Michigan Golf Journal January 2021

Michigan Golf Journal TV News Profiles WDIV TV On-air News Personalities Are Big into Golf By Tom Lang Golfers of course come from all walks of life and various careers, but an unusually high percentage of WDIV-TV (Chan. 4 in Detroit) on-air news personalities truly love our game. Some of the on-air staff have a deep-rooted history in the game – like Steve Garagiola being a caddy in the 1974 U.S. Open ‘Massacre at Winged Foot.’ Others are rookies who have just recently taken up the game – but most of them fall somewhere in between. Six on-air anchors/reporters at WDIV-TV share their golf stories with us, and they are not even all the golfers in the studio. Jason Colthorp – Reporter / Anchor Favorite place to play (or bucket list): St. Ives Golf Club. I’m a sucker for any northern Michigan course, but this is my favorite. How you got started in the game: When I was young, my dad managed a few golf courses, so I had no choice but to play— and to wash golf carts. Favorite club and why: Gotta be the putter, right? When I hit it well, I’m usually playing well and doing a lot of fist-pumping. Best golf memory: The first time I beat my dad. Not only did he never let us win, but he’d pull off miracles on the last hole to beat us. Finally, when I was 16, I shot a 37 to his 40. He demanded we play the back— and I shot another 37 and he another 40. Rhonda Walker – Morning Newsdesk Favorite place to play (or bucket list): I love playing in Pure Michigan summers; my husband and I have played so many courses in our great state but my favorite I always want to go back to is Bay Harbor for the incredible views and meticulously maintained courses. How you got started in the game: My dad was an avid golfer and I was a daddy’s girl that wanted him to myself without my brother and sister, so I expressed interest in golf and he taught me while growing up in Lansing, on the Forest Akers Golf Course at MSU. Favorite club and why: I love my Odyssey putter. When all else fails in my game, I can always save myself with great putts. I have always been a good confident putter. Best golf memory: I met my husband at Detroit Golf Club in a blind introduction, our first date was a round of golf there and we’ve been making great memories over rounds of golf DGC ever since.