Michigan Golf Journal September 2020

Michigan Golf Journal What’s Inside: Cover story: Thunder Bay Golf and Elk Tours Covid: a Course Superintendent’s Perspective Forest Dunes Short Course a Bundle of Fun 10 16 19 Parents of Junior Golfers: Be Careful Michigan’s Top 20 Golf Courses 22 36 In some ways it is hard to imagine that the massive Big Ten Conference in all its money, glory, power and influence could stand to take a lesson from the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA). Both organizations are tasked with organizing and running championships for education-based sports teams and athletes. And in the year 2020, the MHSAA leaders appear a lot wiser and more thoughtful than those running the Big Ten. Both postponed football this fall for obvious Covid reasons. Whether or not we agree with that decision is not the topic here – however the important distinction is that the Big Ten let down the thousands of student-athletes in all the other fall sports by cancelling their seasons outright, and without debate. The MHSAA on the other hand kept safe sports such as cross country, tennis and GOLF on the schedule. And if I say anything nice about Governor Whitmer it’s that she made the right call by placing the knowledgeable high school sports authority in the driver’s seat for such decision making rather than creating her own un-informed ruling. It’s very gratifying that our Michigan high school girls can safely compete this fall in the great sport of golf. Sincerely, Tom Lang Publisher/Editor The Right Thing for High School Golf Player Profiles: from Michigan to the U.S. Amateur 32