DoestheRecentUSGA ReportPredictBifurcation OaklandHilstoHost twoU.S.Opens april202 SQAIRZ: CanaGolfShoeHelp YOUPlayBeterGolf?
Oakland Hills Awarded Two U.S. Open Championships FRED ALTVATER PUBLISHER Back 9 Media Group Also Publishes: Ohio Golf Journal Indiana Golf Journal Back 9 Report With Spring approaching, Michigan golfers are looking forward to getting back to the course. We cover a variety of topics in this issue of Michigan Golf Journal. Talking with resort owners and course managers over the past couple of months, bookings are ahead of previous years, and it may be difficult to find tee times, or lodging at the leading resorts, if you don’t book early. After a devastating fire destroyed much of the historic clubhouse at Oakland Hills in Birmingham, the club was awarded two more U.S. Opens. The USGA has great faith in the club’s ability to rebound. This brings the total USGA championships to be held at the iconic club to eight over the next 30 years. Mt. Pleasant native and MSU standout, Ryan Brehm picked up his first win on the PGA Tour securing his future for the next two years. With this breakthrough title, he may just find the going much easier. Ed Travis sees the USGA leaning to Bifurcation with their latest Distance Report. He wonders if that is going to be a positive for golf going forward. Len Ziehm writes about the Disney Courses in Orlando. We share some of our favorite places from our recent trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama, plus review two private residential golf communities in Florida. We hope you enjoy this issue of Michigan Golf Journal. I hope I see you on the Back 9 of a Michigan golf course soon. Michigan Golf Journal
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Michigan Golf Journal is Published By Back 9 Media Group Publisher: Fred Altvater, USGTF Teaching Professional Advertise with Michigan Golf Journal, Contact us for more information Be sure to take advantage of the links to social media, videos and other content provided within the articles 29 FIND INSIDE 14 20 26 31 For Distance & Comfort Choose SQAIRZ Golf Shoes Opinion: Rules Split Likely and It Creates Questions Good News For Oakland Hills Golf Club After Devastating Fire Destroyed Historic Clubhouse Former MSU Golfer, Ryan Brehm Wins on PGA TOUR Golf Tip Just for the Ladies 06 10 14 16 29 Dreaming of Golf in Scotland? The World Wide Golf Amateur Championship Can Make It A Reality You Really Need to Visit Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama Gleneagles & Harbour Ridge Offer The BEST Residential and Country Club Lifestyle in Florida News & Notes Celebrating 50 Years: Disney World Golf Has An Interesting History Too 20 24 26 31 18 Our Contributors Resort Town Standouts: Profile of Willow Market/ Primos BBQ Our Favorite Videos 36 34 37 Michigan Golf Journal
Can a Golf Shoe actually help you Play Better Golf? Robert Winskowicz, Founder of SQAIRZ golf and former golf industry executive, loves golf and is constantly searching for ways to improve performance on the course. He, along with, three highly recognized footwear designers, one of which was the previous Director of Golf Footwear Design for Footjoy, developed SQAIRZ Golf Shoes to maximize stability and speed in the golf swing. Phil Stotter, Director of Sports Science at V1 Sports & Ground Force, one of the top experts in biomechanics and the use of ground force stated: “When we talk about biomechanics of the golf swing, it all starts with the body and its contact with the ground. The feet are the only two objects that actually touch the ground. If there are limitations in balance or stability with the ground, the golf swing will be affected and result in less than satisfactory performance.” For Distance & Comfort Choose SQAIRZ Golf Shoes Michigan Golf Journal
Testing has proven that weight distribution and stability are two key factors in creating a consistent golf swing. Golf shoes should allow for limited slippage and provide stable contact with the ground, but also have structure to permit adequate movement for correct weight distribution. Today’s lightweight – sneaker like shoes cannot hold up to the weight shifts and forces created during the swing. To create distance and balance during the swing, you need to use the ground and your only connection to the ground is your golf shoe. In a recent interview about SQAIRZ Golf Shoes, Mr. Winskowicz stressed the importance of ground contact and maintaining balance and stability throughout the golf swing. Learn more from the full interview, shown here as well as on Back 9 Report TV Before the first shoes were sold, months of independent testing of SQAIRZ versus competitive golf shoes with over 200 golfers proved that SQAIRZ produced more surface area connection with the ground than any other golf shoe, which produced greater ground force reaction, balance and stability, resulting in more accuracy and distance. Terry Hashimoto, co-founder of BodiTrak, a leader in pressure mapping, has worked with over 7,500 PGA Professionals and coaches to rapidly add distance using pressure mapping technology. Hashimoto was the first to realize that distance is created from the ground up. In extensive testing with SQAIRZ Golf Shoes he found that they have the highest contact surface area with the ground, which improves balance and stability throughout the swing. Plus, pressure mapping proved that much higher vertical forces were present on the lead foot, which is the number one way to gain distance. Hashimoto reached these conclusions from BodiTrak’s scientific analysis: • SQAIRZ allows pressure to move to the trail heel portion of the foot more rapidly during the backswing, generating more acceleration to the lead side quicker and creating a much greater “brake effect”, generating more vertical power on the
lead side prior to impact with impressive distance gains. • SQAIRZ’s greater balance and stability translated to less sway and better accuracy and energy transfer. • SQAIRZ resulted in a significant increase in hip and shoulder rotation. • SQAIRZ eliminated inefficiencies witnessed in sneaker like golf shoes. When six-time major Champion and Hall of Fame member Nick Faldo tried SQAIRZ for the first time, he immediately contacted the company and raved about the improvement he received in his golf swing. “Once I tried SQAIRZ, I’ve never worn any other golf shoe. The new SQAIRZ Speeds provides more distance, as well as more comfort.” Faldo has become a spokesperson for the company and extolls the virtues of SQAIRZ to everyone he talks with. Two-time major champion, John Daly is a believer in the benefits from SQAIRZ, plus top golf instructors, Rick Smith, Nick Bradley and Jim McLean teach the importance of ground force to improve performance, and all urge their students to wear SQAIRZ shoes. Golf instructor to the pros, Jim McLean feels that balance is key to a good golf swing. “The downswing begins with the feet, knees and hips. It is important to have proper balance Michigan Golf Journal
between the feet and heels to create the correct weight shift throughout the golf swing.” Sepp Straka joined the PGA TOUR in 2019 and was one of only eight rookies that made it to the FedEx Cup Playoffs. He had successful years in 2020 and 2021. Wearing SQAIRZ Golf Shoes, he recently garnered his first win at the Honda Classic and followed up with a top ten finish in The PLAYERS Championship. “SQAIRZ Shoes allowed me to really go after it, make three birdies in the final five holes, plus hit the longest drive of the week on the final hole to win the Honda Classic.” After comparison testing with 29 other golf shoes, My Golf Spy recently named SQAIRZ the most stable golf shoe on the market. “The SQAIRZ Speed wide base is perfect for those golfers wanting to use the ground to increase distance off the tee.” Others in the golf industry have noticed the game improvements provided by upgrading to SQAIRZ. Golf Digest named them the best golf shoes in 2020 and again in 2021. Winskowicz stresses that the two main connections in golf are the hands on the club and the feet to on the ground. “SQAIRZ’s unique design broke the mold of traditional shoes to provide better balance/ stability and ground reaction force, resulting in increased swing speed and more consistent accuracy. This is all documented with proven science and independent testing.” It has been scientifically proven that for distance and comfort SQAIRZ can’t be beat. The proof, however, is how they perform and improve your game. To find out more visit their website, plus check out their informative videos on SQAIRZ Golf on YouTube.
Golf’s ruling bodies, the USGA and The R&A, are just steps away from dictating that elite players (top amateurs and professionals) must compete with equipment different from recreational golfers. On March 16 the USGA and The R&A sent out a press release covering recent results in the Distance Insight Report. A split, or bifurcation in the Rules of Golf, as they apply to equipment to curb the distance the ball travels, is under Opinion Rules Split Likely and It Creates Questions By Ed Travis active consideration. Elites will play with drivers constructed to restrict distance, while regular golfers will be allowed drivers that can go farther. The latest part of the process has been restricting the allowable length of clubs to 46 inches. The ruling bodies have also put manufacturers on notice of changes to the testing criteria for balls and clubs. Specifically, they are going to investigate the effects of moving the clubhead speed up 5 mph to 125 mph along with new standards for Michigan Golf Journal
the ball launch angle and spin rate. The aim is to test with conditions more closely modeling those elite players are achieving, and the test results could then be applied to the standard for ball initial velocity. The ruling bodies’ premise is, since some players are hitting tee shots farther, older courses are being made obsolete, necessitating additional land and other resources to retain the integrity of the game. Both the facts and their interpretation have been challenged and though dissenters may have been heard, the USGA and The R&A do not seem to be listening. The rules split may benefit recreational players due to the removal of the allowable limit on the amount of rebound, or MOI to a club face. Dropping the present MOI restrictions gives average players the potential to generate more distance without swinging faster. This is being seen as a good thing, although the gain will be minimal. No one will complain of a few extra yards of driving distance. It seems safe to assume the decision has been made to split the Rules of Golf. Although the word bifurcation is unpleasant, it appears the game will be divided into an us-and-them scenario. If that is the case, several important questions remain to be answered. Will weekend warriors be forced to play with restricted lower-performance clubs? No one wants to hit it shorter. How will the level of skill, or elite-ness be measured? How will the classes of players, elite and nonelite, be determined? Will there be the handicap divisions? Will average driving distance determine what clubs a player can use? Type of competition? Will this apply to tour professionals only? What about collegiate, high school, or top junior players? The USGA and The R&A have made several controversial rulings over the past decade, but it appears they will be wading into a minefield of regulation red tape that will discourage golfers, rather than make the game more appealing. Will the restricted equipment rules apply only to males? Women have been hitting the ball farther too, but the USGA and The R&A’s focus seems only to be on men. Women usually play from tees more forward, so female long drivers may be causing a problem, as well. Segregating the Rules of Golf by sex would be a first. That has the ring of a sexual lawsuit to it. Club manufacturers will need to reassess club marketing. Drivers will no longer be “just like the ones played on Tour.” An undeniable charm for golfers is comparing our meager efforts with the stars. If the rollback in distance is 10%, Rory’s 330-yard blast will be reduced to 297-yards, but
done with a club that fans can’t buy, so how can it be promoted? Will Callaway, Acushnet, TaylorMade, Cobra, Ping, and other club manufacturers, who spend millions on player endorsements, allow their business plan to be made obsolete? It will certainly bring into question paying millions of dollars for endorsements, if they can’t sell the new clubs. How does restricting driver performance affect club technology innovation? The quest for improved designs, materials and engineering is both expensive and time consuming. Without a profitable way to connect the “restrictedtech” clubs, used by professionals, with the new “latest and greatest,” allowed for recreational golfers, a whole new marketing strategy must be implemented. What will be done with the golf ball for elites? “Rolling back” the ball may have been a consideration, but discarded to concentrate on drivers. Changes to golf ball performance will be another minefield not easily negotiated. The USGA and The R&A have said little regarding improved player fitness and athleticism, not to mention extensive use of computerized swing analysis and training. Performance gains in this area are almost sure to continue. What happens if elites’ driving distance continues to increase even with restricted equipment? Driving distance is also influenced by course conditions such as firmness of the fairways, which has also not been addressed. Today’s manicured fairways roll like the greens did 20 years ago. Elite golfers train to take advantage of this with drivers dialed-in for the best launch angle and spin rate for the maximum carry distance and roll. Many of the courses, played by the PGA TOUR have generous fairways with little rough reducing any premium on accuracy and giving distance a disproportionate role. How will the professional tours react with this curbing of players performance? The PGA Tour is in the entertainment business and may not want to hurt their product by reducing the thrill and fan interest in long hitting by complying with the USGA and The R&A. We might see certain drivers allowed in regular Tour events but not allowed in the U.S. Open, or THE Open Championship. Wouldn’t that be a mess! The USGA, and The R&A have seemingly set their minds on the idea that the ball goes too far. Trying to avoid a repeat of the square-groove debacle, they have taken a more calculated approach, asking for golfer’s feedback, to give the impression the subject was open to debate. This raises the larger question of the USGA and The R&A relevance to recreational players and our opinion of splitting the Rules of Golf segregated by classes of players, or sex. The USGA and R&A are again venturing into the great unknown and it’s a void labeled, “Does Anybody Care?” Their desire to turnback the clock reflects a prejudice against future progress and innovation. While these changes can be bullied through, we wonder if the cost may be too high for the overall good of the game? Michigan Golf Journal
The bad news for Oakland Hills Country club is that a large portion of their historic 110,000 square foot clubhouse and the priceless golf artifacts housed there were destroyed by a devastating fire in February. It appears that the club is rebounding and the USGA has placed their trust in the club’s ability to rebuild and become even stronger. The USGA announced in late March that Oakland Hills had been selected to host the 2034 and 2051 U.S. Open Championships. It had been announced previously that Oakland Hills Good News For Oakland Hills Golf Club After Devastating Fire Destroyed Historic Clubhouse best, and it will continue to do so for professionals and amateurs alike in the coming years.” Pebble Beach, Pinehurst and Oakmont join Oakland Hills as familiar venues that have been chosen to host multiple USGA Championships over the next several years. In an interview with Back 9 Report TV, USGA President Stu Francis explained their efforts to assure their major championships were hosted by the top courses in the country. Listen to the full interview here: Oakland Hills boasts two classic Donald Ross designs. The South By Fred Altvater would host the 2031 and 2042 U.S. Women’s Opens, plus four amateur championships. The club will host the 2024 U.S. Junior Championship, the 2029 Women’s Amateur, 2038 U.S. Girls’ Championship and the 2047 U.S. Amateur. The USGA has made it clear in the past that they want to bring their championships to a few classic golf venues and these announcements prove it to be true. Oakland Hills Golf Club will host eight USGA Championships over the next 30 years. USGA Chief Championship Officer, John Bodenhamer told assembled media, “We could not be happier to bring six additional championships to such an iconic venue as Oakland Hills. Since its first U.S. Open in 1924, Oakland Hills has provided a supreme test for the game’s very Michigan Golf Journal
Course opened in 1918 with the North Course opening five years later, in 1923. Six U.S. Opens, three PGA Championships, the 2004 Ryder Cup, plus the 2002 and 2016 U.S. Amateur were all held on the iconic South Course. It is one of only five clubs to have hosted a U.S. Open, a U.S. Women’s Open, a U.S. Amateur and a U.S. Women’s Amateur. Golf legends, Walter Hagen was the first Head Professional at Oakland Hills, plus Ben Hogan won the 1951 U.S. Open on the South Course and dubbed it “The Monster.” Members were saddened by the loss of historic artifacts in of two U.S. Opens as well as four top amateur championships is a testament to the fabulous work of everyone at Oakland Hills. With a total of eight USGA championships coming to our club starting in 2024, we can’t wait to add to our storied history. We look forward to continuing our championship golf tradition at Oakland Hills and our longstanding relationship with the USGA.” the clubhouse fire. Everyone expressed the sentiment that the clubhouse could be rebuilt, but the golfing mementos lost to the fire could not. The last big events held at Oakland Hills were the 2008 PGA Championship, won by Padraig Harrington and the 2016 U.S. Amateur, won by Curtis Luck. The South Course recently underwent an extensive renovation by Gil Hanse to keep it relevant for the upcoming major championships. Rick Palmer, Oakland Hills Club President said, “This is a significant and meaningful day for all of us at Oakland Hills. The commitment
Ryan Brehm, from Mt. Pleasant, was a very successful junior golfer. He was named 2003 Michigan High School’s Mr. Golf and continued to find success as a collegiate golfer at Michigan State. He won five individual titles, was named BIG Ten Freshman of the year and helped the Spartans win three BIG Ten championships. Finding success as a professional has taken a little more time. Since turning professional in 2008, Brehm competed on the Canadian and Korn Ferry Tours. He won the Michigan Open three times and won twice on the Korn Ferry Tour. His win at the 2016 WinCo Foods Portland Classic moved him to the fourth spot on the Korn Ferry Tour money list and assured him a PGA TOUR card in 2017. Former MSU Golfer, Ryan Brehm Wins on PGA TOUR Failing to keep his PGA TOUR card Brehm, once again competed on the Korn Ferry Tour and won the 2019 LECOM Health Challenge, which left him in the top 13 on the money list at the end of the season to make it back to the big show. In twenty-one PGA TOUR starts in the 2020-21 season, he made 10 cuts and earned just over $238,000. Finishing the year at No. 185 in FedEx Cup points. Finishing outside the Top 125, he was forced to requalify via the Korn Ferry Tour’s Final Series. Then he contracted COVID and golf was put on the shelf. Coming into the 2022 Puerto Rico Open, with his status once again in jeopardy and playing on a By Fred Altvater Michigan Golf Journal
medical exemption, he needed a win, or runner-up finish to keep his tour card. The win does not allow entry into the Masters but does secure his spot on the PGA TOUR with a two-year exemption and entrance to the second major championship of 2022, the PGA Championship. Brehm was ranked No. 773 on the Official World Golf Ranking and with his wife, Chelsey on the bag, he had a lot on the line in Puerto Rico, but didn’t let that bother him. “Our goal coming into the week was just to improve every day, every shot, every round, every hole. We committed to that and I can say that it worked this wasn’t thinking about the impact of my status or anything this week. I think that’s probably the real lesson here. I have people on my team that will do that for me. Really, I just need to put my head down and hit good golf shot after good golf shot. That’s my job and I’m going to trust people around me to do their job and they can take care of all those details for me.” Playing in The PLAYERS Championship the following week, he missed the cut, but rebounded to finish T-66 at the Valspar. With a solid team, his wife on the bag and a PGA TOUR win on his resume’, we think Ryan Brehm may be someone to watch for the rest of the year. week. I think it took a lot of mental discipline, took a lot of conversing. It was great having Chels up there with me caddying. It was a special week. I don’t know, there was just something special about it from the moment we landed.” Brehm took a three-shot lead into the final round on Sunday and carded a solid 5-under 67 to finish at 20-under par for the win. “I might sound like Bill Belichick or Nick Saban here, but honestly, I
News & Notes ASGCA Promotes Junior Golf Design If your junior golfer has an artistic side, or you would like to introduce your child to golf course design, the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) is encouraging junior golfers to use their imagination to create a golf hole. This is not a contest, but an opportunity for young people to showcase selfexpression in the art of golf design. The submission may be any par, and use any feature, strategy, or hazard imaginable. Submissions may be created in any medium (pencil, markers, crayon or digital). The only requirement is that it fits within the provided borders at the website. LIV Golf Invitational Series Coming to Chicago Greg Norma’s Saudi-Backed LIV Golf Invitational Series will make a stop in Chicago at Rich Harvest Farms. Rich Harvest Farms is an ultra-private course that has hosted big events in the past namely, the Western Amateur, NCAA Championship, Palmer Cup and the 2009 Solheim Cup. The 54-hole tournament is scheduled to be held September 16-18. No mention was made of the connection to Saudi Arabia financial backing of the revised Asian Tour. The event in Chicago will be the fifth event of the series and total prize money for the eight LIV Golf Invitational Series events is set at $255 million. The staff at Rich Harvest Farms said funds from the event will benefit the Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois, the caddies at Rich Harvest, Ukrainian refugees, Northern Illinois University, Aurora University, and the Illinois golf community. Other events on the LIV Golf Invitational Series schedule for 2022 include: • June 9-11: Centurion Golf Club – London • July 1-3: Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club – Portland • July 29-31: Trump National Golf Club Bedminster – New Jersey • Sept 2-4: The International – Boston • Sept 16-18: Rich Harvest Farms – Chicago • Oct 7-9: Stonehill Golf Club – Bangkok • Oct 14-16: Royal Greens Golf Club – Jeddah • Oct 28-30: Team Championship Michigan Golf Journal
Branson Courses Initiate Caddie Programs At Three Courses Beginning this season, caddie service will be available at Big Cedar’s three 18-hole championship courses, Payne’s Valley, Ozarks National and Buffalo Ridge. “We have created a team of caddies including a mix of professional caddies who spend their winters in Florida and Arizona and new local caddies learning the trade,” said Big Cedar Golf spokesman, Matt McQueary. “We’re proud to say that this is a home-grown caddie program, which is rare in the Midwest, and we are honored to be able to offer it to our guests.” With five courses overall, including two short courses, Gary Player’s Mountain Top and the Jack Nicklaus designed, Top of the Rock, Big Cedar continues to make Southwest Missouri one of the world’s most compelling places to enjoy the game. Celebrities Help Raise Funds for Children’s Miracle Network Through Golf Fifty celebrities including, Rob Riggle, Steve Young, Bo Jackson, Roger Clemens and Brett Hull have joined forces with ‘Play Yellow’ to participate in a celebrity golf auction to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Jack and Barbara Nicklaus created ‘Member for a Day’ and ‘Play Yellow’ to unite the golf community to help the 10 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals every year. Inspired by Jack’s family friend Craig, who was diagnosed with childhood cancer, and his lucky color yellow, ‘Play Yellow’ engages golfers in raising critical funds for children’s hospitals. Once-in-a-lifetime rounds of golf with participating celebrities including the following: • Brett Hull at Troubadour Golf Club (College Grove, TN) • Clyde Drexler at Lochinvar Golf Club (Houston, TX) • Eric Dickerson at Wood Ranch Golf Club (Simi Valley, CA) • Gary Sheffield at Grove XXIII (Hobe Sound, FL) • Jack Wagner at Bel Air Country Club (Los Angeles, CA) • Mike Eruzione at Tedesco Country Club (Marblehead, MA) • Rich Beem at Horseshoe Bay (Horseshoe Bay, TX) • Rob Riggle at Sherman Oaks Country Club (Sherman Oaks, CA) • Shane Battier at Riviera Country Club (Coral Gables, FL) • If you are interested to learn more, or would like to join the auction, Click HERE.
Celebrating 50 Years: Disney World Golf Has An Interesting History Too Disney World first opened the gates to the “Magic Kingdom,” October 1, 1971. Family vacations were forever changed. Never, in the history of man, has one mouse created an economic boom that continues to this day in Central Florida. The popular tourist destination has welcomed visitors of all age groups, backgrounds and countries for 50 years. That list also includes golfers, because The Magic Kingdom’s opening day was also the day that its first two golf courses, the Magnolia and the Palm, also opened. Joe Lee designed both, as well as, Oak Trail, a nine-hole track that uses the same pro shop as the two original layouts. Nearby Lake Buena Vista, a third championship course, opened 10 years later. In themidst of the year-long “World’sMostMagical Celebration,’’ the golf division is proclaiming itself “The Happiest Place on Turf.’’ Alex Forsyth, the director of sales and marketing for Walt Disney World Golf, said the 50-year By Len Ziehm Michigan Golf Journal
celebrations will carry all the way through 2022 and even into the start of 2023. He also told us, “A major announcement about future development will be made.” Forsyth wouldn’t go into details, but did admit that, “there are no plans at present to get back on the PGA Tour schedule.’’ The Disney courses hosted PGA TOUR events for 42 consecutive years, from 1971 to 2012. Most were near the end of the season and always drew the top names, as well as, big crowds. When the FedEx Cup Playoffs were incorporated into the PGA TOUR schedule, it created a big climax to each season. The Disney tournament was moved to the fall wrap-around schedule and became an early event in the following year’s season. Forsyth explained, “In thefirst events of anewwrap-around schedule, there were no big names. Without them, there weren’t big crowds and we relinquished our spot on the PGA Tour calendar.’’ Although the glory days of PGA TOUR tournaments held on the Disney Courses are fondly remembered, the resort’s attention shifted to recreational players and Disney World visitors, which proved to be a good thing for all concerned. Golf very much remains a part of the Disney experience, as does its golf history. Arnold Palmer played a huge role in the development of Disney World Golf. Palmer and Disney World arrived in the Orlando area at roughly the same time. In 1971, Arnie was making plans to purchase the Bay Hill Club, although he didn’t fully complete the purchase until 1975. During the interim he met with Sandy Quinn , Disney Resort’s Director of Marketing. Quinn had been assigned the task of bringing a PGA Tour event to the Magnolia and the Palm Courses. Palmer was willing to help get the new tournament off the ground and the Walt Disney World (WDW) Golf Classic was held for the first time in December of 1971.
Jack Nicklaus won the tournament the first three years. The format was switched to a team event for five years, 1974-1978, but reverted back to its original stroke-play format until the final event held in 2012. Tiger Woods won the WDW Classic in 1996 and again in 1999. Other champions included; Larry Nelson, Payne Stewart, Davis Love III, Vijay Singh, David Duval, Lanny Wadkins, Ben Crenshaw and Luke Donald. The Magnolia Course is the longest of the Disney courses at 7,516 yards from the tips. With 97 bunkers and water in play on 11 of the 18 holes, it received the most attention. Back in those early days, the television coverage was normally only available on the weekends, the pros competed on both the Magnolia and the Palm courses on Thursday and Friday, but after the cut on the weekends, only the Magnolia was used. The Lake Buena Vista course was also used for the WDW Classic on 17 occasions. The tournament’s rich history is chronicled at the Champions Pavilion beside the first tee of the Magnolia, which was also used for the Senior PGA Championship. Several more familiar names won that event, as well. Charlie Sifford, Pete Cooper, Julius Boros, Joe Jimenez and Jack Fleck won the Champions Tour event on the Magnolia course. The Lake Buena Vista course was the site for the LPGA’s HealthSouth Classic in 1996 and 1997. It was the first LPGA event to be broadcast live on The Golf Channel, with Karrie Webb and Michelle McGann grabbing the trophies. Palmer’s connection to the Disney Resort continued as his design company renovated the Palm Course, in 2013, which earned “Renovation of the Year” honors. Today Arnold Palmer Golf Management operates the Disney courses under a 20-year agreement signed in 2011. The Disney courses allow families to take a respite from the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom. They can enjoy championship golf on the same courses where the pros have won and never leave the Walt Disney World Resort. Michigan Golf Journal
Dreaming of Golf in Scotland? The World Wide Golf Amateur Championship Can Make It A Reality VS “Winners will be treated to a first-class golf experience both at the National Championship and in Scotland. This will be a dream golf trip that will be remembered for a lifetime.” The four winners at the Team USA National Championship Tournament will fly to Scotland, all expenses paid, to compete on the newest true links golf course, Dumbarnie Golf Links, just outside of St. Andrews. There are only 246 authentic links courses in the world and one of these is Dumbarnie Golf Links that sets hard by the Firth of Forth covering one and a half miles of Scottish coastline. The 2021 Women’s Scottish Open, won by Ryan O’Toole was held at Dumbarnie. The publisher of Links magazine, George Peper said about Dumbarnie, “I have no doubt that Dumbarnie will soon come to stand along with Kingsbarns as the two courses (after the Old) that every serious St. Andrews pilgrim will want to play.” This is an opportunity to test your game against other amateur golfers and take a shot at winning a bucket-list golf trip to Scotland. Get your passport ready and check for a local qualifier near you: https://www.teamusawwagc. com/schedule.html What is the item at the top of every golfer’s bucket list? Perhaps it’s playing a round of golf at St. Andrews in Scotland and taking a picture crossing over the famous Swilcan Bridge. The World Wide Amateur Golf Championship can turn that dream into a reality if you qualify to represent Team USA against Team Scotland at Dumbarnie Golf Links. Players must first qualify for the Team USA National Championship at a local qualifier. The Team USA National Championship will be held in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, August 28-29. The format is 18-hole net stroke-play with one winner each from the four handicap divisions. The Team USA National Championship will consist of 36 holes net stroke play with the first round being held at GlenGarry Golf Club and the second round will be contested at Arnold Palmer’s home course, Latrobe Country Club. Randy Tantlinger organizer for the World Wide Golf Championship told us, Michigan Golf Journal
You Really Need to Visit Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama If you haven’t been to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach lately, you are missing one of the premier vacation destinations in the country. You’ll discover beautiful white sandy beaches, a fantastic collection of affordable golf and the best dining experiences you will ever sink your teeth into. We have made several trips to the Gulf Coast area of Alabama and every time we find something new and exciting about the area. Just driving along the beach is uplifting and one can feel the tension easing out of your body. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are home to 32 miles of white sandy beaches that line the pristine turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. With several premier golf courses added to the mix of other activities, including fishing, boating, kayaking and biking, and you’ll find there’s more to this small beach town than meets the eye. Golf Gulf Shores Country Club was the first golf course in the area and in some ways, it is still the best. This is a golfer friendly course, but with wonderful green surrounds and putting challenges. If you are visiting from the north and escaping cold weather, Gulf Shores Country Club should be the first course on your golf itinerary. It is forgiving off the tee and always a joy to play. Craft Farms has the only two 18-hole Arnold Palmer designed courses in the state of Alabama. When Arnold agreed to build the first course here, he was the catalyst to brining thousands of golfers to Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Learn more about the Craft Family’s important role in bringing golf and tourism to Gulf Shores in the November 2016 issue of Ohio Golf Journal. By Fred Altvater Michigan Golf Journal
(Mou - insert pic #4 of Robert Craft and Arnold Palmer) Both Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend at Craft Farms are challenging to golfers of every level. While searching for birdies, they provide a peaceful, serene example of the natural Southern Alabama landscape. Massive live oaks dripping with Spanish Moss, plus numerous lakes, creeks and native wildlife give the courses a distinctive coastal feel. Kiva Dunes Resort sits near the western-most point of the Fort Morgan peninsula at the entrance to Mobile Bay. An extensive renovation helped keep Kiva Dunes one of the highest rated public golf courses in the state. Water is in play on several holes, but a variety of tee box choices assures everyone can experience an enjoyable round of golf. Kiva Dunes offers more than just great golf. With vacation rentals ranging from coastal homes to fully appointed condos travelers can find something to suit their needs. The Kiva Dunes Beach Club is nestled among the natural sand dunes with full restaurant service and food and drink delivery service.
Kiva Dunes makes the perfect Beach and Golf experience on the Gulf Coast. Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club provides the perfect blend of southern hospitality and championship golf. Golf Digest rated it 4 ½ stars, plus selected it as one of the “most memorable and enjoyable” courses in the southeast. The Peninsula Golf Course was designed by Earl Stone and plays 7,026 from the tips. The 27-hole configuration delivers a playable and enjoyable layout for golfers of all skill levels. In addition to championship golf, Peninsula is a full-service club complete with an array of social activities and events designed for the entire family. The recently remodeled clubhouse features a restaurant and bar offering meals ranging from fine cuisine to the simplest of fare. The club also includes an 8,000 square foot fitness center, eight tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, as well as other amenities. Dining & Entertainment After a full day of fun in the sun at Coastal Alabama there is a variety of entertainment options, plus memorable dining establishments that offer fresh seafood, or tasty Alabama BBQ to satisfy every appetite. One of our favorite stops is The YARD Milk Shake Bar. It was featured on Shark Tank and their over-the-top ice cream creations will leave you dreaming of a return visit. The legendary Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar is nearby in Orange Beach and always offers live entertainment. Every type of accommodation is available in Gulf Shores, or Orange Beach. To plan your next visit to Alabama’s Gulf Coast visit: https://www. gulfshores.com/. Michigan Golf Journal
Golf Tip Just for the Ladies Statistics prove that more women are beginning to play the game than ever before. They decide to take up golf for a variety of reasons. They want to be able to play golf with their husbands, or friends. Maybe they are nearing retirement and are looking for an outdoor activity. They may want their children to learn the game and want to be able to join them on the golf course, as well. Over the years I have had the pleasure of teaching many women to swing a golf club and I have two important tips I would like to share with any woman trying to decide to give it a try. 1. Don’t take yourself too seriously Everyone that swings a golf club was a beginner at some point. Women, as a general rule, are very conscious of their surroundings and who may be watching By Fred Altvater
them. The basics of golf can be taught to anyone, it just takes a little time with a qualified instructor. If you are worried about what another golfer two fairways over, or down the range, is thinking about your golf swing, you won’t be able to improve, or enjoy the game. The absolute truth is that the other guy, or girl is just as worried about what you are thinking about their ability, or lack thereof, to be concerned about what you are doing. Just concentrate on your swing and don’t worry about the other guy. 2. Don’t quit when the going gets tough Golf is not an easy game to learn. Even women, who were athletes in high school, experience difficulty learning the correct swing andmastering the ability toconsistently get the ball airborne. Grip, Stance, Ball Position, Posture and Alignment are the five basic keys to achieving a successful golf swing. I have found over the years, that if a student can focus and master these five simple basics, the game gets much easier. Every golfer alive has topped, sliced, chopped and whiffed shots. I have played the game for well over 50 years and my wife will confirm that I still occasionally top a shot or chunk a chip shot. It Happens. Get over it. The point is, don’t quit at the first sign of adversity. Golf, like life, is about the next shot. You have to forget about the last shot and focus entirely on the next one. Golf is the greatest game ever created by man. It is played outdoors on a beautifully manicured landscape. It provides excellent physical exercise, as well as a fun social experience, when you relax and enjoy it. Playing a round of golf with friends and having lunch at the 19th hole, makes for a perfect day. Don’t be afraid to GET OUT THERE and PLAY GOLF! Michigan Golf Journal
This winter while traveling in Florida we had the opportunity to visit two wonderful private golf communities. If you are thinking about country club living in Southeastern Florida, Gleneagles Country Club, in Delray Beach and Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club, in Stuart, both offer an upscale residential experience with outstanding golf courses, along other amenities. Gleneagles Country Club Gleneagles in Delray Beach, Florida opened in 1984 and was designed to offer residents an exclusive resort experience, but with a “hometown feel.” They succeeded. Legends of golf, Gay Brewer, Billy Casper, Doug Ford, Bob Goalby, Doug Sanders and Sam Snead all called Gleneagles home. Gleneagles boasts two 18-hole championship courses, The Legends and The Victory. The Legends Course opened for play in 2011 and thispar72canbestretchedto7,047yards.Choosing the correct tee is recommended, the course is joy for high handicappers, but will also provide a stiff challenge for single digit players from the back tees. Gleneagles & Harbour Ridge Offer The BEST Residential and Country Club Lifestyle in Florida
The Victory Course was originally designed by Karl Litten in 1985 and renovated by Jeff Myers in 2007. It is a par 71 measuring 6,006 yards from the tips. With 47 bunkers and narrow doglegs, the Victory Course places a premium on accuracy over distance. The Victory Course is a perfect complement to the Legends Course and completes the golf lifestyle at Gleneagles. Outdoor lovers will appreciate the abundance of wildlife. There are over 50 varieties of trees scattered around the property and the rich landscaping adds to the enjoyment of a day on the golf course. We found both courses to be perfectly manicured and the beautiful flower arrangements around the courses made it aesthetically pleasing. In fact, the grounds, buildings and championship courses, the River Ridge and Golden Marsh, for members and their guests. The River Ridge Course was designed by the father/son team of Pete and P.B. Dye and has hosted numerous qualifiers for USGA championships. From the back tees River Ridge boasts a 138 slope and 72.4 rating. It offers a true test for even the best players. Five sets of tees can accommodate all handicap levels. Our advice is to forego your ego and move up a tee. With several carries over marshes and water, it will make your round much more enjoyable. The Golden Marsh Course, originally designed by Joe Lee, was redesigned by Florida’s master golf designer, Bobby Weed in 2018. Swaying palms, and sweeping vistas add to the course’s natural beauty. It offers massive Gleneagles clubhouse were all top shelf. As expected, the staff was very helpful and attentive to every need. Gleneagles also boasts an active tennis center with 20 Har-Tru courts, including a stadium court for tournament action. Ivan Lendl and Steffi Graf lived and trained here in preparation for the grueling professional tennis circuit. Of course, the popular Pickleball and other social activities are available to residents. Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club sits approximately ninety minutes north of Miami. It is far enough south to offer warm breezes and sunny skies, when it is cold in the Midwest. The gated community features two distinctive 18-hole Michigan Golf Journal
a slightly more subtle challenge than the River Ridge course, but still manages to provide a true test for golfers at all handicap levels. The natural lakes and marshes that surround so many of the holes on this course add to the overall enjoyment of your round. Man does not live by golf alone and as their name implies, boating, fishing and water sports are a major activity at Harbour Ridge. The community is situated on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and includes two miles of pristine riverfront with easy access to the Atlantic Ocean. Harbour Ridge features 98 various sizes of slips in its three private marinas. The estuary shoreline is also a haven for anglers, as the river is teeming with redfish, snook, tarpon and trout. Of course, deep sea sportsmen cherish the open ocean and the waters off Stuart are revered as the “Sailfish Capital of the World.” Nearby Stuart and Port St. Lucie both offer entertainment, dining and a variety of sport activities. The New York Mets make Port St. Lucie their winter home and downtown Stuart provides a variety of quaint shopping and dining opportunities. Thinking of Moving to Florida? Every year thousands of northerners make the trek south to find warm weather and great golf. If you are thinking about a second home, or relocating to Florida, either of these two fine residential and golf communities would make the perfect place to call home.
Resort Town Standouts Profile of Willow Market/Primos BBQ The pandemic affected many businesses, those in resort towns especially, so we thought it would be interesting to profile some resort town businesses within Michigan that survived, reinvented, and came out even stronger. This is the first in a series of articles that will highlight those businesses that were able to adapt and thrive, in a new business dynamic, through these uncertain times. In Cadillac, Michigan, we found a standout business, with two names –Willow Market and Primos BBQ. Watch my interview with Jason Towers to When Jason and his partner realized they needed a standalone location, they purchased a building on the west side of Cadillac along, M-115. The business was no longer a side gig. They received a liquor license, parked the food truck outside the building and opened their doors to the public. They became very popular with travelers northbound through Cadillac, as well as, those heading back home downstate. They soon found it necessary to add a second smoker to fill the growing demand. By Pat Altvater hear his success story as well as why his business has two names. Jason and his cousin purchased a food truck and started Primos because of public demand for their BBQ, that they had previously just been making for their families. But the word spread and so the cousins started Primos as a side gig. The business became popular. Michigan Golf Journal
Shortly thereafter, they received an offer to purchase their building, which they happily sold as they were hoping to locate closer to the center of Cadillac. Willow Market, an upscale grocery and beer/ wine store with a seasonal garden shop became available and the cousins knew it was perfect for them. It was nearer downtown Cadillac and provided a steady clientele from the nearby hospital and retail businesses. The partners sold the M-115 location and moved into their new building, just as the COVID lockdown became a reality. Here are several things you can learn from this reinvention story by watching the video: 1. Start your business because the public wants what you’ve got. Jason and his partner started Primos BBQ with a food truck because of public demand for their BBQ. 2. When you realize things aren’t ideal, shift right away. Their market analysis helped streamline the Willow Market business to offer the opportunity to expand the most profitable segments. Local food specialties, craft beers, wines and delicious barbeque became the focus as the business continued to grow. 3. Always be thinking of how to help others and stay relevant when the environment changes. When the Covid lockdown hit, they managed to figure out what the public, as well as their fellow business owners needed so they could stay in business and be open during that time. 4. Continuallyinnovate. In2022theyopened an event venue, “The Greenhouse” in The Willow’s former greenhouse space. On the weekends “The Greenhouse” offers live entertainment, craft beers on tap and has become a popular entertainment option for locals, as well as Up North travelers. Even through difficult times, Primos BBQ, the Willow Market and the new Greenhouse space have thrived. Stop by their location at 916 S. Mitchell St, Cadillac, MI 49601; you won’t be sorry you did.
Our Contributors This Month Pat Altvater Ed Travis Pat Altvater is the owner of AFP Marketing and the publisher of Soar to Success Magazine. Connect with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ pat.altvater/ Ed Travis is a national award winning golf journalist and has had a lifelong love affair with the game. He has competed in tournament golf both as an amateur and as a senior professional and though his competitive days are behind him, he still plays regularly and carries a handicap of 2. Golfscribe@outlook.com Len Ziehm Len Ziehm spent 41 years as a golf columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. He now free lances golf travel pieces and posts for http://lenziehmongolf.com/. Find Len on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ lenziehmongolf/ Michigan Golf Journal
VIDEOS Golf fans were shocked that three-time Masters Champion, Phil Mickelson elected to not play in the 2022 tournament. Back 9 Report wonders about the reasons that could keep Phil away from Augusta National and if he will defend his title at the PGA Championship in May. Golf Equipment Guru, Ed Travis talks about the latest release from the USGA & The R&A about their joint Distance Study, which seems to indicate they will PUSH for separate equipment for Pros & Amateurs. The PGA TOUR’s PIP Just Made the Rich, Richer Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were the beneficiaries of the PGA Tour’s Player Impact Program (PIP). Fred Altvater rants against the program, while Carlos is more understanding and takes the completely opposite route! Why Is Phil Mickelson Not Playing in the Masters? The USGA is Pushing for Bifurcation Watch Now Watch Now Watch Now
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