Michigan Golf Journal October 2022

Editor’sLetter

October is one of my favorite times of the year to be outside, enjoying the leaves as they turn color to their richest tones, especially when playing golf… or watch some football, take a hike or prepare the yard for much colder temperatures.

If you happen to stay inside, you can enjoy another chance to read the wide variety of golf content we have available in the award winning MI Golf Journal.

The variety this month includes:

Three century old golf courses from 1922

A look at Hilton Head Island golf, which survived the lashing of Hurricane Ian

A guest column on truth growth of the game

Getting 2023 golf resort deals ahead of schedule

GAM tournament results for seniors and juniors

Women’s Golf Hall of Fame

And a very touching story on the death of golf course design legend Jerry Matthews, who created roughly 25% of all the golf courses in Michigan

Whichever topics you love the most, thank you for joining us during each month on our golfing adventures.

Three Michigan Women Shined Tat hree Michigan Women Shined at USGA Mid-Am UChampionship SGA Mid-Am Championship

Kimberly Dinh of Midland, Jacqueline Setas of East Lansing and Laura Bavaird of Trenton each advanced to the match play rounds of the U.S. Women’s Mid-Am Championship in mid September. Both Dinh and Setas ultimately reached the quarterfinals (the final 8 players) before missing out on the chance to be in the Final Four, after Dinh knocked out Bavaird in the second round. The event was played at Fiddlesticks CC in Fort Myers, Fla.

Dinh, a researcher at Dow Chemical, former high school state champ and 2021 Michigan Women’s Amateur champ, beat last year’s USGA runner up Blakesly Brock in the round of 16 to get to the quarters, where she lost, 4 and 3, to the eventual champion, Krissy Carman of Eugene, Ore.

Setas, who won a high school state title and played golf at MSU, was leading late in the quarterfinals but eventually bowed out to Aliea Clark in 19 holes. Two rounds later, Clark became the national runner up to Carman.

Bavaird is a former high school state champ and two time Michigan Women’s Amateur winner who played at Western Michigan and now serves as the director of the GAM Foundation.

What an impressive showing by these Michigan women golfers.

100 Years: Centennial Celebrations 1at 00 Years: Centennial Celebrations at Duck Lake, Marshall and Huron DHills uck Lake, Marshall and Huron Hills

ByTomLang

Thomas Bendelow, the long heralded golf course architect who grew up in Scotland before moving to America in 1885, was a very busy man in Michigan during the early 1900s. In fact, in 1922, four Michigan courses he designed opened. At varying times this year three celebrated their centennial anniversaries; all but Green Ridge in Grand Rapids, which previously shut down in 1988.

Bendelow designed more than 50 courses in Michigan alone, plus several hundred nationwide from NY City to Florida to California. In most cases in Michigan, they were 9 hole layouts that were later expanded to 18 holes, often in mid-century and by a different designer.

and celebrating 100 years are basically located along what’s now the I 94 freeway corridor: Marshall CC, south of Marshall; Duck Lake CC, north of Albion; and Huron Hills in Ann Arbor, just north of I 94 and along the Huron River.

DUCKLAKECC:

Writing this story might backfire. I lived in mid Michigan for more than 25 years and never heard of the quiet, sleepy little recreational lake community of Duck Lake and I get the feeling that members at this wonderful golf course don’t want others to know about it. It’s located straight south of Charlotte, about halfway between Eaton Rapids and Albion. It’s beautiful blue waters and shoreline is filled with multi generational summer cabins, that in some cases have grown into $1.5M homes and is what some call a country oasis. Quite. Peaceful. Beautiful. Relaxing.

Generally, I don’t publish much material on private golf courses; I save most content for public-access facilities. But in the case of Duck Lake, I see very little reason many golfers in the region wouldn’t choose to join the club with its very affordable member rates. Those who do will find a wonderful Bendelow layout, but without the crowds.

He designed the front nine and was given unusually hilly land to work with, especially considering the property is very close to the lake’s edge and in a region of Michigan that’s mostly flat farm land. The back nine was developed in 1969 by Arthur Young of Kalamazoo. While the back nine is flat, by no means does it disappoint. The layout is just as green and lush as the hilly tree lined front nine, with two carries over water and a very unique

90 dgree right turn dogleg hole. The back nine plays longer than the front (2850 yards) at 3150 from the tips.

Hole No. 1 starts at the highest point on the property, with a fairway traveling down into a deep valley and back upward to a perched green. The same path describes the parallel 9th hole coming back. My favorite on the front is the par 5 fourth hole, which travels up and down over more than a half dozen rolling peaks and valleys, before reaching a green complex slightly to the right and well below the fairway surface. It is one of two greens on the front that require an extra-extended flagpole to barely see the flag from the fairway approach.

No. 6 is a close second for favorite hole. From the tee it goes downhill, then up, then down,

then up, and turns left to the green. All bunkers on the course feel well placed, for both aesthetics and causing trouble for bad shots.

The newer general manager at Duck Lake CC is Alex Coss, who ran Eagle Eye and Hawk Hollow for almost two decades. He has helped bring back much of the club’s glory from past economic and population challenges.

CENTENNIAL GOLF

MARSHALLCC:

Jacob Martinson, age 20, is a very young club pro still working on his degree at Grand Valley State, but as a young man who grew up in Marshall and started at the club six years ago as a caddie, it’s an example not that far from what small town clubs do to support each other.

The family connection runs deep for Martinson, who said in the 1920s his great great-grandfather was a caddy at Marshall CC, eventually becoming club president in the 1960s.

Members also take the extra time and effort to care for the course. This past spring, more than three dozen members came out to work on all the bunkers, trimming them and refilling sand as needed all for a spruce up for the 100th year.

“It really shows that they care about the place,” he said. “It’s a place not just for golf but for building relationships.”

Part of that was preparation to host the Atlas Cup, a long standing tradition the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) has of a Ryder Cup-style competition between Michigan’s best women amateurs from both private clubs and public courses.

Bendelow designed the front nine at Marshall. Then in 1972 for the 50th anniversary, William Newcomb made some adjustments and designed the back nine. The property measures just over 6,500 yards from the championship tees with multiple tee options to fit all skill levels. Views of Lyon Lake and Fish Lake add to the experience of tree lined fairways and small greens typical of the 1920s golf designs.

Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member John Morse, a former PGA Tour player, U-M standout golfer and winner of the PGA Tour’s 1995 Hawaiian Open, is also a former PGA professional at Marshall CC. His association with the club is welldocumented in the pro shop and according to Martinson he still lives on Lyon Lake. The public is allowed to play the course Friday through Sunday.

HURONHILLS inAnnArbor:

(This section adjusted from a course review I wrote for the Detroit Free Press in 2016)

Length:A short course that ranges from back tees of 5,071 yards, to forward at 4,446.

Historylesson:The original design was laid out by golf course pioneer Thomas Bendelow and has stood the test of time with its rolling hills, elevated views of the Huron River, wide open first seven holes and excellent upkeep by the city of Ann Arbor.

Mostmemorable: Hole No. 8 is the most dramatic compared to the other 17 in that it funnels through a small valley. A limited landing area off the tee on the par 4 has a hard left to right slope that pushes balls toward the trees out of bounds right. If you keep the ball in

play in the middle, the same slope that runs the entire left side hides the view of the left half of the green, but is complemented and balanced by sloping on the right side and the back around the green to form a bowl approach shot.

Picturethis:No. 12 is arguably the most picturesque hole with its sharp downhill plunge off the tee and gentle dogleg right turn. Unique mounding in front of the green and a bunker right guards the putting surface.

Overview:Great golf course for all age levels and skill sets especially the first seven holes which are wide open, with a creek to navigate, situated on the flat land near the Huron River. They are set up with “ wee tees” for the less experienced golfers at a total of 1,231 yards. Then cross the street for the final 11 holes and everything changes. Rolling hills, drop offs, elevated greens and tree lined fairways challenge even the best golfers, who are treated to some very nice views of the river valley.

Hilton Head HIsland: ilton Head Island: Perfect for Golfers (and PPirates) erfect for Golfers (and Pirates)

The old joke goes, the South Carolina Lowcountry has attracted two types of people over the past 300 years: pirates and golfers. This collection of barrier islands and low-lying coastal plains stretching from Myrtle Beach south to Daufuskie Island is one of the country’s most unmistakable landscapes. Its covert coves and shallow waters were perfect for privateers like Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet who preferred to remain hidden when they weren’t raiding coastal communities.

As for golfers more relevant to this missive the Lowcountry’s scenic atolls attracted dozens of big name developers over the past 50 years. None bigger than Charles Fraser, whose

company forged The Sea Pines Resort from the live oaks and loblolly pines of the island’s south end. With development came golf courses, and with them came notable architects like Pete Dye, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones, Michigan’s Arthur Hills, and George Fazio to make their mark.

Fast forward to 2022 and there are over 30 resort, semi private and public and courses on and around Hilton Head Island. Paired with a vast array of accommodations, “Golf Island” offers a diverse range of golf vacations, from epic bucket list and buddy trips to family and couples’ getaways.

Fall is the optimal time for planning an excursion in 2023, so here are a few itinerary ideas to get the ball rolling toward the hole.

ByShaneSharp

HarbourTown GolfLinks-SeaPinesResort

On-Island

A proper golf buddy trip on this 70 square mile atoll entails a selection of courses from The Sea Pines Resort, Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and the Heritage Golf Collection. Sea Pines is home to famed Harbour Town Golf Links (PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage Classic) designed by Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus – Heron Point (also designed by Dye) and Atlantic Dunes, the island’s newest course wrought by Davis Love III’s firm Love Golf Design.

Just a few miles down Highway 278 is 54 hole Palmetto Dunes featuring a formidable triumvirate: the Robert Trent Jones, George Fazio, and Arthur Hills courses. The Heritage Golf Collection ups the ante even further with 18 hole Oyster Reef, 36 hole Palmetto Hall, 36 hole Port Royal Golf and Racquet Club, and 27hole Shipyard Golf Club.

Sea Pines and Palmetto Dunes both offer ample rental homes and villas, fully fashioned with all the amenities of home, including flat-screen TVs, washers and dryers, wireless internet and fully equipped kitchens. Nearby dining and nightlife options abound, with more than 250 bars and restaurants spread around the island. The “BarMuda Triangle” just outside the Sea Pines gates is home to five bars, while Main Street Village is a bit lower-key, with shops and restaurants.

Off-Island

Centered on the charming riverfront town of Bluffton, a golf trip taking place just off the island begins at Old South Golf Links, a long time local favorite. Designed by Hilton Headbased architect Clyde Johnston, Old South

OysterReef

THE GOLF ISLAND

plays along the Intracoastal Waterway with front and back nine views that are among the best in the region. Holes are hemmed by oak forests and pastures and marked with several tidal marshes.

Next up is neighboring Hilton Head National, designed by Gary Player and Bobby Weed. “National,” as the locals refer to it, serves up two decidedly different nines: Weed’s nine presents larger greens with more severe undulations, while Player’s nine offers smaller, flatter putting surfaces. Both facilities offer golf packages with the Hilton Garden Inn, located less than a mile from either venue. This pair makes for the perfect 36-hole combo with minimal time spent in transit.

Old Town Bluffton, situated on the shores of the May River just minutes from the Hilton Garden Inn, is the place to grab a warm meal, a

cold drink and relax with friends. Over the past decade, it has emerged as one of the South’s most desirable small towns. Old Town has a little bit of everything, from rustic seafood joints and fine dining to coffee shops and galleries.

CouplesGetaway

With its award winning restaurants, boutique accommodations and women-friendly courses, Golf Island is the perfect getaway for couples who love the game and spending time together on the golf course. Harbour Town and Oyster Reef feature multiple tees rated for women, as do several other island layouts. Generally, forward tees at many courses limit the number of forced carries over water, especially at Harbour Town, where Alice Dye’s input is undeniable.

Best bets for lodging include the Inn and Club at Harbour Town, steps away from the first tee and the charming Old Town Bluffton Inn, a 14room boutique property in the heart of all the action. Couples flock to Main Street Village, home to several award winning restaurants and specialty shops, as well as Shelter Cove, with its myriad of shops and restaurants set on 285 acres of saltwater coastline across from Palmetto Dunes.

FamilyGolfVacation

A record number of juniors took up the game in 2020 and 2021, and the uptick in youth participation continues to surge in 2022. Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and Beaufort are all family-friendly destinations in their own rights, with various camps, activities and other

On the island, the summer is peak season for family vacations, and Sea Pines typically offers its annual FUNdamentals Camp teaching kids the basics of the game, including rules, etiquette, short game and full swing fundamentals. Port Royal’s “family play” afternoon nine hole rates are ideal for logging actual on course time, while the new Toptracer Range at Palmetto Dunes features 14 hitting bays and a variety of gaming options.

PlanningYourTrip

Log onto the easy to use website, www.HiltonHeadGolfIsland.com, for course and accommodation overviews, seasonal golf packages, area information or to request a golf trip quote. It's a one stop shop to customize stay and play packages for any size group, any

ToptracerAddsFun, TeachableMoments

The new Toptracer Range at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort has quickly proven to be a smash hit. Guests are enjoying the experience of interactive golf entertainment at the Robert Trent Jones golf driving range, which is a facility powered by the same Toptracer technology used during televised PGA Tour events to track the shots of the world’s best players.

Toptracer incorporates high speed cameras, coupled with sophisticated computer algorithms, to provide instantaneous ball tracking information to guests using the range. The Palmetto Dunes Toptracer Range facility features

hitting bays, plus a VIP area all with high speed cameras, TV monitors, technology and games. Casual seating is available. Each bay can host up to four players. The VIP area is recommended for 8 10 people. Now, guests can enjoy night play at Toptracer Range, seasonally & weather permitting. Guests can also enjoy a wide variety of handheld menu options.

AtlanticDunes,DavisLoveIII SeaPinesResort

ON

HEAD

and courses No. 1 through No. 5 with its own clubhouse and practice facilities. The new state of the art Golf Pride Retail Lab opened in late June and is co located near No. 8’s entry.

Heritage Golf Group Adds HPalmetto eritage Golf Group Adds Palmetto

Hall Golf and Country Club to Hits all Golf and Country Club to its Hilton Head Island HProperties ilton Head Island Properties

Hilton Head Golf Island (HHGI), a solid assortment of 26 courses across Beaufort, Bluffton and Jasper counties, welcomes the addition of Palmetto Hall Golf and Country Club to its varied collection of resort, public and semi-private facilities thanks to Heritage Golf Group’s recent acquisition.

The Heritage Golf Group, which owns and operates Hilton Head Island based Oyster Reef, Port Royal and Shipyard Golf Clubs, recently acquired Palmetto Hall Golf and Country Club, expanding the Heritage’s island folio to 117 total holes of golf.

Opened in the early 90s, the 36-hole venue First opened in 1996 to celebrate the resort’s centennial, No. 8 seamlessly synthesizes the North Carolina Sandhills aesthetic with Fazio’s enduring design elements. The layout covers over 450 acres of rolling terrain dotted with natural wetlands and native grasses. It’s located five minutes from the main clubhouse

“With the resurgence in golf travel and the number of choices golfers have for golf getaways, it’s

crucial we promote our region’s amazing golf, lodging and culinary assets,” said Mark Burnett, President and CEO of Heritage Golf Group. “We are thrilled with the recent addition of Palmetto Hall Golf and Country Club to our portfolio and excited for its inclusion in Hilton Head Golf Island alongside Oyster Reef, Port Royal and Shipyard.”

As part of the acquisition, Heritage Golf Group which this summer added Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center’s 63 holes in Plymouth to its family of golf courses has committed to a multi-million-dollar golf course improvement project of Palmetto Hall scheduled for this fall.

The Arthur Hills and Robert Cupp courses were long considered among the Lowcountry’s best layouts, and Heritage Golf Group’s clear cut objective is to return them to their ‘90s glory. As a pairing, the courses present a compelling contrast the traditional look and feel of the Arthur Hills Course juxtaposed against the

ultra modern shaping and geometric bunkers of the Robert Cupp Course. Both have been continually praised for their ingenuity, shot values, playability and conditioning.

“It’s an exciting day when we can welcome one of the area’s iconic golf brands back to Hilton Head Golf Island,” said Lowcountry Golf Course Owner’s Association President Brad Mara. “The addition of Palmetto Hall Golf and Country Club increases our marketing collective to 28 courses…with our wide-array of accommodation types and world class restaurants, there’s never been a better time to visit Golf Island.”

OysterReefGolfClub:

Editor’snote:IhadthechancetoplayOysterReef inlate2018andthesearemyobservations:

Located near the tip of the northeast region of the island, overlooking parts of Port Royal Sound a key Civil War battle zone

Oyster Reef offers an excellent, lower cost public option for vacationing golfers.

Hurricane Matthew in 2016 all but ruined the bunkers at the course so the cleanup process gave staff an opportunity to redo them all. The construction process ended in

2018 and they are spectacular well shaped and filled with soft, white sand.

An excellent stretch of holes are numbers 4-7.

Hole 4 is a par 4 dogleg left that opens up a little between all the stately southern pines found across the entire property. The 6th is the signature hole a par 3 to an elevated green with Royal Port Sound in the background. Hole

7 is a right turning dog leg up hill off the tee requiring a strong poke to have a clear approach shot to the green, which has a wraparound bunker and tall pines as its backdrop.

Holes 15 and 16 are also fun. The 15th is a par 5 left turn dogleg by almost 90 degrees to an open green complex still two shots away. The 16th has no trees in play, but rather a pond to clear to the par 3 green. While the entire course is tree lined, good shots are required to place your ball in spots to get around many dog leg corners.

More info can be found at: http://www.hiltonheadgolf.net/

Pinehurst No. 8 Reopened PFollowing inehurst No. 8 Reopened Following Agronomic ARemastering gronomic Remastering

If you are looking to play some fall golf later in the season than Michigan temperatures allow, maybe look at Pinehurst No. 8 since it reopened in early September following a very unique agronomic focused refresh. It has gained some wonderful reviews and buzz on Twitter the past month for the not as normal approach.

The agronomic and infrastructure enhancements are highlighted by new TifEagle greens, fully restored bunkers with fresh sand, improved drainage throughout the course and the removal of invasive trees limiting views and inhibiting sunlight. The leadership at Pinehurst agreed a total redesign or ‘restoration’ was not needed, the course simply needed to git its ‘edge’ back.

Additionally, the existing Bermudagrass turf on tees and fairways was “fraise” mowed to remove thatch throughout the course, tighten up lies and allow more rollout on tee shots.

“No. 8 now appears crisper to the eye and plays firmer and faster the way Tom Fazio originally intended it,” says Pinehurst Resort Director of Agronomy Bob Farren. “Fazio, (Pinehurst Resort Owner) Bob Dedman and (Pinehurst Resort President) Tom Pashley all agreed that

No. 8 should retain its original, commemorative design. As such, these changes are aesthetic and agronomic with no alterations to the course’s architecture.”

First opened in 1996 to celebrate the resort’s centennial, No. 8 seamlessly synthesizes the North Carolina Sandhills aesthetic with Fazio’s enduring design elements. The layout covers over 450 acres of rolling terrain dotted with natural wetlands and native grasses. It’s located five minutes from the main clubhouse and courses No. 1 through No. 5 with its own clubhouse and practice facilities. The new state of the art Golf Pride Retail Lab opened in late June and is co located near No. 8’s entry.

Those seeking the highest quality of accommodations should know The Carolina Hotel’s renovation is nearing completion with updated guest rooms that are sure to blend modern luxuries with Pinehurst’s historic presence. The 2024 U.S. Open is less than two years away, so the region is preparing for a great show that golf travelers can experience now.

For more information, visit www.pinehurst.com.

EMU Breaks Ground on Ethe MU Breaks Ground on the GameAbove Golf Performance GCenter ameAbove Golf Performance Center

Eastern Michigan University held a groundbreaking ceremony for the GameAbove Golf Performance Center at Eagle Crest Golf Course Friday, Sept. 30. The state-of-the-art golf training facility will support EMU's collegiate program while also providing additional upgrades to the course and clubhouse.

GameAbove, which provided $8 million for the project, is a collection of EMU alumni supporters. The two story facility overlooking Ford Lake is scheduled for a fall 2023 opening.

The building will be approximately 13,000 square feet and include locker rooms, offices, indoor putting and chipping, and simulators to support both indoor and outdoor training. Additional to the EMU varsity golf teams, the facility will be used to host youth and community events to expand the teaching of golf in Ypsilanti and southeastern Michigan.

The EMU men

s golf program has been coached

by Bruce Cunningham for 30 years; former EMU player Stephanie Jennings heads the women’s team.

"This will have a dramatic impact on our student-athletes skill set development and significantly enhance our off season practice and training methods,” Cunningham said.

Jennings added: "As an alum and former student-athlete, it brings me to tears because I'm thrilled about the progress of our program over the last 20 plus years and the heights to which we can now reach.”

The Donald Ross Memorial TGolf he Donald Ross Memorial Golf Course Continues to CEvolve ourse Continues to Evolve

Boyneupdatesclassiccoursedesignreplicas

ByTomLang

Who doesn’t like a greatest hits album?

How about a greatest hits golf course?

That’s what you get at the Donald Ross Memorial Course at The Highlands.

Going back nearly 30 years, Boyne’s Sr. VP of Golf, Bernie Frederick, and family owner Stephen Kircher, appointed designer Bill Newcomb and former teacher Jim Flick traveled the country in search of Ross’ best designed holes that would also fit the topography at Boyne as best as possible to create a truly memorable and memorial course for the modern-day golfer.

The thought was to do a tribute to arguably one of the best architects of all time from the era golf first began trickling into the United States

from Scotland, but the other factor was that so many of those courses are private, meaning today’s public golfer couldn’t get access to play them.

BOYNE Golf wanted to change that limitation and provide such options for everyone.

The challenge however was that some private clubs would not provide Boyne with the Ross blueprints. Michigan designer Bill Newcomb was called in to help create the Ross Memorial, and some of the holes had to be designed from personal observation notes and memory – and Polaroid’s. Thus, exact replica standards were a challenge but it’s a breeze today with GPS, satellite imaging and 3D cameras to get a nearly-perfect match.

Yet the 15th hole has been a bit unique for other

reasons. Modeled after the par 4 11th hole at Aronomink Golf Club, Boyne first built a replica of what was there in Newton Square, Penn. At the time. Then about a decade ago, a member committee at Aronomink did some homework and learned that many more decades before that, the club drastically changed what Ross first built, and current Aronomink members decided to go back in time.

Boyne could have left everything alone and save itself the money, but didn’t. This past entire golf season Boyne closed and redid hole 15.

“The question will always be why did that board see fit to change what we have now to what we had, because what Ross first had was spectacular,” said Ken Griffin, Boyne Director, Golf Sales and Marketing.

It’s a good question.

I went to Boyne to look at the changes in early September and as I turned the corner from the 14th green to the 15th, I was taken aback by the restoration. A new tee was added on left side, and the fairway has been widened by 40 percent, but the second shot is so different and striking. Four new bunkers, side

by side up toward the right of the green complex, with a putting surface almost twice the former size stands out the most.

Michigan architect Ray Hearn is leading the renovations on the Donald Ross and other Boyne courses.

“It had gotten so far away from the original, that by updating the 15th Hole (at Boyne) we are matching what Aronomink had done the last few years and we’re staying true to the Ross original,” he said. “It’s eye-popping beautiful. You have the complexity of angles and options on your drive, but the real testimony to Ross in the recent restoration is how the bunkers and the valley front right between the bunkers and the green set out an optical illusion that Ross often studied from Willie Park, Jr. It adds to the total complexity of that green complex.

“This green has so much going on that it needed to be larger.”

Next is the 13th hole, a par 5, 510 yard replica of Hole #15 at Seminole Golf Club; North Palm Beach, Florida. This dramatic par 5 utilizes several Ross design strategies. The fairway is divided into two distinct landing areas which are separated by sand bunkers and pine trees (palm trees at Seminole).

The green has been lifted more than three feet in the air higher than it’s been the past 25 plus years in part because better modern design

tools confirmed the need to do so to better resemble Seminole. Grass seed will be spread before the snow flies and by early summer should be playable.

“On a hole this long, a golfer really has to pay attention when the pin is in the back,” Hearn said. “The recovery shot is still fair, and Ross was

always thinking about that. He let you have the four options of you can pitch it or lob it, or putt it or (bump and run) it. But if you go long, it’s a little work to get up and down.”

Hole No. 1 was worked on last year and has been open all summer of 2022. In addition to more than 100 trees being removed, the majority of the work was done to the green complex, reshaping bunkers and the outline of the green also turning it about 45 degrees sideways. The heather in the waste sand running almost the entire length of the left side needs to grow in more, but once that happens

the replica of Hole 6 at Seminole should be complete. The new waste sand on the right side of No. 1 also gives the right side of No. 16 which replicates Hole No. 10 on Pinehurst No. 2 that much more of a Pinehurst ambiance.

Don’tWaitLongfor2023 GolfPlans:

Like a handful of other Michigan resorts, BOYNE Golf opened up 2023 bookings (on Aug. 9) almost two months earlier than normal years to accommodate public demand for getting the optimal dates golfers want to be at Boyne.

Most of the advanced booking demand is coming from out-of-state golfers who tell Boyne staff that they have some of the best rates in the country compared to other options.

“At Boyne, we host golfers from all over the United States,” said Ken Griffin. “A majority

are from Michigan, and we have some great competitor s because of the great golf that’s here in Michigan. But we also compete with nationally recognized courses, such as

Pinehurst, Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes and Whistling Straights. We are a popular destination here in Michigan, but we don’t just have people coming from in state. For each of the last three years we’ve had golfers from 48 states, and D.C. come to Boyne Golf and enjoy our courses.

“With all the flights coming into Traverse City (to Cherry Capital Airport from cities like Philadelphia, Boston, DC, Dallas), those groups fly in, and while we’re not the least expensive golf in Michigan, I have folks tell me all the time that we’re very inexpensive on a national level. It used to be harder to get here, now it’s not.”

Boyne is very popular for biking, hiking, horseback riding and unlike those activities, tee times limit the number of golfers, so act earlier on your lodging and tee times if it’s on your 2023 list.

BillHobson,JerryMatthews,PaulAlbanese

Course Design CLegend ourse Design Legend

Jerry Matthews JPasses: erry Matthews Passes: The Rest of the TStory he Rest of the Story

ByTomLang

Often times in life, and even in death, people will say, ‘they couldn’t have scripted it better if they tried.’

That could be the case for Michigan golf course design legend Jerry Matthews, who passed away at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, September 15, at the age of 88.

There have been many tributes, all well deserved, posted the past several weeks noting his career and all the courses he designed or remodeled more than 200 making Matthews by far the most prolific of any Michigan golf

course designer in history. But this is a story you won’t hear that often, about how ironically beautiful Matthews left this earth. It’s truly a full circle, somewhat romantic story to be honest.

For some background: Matthews was at Grand Hotel for an annual event hosted by Michigan Golf Live’s Bill Hobson. He attended with his

lovely wife, Carol, and Paul Albanese, another award winning architect that came out of Matthews’ stable of designers in East Lansing. Albanese started his career with Matthews in 1992, then eventually went out on his own for

two decades and designed such courses as Sweetgrass and Sage Run at Island Resort in the U.P. A few years ago, in retirement Matthews called on Albanese to do a joint venture at Saskatoon near Caledonia.

Hobson explained that for the first time in 16 years of hosting the Grand Golf Getaway, the hotel wanted to add another special touch to the gathering by inviting Jerry to return to The Jewel (the Grand Hotel course designed by Matthews)and having he and Paul sit for a panel discussion about course architecture through the years. It was one of the few times in his career the stage ever belonged to Matthews. There were 100 or so people

gathered together that first night for a Front Porch reception in Matthews’ honor and a Q and-A session.

“We had a wonderful reception with your group,” Albanese told Hobson on the Fore Golfers Network Podcast, “and they gave him the accolades that Jerry doesn’t always get, and that he always shied away from frankly, in his career. He never looked for the spotlight, he just did his job. Yet here he got the spotlight

shone on him and he was very proud of it and he gave a curtain call. His wife, Carol, mentioned how proud of it he was.”

About 90 minute later, at dinner, Matthews was gone.

“It became a very unusual, very unforgettable Thursday night, at Grand Hotel, September 15th,” Hobson said on the podcast, recorded the following day with Albanese sharing the mic. “It will always rate in my mind as a day I wish I could forget, but I never will.”

Part of the weekend’s plan was to have both Matthews and Albanese stationed on the 12th hole on the back nine Woods Course. The idea was as golfers went through they could talk to Matthews one on one. Instead, that day, an empty rocking chair was at the 12th hole.

Hobson assured Albanese there would be no expectation at all for him to maintain that plan in light of still mourning his friend.

“I might have been lifted from that expectation, but not Jerry,” Albanese said. “He expected me to be on that 12th hole, without question. It was hard, but it was also good. It was very peaceful out there between groups

and as I looked at the empty rocking chair, I could reminisce about all the great times I had with Jerry.

“If Jerry hadn’t given me that chance in 1992, I don’t know if I’d be in this business. I am blessed to have been able to have a career that has gone from start to finish (with Jerry) like it has.”

Minutes after receiving the alarming dinner time phone call about Jerry’s passing, Hobson

and Albanese, along with Grand Hotel Director of Golf Grant DeMoss, made their way to the Mackinac Island Medical Center to comfort Jerry’s wife, Carol. From that visit, Hobson told the following story:

“As Carol came out, she sat down, and she had

her wits about her. She was stunned of course, yet she started talking about specific holes on this golf course (here on Mackinac Island), so I said to her, ‘ you have a very specific recall of hole numbers.’ And that’s when I learned she was his irrigation specialist, which is how they met.

“And then she blows my mind even further when she said, ‘ yes, we were working here on the Woods 9 a quarter of a century or so ago, and Jerry said to me, ‘ we ought to get married.’ And she replied to him, ‘only if we do it here.’ So, in this mind blowing turn of events, here’s Jerry Matthews getting a rousing ovation from our guests, waving to them in appreciation, and 90 minutes later at dinner passes away … and his wife tells us at the hospital ‘ we were married at Grand Hotel, and now we say goodbye at Grand Hotel.’

Several of the guests that came through the 12th hole the following day said to Albanese that you couldn’t write a script any better of how to go out.

No, you cannot.

God Bless you Jerry.

Treetops Treetops

Resort’s RKosta esort’s Kosta

RWins amirez Wins

Michigan

PMatch GA Match

PTitle lay Title

Saline's Williams Hoak SNamed aline's Williams-Hoak Named

National Coach of the Year Nby ational Coach of the Year by LPGA LProfessionals PGA Professionals

ByGeoffKimmerly

The LPGA Professionals have named Saline High School golf coach Debbie Williams-Hoak as its national Coach of the Year. More on the award from LPGA Professionals: TheLPGAProfessionalsCoachoftheYearAward wasestablishedin1980andisawardedannually toanLPGAProfessionalsmemberwhoisactively engagedinteachingand/orcoachinggolfatthe collegiateorhighschoollevel.

LPGAProfessionalsClassAmemberDebbie Williams-Hoakknowswhatittakestocompeteat thehighestlevels.SheisaformerLPGATour Playerandtrack&fieldathletewhorepresented U.S.Track&FieldinRussiaandWestGermany. Sheisafour-timeBigTenChampion,amemberof theOhioTrack&FieldHallofFame,Universityof MichiganWomen’sTrackHallofFamemember andamemberoftheMichiganGolfHallofFame asaplayer,coachandteachingprofessional.This year,sheisbeinginductedintotheUniversityof MichiganAthleticHallofHonor.

ByGregJohnson

Kosta Ramirez of Treetops Resort celebrated his first professional victory and his 3rd wedding anniversary at the same time in winning the Michigan PGA Match Play Championship Wednesday at Country Club of Lansing.

The 31-year-old Dearborn native made use of a fast start and held off Kyle Dobbs of Oak Pointe Country Club 1 up in the championship match. His wife Cara, who he met eight years ago while completing the Professional Golf Management Program at Ferris State University, served as his caddie.

“This is pretty sweet, and to do it on me and my wife's anniversary makes it even more special,” he said after accepting the $3,200 first place check. “Go figure that you ' re going to spend your anniversary on a golf course, but she was a trooper and it was definitely special.”

Dobbs was not going down easy. He built a rally across the back nine with birdies on 11, 13 and 15 to make things tense and push the match to the final hole.

Island Resort and Casino Expecting IHigh sland Resort and Casino Expecting High

Demand for 2023 DPackages emand for 2023 Packages

If you are in charge of your golf group’s trip booking and you are a procrastinator, you could have some unhappy buddies if you don’t act soon.

With the growing popularity of golf, the new expansion and hotel room demand, plus the 2021 Michigan Golf Course of the Year and the 2022 National Golf Course of the Year awards for the Sweetgrass Golf Club in its pocket, Island Resort and Casino in the U.P. is expecting advanced bookings for the 2023 golf season to exceed the record breaking rounds of golf played this year.

“During a normal golf season, people start booking packages in February,” said Tony Mancilla, General Manager of the resort. “In past seasons, this was about 2,000 rounds and they picked up through the spring.”

Mancilla went on to say that due to the two awards and other efforts, demand by the end of February grew from a past 2,000 pre-bookings to an astounding 16,000 during the same period.

“By late April it was 30,000 rounds, and we will do over 36,000 rounds in 2022, our best summer for a 5 month season,” he said. “So, it’s good to plan ahead into the summer of 2023.”

Golf groups wishing to book early should visit: http://www.islandresortgolf.com/

Sweetgrass has been ranked by Golfweek, GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest in various ‘best courses’ lists.

InadditiontoSweetgrass,IslandResortoffers

asecondspectacularandaward-winning coursenearby SageRun. Both layouts were designed by very successful architect Paul Albanese.

Due to high golf demand, Island Resort added in 2022 the brand new, $33 million, 11 story Palm Tower. It has 138 new guest rooms and golf suites (bringing the property’s guest room total to 454), plus the Horizons Steakhouse located on the top floor featuring the best

views in the region, and SplashIsland,anew familypoolwithwaterparkfeatures.

The resort's fully customized packages offer 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 night lodging options with up to four golf rounds, which can also include Greywalls and Timberstone for “The Perfect Foursome”. The very competitive package price options range from $95 $758 depending on time of year. Compare these rates with those from other noteworthy golf destinations and you'll have yet another convincing reason to choose this destination because of the high quality and diverse array of golf.

For more information about Island Resort and Casino and its golf packages, visit www.islandresortgolf.com

call

GAME

Growing The Game of GGolf rowing The Game of Golf

Juniorgolfaboundsatlocationslike WashtenawGolfClubandBoyneGolf

ByJohnRetzer,Golfblogger.com

In the spirit of growing the game of golf, my home course, Washtenaw Golf Club, frequently hosts junior tournaments and high school and college teams. On any given day, you’ll see players from Concordia College, Ann Arbor Huron or Pioneer High and other area schools. Washtenaw has made a tradition of hosting the annual Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) Junior Kickoff Championship each April.

Recently, I saw players from no less than five area teams either playing, or working on the range and practice greens. They somehow manage to avoid the leagues, and even with all that activity, I finished my round in just over three hours.

This is the sort of “growing the game” that has both an immediate and long-term effect on the future of golf. It also confirms my belief that

golf’s future is not in the hands of high end tournament organizers, but in course owners and PGA professionals like Washtenaw’s Dave Kendall, Zach Szawara and Matthew Okopny. Washtenaw is by no means alone. So many of the courses I visit from small town munis to high end resorts support youth golf by hosting teams, offering discounts and participating in programs such as Youth on Course and The First Tee.

Northern Michigan’s Boyne Golf, for example, holds First Tee fundraisers and hosts many junior tournaments for GAM and the AJGA. On the other end, Ann Arbor’s Huron Hills muni runs summer group lessons, has “Wee Tees” to encourage youth play and, along with Leslie Park, is a Youth on Course facility.

These quiet, hands-on and usually unrecognized efforts stand in stark contrast

to certain large operations that loudly proclaim that they’re “growing the game” by throwing giant piles of money at playing pros.

Most of these young folk will never play in a PGA TOUR, LPGA or USGA Championship. With the support of local courses and state associations, however, they can be encouraged to spend a lifetime playing the game for enjoyment and health.

Hosting juniors and schools is a long tradition at Washtenaw. In 1931, the club hosted the Michigan high school state championship. It was won by Woodrow Malloy, the younger brother of Johnny Malloy, who won the 1927 Michigan Amateur at Washtenaw. The elder Malloy won the Michigan Amateur three years in a row: 1927, 1928 and 1929. He did not defend in 1930, setting the stage for the first Michigan Amateur win of the legendary Chuck Kocsis.

Golf courses and PGA professionals aren’t the

only ones working to grow the game through our young people. Youth on Course is national program that coordinates with 1, 800 courses to offer greens fees of just $5 to juniors. In Michigan, golfers can help grow the game by donating to YOC via the GAM Foundation.

The First Tee has more than 24,000 volunteers at 1,200 facilities nationwide working with youth to develop life skills through golf. Michigan chapters across the state that can use volunteers and donations, such as the First Tee of Greater Detroit and The First Tee of Northern Michigan.

There are many others, such as the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf and the AJGA.

To get involved with growing the game, contact your state golf association or one of the organizations through the links above.

Patient John Barbour Pof atient John Barbour of Grand Rapids Wins GGAM rand Rapids Wins GAM Senior SChampionship enior Championship

John Barbour of Grand Rapids stayed patient through rain, lightning, an overnight delay, even after losing the lead, and through three holes of a three golfer sudden death playoff at Red Run Golf Club in September.

And finally, with an eight-foot par-saving putt on the third playoff hole, the 64 year old president emeritus of the Golf Association of Michigan was the winner of the 36th GAM Senior Championship.

“This is validation for me especially playing with all these other champions in this great field,” said the longtime Cascade Hills Country Club member who counts nine club championships and 10 senior club championships at his home course.

“It’s absolutely my biggest win. This is a state wide and there are a bunch of great names on that trophy and I’m very, very pleased to join them.”

Barbour’s playoff was against David Martin of Saline, and Tom Senkowski of Rochester Hills.

Julie Massa HWins olt’s Julie Massa Wins

Another Michigan AWomen’s nother Michigan Women’s Senior Amateur STitle enior Amateur Title

Julie Massa managed to fend off a charging Susie Keane in a title match that went 20 holes in the 18th Michigan Women’s Senior Amateur Championship at Sugar Springs Golf Club. Massa, a Holt resident, won the championship for the third time by making a par 4 on the second hole of sudden death.

Keane, an Orlando, Fla., resident who is a summer GAM member via St. Clair Shores Golf Club, birdied two of the last three holes (Nos. 16 and 18) in regulation play to force the extra holes.

“Whenever you get a win, it’s never easy, and that makes it so satisfying,” said Massa, who has been the GAM Senior Player of the Year six times and is a member of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame. “I didn’t play as well as I did in (stroke play qualifying Monday), but I consistently hit good shots.”

Jason Kalo and JMike ason Kalo and Mike

Coriasso Win GAM CFour oriasso Win GAM FourBall BChampionship all Championship

Familiar teammates, Jason Kalo of Lowell and Mike Coriasso of Royal Oak, combined for a 7under 65 and the overall title in the GAM Four Ball Championship at Oakhurst Golf & Country Club.

“We grew up in the same neighborhood in Grand Blanc, played on the same high school golf team, won a state championship (2008), stood up for each other in our weddings, we’ve been friends for a long time,” Coriasso said after they posted their score that resulted in them winning the morning wave competition and being declared the overall champion after the afternoon wave was complete.

Coriasso, a 32 year old loan officer for Rocket Mortgage, and Kalo, a manager for Stryker Corp., topped the other morning wave teams by two shots.

Meanwhile the afternoon wave had familiar winners, too. Jack Versau of Portage and Nick Carbary of Kalamazoo, overall champions in 2019, shot 5-under 67 to win for the afternoon wave for the second consecutive year.

Max VanderMolen, MKate ax VanderMolen, Kate Brody Win GAM BJunior rody Win GAM Junior Invitational ITitles nvitational Titles

Richland’s Max VanderMolen and Grand Blanc’s Kate Brody used great starts and steady finishes in winning GAM Junior Invitational titles at Michigan State University’s Forest Akers West Golf Club.

VanderMolen, 14, and this summer’s Michigan Junior Amateur champion, shot 4-under 68 in the first round and followed it up with a final 2 under 70 for 138, two shots ahead of Drew Miller of East Lansing, who shot 69 to finish, and Winston Lerch of Howell, who shot 72.

Brody, 17, who will sign with the University of Wisconsin golf program in November, fired the low score of the tournament with 65 72 for 137. She finished four shots ahead of runner-up Grace Wang of Rochester Hills, and five up on Sophie Stevens of Highland.

VanderMolen’s win was his third GAM tournament of the summer.

Champions of the 15-and-under age divisions:

Ian Masih of Okemos (boys) Grace Slocum of Traverse City (girls)

Michigan Women’s Golf Assoc. M2022 ichigan Women’s Golf Assoc. 2022 Hall of Fame HInductees all of Fame Inductees

Joan has been a member of the MWGA since 2000 and served on the Board from 2003 2005 as Publicity Chair. Since then, Joan has served in multiple leadership Roles for the MWGA, plus she has served on the committees for the Legacy Celebration and the 100th Anniversary of the Michigan Women’s Amateur.

Joan Cleland

Joan was very successful in managing large committees and complex programs with speakers, panel discussions, invited guests, exhibitors, dinners, awards, fund raising, and publicity. The Legacy honored the late Shirley Spork, a Founder of the LPGA, the late Mary Fossum, long term coach of the MSU Women’s Golf Team, and Betty Richart, a Chairman of the USGA Women’s Committee and long time volunteer for women’s golf.

Pat DeMaire has been a MWGA Member since 1995 (27 years) and served on the Board of Directors in 2001 – 2003. She has been a member of the WMGA since 2002. She has been a Governor of the GAM since 2004 for 17 years and is currently serving as an Honorary Governor.

She has served as a Rules Official since 1995 for many GAM, MWGA, and WMGA Tournaments. She has outstanding expertise in Course Rating and has been a Course Rater for the GAM since 1997 and has completed more than 260 Course Rating Days, averaging 10+ ratings a year for 17 years. She was Course Rater of the Year in 2014, and has volunteered for the USGA at the US Women’s Open, the US Open, and the US Senior Open.

Pat DeMaire

Adrianne Danzeisen Clor was a member of the MWGA Board of Directors from 1991 1994. She served on the USGA Women’s Amateur Public Links (WAPL) Committee from 1992 2005. She attended the USGA/PGA Rules School to become a Rules Official for the USGA, MWGA, and GAM. She was a GAM Course Rater and

Adrianne Danzeisen Clor

Captain from 1991 – 2017. She was Course Rater of the Year in 2002 and 2013. She and her husband Ken owned and operated Clor’s Outpost, a retail golf shop, near Hillsdale from 1991 – 2019.

She completed training to become a member of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America and is a Class A Master Teaching Professional. She gave golf lessons and ran the junior golf program in Hillsdale County until 2018. She completed training and certification for golf club fitting for most club manufacturers. She has received multiple honors for club fitting – and was recognized by Golf Digest as America’s 100 Best Club Fitters.

Julie Massa was born in Oregon and excelled in high school golf and was medalist and won the Oregon Amateur Championship in 1983. She played for the Arizona State University Women’s Golf Team from 1981 1986. She married Darryl Massa and moved to Michigan in 1989 and they raised 3 daughters, who all played on the MSU Women’s Golf Team.

Julie has won 16 GAM Championships and has been GAM Senior Women’s Player of the Year the last 6 years. She was named the GAM Women’s Senior Player of the Decade in 2020. She has qualified and played in 20 USGA Championships including the US Junior Girls (2), US Women’s Amateur (2). US Women’s Mid Amateur (10), and US Senior Women’s Amateur (6). Inducted into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame in 2021.

Julie Massa

Francine Pegues has been the director of the MWGA LPGA*USGA Girl’s Golf Program (GGP) for 14 years. She operated the Driving Range on Belle Isle from 2015 2017, which hosted our GGP during that time. She became a GAM Foundation Board Member in 2019 and a GAM Governor in 2021. Francine has taken the GGP to a whole new level. With her organizational skills, community connections and lots of passion, she has developed a program superior to other GGPs. She hires qualified professional golf pros to instruct the kids in proper techniques and has provided the kids with healthy snacks, lessons in nutrition and health, and information about future

education and careers. Several participants have played on high school golf teams and some play on college golf teams. Annually, she takes a bus load of kids to an LPGA Tour Event to participate in the GGP at the tournament and to witness the great professional women golfers.

Barbara Porter was a MWGA Board Member for 16 years. She served as Membership Chair, Promotions Chair, and Course Coordinator, scheduling all competitions at various locations throughout the state. She and Lori Rogers were instrumental in developing the first MWGA Competitions Handbook outlining all the necessary steps to run a first class event with the aid of the computer. The Handbook gave consistent quality to MWGA Tournaments.

She served as President for 6 years. During those years, she expanded MWGA focus and broadened its horizons during the inception of the Girls Golf Program and the involvement of the MWGA in the Women’s Golf Alliance, a nation-wide organization of Women’s Golf Associations. For several years, she coordinated the Girls Golf Program at Rouge Park and processed the budgeting for all the programs through 2015 in order to secure grant money from the LPGA. She remains an active volunteer for the MWGA Girls Golf Program.

Barbara Porter

Darci Stocker

Darci Stocker has won 5 MWGA Golfer of the Year Awards and has won 5 MWGA State Championships. She has participated in 12 Atlas Cup Trophy Matches. She has been a successful girls and boys high school golf coach for the past 17 years. She has received several awards as a coach and is currently on the Flint Junior Golf Association Board of Directors.

Oakland University Women’s Golf team – lettered two years

MWGA Golfer of the Year 2006, 2007, 2008, 2015 and 2020

MWGA Player of the Year 2004, 2009, 2010 and 2011

GAM Top Ten Honor Roll 2012 and 2013

GAM Top Ten Women’s Mid Am 7 times Club Championships Flint (6), Fortress (5), and Davison (6) Coach of Girls and Boys High school Golf teams 17 years (2002 2019)

Michigan High School Golf Coaches Division 1 Coach of the Year 2012

B y G r e g J o h n s o n

Michigan PGA Grows Mwith ichigan PGA Grows with Golf; Executive GDirector olf; Executive Director Makes Devine MImpact akes Devine Impact

PART3:Thethird25-yearsegmentofthe MichiganSectionPGA(1972 1997)

Thisisthethirdofafour partseriesproducedin celebrationofthecentennialyearoftheMichigan SectionPGA.Thefullseriesisbeingpublishedat michiganpga.comandreleasedtothemediaover the2022golfseason.

Golf participation in the United States increased in the 1960s with the development of more public facilities and boomed again in the early 1990s with the continued development of resort golf and construction of high end public facilities combined with real estate.

Arnold Palmer and television, Jack Nicklaus and the development of golf’s modern major championships and then Tiger Woods, one of the world’s best known athletes, enhanced the popularity of the game, too. From the mid-

1980s to the turn of the century the number of golfers grew by about 50 percent, from 20 million to 30 million, according to the National Golf Federation.

The Michigan Section PGA, in its third quarter of existence from 1972 to 1997, responded with growth in the number of PGA professionals and services it provided, and it was PGA professionals who founded the first university Professional Golf Management program in the country at Ferris State University in Big Rapids in 1975.

The first four executive directors to lead the Michigan PGA Section during this major groeth period were Doug Finley, Joseph Falvey and Tom Colucci followed by the longest serving Ken Devine, who came in in 1991.

Finley and Falvey had left on good terms for other golf opportunities, but Colucci was convicted of embezzling funds that put the section in peril.

“Once that happened we realized we needed somebody who had business skills to help us recover,” said two time past president Jim Dewling. “Ken Devine was a successful sales guy in golf, had a lot of national contacts and he went to work and turned the section around financially. He did a great job with member relations and building relationships with sponsors.”

Devine, who passed away on July 1 at the age of 87, said in a late May interview that he saw himself as a problem solver with business sense built on his experience working for major golf equipment companies.