Michigan Golf Journal March 2024

Editor’sLetter

March is one of those months in Michigan where golf courses begin to open in the lower part of the Mitten, yet the weather usually remains challenging. So, we are using this month’s edition to bring you lots of ideas for southern travel – plus making plans for gorgeous Michigan summer months to places like the Upper Peninsula – where Sage Run has plans to build an additional 9 holes for new options to be added to its ‘rough and rugged’ looking 18 holes.

If your golf dreams take you overseas, we provide a look at GREAT golf in Ireland that shows off the venues that don’t cost an arm and a leg – but you will think they should. Make sure you flip all the way through the magazine to experience the last five pages that feature Ireland golf on a budget.

Also look for:

Interesting national statistics on how golf is getting younger, bolder and cool again.

A list of the Best Conditioned courses in Michigan that rank high nationally. The Golf Digest ranking of Michigan offering the second-best state in America for public golf.

A list of all the GAM amateur tournaments this spring, summer and fall.

… and so much more

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Michigan Ranks Second Best State in U.S. for Public Golf

BasedonreviewsbyGolfDigestMagazine

Golf Digest magazine took its list of the top golf courses in America last year and ranked California the No. 1 state with the most, followed by New York and Florida. Yet because those three states are dominated by Private courses, the magazine decide to apply the same principles this year but only counting Public golf courses.

That flipped the script significantly.

When looking only at Public golf, Wisconsin soared to the top with 10 courses ranked in the top 100 nationwide. California stayed near the top, but tied for second with Michigan. Each state has nine in the magazine’s top 100 nationwide.

Michigan’stop-ratedPublic coursesare:

14. Arcadia Bluffs

32. Forest Dunes

53. Arcadia Bluffs South

58. The Loop Black at Forest Dunes

59. Greywalls at Marquette GC

69. The Loop Red at Forest Dunes

73. Tullymore Golf Resort

90. The Golf Club at Harbor Shores

98. Belvedere (technically private but allows public play)

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Wisconsin took the top spot with Whistling Straights, Straights Course; Erin Hills; Sand Valley; Blackwolf Run River course; Mammoth Dunes at Sand Valley; Sentury World; Whistling

Straights, Irish; Lawsonia Links; Blackwolf Run’s Meadow Valleys and The Bull at Pinehurst Farms.

There is no doubt that Wisconsin has been on a tear the past two decades building world-class resorts, with the late Herb Koehler leading that charge at Whistling Straights and Blackwolf to have overtaken Michigan in such rankings. Yet the Great Lakes State is still considered one of the tops in the country for the most affordable and accessible top-end golf.

After California and Michigan, Oregon earned No. 4 with huge help from the Bandon Dunes conglomerate. Then came North Carolina at No. 5, before a tie for No. 6 with Florida and Neveda.

More Golf is Coming to Michigan’s U.P. More Golf is Coming to Michigan’s U.P.

ByTomLang

As a golfer myself, it is gratifying to know golf courses are taking note of the public’s booming interest in the sport to invest in and expand their facilities. Among these is the Island Resort and Casino, near Escanaba in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Island Resort was known as a regional casino option when it first added the highly-rated Sweetgrass Golf Course in 2008. Sweetgrass soon became the longtime host of one of the EPSON Tour’s favorite stops on the schedule. This June will mark the 13th year of the pro tournament.

The winner earns an exemption into the Evian Championship, an LPGA Tour major.

Remarkably, in 2022 and only its 15th year of operation, Sweetgrass also earned the National Golf Course of the Year award – which honors great golf while also recognizing a property’s

commitment to growing the game and supporting their communities.

Ten years after Sweetgrass opened, Sage Run was added to give the resort 36 holes – which still might not be enough. So, plans are underway to add 9 more holes to Sage Run – but we’ll get to that in a minute.

Island Resort’s general manager Tony Mancilla recently told me that Sweetgrass was doing about 16,500 rounds per year when they added the second course, and now it’s over 25,000 rounds each year. Sage Run hosted over 17,000 rounds in 2023. These are large numbers considering the golf season is even shorter in the great Up North.

“(Bandon Dunes developer) Mike Keiser is famous for saying one plus one equals three,” Mancilla told me. “That when you add a second course, it’s not going to double your rounds, it will more than double your rounds, and we are experiencing that right now.”

This growth, plus the incrediblyfair pricing for the resort’s hotel

accommodations and golf options, make Island Resort and Casino one of the best golf resort values in the entire Midwest.

Code:don’twaittobookyourtrip.

Mancilla said by mid-March the resort will be about 70 percent full with reservations for summer golf; Memorial Day through the end of September. He said there is still lots of space but don’t delay, “because it’s going fast.”

“We have invested a lot into our golf hospitality area, hiring three dedicated people who really understand golf from the customer side on building great packages and what golfers are looking for.”

Beyond the golf courses, Island Resort has wonderful casino games, slots, poker, bingo and table games – and SI SportsBook by Sports Illustrated. Its showroom also hosts entertaining concerts all year long.

ThenthereistheDriftSpaandtheregionallyrenownedHorizonsSteakhouseon the top floor of the hotel tower on the property, offering an incredible panoramic view of the Sweetgrass Course and surrounding U.P. countryside.

“We’ll have golf groups from 12-to-40 people and they are here several days,” Mancilla said. “I know when I go on trips, about halfway through I’m sore and tired, and think, ‘I sure could use a massage.’ We have that available at Drift Spa and not everyone knows it. And especially if you’re older like I’m getting (age 55), I just wake up sore,” he said with a chuckle.

The increased demand for golf packages was the driving force behind the resort’s $30 million expansion in 2022. Renovations featured the 11story Palm Tower, with 138 guest rooms and golf suites, which brought the property’s guest room total to 454. Also included in the expansion is Horizons Steakhouse, aptly named because it is located on the top floor of the Palm Tower featuring the best views in the region across the expansive horizon of the U.P. Then there is Splash Island, a family pool with waterpark features.

Horizons has been so successful in its initial

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years that beginning this year Mancilla said they will be providing breakfast as a package add-on, but beginning in 2025 the plan is to include it in golf packages.

“We usually have anywhere from 100-200 golfers who want breakfast in the morning before their rounds, so that’s a direction we are going.”

The prairie links-style Sweetgrass layout meanders to a wide-open vista where many greens and flags can be seen in the distance. The highlight of this course is very fun green

Albanese likened to Royal County Down in Northern Ireland.

BreakingNews:AnExpandingSageRun

Now for the breaking news you will first see here: Mancilla announced that a new 9 holes are seriously in the works at the Sage Run property, which is Island Resort owned but situated about 6 miles away and connected by a free shuttle service.

Albanese is set to design it as well. Mancilla

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SageRunHole5 complexes. For course architecture geeks, you have a Redan, Biarritz, Island, and Double-green. The back nine also included arguably two of the best par-3's I have played. The 12th (full disclosure my only career hole-in-one) features one of the coolest Biarritz holes and the par-3 15th requires an accurate shot with a short iron into an island green.

Like Sweetgrass, Sage Run was also designed by Paul Albanese and is a bold contrast to the other. Selected by Golf Digest as one the “Best New” courses in America in 2019 and ranked 20th in Michigan's top courses by Golfweek, Sage Run offers a more rugged experience with hardwoods, open areas, and a massive ridge that

explained that the intention of the new nine is to give golfers an additional 9-hole round in the afternoon or evening if they played 18 – or a ninehole experience for golfers who might have a long day ahead and want to squeeze in more golf but still have time to drive home in the afternoon.

“We are in the process to find the nine extra holes to help accommodate these extra tee times we’re going to need.” Mancilla said. “We have walked the property. We are in the stages of getting a logging permit to clear some trees. It’s looking good and our goal in two years is to be over 50,000 rounds.”

He stressed that the holes have not been designed yet, but said that Albanese will have full freedom to create his vision – but where possible they would like to do some ‘tribute’ holes. They want to log the property first. Ideally that will happen early this summer. “So, ground has not been broken, but plans are underway.”

“We want to do something different from Sweetgrass and Sage Run that are already there,” Mancilla added. “So, we are saying to Paul, design the holes and make the course fit right, but if you have the chance to add some bunkers, maybe do ‘church pew bunkers’ like at Oakmont, or maybe build a punchbowl green. Then it becomes unique because a lot of people do not get a chance to play a once-ina-lifetime-deal like the

Chicago Golf Club (location of the real punchbowl) or Oakmont, so if the land is right and we have the chance to add that – and we might not be able to – but let’s add those things in there and share the history with our guests.

“So, if Paul can add those types of things, we will make them a tribute to other ideas that people might never see otherwise.

“What we want is to add something with big fairways with unique green complexes, so you don’t feel like you’re playing Sage Run’s third nine, you’re instead playing a whole different nine. That’s what we’re going for.”

Knowing the folks at Island Resort and Casino, they’ll get it right – just like everything else on property.

For more information about Island Resort and Casino and its golf packages, visit www.islandresortgolf.com or call 877-475-4733.

GOLF AND HOCKEY

Michigan PGA, Detroit Red Wings Faceoff, Raise $65,000 for Military Veterans

ByGregJohnson

The golfers of the Michigan Section PGA, with the help of the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association (DRWAA), raised $65,000 for armed service veterans in the second Michigan PGA vs. Red Wings Alumni Game last Sunday at Michigan State University’s Munn Ice Arena.

The Michigan PGA and Red Wing Alumni partnership distributed the funds to a trio of veteran’s service organizations including PGA HOPE (Helping our Patriots Everywhere), Folds of Honor and Spike’s K9 Unit.

As for the game, the PGA team, highlighting golfers on skates, held its own for a while before falling to the Red Wings Alumni 9-7. Red Berenson, Dino Ciccarelli, Mike Knuble, Jiri Fischer, John Ogrodnick, Danny DeKeyser, Kevin Miller and Jason Woolley were among the former Red Wings who played. Former Boston Bruin Kraig Nienhuis also played with the Red Wings and performed the National Anthem.

The game was open to fans for free and Echo, a Spikes K9 Fund dog, performed the

ceremonial puck drop. The PGA players and their coaches in the game each raised funds through pledges for the veterans groups, and several sponsors were brought on board to support the cause.

George Bowman, the head PGA golf professional at Oakhurst Golf & Country Club in Oakhurst, is also the secretary for the DRWAA and led partnership efforts for the game.

Bowman served as a goalie for both teams for parts of the game, too. The PGA team included 23 golf professionals, including Dean Kolstad, a former NHL player who is the director of golf at Gull Lake View Golf & Resort near Kalamazoo, Doug Kreis of Battle Creek Country Club, Ian Ziska of American Dunes Golf Club, Jordan Young of Jordan Young Academy and Justin McPhail of Traverse City Golf & Country Club.

“I thought it was another great event and fun to see our PGA professionals perform in another game where they are skilled,” Kevin Helm, executive director of the Michigan Section said. “Golf and hockey have worked together very well the last two years to help our veterans.”

Hilton Head Island – Hilton Head Island –The Natural Place to Golf The Natural Place to Golf

ByTomLang

Hilton Head Island is a more tranquil golf getaway than many resort regions – primarily thanks to its initial modern development in the 1950s with the intent of keeping the area natural, offering a place for humans to populate but share and maintain the natural surroundings with wildlife. A staple of the island is that its surrounding water ways are a safe haven for sea turtles, and dolphins are very active in the area as well.

While golf vacationers have all the modern comforts of travel available with great accommodations, outstanding food options and other activities like biking, tennis, pickleball, boating and the oceanfront beaches – the overall experience feels very uncommercialized.

To keep a natural look to the island all these decades later, there are rules such as: no

billboards allowed, no neon signs (only signs made of wood) and no street lights. Most accommodations are vacation condo and home rentals, as there are only a handful of hotels on the entire island.

I hadn’t been to Hilton Head in five years but recently returned to visit family who moved there – a cousin and his wife. What a great time we had for a few days playing golf and exploring other historic areas like Beaufort, Bluffton and Savannah.

We played two courses at Palmetto Dunes; the layout by Michigander Arthur Hills, and the George Fazio design. The resort also has a third course first developed in the 1960s by Robert Trent Jones that was revitalized in 2002 to return what were man-made flatter fairways into the more rolling ground one would find with flowing sand dunes near the ocean.

HillsCourse:

This is a challenging course but one that is very fair. It’s not overly-long but is a shot-makers target style golf layout. Like all the Palmetto Dunes’ courses, there is a beautiful mix of palm trees and old oaks, with a ton of tropical vegetation surrounding. The fifth hole has a historic lighthouse as a backdrop that was first built in 1880. Near it is an oak tree considered one of the oldest on the island at about 450 years young.

My favorite stretch was holes 11-through-13.

Hole 11 is a par 3 with varying levels of tee boxes to a nice green complex below with huge bunkers guarding it left and right.

Hole 12 is a sweeping left to right dogleg with water all along the right side. As golfers approach the green, there is a set of a half dozen mature palm trees guarding the left side with all water still on the right.

Hole 13 has a tee shot going over the water canal system that defines Hilton Head’s recreational boat travel interior. The hole becomes a hard dogleg right par 5 for two more shots, with a large pond guarding the right side, and bail-out room on the left.

I feel that 17 should be their signature hole. Golfers tee off with the canal along the left as they aim to a wide fairway that turns left – as does the water canal. The approach requires a

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shot back over the same water feature to a green on the other side surrounded by trees in back.

“I think it’s a creative layout because they don’t have a ton of property here, but they did a really nice job of setting the course up so you didn’t feel like the course was wedged into a small piece of property,” my cousin said. He added the course had lots of interesting water hazards that were in play but there was no reason to be super intimidated by it.

“Absolutely you could get in trouble with it but it’s not like you stood there worrying about clearing the water or were terrified of it.”

The one exception for me was the tee shot at 13, which that day was into a stiff wind. I cleared the water canal, but my ball dropped into tall grasses along the edge. I was advised that with snakes and alligators being a natural part of the

island to let that ball go and dig a new one out of my bag.

FazioCourse:

This layout was more open than the Hills, with sand as a major feature. Some holes the sand traps were double the size of the largest greens. On 18, there seemed to be as much sand to navigate as there was fairway grass. The tee shot provides a tall palm tree on either side that act as directional ‘goalposts’ to the fairway that is slightly blind from the tee box.

Holes 5 and 6 were almost identical to holes 13 and 14 – shorter par 4 sharp dogleg lefts followed by a par 3. Hole 11 was an interesting par 4 that turned slightly right to a double green shared with hole 16, which came in from the opposite direction.

Hole 7 is a beautiful looking hole, especially for

FazioHole16

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one that ventures straight ahead with no visual turns. After the tee shot, golfers must clear one of the canals to an elevated green surrounded left and right by thicker stands of trees than most any other part of the design.

JonesOceanCourse:

I did not play the third course on this midFebruary trip, but it was on my list five years ago. I recall the front nine as mostly tree-lined but never too tight – with good sand and water features to navigate.

HistoryGalore:

Hilton Head’s specific, long-ago planned development to allow humans a place to live and play without harming the natural surroundings remains a staple today. The island also played a large role in the Civil War and the surrounding towns off the island provide a ton of opportunities to experience old southern architecture and a slower pace of life.

Whether your interests are only golf at any of the nearly three dozen courses in the region – or you like to bike, hike, boat, play tennis, go on a dolphin tour or eat excellent seafood – Hilton Head Island is the peaceful place to be.

More info click here.

sandy beach with shrimp boats trolling along the ocean front. Starting at the 10th the course feels more open as much of the back 9 is played in a section that has a lagoon and its many creek-like features meandering throughout the hole designs. The waterway is very popular for kayaks and canoes and adds an extra touch of beauty while providing some strategic thinking about club selection.

The prevailing breezes off the Atlantic also play from behind or as a diagonal cross breeze on holes 11-15, often giving golfers some extra yardage.

TheJonesOceanCourse

Travel: North Carolina’s Tot Hill Farm Golf Club Restoration a Hit

Tot Hill Farm Golf Club, a wonderful design by the late Mike Strantz, reopened in September 2023 after a major restoration. The picturesque course in North Carolina has been thoughtfully restored and has earned rave reviews since.

The restoration process focused on preserving the essence of Strantz's visionary design. Course owner Pat Barber expressed his unwavering commitment to honoring the architect's legacy, stating, "We wanted to stay true to Mike's brilliant vision and ensure that every aspect of the course reflects his genius. I am not an architect, and it wasn't my job to tweak Mike's design. Instead, we diligently worked to revive its splendor and magnificence. The goal was to restore not change. I feel Mike would be very proud.”

The restoration enhancements included new Prizm Zoysia greens, bringing a high quality putting surface that is much easier to maintain. The bunkers, essential elements of Strantz's design, have been restored in detail, adding both beauty and challenge back to the

course. The waterfall feature cascading behind the 15th green was uncovered and now provides for arguably one of the most amazing par 3 backdrops in the country. Additionally, the team cleared out overgrowth to recapture the corridors designed by Strantz, blending the course with its natural surroundings.

History lovers will appreciate the complete restoration of the historic farmhouse on-site, built more than 125 years ago. This building has been transformed into a state-of-the-art clubhouse, featuring a golf shop, grab-and-go snack shop, changing rooms, and offices. The highlight of the clubhouse is the Strantz Room, where Mike Strantz stayed during the construction of the course. The room now houses cherished memorabilia, including sketches and items from the legendary architect.

Tot Hill Farm is open for public play. Tee times can be booked online at www.TotHillFarm.com. The course has also aligned itself with all of the major golf travel providers in Pinehurst who can easily set up a group golf package that includes a round, or two, at Tot Hill Farm.

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Top Public Courses in Michigan for Best Conditions

NBCGolfPassparticipantsrankedSixMichiganCoursesinthetop25Nationally

Golfers love an impeccably maintained golf course, and per the rankings of NBC GolfPass users a nationwide poll of average golfers selected the best.

Even with more golfers than ever stressing out fairways and greens with increased foot and cart traffic, superintendents and their staffs are working harder than ever while sharing best practices with each other, all with the goal of helping golfers love their experiences as much as possible. If a course you play is in truly incredible shape, you should stop in the pro shop after your round, ask for the superintendent's card and write him or her a kind email afterwards.

Throughout 2023, thousands of golfers utilized the GolfPass website to tell the rest of us about excellent conditioning. Each course required

at least 10 reviews to qualify for this list. If you would like to participate in the process, go here: https://www.golfpass.com/travel-advisor/writereview

The numbers show the national ranking for each Michigan golf course selected:

No.25TheFortressinFrankenmuth

Greens fee: $75

The buzz: “Excellence, challenge, pristine conditions, service like it was meant to be – those are just a few of the dozens of reasons I've been proud to call The Fortress my home course for nearly 15 years,” said Bill Hobson of Michigan Golf Live. “It really is a special course situated fittingly enough in a special town and I love teeing it up there every time I get the chance.”

No.18Hunter’sRidgeinHowell

Greens fee: $65

The buzz: Roughly five years ago, new owners purchased the property from the family that originally developed the course on their multigenerational family farm. They have since painstakingly paid attention to making improvements each year as the course celebrated 30 years of operation. In just one example, some new bunkers were installed in landing areas to create obstacles for golf’s distance changes the past quarter century, and all bunkers were filled with new sand.

No.12StonehedgeSouthatGullLakeView, Augusta

Greens fee: $64

The buzz: Stonehedge South in recent years

also earned Top 50 course in the U.S. by the GolfPass Golfers Choice Ratings. South was the third course designed by the family that first started building courses onsite more than 60 years ago. Completed in 1988, this is a favorite for players who enjoy a walk in the country as much as they enjoy playing championship golf. A variety of stonework around the course helped create the name.

No.11EldoradoGolfCourse,Cadillac

Greens fee: $69

The buzz: Closing holes 9 and 18 share a very large combined green that is beautifully shaped and adds a great amount of character to each finishing hole. No. 9 is a dogleg left from an elevated tee, and 18 is a longer par 4 that requires a solid shot off the tee to avoid the extra stroke of a layup before going over a big pond to reach the large putting surface. Continuesonnextpage>>

No.10EagleGlenninFarwell

Greens fee: $65

The buzz: “Very well cared for, manicured, and landscaped. Forgiving while very challenging. Love this course, don’t hesitate to try it.” GolfPass user u000001726108

No.4TheRavines,Saugatuck

Greens fee: $84

The Buzz: “The Ravines has a northern Michigan feel with many holes surrounded by hardwoods forest. It is very playable with generous fairways and some forced carries. There are a number of tee options that can provide a challenge for every level of player. Afternoon and senior rates make this course a bargain for a course of this quality.” GolfPass user hlwayner.

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ROYAL OAK GOLF

Power Tee Helps Royal Oak Golf Center Expand

ByTomLang

A popular Detroit area golf practice facility – Royal Oak Golf Center – set a record last year that still stands, of more than 68,000 golf balls hit on its range in one day. The increase happened just days after general manager Glenn Pulice worked with vendor Power Tee to add to the number of heated and under cover tee boxes (from 33 to 45 tees) at the facility off Coolidge Road. There are an additional 57 tee boxes not under cover at Royal Oak.

Power Tee, as the name implies, is an automated system that automatically feeds the next ball to each golfer, to a tee that each golfer can determine the height they want. It keeps players from bending over, which according to Pulice, some Detroit Red Wings who practice there say they love that it saves them from more wear and tear on their

backs by not having to bend over to tee it up.

“What we like about Power Tee is what the customers like about it,” Pulice said. “It’s an incredible convenience, a ball delivery system that lets you pick the exact height of tee you want. And the mats that come with this system…they are really good. We hope we can find some mats that are this good for the rest of our property.

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“Power Tee has helped us grow the game. We’ve had to turn people away before so we had to find a way to maximize; and people like that they can get their swings in, in a little less time. So that’s helped us (increase) our capacity,” by about 20 percent.

Pulice added that a lot of first timers haven’t seen anything like it and want to give it a try. For other customers, they just enjoy the ease with which it can be used.

The term ‘growing the game’ can easily be over-used in some circles, and it’s not always genuine. But that is not the case at the Royal Oak Golf Center, where they supply space for all the Detroit Public Schools that want to add a golf program.

Current Detroit Public School League programs offering boys and girls golf are Cass Tech, Renaissance, Cody and CMA. Pulice said more than 30 area JV and varsity teams from surrounding school districts also use the center, intermingling the various cultures through the game of golf. The Royal Oak property also gives Youth on Course discounts.

“Detroit (schools) is a group that’s been underserved in golf for a long time,” Pulice said. “Golf checks all the boxes. And it’s the kind of thing I can do for

the city (where he lives). I’m a one-trick pony and golf is my life. So, what better way to try and improve the city by getting kids to play golf?”

This past fall, the girls’ team from Cass Tech is believed to be the first PSL school ever to qualify for and play at the MHSAA state finals.

BRG Performance Center Opens in Grand Rapids

Brandon Roby Golf (BRG) Performance Center opened its doors in early February to serve the west Michigan area with what the owner claims will be the largest indoor golf training center in the state. With 18,000 square feet available, it can be found at 2320 28th Street in Grand Rapids. The Performance Center currently occupies 9,000 square feet of the 18,000 square-foot facility with plans to expand in the future.

The facility offers year-round training for golfers of any age or skill level who are looking to hone their skills and improve their game. It is equipped with six Trackman simulators, a 270-square foot PuttView putting green, a 1,300square-foot putting green, and a teaching bay outfitted with GASP Dual Force Plates and a Trackman simulator. They’ll provide individual and group lessons, club fittings, swing analysis, mental coaching and physical conditioning.

“As the game of golf continues to evolve, so does the technology and facilities that make it a more enjoyable experience, said Doug Small, President and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids. “As we drive new visitations to Grand Rapids, they look for fresh, fun opportunities that afford them more entertainment options while here.

The BRG Performance Center is another great example of expanding the experience certainly for residents, but visitors alike.”

The BRG Performance Center was founded by PGA Professional Brandon Roby, former director of instruction at Cascade Hills Country Club (CHCC) for 18 years. Roby is pursuing his dream of opening his own golf performance center. He has been recognized by Golf Digest in its Best Teachers in Michigan rankings annually since 2017.

“Whether it’s a junior, beginner or novice golfer, we’re here to help them play better golf,” Roby said in a news release. “For those wanting lessons, we’ll be able to develop a practice plan tailored to help them achieve their goals. That way, they’re not just hitting balls at a simulator, but know what to work on and they can monitor and track their progress using the tools available to them.”

For more information, visit www.brandonrobygolf.com.

GAM Distinguished Service Award: Posthumously to Bob Buckley

Bob Buckley of Port Austin, a Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) Governor and Junior Golf Committee member, loved the game for all the right reasons, said David Devendorf of Port Huron, his friend in life and golf.

Buckley, who died of pulmonary fibrosis in September of 2023 at the age of 76, has been posthumously named the GAM Distinguished Service Award winner for 2024.

“My only regret in all of this is that I didn’t nominate him for this award sooner so he could receive it while he was alive,” Devendorf, a president emeritus and Executive Committee member of the GAM, said. “He would have been absolutely thrilled.”

In 1986 Buckley conducted a tournament for children of members at Verona Hills and over the next 37 years spearheaded an expansion of the junior tournament known in Michigan’s Thumb as the “Buckley Open” to a series of tournaments.

“I watched him get boys and girls enthused about the game of golf,” Devendorf said. “We all talked about growing the game but Bob put his money and his sweat equity where his mouth was and went out and did it.”

Belvedere Golf Club’s head golf professional, Dennis “Marty” Joy, 53, a professional at Belvedere since 1999 and the head golf professional since 2008, has been named the 2024 GAM Club Services Representative of the Year. The GAM annually presents the honor to a club representative who demonstrates outstanding service to golf in Michigan.

A group of four Belvedere and GAM members nominated Joy, including Tom Rex who said Joy is a friendly ambassador of Belvedere. Rex said Joy is also instrumental in junior golf in Charlevoix.

“We have 80 to 100 kids in the junior program and Marty goes out each year to play 100 holes of golf and with that raises 75 percent of our budget,” he said. “That’s just one of the things he does to keep golf growing. He’s always helping the high school kids, the Evans Scholars, all sorts of good things happen with Marty around.”

Golf Participation Update:

Bigger, Younger and Cooler

ProvidedbytheNational GolfFoundation

NGF’s research on golf participation primarily focuses on the green-grass game, but we’ve also been vocal

advocates and very interested observers, measurers and reporters on golf engagement away from the course.

To better understand golf’s consumer base, we look at three different participant groups: oncourse only (12.1 million in 2023), off-course only (18.5 million), and those who engage on both fronts (14.5 million).

The number of on-course golfers has now increased for six straight years, but also notable is that the demographic makeup of the base is changing albeit gradually in a sport with over 26 million Americans who play recreationally.

The demographics of off-course only participants have looked more similar to the mix of the U.S. population overall, exhibiting a younger and more diverse representation (age, gender, race and ethnicity) than the oncourse population.

Golf has enjoyed a renaissance since the (Covid) pandemic and that’s resulted in more positive perceptions of the game, particularly among younger age cohorts. Off-course engagement and social media have played key

roles in golf’s popularity and cool factor, as celebrities, athletes, and content creators with sizeable followings are boosting golf’s positive visibility, especially among non-golfers.

With 45 million Americans participating in golf, and roughly 40 percent of our national population playing, reading and watching golf, there has been a noticeable impact on the demographics of green grass golfers.

The table reveals the slow but significant shifts within the on-course participation pool in just the past five years.

Over this time, some of the biggest rises in oncourse players have come in categories traditionally under-represented: females and people of color. The number of women and girls playing golf on a course has risen 23% since 2018, while the number of Asian, Black, and Hispanic golfers has jumped 43%, outpacing the changes in a U.S. population that’s becoming more racially and ethnically diverse.

Meanwhile, there’s been a 40 percent increase in the number of juniors getting out on the golf course. Golf is getting younger and cooler… what an amazing time to be involved in this game.

Courtesyof SkyValleyCountryClub

Sky Valley: Come for the Sky Valley: Come for the Golf, Stay for the Lifestyle Golf, Stay for the Lifestyle

ByAlanDarty

The state of Georgia – often celebrated for its southern charm, lush landscapes, and rich history – is home to a hidden gem that combines natural beauty with an outdoor lover's paradise at Sky Valley.

Located at the intersection of the Georgia and North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains between Clayton, Georgia, and Highlands, North Carolina – Sky Valley is surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest and has pristine mountain terrain featuring waterfalls, hiking trails, and phenomenal views.

Having the distinction of being the highest and northernmost city in Georgia, with an elevation of 4,200 feet, Sky Valley allows you to immerse yourself in nature's grandeur and a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The city's centerpiece is the 15,000-square-foot, memberowned home to the par-72 championship golf course and two championship croquet lawns. However, there is much more to Sky Valley. In addition to golf and croquet, there are many other activities to discover, such as tennis, pickleball, hiking, biking, fishing, boating, camping, whitewater rafting, mountain climbing, bird-watching, and even zip lining.

With so many activities to partake in and the year-round mild temperatures, it is no wonder that some call Sky Valley Heaven on Earth!

SkyValleyGolf

The Sky Valley Golf Course, a part of the Georgia Golf Trail (http://georgiagolfandtravel.com), is strategically situated amid the stunning beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers an intriguing blend of challenge and enjoyment. Designed by architect Bill Watts, the course features 18 holes that cater to players of all skill levels – and as they make their way through the course, golfers are treated to glimpses of lush forests, meandering streams, and an array of vibrant flora and fauna. This harmonious integration of the course with its natural surroundings enhances the golfing experience and fosters a deep appreciation for the environment.

Head Pro Steve Heher says, "Sky Valley is a fantastic layout. It's a mountain golf course that winds its way through the valley. It features great views from the elevated tees at the 2nd, 8th, 12th, 15th, and 17th holes. Our signature hole is

the par-3 15th, which has a 60-foot elevation drop from tee to green."

With a par of 72, the course offers a balanced mix of par 3s, 4s, and 5s, ensuring that players must employ a variety of shots and strategies to navigate the terrain. The undulating landscape presents golfers with elevation changes and plateaus, adding an exciting dimension to the game.

SkyValleyCroquet

The Croquet Lawns blend tradition and nature, offering an atmosphere that promotes leisure and camaraderie. Most days, the lawn is alive with the sounds of players engaged in friendly matches with club members or organized tournaments against teams from neighboring clubs. This elegant pastime provides a great way to socialize and brings people together in a beautiful and engaging way. Continuesonnextpage>>

GOLF TRAVEL: GEORGIA

Players who enjoy a challenge can experience the excitement and competitiveness of ‘golf croquet’ as they skillfully navigate the wickets with mallets in hand. This increasingly popular variant of the classic game offers a fresh take on the game, making golf croquet a delightful addition to the world of lawn sports.

AMountain-FriendlyLifestyle

Sky Valley, Georgia's lifestyle epitomizes a tranquil and close-knit mountain community, offering a harmonious blend of nature-centric living and relaxed charm. Residents and guests enjoy a slower pace of life characterized by wonderful vistas, fresh mountain air, and a strong sense of community. This community radiates warmth and kindness,

strengthening neighborly bonds and lifelong friendships.

The sense of camaraderie is evident in local events and gatherings, where residents come together to celebrate festivals, share stories, and create lasting memories. The tight-knit social fabric is a testament to the welcoming nature of the community.

The unhurried lifestyle allows you to savor the simple joys of each day and relish in the beautiful surroundings.

InConclusion

Sky Valley, Georgia, offers an immersive experience in the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the charm of Southern Mountain Living, where people take the time to care for one another.

If you are ready to relax and be rejuvenated, visit Sky Valley, Georgia, where an extraordinary quality of life exists.

For more information, please visit skyvalleyga.com or skyvalleycountryclub.com

Courtesyof SkyValleyCountryClub

PhotosCourtesyofAlanDarty

The Irish Links The Irish Links Experience Without Experience Without the Big-Course the Big-Course Green Fees Green Fees

ByTonyDear

You’ve saved and planned for months/years and, at last, you’re heading east across the Atlantic to the Emerald Isle for two weeks of world-class golf and the sort of hospitality you’ve read about in tourism guides but didn’t think actually existed.

Your itinerary has been set in stone for ages and likely includes any number of fabled links –Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Portmarnock, Co. Louth (Baltray), The European, Waterville, Tralee, Connemara, Carne, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo (Rosses Pt), Donegal (Murvagh), Ballyliffin and Rosapenna where Michigander Tom Doak’s amazing new St. Patrick’s course opened in 2022.

It’s a pretty impressive list of venues from which to choose. What will make your trip even more memorable though, is finding an obscure links course your friends won’t know about but which you have time to visit having played a big-name course in the morning. At the lesserknown links, you’ll find the same expansive landscapes and firm, sandy turf as at the more famous courses, but you’ll pay half or even a third as much to play them and be welcomed like a long-lost member.

Hereare10ofthebestontheislandofIreland withgreenfeesinU.Sdollarsrangingfrom $50tounder$200:

ON A BUDGET

Southeast

Rosslare–Co.Wexford(60minutessouthof theEuropeanClub)

It says so much about the golf in this country that a course like Rosslare, designed by Fred G. Hawtree and five-time Open champion JH Taylor and opened in 1925, is barely known outside it. The club abandoned its original nine holes for 18 on a superb stretch of linksland a little further north in 1925 and since then little has changed. Rosslare is a fairly standard out and back routing about the same width as the Old Course at St. Andrews and possesses the sort of humps, hollows, cropped turf and random contours that make links golf such an adventure. rosslaregolf.com

Arklow–Co.Wicklow(15minutessouthof TheEuropeanClub)

Hawtree and Taylor laid out the course on classic linksland in 1927 since when a few changes have had to be made due to the ever-meddlesome Irish Sea. Eddie Hackett, the Godfather of Irish course design, was called upon to restore some lost holes in the 1970s and, toward the end of the century, Eddie B. Connaughton, who specialized in turf care and agronomy but also redesigned a number of courses, made several alterations. Arklow is a wonderful round of golf, with the thrilling frontnine providing most of the highlights. arklowgolflinks.com

Northeast

Ballycastle–Co.Antrim(25minuteseastofRoyal Portrush)

The delightful Ballycastle, one of the Golfing Union of Ireland’s (GUI) founding clubs, begins with five parkland holes on the south side of

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Cushendall Rd and which circle Bonamargy Friary, a Franciscan foundation established in 1485, before crossing the road and heading for the coast. After three or four pure links holes, the course begins to climb the high ground above Glenshesk, one of the Nine Glens of Antrim. The views from the top of the cliff over Rathlin Island, the North Atlantic and the Mull of Kintyre are spectacular. You drop back down to sea level at the short 17th then finish with the linksy 18th. Ballycastle may only measure 5,876 yards, but it’s quite a journey.

ballycastlegolfclub.com

CorballisLinks–Co.Meath(5minutesnorth ofTheIsland,25minutesnorthof Portmarnock)

After a hugely enjoyable, though somewhat stern, morning round at Portmarnock or the nearby Island GC, you will enjoy the opportunity to shoot a lower (much lower)

number at the Par 66 Corballis Links. Now owned by Fingal County Council, the course has existed in one form or another since 1906, though today’s layout was created by American architect Ron Kirby in 2004-05. It is, in short, an absolute blast to play with so many quirks and so much character you may find yourself juggling your itinerary to make room for another visit.

corballislinks.com

LaytownandBettystown–Co.Meath(20 minutessouthofCo.Louth)

I’ll never forget the day I first played L&B in September 1997. After meeting him in the clubhouse, the club secretary escorted my friends and I to the first tee chatting all the way and generally making us feel like the most important non-members to ever play there. I’ve also heard about the German visitor who arrived at the 18th green to see the Flagge Deutschland flying on the

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IRELAND GOLF ON A BUDGET

club’s flagpole. I don’t know if this sort of thing happens with every visitor, but it gives you an idea of the sort of club we’re talking about. Anyway, the course, originally laid out in 1909 but later totally rebuilt by club pro RJ Browne, is everything a great links should be – all fescue/marram-covered dunes, firm fairways, hollows, rises, sea views and fun greens. landbgolfclub.ie

Northwest

Portsalon–Co.Donegal(75minuteswestof Ballyliffin,25minuteseastofRosapenna)

One of the nine clubs that together formed the GUI in 1891, Portsalon was originally designed by Charles Thompson, pro at the County Club (now Royal Portrush). Today’s course, however, is really the result of Pat Ruddy’s phenomenal redesign in 2000 when the former journalist and founder/designer of the European Club built nine new holes and left only five of the originals untouched. portsalongolfclub.ie

Dunfanaghy–Co.Donegal(25minuteswestof Rosapenna)

British soldiers are said to have whacked balls here as far back as 1740, but it wasn’t until 1906 that the golf club officially formed. The course was designed by six-time Open champion Harry Vardon (he’d won four of the six when he first visited Donegal) whose narrow routing alongside Killahoey Beach runs from west to east and back again, turning for home at the exquisite 124-yard 9th hole which crosses an arc of beach sand. dunfanaghygolfclub.com

Strandhill–Co.Sligo(20minutessouthofCo. Sligo,45minuteseastofEnniscrone)

Eddie Hackett extended Strandhill’s original nine holes to 18 in 1973 creating a Par 70 of about 6,350 yards (the club’s scorecard uses meters) that is a fabulous follow-up to your morning game at Co. Sligo. Bordered by Cullenamore Beach, Strandhill Beach and the lower slopes of a 1,000 ft limestone hill called Knocknarea, Strandhill is another of those courses that might not appear on your

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starting itinerary, but which you’ll be so pleased you added along the way. strandhillgolfclub.com

Southwest

Castlegregory–Co.Kerry(45minuteseastof CeannSibeal,45minuteswestofTralee,60 minutessouthofBallybunion)

It's likely a fair chunk of your trip to Ireland will be spent in Kerry where legendary links courses seem to proliferate. But after a morning round at Waterville, Tralee, Ballybunion, Ceann Sibeal (Dingle), Dooks or Hog’s Head (Lahinch and Doonbeg are just a little way further north in County Clare), you’ll appreciate the change of pace at Castlegregory, a wonderfully natural links nine-holer bordered by the Atlantic to the north and Lough Gill to the south. Other great nine-hole courses that will fill sunny evenings, when there’s enough light to play until a little after 10pm, include Cruit Island, Spanish Pt, Achill Island, Mulranny and Gweedore. castlegregorygolflinks.com

Lahinch(Castle)–Co.Clare(adjoiningLahinch)

A number of Ireland’s great clubs have more than one course. Royal County Down has the Annesley and Royal Portrush the Valley. Portmarnock has a third nine called the Yellow while Ballybunion boasts a ‘secondary’ 18 designed by Robert Trent Jones - the Cashen. Co. Sligo’s 36 holes include the Bomore Links, Enniscrone’s the Scurmore Course. Carne has the Kilmore Nine, Castlerock the Bann Nine. With the addition of St. Patrick’s, Rosapenna now has 63 holes while Ballyliffin has 45.

And, in addition to its world-renowned Old course designed by Alister Mackenzie in 1927, Lahinch offers visitors the Castle Course which occupies flatter ground to the east of its more illustrious sibling. Whether you’re tuning up for, or winding down from, a round on the Old, you’ll enjoy a relaxing saunter round the Castle whose first nine holes were designed by Englishman John Harris and opened in 1963 with the second nine debuting in 1975.

lahinchgolf.com

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