Michigan Golf Journal May 2021

Michigan Golf Journal ichigan News and Notes Forest Dunes announced that its new short course will be named Bootlegger . The resort’s latest golf option opened for limited preview play last fall and will open full-time May 6. The 10-hole, 1,135-yard short course was designed by Keith Rhebb and Riley Johns. The Bootlegger was named in homage to the land where Forest Dunes’ award-winning courses now sit. The property was originally owned by automotive magnate William Durant, founder of General Motors and an iconic figure in early 20th century America. As legend has it, a significant parcel of the land was sold to a group of mafiosos (The Purple Gang) in the 1930s. Known as the Detroit Partnership these mobsters made their fortunes smuggling alcohol fromWindsor into Michigan—among other less innocuous practices. The Bootlegger’s greens are constructed to funnel balls toward pin locations, improving the chances of ever-elusive holes-in-one. In addition, music will also be incorporated into the fun with 16 speakers strategically placed throughout the course. MGJ New Name for Forest Dunes Short Course Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau plus Jason Day and Bubba Watson have committed to play in the Rocket Mortgage Classic when it returns to Detroit, June 28- July 4. Other early player commitments include fan favorites Rickie Fowler and Harold Varner III. “The Rocket Mortgage Classic has quickly cemented itself as one of the favorite events on TOUR for some of the best players in the world,” said Jason Langwell, Executive Director of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. “Bryson is smashing records with his powerful drives and, simply put, has been the most fascinating golfer on the PGA TOUR since he won our tournament last year.” The Rocket Mortgage Classic is doubling down on its charitable focus – aiming to raise more than $1 million through fan activities and returning initiatives at its highly- promoted, three-hole stretch, AREA 313, which is an epicenter for fans during tournament week. AREA 313 is named in honor of Detroit’s famed area code and is comprised of the 555-yard par-5 14 th hole, the 160-yard par- 3 15 th hole and the 446- yard par-4 16 th hole. MGJ PGA Tour Rocket Mortgage Classic Commits Include DeChambeau, Fowler, Watson, Day and Varner III