet and I haven’t been able to test them so there will be more information coming early 2023.

Hot Metal and Hot Metal Pro are faster but this is expected since they are stronger in loft. Both Hot Metal and Hot Metal Pro produced very piercing ball flights that the wind does not touch. Hot Metal HL launched higher and spun more which created a higher peak apex and a steeper land angle, all while being efficient and fast off of the face. So what Mizuno has done is add a perfect addition to an already elite iron lineup. These irons are definitely worth looking into if you’re in the market for new irons.

The full review and test charts found here

ByJasonManshum

Editor’snote:Thisisthesecondofatwo part seriesthatstartedinNovemberonsomeof Indiana’sbestgolfproperties.

Pete Dye. Donald Ross. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Names that would arguably be on the Mount Rushmore of golf course architects, are offered as world renowned, publicly accessible opportunities just south of the border in Indiana.

In November we shared the joys of two college courses: Pfau Course at Indiana University and the Warren Course at Notre Dame. Now let’s look at the rest of our 10 man road trip to Sultan’s Run in Jasper, plus the Donald Ross and Pete Dye courses at French Lick.

Sultan’sRun

Our Sultan’s Run round proved a stark contract to the natural minimalism of Pfau yet provided an equally pleasing palette. Sultan’s Run,

nestled in quaint Jasper, may perhaps be the most pristinely groomed course I’ve played all year. Insanely well groomed. This is a testament to ownership as I’ve heard the layout went through some rough times (pun intended) with its care and maintenance under previous owners.

Right from the entrance and drive in, Sultan’s Run is a scenic stroll through woods and around water. Sultan’s Run creator is Pete Dye disciple Tim Liddy. His layout utilizes the heat and drought resistant zoysia fairways we played at the Pfau Course.

Liddy did a masterclass in using the land to its full potential. Elevation changes galore dot the holes, making club selection crucial. Bunkers naturally grace the fairways and greensides. Water comes into play on numerous holes yet isn’t overwhelming. This is perhaps most exemplified on the signature 18th hole. Dubbed Supreme Sultan, this four-par is a slight dogleg

right. You must carry wetland off the tee to a tree lined fairway. Once you succeed off the tee, the real fun comes with the approach. The green is backed by side to side water with a stunning waterfall feature. Beyond the waterfall is the clubhouse and banquet center, providing a TOUR-worthy feel finish for the recreational golfer.

Speaking of Supreme Sultan, the land was formerly home to Supreme Sultan, a legendary horse that sired a record number of World Champion American Saddlebred horses on the property. Hence the name of the course, with tee boxes engraved with unique stone marks, memorializing the name of one of these World Champions.

TheDonaldRossCourseatFrenchLick

Some things age well: fine wine, George Clooney, The Donald Ross Course at French Lick. Built in 1917, this Ross gem hosted the PGA Championship won by Walter Hagen in 1924. After a major restoration in 2005, the course remains championship worthy to this day, hosting the Epson Tour and the Big Ten as well.

Stepping onto the property gives you a sense of nostalgia. It provides the canvas to romanticize the

game back when it was played with hickories and rubber core golf balls. The clubhouse is small, but with a grand porch and rockers overlooking this masterpiece. Inside is filled with historical artifacts.

Stepping onto the first tee, you quickly realize that while the course may be more than 100 years old, it still has a bite for the modern day player. Classic designs like this stand up over time to the evolving nature of the golfer and

Few trees line the holes. It’s much more open than other Ross courses I’ve played. The trouble instead lurks around the greens. Roughly 80 deep, gnarly faced bunkers protect the greens in key places. But the sharpest test comes when you have the flatstick in hand. If you’ve played a Ross course, you know to stay below the hole due to the severe back to front

Sultan'sRunHole1

slope he so favored. If you’re above the hole, best of luck to you. But don’t think you can just run it up links style. Many of these greens are slightly elevated, turning away short shots. In addition, there are several square and rectangular shaped greens at the Ross Course.

To play this course is a time capsule experience. It’s everything a classic course should be. It’s no wonder the course has been rated the No. 2 public course in Indiana by GolfWeek each year since 2011.

ThePeteDyeCourseatFrenchLick

As a young boy, I dreamt of becoming a golf course architect. I would draw and color detailed routings onto an artist’s pad. What I could not envision then or now – is sketching an entire 18-hole routing on a napkin. Let alone one that would become nationally acclaimed, ranking as the top public course in the state by GolfWeek, and hosting a Champions TOUR PGA Championship and the ongoing Senior LPGA Championship. But that’s exactly what

Hoosier native and Hall of Fame architect Pete Dye did in French Lick. The story goes, when Dye first walked the property, he concluded there was no way to build a course there the slopes were too severe and terrain too rugged. He clearly changed his mind, and the result is a championship course that sits on one of Indiana’s highest elevation points. From a few points, I swear I could see The Mitten State, although the reality is they are 40 mile panoramic views of the southern Indiana countryside.

Dye gets rightfully attention for his courses like TPC Sawgrass, Harbour Town, The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, and the Straits Course at Whistling Straits, but The Pete Dye Course should get just as much. The course may be the most visually stunning inland course I’ve played. It’s intimidating off the tee with landing areas that look tiny next to hazards. But in truth, this is mostly the mind trick Dye is famous for. It’s much more open and forgiving than it initially looks.

His famous “volcano” bunkers don’t have to come into play. However, you must navigate a lot of bunkers overall and constant elevation changes. Being at such a high elevation, wind is almost certain to be a factor. With a routing that changes direction every few holes, the

wind will be coming from all four ways at some point during your round.

Upon conclusion of a round I would sum up as simply saying fun, we were each gifted a bottle of bourbon with the course logo etched in the back. A great 19th hole experience.

FinalThoughts

World renowned architects. Compelling golf course designs. Challenging, yet fun. Visually stunning. Affordable. You can get all this just south of our Michigan border. This is a journey I highly recommend with buddies, a spouse, or any other golf enthusiast. Just don’t ask me which of these courses is my favorite. That would be like asking who my favorite child is (if I had more than one)!

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