Michigan Golf Journal March 2023

Editor’s Letter

March tells us that soon The Masters is here and it’s time for the golf season to begin.

In light of that, we have profiles this month on the three Michigan kids who earned their way to Augusta NationaltoplayintheNationalDrive,ChipandPutt tournament – Lyla Hampton of Grosse Pointe Park, Robbie Melendez of Ann Arbor and Paige Radebach of Webberville.

We also look at the continuous improvements being made at Treetops Resort, especially at its North location which boasts the nationally famous Threetops par 3 course, plus three 18s – The Smith Signature, The Tradition and Tom Fazio’s Premier. The last two courses have seen or will soon receive nice renovations that golfers who enjoy Up North golf will not want to miss.

Additional items you’ll find here in the March edition:

U.S. Open qualifying sites in Michigan

Advice on how to get your kids involved in golf so they will give it a fair shot

Rankings of Michigan golf courses according to NBC’s Golf Pass

A heart-wrenching tale of the MSU Women’s golf team after the shootings

A fun and funny top 10 list from Bill Hobson on what 2023 could bring

Congratulations are also in order for Mt. Pleasant’s Ryan Brehm playing on the PGA Tour and finishing T14 at the Honda Classic. Maybe it’s because he knew we plan to bring readers a long feature story on him in April, so please check back.

TomLang EditorandPublisher

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After Deadly Shooting at MSU, Women’s After Deadly Shooting at MSU, Women’s Golf Team Perseveres – Together Golf Team Perseveres – Together

ByTomLang

The very nature of our cherished game of golf can provide a lot of peace and solace.

And after the shocking mass shooting at Michigan State University on the evening of Feb. 13, which took three innocent lives and caused life-altering injury to five others – if ever calm and healing was needed, it was in the days and weeks to follow.

For the MSU women’s golf team, that meant even more togetherness than normal.

Leave no one behind.

The MSU travel team had already been scheduled to fly to Florida three days after the shooting happened to take part in the Moon Golf Invitational, hosted by Louisville at

Suntree Country Club in Melbourne. But they didn’t wait until then to get back together and bond, talk out their feelings and play the game they love. Instead, the following day, Valentine’s Day, the team gathered in 50degree weather at Country Club of Lansing for a pre-planned practice.

“Coach getting us out of our rooms and being in a safe space and get us into what we’re used to, to try getting our minds off it (the shooting) to just do what we do (golf) – that was definitely therapeutic to us, all being together, to talk, laugh and that’s what we needed in those times, for sure,” said team leader and junior Leila Raines of Galena, Ohio.

Every golfer agreed they wanted to be together

COLLEGE CORNER

and play. Coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll went one step further and, when all agreed, decided to take the entire team to Florida despite the fact the typical ‘travel team’ is five players.

“Having the whole team able to come was really awesome,” Raines said. “We really didn’t want to leave a few girls behind with

everything that had happened. We thought it was best having strength in numbers, and that everyone would feel more safe coming together as a team. That was really crucial for the entire team concept having everyone make the trip.”

Slobodnik-Stoll pulled out all the stops, with a little last-minute help from the tournament host who agreed to add two additional MSU players to the tournament field as individual competitors and arranged for the MSU redshirt player to golf in the practice round that Saturday and then play the other course at Suntree with members during the tournament.

“The kids were scared,” Slobodnik-Stoll said about the entire team. “Three of them were locked down in the Smith Center (at Duffy Daugherty Building). That’s where they were, studying, when it (shooting) happened, and were there from 7:00 at night until 1:00 in the morning. And when they finally were released, the SWAT team was there with full gear on, including guns.

“They walked out with their hands up. So, you talk about being 18 years old and seeing something that you probably never saw or imagined at your school; I would say was a bit tough on them. They were scared, and they didn’t want to stay back (on campus) and I knew that the travel team didn’t want to leave them at home.

“So, I called the travel agent and said I don’t even want to know how much it costs, just buy the tickets,” coach continued. “We’re bringing everyone, and it was last minute, the day before we left.”

When tournament time came, MSU understandably didn’t play all that well the first two days. But the team caught fire in the

LeilaRaines

final round, where Raines scored a personalbest 7-under par. The team shot a 12-under 276 to jump from 10th place to a 5th place team finish in the 17-team field made up of mostly top 50 programs. No. 9 LSU won the event. Raines tied for first but lost in a playoff when her opponent from Augusta State drained a long eagle putt on the second hole. Raines’ efforts earned Big Ten player of the week.

Slobodnik-Stoll said MSU players wrote on their arms the initials of the three students who died. Every team wore green ribbons during the event, and the University of Michigan wore MSU hats with a green heart logo (the same day the basketball teams played at Crisler) and wore MSU branded T-shirts on the flights there and back.

“We will always remember, we will never ever forget what happened,” Slobodnik-Stoll said about the decision by players to participate in the tournament. “We want to honor the families. We want to honor the students who are in the hospital, their families, our school. And I told our team the best thing we can do is represent our school.”

The three MSU students who perished were Arielle Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser.

Raines said many on the team didn’t feel fully mentally or physically prepared to play, her included, but pressed ahead with no expectations. Just being together and representing MSU was their focus.

“I feel like when you let the expectations go and you’re playing for something more than yourself, that’s often when the best golf comes

out,” she said. “It was definitely a full circle moment for sure.”

While many people focused on the MSU tragedy that week from all across the country,

Slobodnik-Stoll realized that Spartan Strong was not alone.

“There were two other schools in the tournament that had gone through this: Florida State and Virginia Tech had had shootings,” she said. “And that’s not something to be proud of, but it’s also the other side of the coin when telling people you are going to be okay, and we’re going to get through this and we’ll do the right thing.

“We’re never going to forget these three young people we lost, we’re praying for the five who are injured that they can recover and come back to MSU and get their degrees and live a happy life.”

Thousands of others have the same prayer.

A Message from the President A Message from the President

Dear Michigan Golf Journal Readers,

I’m excited to share my first update to you as President of the PGA of America. 2023 will undoubtedly be an exciting year for our organization and we’ve already kicked it off in style with a robust PGA Show where thousands of golf industry professionals gathered together in Orlando,

Florida to discuss the business of golf and prepare for the upcoming season.

The 70th PGA Show marked the start of a year that will include an incredible championship season for the PGA of America. Our PGA Championship kicks off in May at a renovated Oak Hill Country Club, the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship marks the major championship debut of our new home of the PGA OF America at PGA Frisco and our KPMG Women’s PGA Championship will be played at historic Baltusrol. When you add in a Ryder Cup in Rome it's sure to be a great year of competition.

While our championships are sure to draw the eyes of the golfing world, it’s what’s going on with our nearly 28,000 PGA Professionals including the over 800 in the Michigan PGA Section that truly have me excited for 2023.

PGA Professionals are at the forefront of our sport and delivering for golfers of all ages and ability levels on a daily basis. We know that your 2023 golf journey will include many incredible experiences with PGA Professionals, such as Drive, Chip and Putt as well as PGA Jr League.

I know how much the sport of golf means to our great state and am proud to represent it at the national level as the President of the PGA of America. I can’t wait to keep you updated on the progress we are making over my two years in office.

Sincerely,

John Lindert, PGA Director of Golf Country Club of Lansing PGA of America, President

3 Michigan Kids 3 Michigan Kids

Heading to Augusta Heading to Augusta

National National

Drive,ChipandPuttis Drive,ChipandPuttis

ttheirtickettothe heirtickettothe

HallowedGrounds HallowedGrounds

ByTomLang

Lyla Hampton assumed she would be sitting at home, like hundreds of thousands of golf fans, watching the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals from her couch come April 2.

But an unexpected stroke of luck, and her excellent skill set, will transport her from her Grosse Pointe Park home to the hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Club.

Back in the fall, Hampton was sitting at home when a call came that a competitor had withdrawn from the Reginal Final, set to take place about a week later at Scioto Country Club in Ohio, and as the first alternate she could play. She took that great opportunity, and, as they say ‘ ran with it’ to win the Regional and earn her trip to Georgia next month.

“It’s just crazy to think that if that person didn’t cancel, I would have never gotten to (go to) Augusta,” Hampton told me. “I was shocked when they dropped out.

“I’m excited because I know Augusta is a very nice high-quality course, and I get to watch the practice round for The Masters right after.

That is exciting, watching all the pros. Just the idea of being there is so cool, because not that many people get to go.”

No Lyla, they don’t. At age 14 and a freshman on the golf team at Grosse Pointe South, she has a little better appreciation for her fate than some. Hampton said she made two putts and had a chip in at the Scioto Regional to pull out the victory and qualify nationally for the girls 14-15 division.

She knows the stage is huge and will do her best to keep her cool.

“I’m pretty good with staying focused under the pressures of playing tournament golf, but I can get nervous over things that you know are

LylaHampton

important, and I know this is a big deal and a lot of people will be watching, so that’s a little nervewracking to think about,” she said.

Like many visitors and patrons to Augusta National, she’s also looking forward to being able to purchase Masters’ memorabilia at the only location it is sold.

“My dad’s credit card is going to be screaming.”

Robbie has tried out for Drive, Chip and Putt every year since he was 8 years old, yet until this year he didn’t get past the Regionals that determine which kids go to Augusta. But this was his year, winning the 10-11 age division at Scioto Country Club.

Driving the ball is his strength but at Scioto he took 3rd in drive and 1st in chipping – thanks to all his chips ending within two feet of the hole; that’s what carried him to victory.

“I like driving, but putting and chipping is the most important thing,” about playing golf Robbie said.

His career (it sounds weird categorizing it that way at age 11) lowest score is a 64, shot during the U.S. Kids World Championship last round, to place overall runner up summer of 2022. He’s finished 5th in the past at the same event. Robbie is often playing summer events on the Michigan Callaway Tour, and the Top 50 Tour, winning numerous times in both.

He has thought about going to college and being a pro golfer someday; “but I think I should just keep trying to get better right now.”

RobbieMelendez,AnnArbor, Boys10-11Division:

Robbie Melendez has had a golf club in his hands since he could walk. Not all that surprising, since golf runs in the family. His older sister, Mia, is a twotime Div. 4 high school state champion and earned All-State Super team in the fall as a sophomore.

And did we say he has beaten her in golf – and his father, Robert.

Yet he is not one of those kids ‘specializing’ in one sport. He is a successful soccer player, and he runs track. In February he won the AAU 14and-under indoor national championship in the 60-meter dash and 200-meter run, at the indoor track meet held at Eastern Michigan University.

Yet if pro golf becomes his calling, and if he were able to return to Augusta National as an adult and win, he knows what he would serve for the Champions Dinner: steak, hamburgers and mashed potatoes.

RobbieMelendez

PaigeRadebach, Webberville,Girls12-13 Division

Paige Radebach is making her second trip to Augusta National, after first qualifying for the 7-9 Girls Division in 2019. This time around it’s a lot less surprising than the first.

At that time, she had only played golf for about one season. In April of 2018 she was watching The Masters on TV and said to her family: “’Oh, I want to go there someday, I’m want to be there. I’m going to be on that TV,’” Paige told me. “And my dad and my coach just kind of laugh it off, an 8 or 9 year old girls saying she’s going to make it to Augusta. And then sure enough, a year later I was. That’s my favorite memory, smack talking my family.”

She finished first in putting and 4th overall.

“I was really young the first time I went,” she recounted recently. “I want to take in the moment better, and maybe understand this opportunity I’m getting a little bit better, and remember it more.

“I understood it was a big deal, and I was being interviewed on TV, but I just didn’t understand

what Augusta was and what it could mean to people. So, getting back there was a big goal because it meant a lot to me, looking back.”

The first trip she met Augusta member Condoleezza Rice – and Annika Sorenstam, who quickly became her favorite golfer.

Paige’s best skill is putting, but has a family friend as her swing coach, MSU Men’s Golf head coach Casey Lubahn. She has a nice set up in the basement to hit and chip into a simulator screen, plus a putting green.

She gets to brag that she beat her dad, Matt, at golf when she was 11, and Matt said “she hasn’t looked back,” adding that he doesn’t always go golf with her because she never lets it down that a 13 year old girl beats him every time.

“He still gives me competition,” she laughed. “He can still be a little difficult sometimes to beat.”

PaigeRadebachandherMom,Jamie

Two Michigan Sites to Two Michigan Sites to Host U.S. Open Qualifiers Host U.S. Open Qualifiers

The 123rd playing of the U.S. Open is set for the Los Angeles Country Club in June, the first time in 75 years, when Ben Hogan won the 1948 title, his first of four U.S. Open victories.

AndafirststepforthisMajorislocal qualifyingrounds,ofwhichtwowillbeplayed inMichigan–May1atMuskegonCountry Club,along-timehostforthisevent,andthe newlyrenovatedPlumHollowCCin Southfield.

To be eligible, players must be a professional golfer, or an amateur with a USGA Handicap Index of 1.4 or better. Online registration at champs.usga.org is now open and continues through April 12.

Last year, 9,265 registrations were accepted for the 2022 championship. The record number is 10,127 entries in 2014 when the U.S. Open was contested at Pinehurst No. 2. This year, Muskegon and Plum Hollow are part of 109

total host sites in 44 states.

Local qualifying starts on April 17 in Texas and ends on May 22 in Alaska.

Oakland Hills CC in Birmingham is slated to host U.S. Opens in 2034 and 2051.

Women’sU.S.Open:

Registration is also open now for the 2023 Women’s U.S. Open, to be played at Pebble Beach Golf Links in July.

No Michigan sites were chosen to host local qualifiers; the closest sites appear to be the Ohio State University Scarlett Course, and Palatine Hills in Illinois.

Registration is at the same web address above, and is open until May 3.

Oakland Hills also will host the 2031 and 2042 Women’s U.S. Opens.

Treetops’Continuous Treetops’Continuous ImprovementsKeep ImprovementsKeep theGolferInMind theGolferInMind

ByTomLang

Treetops Resort was one of the earliest and well known golf resorts to draw national attention to northern Michigan and helped grow the region as a premier golf destination. It’s a trend that hasn’t slowed down. And Tom Fazio’s Premier course at the Treetops North location is one of the core staples.

“The reasons people give for loving the Premier are all over the board,” Treetops General Manager Barry Owens said after we played a fall round of golf on Threetops. “And then there are some people who I call ‘big game hunters for architects,’ and this is the only Fazio course in the state of Michigan. So, for

the people who want to check that off their list, they come here.”

Golfers also come for the Smith Signature course, which is celebrating 30 years this summer. Then you’ve got Threetops – one of the nation’s first ever par 3 courses built – and is arguably still one of the best in the country. There is also the drastically changed Tradition course, which golfers won’t recognize unless they played it last year; but we’ll discuss why a little later.

Owens said there is always a debate about which is the best course of their three 18-hole designs at Treetops North. And while that is a tough call, golfers answer that question every year – the Fazio Premier gets the most play.

The 18-hole layout traversing up and down the

region’s sloping land is scheduled for some updates and improvements from a master plan developed by course designer Paul Albanese, a Michigan transplant from Harvard.

“We want to maintain the integrity of the Fazio design, because it’s so special and means so much to us,” Owens said. “But as it’s aged, there are things like drainage that has the biggest issues that impacts bunkers, it impacts low areas.”

Tom Fazio designed the course on the directive of former owner Harry Melling requesting a more playable course for the average golfer – to balance out the original Jones Masterpiece course that Melling instructed Robert Trent Jones, Sr. to make the toughest in Michigan in the late 1980s.

Thus, about 25 percent of the 18 holes of the Fazio Premier have higher ground on the outer edges of their fairways, convex if you will, to

help feed somewhat wayward balls back onto the short grass. However, this same theory of moving balls also funnels water, so in the near future low-lying areas will get some improved drainage attention, as well as many bunkers.

“Then there’s the green complexes themselves, we want to do some creative stuff, like perhaps some intermediate cuts around some of the greens that will provide for some unique chipping and putting areas, if you just miss a green,” Owens added. “Or, if you hit one a little long that would normally roll out and get stuck in the rough, perhaps you’ll get a roll back if you don’t go too far.”

TheSmithTradition, which turned 25 years old last year, was the focus of massive tree removal for its Silver anniversary. Smith designed it as a links course in part being the most level land in an otherwise region of drastic elevation changes. The Tradition always had wider fairways than most tree-lined

courses, but now the entire view is opened up all across the property with most of the trees now removed.

“We’re planting the wispy fescue that will grow to about knee height but will be very thin so

you can hit a shot out of it if you needed to,” Owens said. “The goal is that beautiful look across the course with the green grass fairways and greens and the light gold of the fescue wisping in the wind. Wind will always come into play on the Tradition – and it did before but now with all the trees removed it will really come into play.”

The visual changes provide something unique at Treetops that counteracts the resort’s other courses – which total 81 holes in all.

“It’s funny because even those of us who have been here for years, we didn’t’ really appreciate all the roll of the land until the trees were gone,” Owens said about the Tradition. “It’s so much more visible now.”

Speaking of tree removal, a less drastic version took place recently on the Threetops9-hole course, and playing it in the fall of 2022 was the

most fun I every had on that layout. Like with most golf courses, tree encroachment is a normal thing over the decades. So, when the staff saw the same thing happening on Threetops, cutting back and trimming trees made play more

enjoyable, but opened up the natural views a little more as well. Gorgeous scenes of the Sturgeon River Valley, and seeing a few more parts of the Smith Signature Course from Threetops, was a big gain. The most noticeable changes for my eye were the 3rd and 4th holes.

Most holes play downhill or level on Threetops. The No. 9 tee is lower than the green with a large sweeping valley in between the two, forcing golfers to make the only uphill strike.

Just No. 6 has water, called Harry’s Way, because when Smith designed it, Harry Melling insisted on at least one hole with water. It was pretty cool playing the par 3 holes that hosted the nationally-televised ‘Par 3 Shoot Out’ eight times, in 1999 and the early 2000s. Legends like Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino (the only hole-inone), Arnold Palmer, Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples, Fuzzy Zoeller and Raymond Floyd participated in at various times. Collectively

TheSmithTradition

this group won more than 50 majors.

Keeping our focus on the Treetops North location – which is about six miles north of the main campus where the hotel, convention center, the completely renovated Chalets, the new Jones Cottages, the wintertime ski runs and the original Jones Masterpiece are located –the North clubhouse area has very little open land around it, but a plan is underway to improve that area for 2023.

Such ideas include:

Expanded retail area; over 2,000 sq ft of renovated retail space

Indoor putting green Lounge area with big screen TV

Scenic decks to enjoy food and beverages overlooking the spectacular views (the driving range has one of the nicest vistas of any in the state)

280 state of the art EZ-Go electric carts for guests to enjoy in quiet comfort

Enhanced central starter system

New range ball distribution location for improved convenience

Expanded food and beverage area in the lower level

When it comes to the Smith Signature course, his first of three at Treetops North,

‘UltimateGuide’has recently recognized it as one of the United States Top 200 Resort courses (placing it inside the top 150). It has always been one of my favorites and was the site for filming the extremely popular ’14 Clubs’ television advertising campaign of Pure Michigan, which every year wins numerous travel campaign awards.(Editor’snote:newthisyear,Pure MichiganhasalsobegunutilizingtheMIGolf Journalforitsgolfwebsitecontent.) Continuesonnextpage>>

NBC’sGolfPass’s annual Golfers’ChoiceAwards (see page 26 as well) listed the Smith Signature course No. 19 in Michigan, and the Fazio Premier No. 22.

When not golfing, the Treetops Spa is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, providing guests that special treat to sooth body and soul. Treetops also has a large selection of daily eating locations on site, and offers special dinners with wine tasting tours across various dates and times all summer long. All information can be found at: www.treetops.com

JonesMasterpiece

Learn to Let Learn to Let Kids “PLAY” Kids “PLAY” Golf Golf

IIntroducingYour ntroducingYour KidstotheGame KidstotheGame

ByJasonManshum

There is something about golf and its passage to the next generation. It’s one of the time-honored traditions of the game. This generational passage of parents playing with their children is unique from other sports and athletic activities.

Introduced to the game by my parents as a toddler (I have no memories of life without golf) and having introduced my now teenage son to the game at about the same age, I appreciate the tradition – and challenge – of introducing your child to the game you cherish.

As is much in life, taking your kids to the course with the hope of sparking a lifelong love (obsession?) of the game, is a bit of trial and error. Here are a few things I learned along the way.

MakeandKeepitFun

If you think you can play your normal game and format, keeping score for

your handicap while playing with a child, you are setting yourself up for failure. It’s a completely different mindset when playing with children. If you want them to find it fun, you must make it fun!

The first time I took my son to the course, I couldn’t keep him out of the bunkers – they were a giant sandbox to him! Literally a beach! So, we played some rounds together where we’d play a hole the traditional way, but then the next hole he could play in the sand, look for

frogs in the pond, or whatever he found fun in the moment. I’d join him. (I should note that I properly raked all bunkers after our playtime.) Now that he’s older, he wants to “Happy Gilmore it” on the tee. This was a tougher sell, but I’ve let him enjoy taking a whack at it this way from time to time as well.

LetThemEnjoytheGameat TheirOwnLevel

Even with all the fun described above, some kids will take to the game more than others. Your children may never become obsessed with the game like you. They may not even care for it. My son, for example, will go out for a fun round with me or his grandparents a few times a year, but golf is not his thing. He’d much rather spend his free time on his Jon boat casting a line for largemouth bass. And that’s

okay! They are their own person. They don’t have to be like you.

If they play all the time and are competitive with you, great. If they just want to go out on occasion and have fun with breakfast balls, gimmies, and foot wedges, that’s great too. Whether they beg you to take them each

weekend, or you beg them to play with you on a rare occasion, you must let them find their own enjoyment in the game. It’s only fair that I spend some days on the lake with my son, rod in hand. It’s the time we spend together that makes the memories, not the specific activity.

Bringing your child into the game is exciting. But also intimidating if you’re unsure how. Just don’t be dead set on making them love the game as much as you. That’s not the point. They may take to the game immediately. The game may come to the game later in life. Or they may never really like it. Regardless, remember that golf is a game.

Games are played. And playing is fun.

So, focus on allowing them to have as much fun and enjoyment on the course as possible while spending time together. And you’ll enjoy it too.

My 10 Most Anticipated Golf My 10 Most Anticipated Golf Moments for 2023 Moments for 2023

GuestcolumnistBill GuestcolumnistBill Hobson,Hostof Hobson,Hostof MichiganGolfLive, MichiganGolfLive, sharesahumorousand sharesahumorousand tthoughtfuloutlookon houghtfuloutlookon ttheupcoming heupcoming golfseason golfseason

110) 0)

Watching Augusta National struggle to maintain enthusiasm and patron support for their little “toonamint” in light of the 24th consecutive rejection of the Michigan Golf Live Media Credential application. Doubtful they’ll be able to carry on much longer.

brutally bad, as evidenced by the charitable donation of mass quantities of unsold shirts and hats we all saw on TV and wondered if our eyes were going bad.

7) 7)

Seeing golf fans flock to Tony Finau when he returns to defend his Rocket Mortgage Classic title. Anyone who watched his feature on the Netflix series, “Full Swing” can’t help but move Finau and family to the top of their popularity leaderboard.

9) 9)

Enjoying another incredible year of introducing the great state of Pure Michigan golf to visitors from parts of the country where stepping outside in July is akin to climbing onto the grill and closing the lid. When those folks get here and realize you can play all summer without melting, we start hearing a fascinating mixture of accents from places far outside Michigan area codes.

8) 8)

Being stunned and appalled by whatever wardrobe scripting Nike Golf chooses for its contracted players during the majors. The last few years have been

6)

Standing on the range at Blythefield Country Club during the Meijer LPGA Classic and watching one of the year’s strongest fields come together, practice, and interact with the fans. It’s a great place to hang out and, for most of us, learn things we can try and emulate in our own games.

6)

5) 5)

Trying to figure out the exact dinner nutrition formula involving brisket and ice cream consumption during a very busy MGL TV production season, so that your humble host can effectively swing a club the following morning. We’ve been tweaking the plan for years now and think we’ve almost got it dialed in.

4)

is a game presented by super talented people who take tremendous pride in what they do and how it’s received.

Celebrating the 112th Michigan Amateur Championship at Oakland Hills, June 20-24,

4)

bringing the very best amateur players to a historic, challenging, memorable venue even as the club continues its recovery from the terrible fire that grabbed the hearts of the entire golf community. (Registration deadline April 28)

3) 3)

Discovering new places during our upcoming “Top Hidden Gems” MGL TV special. These annual thematic shows have proven to be wonderfully fun as we get to bring some attention to places that haven’t been in the spotlight before. Seeing the pride the staff and members have in their home courses is a really important reminder that in the end, this

2)

2)

Bracing for the inevitable storm of opinion, outrage, and invective guaranteed to form when the first LIV defector from the PGA Tour wins a major championship. It’s only a matter of time until that happens. And while there are arguments to be made on both sides of the issue, I think we can all agree on one thing – please let that winner be someone other than Patrick Reed.

11) )

Preparing to encounter, for the second. time, the guy who met me in a resort parking lot a few years, shared some very kind comments about our TV show, and then asked –

and I kid you not – “is that your real hair, or do you wear a piece? Because on TV it looks a lot different.” Right. Because if I ever purchased hair, THIS is what I would buy. Been looking for that guy ever since. Have a great season...visit at least 5 courses you’ve never played...thank the staff...eat too much...and enjoy playing in the best golf state in America!

GolfPass Rankings Will Surprise Many

Top Courses in the country and the state of Michigan Top Courses in the country and the state of Michigan

ByTomLang

From time to time, MI Golf Journal shares what others feel about the best places to play golf in the Great Lakes State.

Typically, the large national magazines will have their annual lists compiled by raters from across the country who in most cases attend specialized retreats and training. I once was a GolfWeek rater for 7 years.

Thismonthweshareanotheroptionthatwill lookstarklydifferentfromthe‘typical’ rankings–thisonecomingfromNBC/Golf Channel’sGolfPassratingssystem.

GolfPass incorporates feedback from the more average/ everyday golfer, if that’s even a fair categorization at all?

In determining the final rankings for the year, GolfPass staff weighed several factors of golfer feedback, each of which correspond to the way its reviews are structured:

GolfPass provides green fee information with these course rankings, too. They also note that as you peruse the list, it should provide some context as to the way golfers view individual courses. Lower green fees (the reason a few of these made the list) tend to denote a more value-oriented course that consistently exceeds golfers' expectations, while the top-dollar courses on this list are resort or high-end public layouts that deliver on the promised experience.

GolfPass’ top 20 golf courses NATIONALLY include FOUR from Michigan – that’s 20 percent of the nation!

The No. 1 rated course nationally was Mauni Lani Resort, South Course in Hawaii. The list’s price ranges went from a low of $34 for The Traces Golf Club (No. 7) in South Carolina, to the TPC Sawgrass – Dye’s Valley Course in Florida (No. 6) at $300.

HereareGolfPass’top20Nationalcourses locatedinMichigan, followed by the top 25 within just our state:

No. 16, Old Channel Trail, Montague

No. 14, St. Ives Golf Club, Stanwood

No. 9, Harbor Shores, Benton Harbor

No. 8, Stonegate Golf Club near Muskegon

Top25Michigan-only:

Michigan golf courses reviewed in 2022: 330 Golfer reviews of Michigan golf courses in 2022: 6,519

25: The Ravines Golf Club, Saugatuck

24: Eldorado, Cadillac

23: The Hills at Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs

22: Fazio Premier at Treetops, Gaylord

21: The Fortress, Frankenmuth

20: Plum Brook, Sterling Hgts.

19: Signature at Treetops, Gaylord

18: Woodland Hills, Sandusky

17: Forest Dunes, Roscommon

16: Northville Hills, Northville

15: Prairies Golf Club, Kalamazoo

14: Bucks Run, Mt. Pleasant

13: Wild Bluff, Brimley

12: Island Hills, Centreville

11: Forest Dunes, The Loop

Black, Roscommon

10: Diamond Springs, Hamilton

9: Greywalls, Marquette

8: Gladstone Golf Club, Gladstone

7: Heritage Golf Club, Paw Paw

6: Stonehedge South at Gull

Lake View, Augusta

5: Black Lake, Onaway

4: Old Channel Trail, Montague

3: St. Ives Golf Club, Stanwood

2: Harbor Shores, Benton Harbor

1: Stonegate Golf Club, Twin Lake

HarborShoresHole10

Re-Falling in Love with the Game

GuestColumn,byJasonManshum

I played a lot of golf as a teenager. My family had a membership at a nearby club. I worked there every summer, even before I could drive. I spent most of my days on the course.

Golf is a lifetime sport, and as a teen, you’re on the outward nine with a lot of life and rounds in front of you. You don’t think about warming up before ripping a drive on the opening hole. Mobility isn’t a concern. And if you have a family membership, costs associated with the dedication to your craft is irrelevant – everything is “free.”

Now in my late 40s, those days are long in the rearview. Golf is not free -- it’s an expensive hobby. I’ve also become keenly aware that when I put the tee peg in the ground, properly warmingup my body is imperative if I wish to stay pain

and injury free. It also helps combat distance loss. Age can decrease mobility, power, and speed -- resulting in less distance in a game currently infatuated with long-ball lust. Technology in today’s equipment helps, but Father Time always wins.

As I’ve come to this proverbial crossroads with my obsession, realizing that I am also likely making the turn from the outward nine to the inward nine in life, I’ve decided that the “back nine” of my playing days are going to be my most fun and satisfying! No longer do I need to waste precious rounds trying to beat this game and getting mad when I don’t.

This has required a priority shift in my mindset. My passion for the game has gone up exponentially these last several years, and it’s been over the moon my entire life. Do I still

AMindsetShiftforaLifelongGolfer“AttheTurn”

want to score well and lower my handicap? Absolutely. But these days, I value my experiences on the course more than anything. It’s the walks along the fairways, getting lost in nature. If you are mindful when you play, you’ll realize just how meditative golf can be. It’s literally a walk in the park.

strength training, mobility drills, proper hydration, and good nutrition to be able to play and enjoy the game for decades to come.

I find a joy in the game, the courses I play, and the people I play with, in ways I never have before. I don’t grind or get upset during rounds like I used to. I guess this is my evolution as a golfer. For as long as I can remember, golf has been a part of my life. It’s still a big part of who I am. As I make the turn to my “inward nine,” I’m fully enjoying this tapestry that’s weaved my life together. parents, now around 80, don’t play much these days, so when they do, I cherish these rounds more than ever.

I’ve developed a great appreciation for course layout and routing. Architecture is fascinating. Even more, my most memorable rounds are not the ones with my lowest score, but rather from the courses and the people I play with. My

Playing with my son is also a treasure, even as he really wants to beat and outdrive me! I revel in time with my golf buddies. It's our time to reconnect and forget about our worries for a few hours together. I too find excitement being paired with complete strangers. For I will have new friends four hours later.

With age comes change. Hopefully for the better. Golf is the same. I love this game more than ever. I just now put in time off the course with

Western Michigan Coach Kim Moore Named GAM’s Champion of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Kim Moore went to the University of Indianapolis with plans to become a medical doctor, but success in competition as part of the college golf team led to three years of professional tour golf and coaching as well.

“I found my passion in coaching golf,” said the head women’s golf coach at Western Michigan University, who also continues to find success in competition.

Last summer she made golf history as an adaptive golf champion and she has been named the Golf Association of Michigan’s (GAM) Champion of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for 2023.

BernieFriedrich

Moore, 42, went wire-to-wire to win the women’s overall champion title in the inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open at Pinehurst Resort’s Course No. 6 in North Carolina. Born without a right foot and a clubbed left foot, Moore called her win in the Adaptive Open and being honored by the GAM humbling and exciting.

“I’m so proud to win an award like this because it

means the awareness is out there for disabled golf,” Moore said. “The more awareness the better and especially if it can inspire a younger person out there who is struggling.”

Moore has been inspiring others for years. In 2015 the national Women’s Golf Coaches Association created the Kim Moore Spirit Award to recognize a student-athlete or coach who exemplifies a great spirit, mental toughness and a positive attitude toward the game. She has competed in U.S. National Amputee Golf Championships since 2003 and has won 14 titles. She also played last May in The Cairns Cup, a Ryder Cup-style competition for disabled golfers that was held at The Shire in London, England. She was the only woman that competed for Team USA.

Moore was hired as the Western’s coach in November of 2020 after seven years at Saint Mary's College (Notre Dame, Ind.) where she coached the Belles to two NCAA Division III Team Championship appearances and three consecutive Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association conference championships (2017-2019).

In addition to recognizing Moore, the GAM DE&I committee also awarded $1,000 grants to three organizations that have directly enhanced and grown diversity and inclusion – TeeSet Golf Club, the Flint Junior Golf Association and the Cass Tech Alumni Association Golf Committee.

Michigan PGA, Detroit Red Wings Faced Off, Raised $60,000 for Veterans

Golfers of the Michigan Section PGA, with the help of the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association (DRWAA), raised $60,000 for armed service veterans in the Michigan PGA Red Wings Alumni Game in late February.

The event raised $15,000 for PGA HOPE (Helping our Patriots Everywhere), $15,000 to the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program and $30,000 to Folds of Honor.

Oh, and the PGA team, 27 golfers on skates, held its own for a while, and even scored the first goal of the game before falling to the Red Wings Alums 10-5.

Darren McCarty, Dino Ciccarelli, Larry Murphy, John Ogrodnick, Ed Mio and Mickey Redmond were among the former Red Wings stars who suited up and entertained.

Vladimir Konstantinov, part of the famous Russian Five that helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup in 1997, dropped the puck in the ceremonial start to the game.

The PGA players and their coaches in the game each raised funds for the veterans’ groups, and several sponsors were brought on board.

Oakland University Katke

Cousins Course to Host Hall

Financial Michigan Open

The Michigan Open Championship will be played at the Oakland University’s KatkeCousins Golf Course.

The 106th edition of the state championship for Michigan golfers will be played June 12-15 under a new two-year host agreement. The championship has been played the previous five years, and 33 times over the years, at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa near Traverse City.

Hall Financial will be the title sponsor for the second consecutive year.

“I loved going to the Bear at Grand Traverse and playing in the Michigan Open but I just felt like some luster had fallen off as well as attention and notoriety in the last few years and that the Open could use a shakeup,”

David Hall said. “My goal is to help make it the biggest and best state open championship in the country.”

A purse for the championship will be announced at a later date. Last year the field played for $85,000.