Michigan golfnews BandonDunes adingnew courses U.S.AmChamp JamesPiot Receives MastersInvite BOYNERaises Over$10K forCharity January2022 GolfShows areback
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow! FRED ALTVATER PUBLISHER Back 9 Media Group Also Publishes: Ohio Golf Journal Indiana Golf Journal Back 9 Report With the calendar turning to 2022 golfers begin to think about golf shows and finding a HOT deal on a new driver that will add an extra five yards off the tee. Golf shows also provide a place for snow bound golfers to visit with their friends, plus chat with golf resorts to book their 2022 buddies’ golf trip. Women have become one of the fastest growing and most important segments of the golf industry. With that in mind, we have added a couple of articles this month just for the ladies. Because of the continued growth of golf across the country, Bandon Dunes has announced plans to build a new par-3 course and another 18-hole championship course. If you are a golfer and have not made it to Bandon Dunes, I would strongly encourage you to make the trip. It is a one-of-akind golfing experience and is truly the ‘way golf was meant to be.’ Branson, Missouri has been known as a ‘Live Entertainment Capital,’ but now with the variety of courses at Big Cedar Lodge, plus other great courses in the Branson area, it is a Golf Mecca. Check out our experience at this great golf venue. BOYNE Resorts is one of the best golf destinations in the world. Did you know that their staff is very involved in the local community and every year works to generate over $100,000 for charity? Read about it inside this issue. Finally, we hope you don’t encounter one of the ten things on a golf course that can ruin your round; just a bit of humor to kick off the new year. Looking out my office window, I see snow and cold. I’m heading south for Palm Trees, Sandy Beaches and Green Golf Courses. Hope I see you on the Back 9. Fred Altvater Publisher Michigan Golf Journal
NOW, THIS IS GOLF Go to BoyneGolf.com or cal l 855-554-0289 BRING YOUR “A” GAME. With 10 magnificent courses, and non-stop flights to TVC from 17 popular destinations, why wait? Lock in your 2022 golf plans today.
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 30 FIND INSIDE 13 20 28 34 Golf Shows Return to Michigan in 2022 Women Are The Focus at PGA Tour Superstore KINONA’s Fall Collection Is Sure To Please Women Golfers Michigan Golf News 06 10 13 16 Zero Friction’s NEW WheelPro Carry Bag & Push Cart Let’s Talk Putting BOYNE Golf Announces New ‘Magnificent 10’ and ‘Super 5’ Vacations Branson is One of FastestGrowing, Most-Compelling Golf Venues in America 10 Ways to Ruin a Good Round of Golf Book Reviews from Len Ziehm 23 26 28 30 20 36 Our Contributors Bandon Dunes Experiencing a Growth Spurt Our Favorite Videos 38 34 39 Michigan Golf Journal
Golf Shows Return to Michigan in 2022 Michigan is home to two of the larger golf shows in the country. The Michigan Golf Show in Novi and the West Michigan Golf Show in Grand Rapids They were both cancelled in 2021 but are returning for the 2022 show season. Michigan Golf Show in Novi The Michigan Golf Show is scheduled for March 4-6 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. It bills itself as the “Largest Consumer Golf Show in the Country.” With nearly every golf manufacturer, retail outlet and golf resort represented, it has something for every golfer. Organizers of the show want to assure golf fans that all safety precautions, as they pertain to COVID, will be implemented. “The safety of everyone attending the show is of the utmost importance to us.” The Michigan Golf Show is always a HOT ticket and golf fans scour the aisles to find the best pricing on equipment, apparel, golf travel and accessories. Michigan Golf Journal
Over 360 golf industry vendors will be on hand to answer questions and explain their products. For more information and tickets visit: https:// www.michigangolfshow.com/. West Michigan Golf Show Except for last year, the West Michigan Golf Show has been held annually for 30 years. The DeVos Place Convention Center, located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan provides nearby parking garages for easy entrance. Annually the West Michigan Golf Show is one of the first shows held in the Midwest. Scheduled this year for February 11-13, thousands of golfers will roam the aisles to book golf travel to the best golf resorts, choose a new club, get golf tips and meet other golfers, intent on finding the best deal on that new driver that will add an additional five yards off the tee. Grand Rapids is an easy drive from anywhere within the state. Find out more and purchase tickets online at: https://showspan.com/WMG/. Toledo Golf Show February 18-20, golfers will be able to view the latest apparel and get great deals on all the equipment they will need for the upcoming season at the Toledo Golf Show. Show Manager Andrew Brown told us, “Even though some merchandisers are having difficulty maintaining inventory, the Toledo Golf Show will have two equipment, apparel and merchandise vendors to offer sweet deals on clubs, balls, apparel and anything a golfer needs.” Terry Desmond, owner of GearUP Sportswear said, “I always look forward to the Toledo Golf Show. We see many old friends and will have a complete line of shirts discounted for our loyal patrons.” More information available at: https:// toledogolfshow.com/.
During the show, PGA Professionals and industry leaders form a dynamic international community to network and test the newest products, programs and ideas to inspire innovation, create solutions, and build business and passion for the game. By discovering all that is new, PGA Professionals and buyers drive more value to their facility, differentiate their shop from competitors and further their career. A demo day, training sessions, and leading industry executives talk about the state of the industry and what golf professionals need to know to help their membership better enjoy the game and courses prosper. With a few large companies choosing to drop out of this year’s PGA Merchandise Show it may be a bit smaller than normal, but just the fact that it is being held is a very good sign for the overall health of golf. Golf has seen a gigantic boom over the past two years. Golfers are buying up nearly every piece of new golf equipment and some online purchases are subject to long delivery times.These golf shows have new, as well as, used equipment in stock and can be taken home that day. Plus, golfers can find discounted pricing for buddies’ golf trips and girl’s golf getaways at major golf resorts. Chicago Golf Show For those that don’t mind driving and are looking for an excuse to visit Chicago, the Chicago Golf Show presented by the Chicago District Golf Association is scheduled for February 25-27 and will be held at the Donald E. Stephans Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. The Chicago Golf Show was the first golf show for consumers, when it was held in 1984. This year marks the 38th year of the show and every attendee can receive a free round of golf, simply by signing in. The show will offer every attendee will: • See and swing the year’s newest golf equipment for free in the Demo area • Receive one free round of golf upon admission • Learn swing and putting tips from Illinois PGA Teaching Professionals • Receive special show offers on gloves, balls, shoes and other golf apparel and equipment • Get discounted rounds for the season at area golf courses as well as plan golf vacations at hundreds of resort destinations Find out more at: https://www.chicagogolfshow. com/. PGA Show Although it is not open to the public, the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando is the largest golf show in the world, with over 40,000 golf industry professionals attending. New products are rolled out to club professionals, golf industry executives and the media. The top golf manufacturers, resellers and club professionals can see, feel and touch the latest golf products that everyone will want for the upcoming season. Michigan Golf Journal
PGA Tour Superstore (PGATSS), the largest golf-specific retailer in the U.S., continues to have record sales while expanding the number of locations, and says clubs, apparel, and accessories specifically for women are an important focus to fuel additional growth. In an exclusive interview with PGATSS CEO and President Dick Sullivan, he described how the company is working to erase the traditional malecentric approach to golf retailing with an ongoing program to create a woman-friendly experience Women Are The Focus at PGA Tour Superstore By Ed Travis in their stores. This initiative is already producing impressive results. To illustrate, Sullivan related that at the grand opening of a new store in Fairfax, Virginia, last August, they saw more women’s apparel being sold than men’s, a complete reversal of the usual pattern. Consumers respond to retailers with a large stock of aggressively priced inventory, plus friendly and knowledgeable salespeople. This of course applies Michigan Golf Journal
to golf, especially when targeting women golfers, many of whom are looking for help purchasing equipment, plus they are demanding functional, yet stylish apparel. Golfers of both sexes are drawn to PGATSS’s size with locations up to 50,000 square feet with multiple hitting bays, computer simulators for lessons or practice, adequate inventory of equipment, shoes, clothing and anything needed to improve enjoyment of the game. As the pandemic changed everyone’s life, golf quickly became the perfect antidote for cabinfever as an outdoor activity, in which the entire family could participate. The number of golfers and number of rounds saw a dramatic rise of roughly 3 million in 2020 and the National Golf Foundation is forecasting the number to be higher in 2021. A major part of this increase was due to women finding the game fun and recent data shows about 40% of new participants on and off course are women. According to Sullivan, “Thirty four percent of the new women golfers are under 18 years of age, and we plan to encourage them with more in-store events, such as clinics. Women’s golf apparel has become a reflection of their lifestyle. Women are shopping for and choosing functional apparel for a more relaxed wardrobe.” In addition to golf, fitness and wellness spending is exploding. Wardrobes are more casual and leisure attire is more acceptable on and off the course. PGATSS is a sponsor of “Get Golf Ready” a series of six one-hour group sessions for novice women golfers. The goal is to make women more comfortable with golf jargon, etiquette, and rules. Participants are taught the basic swing and clubs are provided, if necessary. PGATSS is the official retailer of the nationwide Women’sGolfDay anda sponsor of other programs introducing women to the game. Showing the across-the-board commitment is a slogan the company often uses, “Girls Got Drive.” Additional support is also provided to several other organizations dedicated to bringing more women into the game including “SheWho Golfs,” “Fore the Ladies,” and “Women on Course” Sullivan was candid about the company’s struggle during the pandemic. “All our stores were closed for 54 days during the Covid pandemic, but every vendor was paid on time and not a single employee was furloughed.” Inventory and supply chain concerns were an issue in 2021, leading to some items being in short supply. “Push carts and package club sets for women and juniors, were going out the door as soon as they came in.” At times, extraordinary efforts were called for to meet customer demand. Sullivan told of taking delivery of several thousand wedges without grips to speed up deliver. Making lemonade from lemons, PGATSS due to the lack of a stock grip meant that each wedge’s grip could be customized for the individual golfer.
Speaking of the bounce back from being hit with the problems from closure and inventory supply Sullivan said, “We were able to have a rapid recovery, quick pick up and there was no slow down going into 2021.” Addressing the future of PGATSS Sullivan related, “We did as much business in the first half of 2021 as all of 2019, which was a record year and projections for 2021 have been increased 20 percent.” PGATSS continues to grow, by the start of 2022 there will be 50 stores nationwide with plans to add as many as 10 each year. A National Hiring Day was held in early November to find the new employees required to adequately staff each location. Sullivan closed our interview with, “We are most proud of overcoming traditional barriers in golf retail, while keeping our culture and attitude to be customer friendly.” Michigan Golf Journal
KINONA’s Fall Collection Is Sure To Please Women Golfers By Belinda Theoret In 2017, KINONA, the trendy women’s golf apparel line, was founded by Dianne Celuch and Tami Fujii, a pair of friends, who are now corporate executives-turned-entrepreneurs. Simply put, KINONA golf apparel makes women look good and feel good. When that happens, women tend to have more fun on the golf course. KINONA’s fun, course-tested styles are crafted from Italian fabrics and feature sun protection. The apparel also has subtle features like tee holders and back pockets, which allows ladies to bring a chic, contemporary, and functional fashion to the fairway. When you’re wearing KINONA apparel, you’re part of the wave that is shifting the paradigm in women’s golf apparel. What has always set KINONA apart from other women’s golf apparel companies is the fabric they use. The Italian fabrics used are a combination of ECONYL high-quality regenerated nylon and lycra, which give ladies terrific fit, feel, and performance. Other design innovations -- such as higher waistbands and princess seam lines that accentuate a lady’s shape -- have been built into all of its products. Leg warmers have also become a staple in women’s golf apparel and KINONA’s Sun’s Out Thigh Highs are a great idea because they are multi-purpose. Firstly, these leg warmers have UPF 50+ sun protection that keeps the sun’s harmful rays at bay. Secondly, they’ll keep you warm on those chilly mornings. Unlike full-length leggings, they’re easy to get on and off thanks to the zippers at the bottoms which means you don’t even have to take off your golf shoes. The fact that they look fantastic and are super comfortable thanks to the no-slip grippers at the top of the legs only adds to their value. The Sun’s Out Thigh Highs are available in several colors including navy blue, black, and white. Are you looking for something a little less traditional? The new Tailored Track Golf Pant is sewn from KINONA’s unique new stretch woven fabric, and this trouser-style women’s golf pant is long enough to cover most ankles. The Track Golf
Pant transitions easily from the golf course to a business meeting without you missing a beat. The zipped pockets keep valuables secure and in place. The new tailored look may just make this your new go-to pant. The Tailored Track Golf Pant is available in navy blue, black, black/chartreuse yellow, blueberry blue, and several other colors and prints. Whether you’re looking to keep the sun at bay or just want something a little warmer up top, KINONA’s Keep It Covered Longsleeve Golf Top is a great transitional piece to wear. The fabric is lighter than its other top fabrics and can easily be worn under a jacket or a vest. But just because the fabric is lighter doesn’t mean it lacks function! Like KINONA’s other great tops, the Keep It Covered Longsleeve Golf Top wicks away moisture, keeps you smelling fresh, and is easy to wash-and-wear. The quarter zip neckline is versatile and can be zipped up or worn open. The Keep It Covered Longsleeve Golf Top is available in a wide range of colors including Hidden-in-Site orange, navy blue, white, black, raspberry red, ombre print, and foulard. KINONA’s latest collections also feature apparel that stretches, compresses, and conceals in just the right places to flatter all figures. To see more, visit www.kinonasport.com. Michigan Golf Journal
Golf News Michigan Belvedere Golf Club has seen its share of history, but even more history will be made in 2023 when the classic WilliamWatson design will host the Hickory Grail Matches. The Hickory Grail matches feature a Ryder Cup style format, with 13 of the most passionate hickory players from the United States and Great Britain/Europe competing in an international hickory match. Belvedere members Ross Hays and Jerry Esselman, along with head pro Marty Joy, were all named to this year’s U.S. Grail team and competed in 2021 at the famed St. Andrews Old Course in Scotland. Since 2000, the U.S. team and Great Britain/ Europe have tied 6-6 in retaining the cup in the friendly matches played in the spirit of the game. “With Belvedere’s history and the passion that our club members have for hickory club play, it was a natural fit for us to be selected to host The Grail Cup”, said Joy. “To have been able to participate in this prestigious event at St. Andrews, the home of golf, and now to play host is a dream come true for all of us at the club. We are very proud to welcome this event and fellow hickory players from across the Atlantic to play the game as it was meant to be played.” The Hickory Grail was founded in 2000 by American’s Ralph Livingston III and Michigan’s own, Tom Stewart, both hickory pioneers and experts, along with Scotland’s David Hamilton, one of today’s premier golf historians. The biennial event is conducted under the auspices of The British Golf Collectors Society, with current membership of 700+ members in Great Britain, America and around the world. The tournament is noted for selecting many of the world’s most prestigious historical courses for its venues, St. Andrews, Baltustrol, Kilspindie, Scotland and Falsterbo GK, in Sweden. Belvedere is the only club in the U.S. to have as many as 44 antique hickory club players and hosts Hickory tournaments annually including the Belvedere Hickory Open since 2006, plus in 2019 the club hosted the national U.S. Hickory Open. Competitors dress in period appropriate apparel, including knickers, ties, and jackets. Belvedere Golf Club to Host 2023 Hickory Grail Matches Michigan Golf Journal
Belvedere, with its classic parkland layout designed by William Watson in 1925, has always been the perfect venue for hickory club play. Belvedere, named 2016 Michigan Course of theYear by the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association, has been a respected tournament venue for nearly a century, having hosted the Michigan Amateur 40 times. Beginning in 1963, Belvedere hosted the event for 26 consecutive years. The 41st hosting of the Michigan Amateur at Belvedere will come in 2025, the club’s centennial year. The course has long been a favorite of many golf greats, including legend Walter Hagen, who won the first Great Lakes Open at Belvedere, and five-time British Open winner Tom Watson, who as a youngster honed his game playing summers at Belvedere. He remains a member today and calls the short par-four 16th hole one of the great par fours in America. For information about Belvedere Golf Club visit www.belvederegolfclub.com.
U.S. Amateur Champ James Piot Receives Masters Invite Michigan State University’s James Piot, who just happened to win the U.S. Amateur at Oakmont last summer, officially received his invitation to the Masters Tournament, April 7-10 at Augusta National Golf Club. As an amateur, Piot will be able to stay in the Crow’s Nest, atop the famed Augusta National Clubhouse, practice and play the course in the weeks leading up to the event and even have his meals in the historic dining room. BOYNE PGA professionals celebrate 25th anniversary raising dollars for Manna Food Project serving 320,000 meals and First Tee Northern Michigan impacting area youth through golf For 25 years PGA professionals from BOYNE Golf have raised more than $660,000 through the annual Harbor Cup golf event, benefiting local charities. BOYNE’s Harbor Cup Raises Record-Breaking $110,000+ for Local Charities Michigan Golf Journal
The annual fall event was held at Hidden River Golf and Casting Club. PGA professionals from BOYNE Golf’s properties are pitted against PGA professionals from Petoskey area golf courses in a 54-hole Ryder Cup style format. The 2021 matches saw a record set with a combined $147,000 raised, the most in the history of the event. Team BOYNE professionals set their own new yearly record, raising $110,000 for the charities. The donations are the result of the year-long fundraising effort leading up to and following the event and supported through a partnership with the Harbor Cup Charitable Fund, a component fund of the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation. Many of the donations came from the members of the Country Club of Boyne and Bay Harbor Golf Club, merchandise sales, plus pro-am and scramble events around the area. BOYNE’s SeniorVice-President of Golf Operations, Bernie Friedrich said, “For a quarter century now our BOYNE and Petoskey area PGA professionals have come together to build a long-standing tradition of charitable contributions that have made a significant impact in our Northern Michigan community. It has been very gratifying and an honor to be part of this effort that not only all of the players and team participants make, but also our support from the Country Club of Boyne, and Bay Harbor Golf Club members, area businesses and vendors, as well as homeowners. Without their support, and the support of the Bay Harbor Foundation and the Harbor Cup Charitable Fund, a component fund of the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, this would not be possible.” Team BOYNE included Captain John Myers and Associate Captains Bernie Friedrich, Josh Richter, Joe Charles, and Steve Niezgoda. Players for Team BOYNE included Chaz Babin, Brandon Brown, Brian Jakeway, Scott Pussehl, Corey May, Casey Powers, Dave McWhorter, Jeff Roth, Dave Trudell, Dan Turcott, and Bob Wilson.
Branson is One of Fastest-Growing, MostCompelling Golf Venues in America Branson, Missouri has always been known as one of the Entertainment Capitals of America. Through the efforts of the Branson Chamber of Commerce, along with Bass Pro’s owner and founder, Johnny Morris, this quaint Ozark Mountain area has also become one of the country’s most exciting golf destinations. The natural rolling terrain is perfect for outdoor activities, plus the dramatic landscape provides the perfect canvas for a number of great golf courses. Nearby Table Rock Lake is known as one of the best bass fishing lakes in the country. In addition, the 50 theaters provide live music and entertainment to please any ear. Back 9 Report TV talked with Kirk Elmquist about the growth and variety of activities for golfers and families in the Branson area. Watch our interview here. If you are looking for a golf destination that offers a variety of exceptional golf courses, unforgettable dining, comfortable lodging, as well as, after-golf Fred Altvater Michigan Golf Journal
diversions, Branson ticks all the boxes. Plus, it has something that can’t be found anywhere else, a Tiger Woods designed public golf course, Payne’s Valley. To officially open Payne’s Valley, Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas took on European standouts Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose for The Payne’s Valley Cup last September. Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player were also on hand to christen this TGR Design. Everyone, who knows Johnny Morris Bass Pro Shops Founder, understands that everything will be done to the absolute maximum. All five Big Cedar Lodge golf courses, the Top of the Rock designed by Jack Nicklaus, the Mountain Top, par-three by Gary Player, Ozark National, Tom Fazio’s Buffalo Ridge and Payne’sValley each offer a different golfing experience, and all are immaculate. It’s not only Big Cedar Lodge that makes this destination a must-experience for Golfaholics. Four Branson courses are rated among the top 10 in Missouri – Ozarks National (No. 1), Buffalo Ridge (No. 2),
Big Cedar Lodge Offers a Unique Golfing Experience With opening of Tiger Woods’ Payne’s Valley, Big Cedar Lodge now has three championship courses, two par three courses, plus a challenging 18-hole putting green, designed by Tom Watson, to make your next buddies’ trip, or girls golf getaway a once in a lifetime experience. The Director of Agronomy for Big Cedar Lodge, Tod Bohn told Back 9 Report TV about construction and maintenance of all five courses, plus Assistant Director of Sales and Marketing, Mark McQueary talked about the phenomenal growth of Big Cedar Lodge over the past five years. Watch our interview here. The 250-foot exposed rock ledge cliff that towers over Payne’s Valley’s 18th green, plus the 19th hole island green and cart ride experience, which includes a turn through a cave under a waterfall brings the WOW! to complete the Payne’s Valley experience. Big Cedar Lodge is more than just a golf resort. It also offers, a world class spa, some of the finest bass fishing in the country, boating, a shooting gallery, and hiking trails that will take your breath away. You will not be disappointed, because everything is first class at Big Cedar Lodge. Top of the Rock, Buffalo Ridge and Ozark National have all hosted Champions Tour events and provide a one-of-a-kind golfing experience. Play where the pros play, Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, Missouri. Visit https://bigcedar.com/. Branson Hills (No. 3), and LedgeStone (No. 7). Additionally, Ozarks National and Buffalo Ridge were honored as “Top 100 Courses You Can Play in America,” ranking nos. 64 and 83, respectively. Last year, Phil Mickelson won in his PGA TOUR Champions debut on Ozarks National. The Coore/ Crenshaw design was named “America’s Best New Public Course 2019” by Golf Digest. Chuck Smith designed Branson Hills with help from Bobby Clampett. A 130-foot drop from the tee to the fairway on the very first tee box sets the tone for a wonderful 18-hole experience. General Manager and Head Professional, Dan Davis told Back 9 Report TV about the elevation changes and features of this beautiful property. Watch our interview here. Thousand Hills, a Bob Cupp design, The Pointe, and Holiday Hills complete Branson Golf’s roster of 10 courses, and each has earned appreciation for their playability and value. Get your golf buddies, girls golf getaway group, or family together and plan the best vacation imaginable to Branson. Visit: www. explorebranson.com/golf or www.facebook. com/bransongolf Michigan Golf Journal
Book Reviews from Len Ziehm Even though Michigan has snow and cold during the winter months, golfers still want to immerse themselves in their favorite past time. One can only watch so much golf on television. How about snuggling up by the fireplace with a good golf book? Here are a couple of good ones that I have read recently. As part of my pre-tournament coverage at a PGA TOUR events, I liked to walk at least nine holes in the first two rounds with a player just to get a handle on the course. There was no player I’d enjoyed following more than Bubba Watson. Sure, over most of those years he was one of the PGATour’s top players but that wasn’t why I’d spend time with him. I did it because he was fascinating to watch. His creative shot-making skills were obvious, whether he was playing good or bad. He would try to bend shots right or left, over or around trees or hazards. That was his style. There’s a lot more to Bubba Watson than the shot-making skills witnessed on the golf course. We get a better insight into the two-time Masters Champ in his book, “Up & Down: Victories and Struggles with the Course of Life,’’ written during the pandemic stoppage with the help of Don Jaeger. In our frequent travels we passed through the small town of Bagdad, Florida, many times and found it unusual that a town of less than 4,000 near the Alabama line could spawn three PGA Tour players, Watson, Heath Slocum and Boo Weekley. Bubba still lives there and is active in the Pensacola community in a variety of ways, not the least of which, as a part-ownership of the local minor league baseball team, the Blue Wahoos. Up & Down: Victories and Struggles with the Course of Life
A few things that I found interesting in the book. Bubba’s wife, Angie was a star basketball player, they have two adopted children, plus he struggles playing golf in front of crowds. He candidly reveals these on and off the course issues, his growing religious faith, his battles with anxiety and his ongoing efforts to make himself a better person. In short, the book reveals what makes Bubba tick and I found it most interesting. I heartily recommend reading it. Copies can be found on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3yVWsFi “Best Seat in the House’’ written by, the oldest son of the Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus II, was also a collaboration with Don Yaeger. The book is a son’s loving tribute to a father, who is both famous and exemplary. “Best Seat in the House’’ is much more, however. It’s a guide to good parenting and a portrait of how a functional family operates. Plus, it provides unusual insight into what makes an athlete great. Jack Nicklaus II frequently caddied for his famous father, most notably at the 1986 Masters, that Jack won at age of 46. In my nearly 60 years reporting on a wide variety of sports, it was one of the most dramatic individual victories in sports history. Best Seat in the House Michigan Golf Journal
Play 18. Repeat. Now’s the time to play two award-winning courses to their fullest. Our Pete Dye and Donald Ross Courses have been #1 and #2 on GolfWeek’s “Best You Can Play” in Indiana for 10 years running. Book your round in 2020, and replays are free the same day at The Pete Dye Course (forecaddie fee additional) while same-day Donald Ross replays are $50. Visit frenchlick.com/golf or call (888) 936-9360 to get that road trip rolling. Double Down on Bucket-List Golf Management reserves the right to cancel or modify any event without notice. Must be 21 years or older to enter the casino. Gambling Problem? Call 1.800.9.WITH.IT! Like his father, Jack II is the father of five, president of the golf course design company that his father created, a member of the board of directors of Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, which has generated millions of dollars for children’s healthcare. He is also the chairman of both the Muirfield Village Golf Club, in Columbus and the Memorial Tournament. What’s it like being the son, and namesake, of Jack Nicklaus? Jack II has experienced it and explains in a most touching way. I had a hard time putting the book down and apparently Jack did, too. In the forward, Nicklaus admitted, “I did not realize what the impact some of our experiences together had meant to him. I will treasure these words forever.’’ Reflections on big tournament victories were almost incidental in comparison to the father-son interaction when Jack II was growing up and the period of growth for both after the days of PGA Tour glory were winding down. You’ll find this book well worth reading. Find it at: https://amzn.to/3yR6GGR
For those days when you don’t want to carry your bag, Zero Friction has come up with an innovative idea, the WheelPro Push-Cart and Stand Bag, which can instantly change from a carry bag, with a stand, to a push cart. After having been around golf for a shocking number of years, finding a piece of gear that’s new, unique as well as, useful is rare. Zero Friction’s WheelPro Zero Friction’s NEW WheelPro Carry Bag & Push Cart By Ed Travis Go into any golf shop, or shop online and you will find thousands of golf bags for sale. For a large number of golfers push carts have become standard equipment, whether buying their own, or renting one each time they play. TheWheelPro gives you choices. It lets you carry, or use as your very own push cart, when so desired. Push Cart Bag neatly fills all those requirements. Zero Friction’s Founder and President, John Iacono explains the concept and ease of handling the WheelPro Push Cart in this short video: Michigan Golf Journal
It doubles as a stand bag with pop out legs, to keep the bag upright for easy club retrieval. WheelPro’s 11-inch wheels easily slide into the axle assembly, plus it quickly becomes a push cart. Most push carts are difficult to fold and fit into your trunk after your round. Removal of the WheelPro’s wheels, after your round is easy. A single lever releases them, and they fit nicely into a handy storage bag. The push handle is attached to the top of the bag and can be adjusted to fit any golfer. Another nice touch is a front phone pocket on the WheelPro with a clear window so the phone can be read without removing it from the bag. If you are using a golf cart, for your round, leave the detachable wheels in your trunk. The WheelPro fits an electric or gas golf cart, with the wheels off. The WheelPro is a very new product for Zero Friction and will be coming very soon to their website and golf shops everywhere. New! Direct Flights to Hilton Head Island from LaGuardia and Newark HiltonHeadGolfIsland.com HILTON HEAD ISLAND Plan Your Next Golf Vacation Online Today! S O U T H C A R O L I N A Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III www.SeaPines.com Palmetto Dunes Fazio Course www.PalmettoDunes.com Oyster Reef Golf Club www.HiltonHeadGolf.net Photo provided by The Sea Pines Resort & Rob Tipton - Harbour Town Golf Links - Hole No. 18 Voted the 2020 Best Island in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler No PlaceDoes AGolf Vacation Like The Golf Island Fast Facts Zero Friction WheelPro – Carry stand bag converts to push cart – Single strap – Six full length dividers, with removeable Umbrella holder – Seven zippered pockets: lined valuables, insulated bottle – Phone pocket with clear plastic cover for easy viewing – Three color choices: black/gray, gray/ black, navy/white – Bag head cover – Weight: 10 lbs. – MSRP: $349.99
Let’s Talk Putting very nice year to be sure, but what if he had made just a couple more putts. He played 60 rounds on the PGA Tour in 2021, attempted 181 putts of less than eight feet and made 120. The top ten putters on the PGA Tour made 75% of their putts under eight feet. To reach the top ten in putting, Wallace only needed to make 15 more putts in 60 rounds, that’s one putt in every four rounds. On the PGA Tour one more putt made every day leads to four strokes less for the week and will move a player from a top 25 up to a top 10 finish. A Top 25 finish pays around $100,000, not too bad, but a Top 10 is worth over $250,000. Doing the math, $150,000 divided by four putts equals $37,500 each. That’s why you see tour pros spending so much time on the practice green working on their stroke. By Fred Altvater Before you beat yourself up the next time you miss that six-foot putt to lose a couple of bucks to your golfing buddy, consider this. The average of putts made inside eight feet for all PGA Tour Pros is only 67%. If tour professionals miss three, or four putts for every ten putts longer than five feet, we should feel OK about missing a few, too! In 2021 Xander Schauffele led the PGA Tour with putts made inside eight feet. With 273 putts inside eight feet, he made 220, or 80.6 %. To prove the old adage ‘drive for show and putt for dough,’ Matt Wallace finished No. 125 on the percentage of putts made inside eight feet with just 67.4%. Wallace ended the 2021 season at No. 111 on the FedEx Cup points list and earned $1.37 million, a Michigan Golf Journal
Doing the math, $150,000 divided by four putts equals $37,500 each. That’s why you see tour pros spending so much time on the practice green working on their stroke. How much time do you spend on the putting practice green? When I work with students, I tell them they should spend the same amount of time working on putting and chipping as they do banging balls on the range. One of my favorite drills is the ‘around the world’ drill. Place ten balls three feet around the hole and force yourself to make all ten. It is a bit more difficult than it seems. When Jackie Burke challenged a young Phil Mickelson to make 100 consecutive three-foot putts, it took him six hours. Rest assured, if you make only eight, or nine out of ten, you will drastically improve your putting on the course. Over time, however, golfers should strive to make ten out of ten every time. Once you are comfortable with three-putt putts move out to four feet, then five. Remember as you increase the distance, the percentage of putts made will decease slightly as well. Last year, Chesson Hadley led the PGA Tour by making 66% of putts longer than ten feet. If an average golfer makes 40% or even 50% of putts longer than ten feet, he is considered exceptional with the flat stick. The point here is don’t forget to practice putting. This is only one drill, there are several more, plus great training aids like the Putting Arc to groove the correct stroke and improve your putting.
BOYNE Golf Announces New ‘Magnificent 10’ and ‘Super 5’ Vacations the perfect destination for a buddies’ golf trip, couple’s golf getaway, or simply a golf escape with friends. BOYNE Golf is collectively one of the largest golf and resort attractions in North America, featuring a trio of resorts with 10 golf courses, all within 20 minutes of Petoskey, Michigan. The destinations’ central location in the upper Midwest also makes it easily accessible for golfers from all over the country with direct flights into nearby Traverse City, Michigan (TVC) from 17 different cities. By Fred Altvater For more than 30 years, BOYNE Golf has set the standard for creating some of the best value in golf vacations. BOYNE has re-defined the premier golf travel experience and helped to cement Northern Michigan as “America’s Summer Golf Capital.” Due to the overwhelming popularity of their past ‘stay & play’ packages, BOYNE Golf has announced two new golf vacation packages, Michigan’s Magnificent 10 and Super 5 Vacation for 2022. Both packages provide even more value, a greater golf experience and promote BOYNE as Michigan Golf Journal
Michigan’s Magnificent 10 Vacation The Michigan Magnificent 10 satisfies the golf appetite for all and includes five nights lodging at Boyne Highlands or Boyne Mountain (Sunday check-in/Friday check-out), and UNLIMITED golf on seven of BOYNE Golf’s championship courses including The Alpine, The Monument, Crooked Tree Golf Club, The Moor, Donald Ross Memorial, The Heather, and Arthur Hills courses, as well as two rounds at Bay Harbor Golf Club. The vacation also includes a welcome party, a lesson with the Boyne Golf Academy, a session on TrackMan Range, and a $100 Shopping Card. Package price starts at $1,585 per person for the week. Click here for more details. Super 5 Vacation BOYNE Golf goes back to the future with its original week-long stay and play, harkening back to a time when BOYNE had just five golf courses. The original Super 5 package was the first of its kind that created overwhelming value for golfers through UNLIMITED golf at a resort destination. Today, the popularity has evolved with even more course options to add. This new version includes five nights lodging at Boyne Highlands or Boyne Mountain (Sunday check-in/ Friday check-out), and UNLIMITED golf on five of BOYNE Golf’s championship courses (The Alpine, The Monument, Crooked Tree Golf Club, The Moor, and Donald Ross Memorial). Guests can play The Heather, Arthur Hills, or Bay Harbor Golf Club courses for an additional charge. The vacation also includes a welcome party and a session on TrackMan Range. Package price starts at $1,109 per person for the week. Click here for more details.
BOYNE Unlimited Golf Package For serious golfers who can’t get away for five nights, the Unlimited Golf Package is perfect to pack in the rounds of golf. The package includes lodging at Boyne Highlands, Boyne Mountain, or Crooked Tree (near Bay Harbor) along with UNLIMITED golf on The Moor or Donald Ross Memorial at Boyne Highlands,The Alpine and The Monument at Boyne Mountain, or Crooked Tree Golf Club. Upgrade to a round on The Heather or Arthur Hills courses at Boyne Highlands for just $35 or Bay Harbor Golf Club for $35-$105. Click here for more details. BOYNE Golf is centered amid one of America’s most beautiful vacation spots. The scenic Lake Michigan beach towns of Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, and Petoskey are minutes away, and a side trip toMackinac Island is easily managed. Guests can enjoy award-winning spas, waterfront dining, sandy beaches, watersports, gaming, microbreweries, wineries, hiking, biking, tennis, zip-lining, shopping and more capped by the spectacular northern Michigan sunsets. About BOYNE Golf Boyne Resorts have been recognized among the “Top 100 Resorts” by GOLF Magazine and one of the “Best Resorts in the Americas” by Golf Digest. Michigan Golf Journal
The Inn at Bay Harbor and Bay Harbor Golf Club, Boyne’s flagship properties, feature 45-holes including three golf course combinations designed by Arthur Hills (Links/Quarry, Quarry/Preserve, and Preserve/Links), and the scenic Crooked Tree Golf Club, with one of the most beautiful and iconic hotels in America, all set along a scenic five-mile stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline. Boyne Highlands, has been rated the No. 1 Golf Resort for Value by Golf.com, features 72 holes of premier golf design. The Heather, the 2019 NGCOA Course of the Year, was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., while the Hills Course was crafted by Arthur Hills. In addition, the resort features The Donald Ross Memorial, which is a rendition of the legendary architect’s great holes from around the country, and the always-fun Moor course. The Highlands is the perfect buddy trip destination for golfers who like to play as many holes as they can during the long summer daylight hours northern Michigan features. Boyne Mountain not only features two fun 18hole courses (The Monument and Alpine), along with the charming Mountain Grand Lodge & Spa, it is also the leading family friendly golf destination in the region with the Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark, junior golf camps, and various kid golf programs. Golf Digest named Boyne Mountain one of its “Top-10 Destinations for Family Golf Trips.” Word to the wise, these packages are going fast. If you and your group want to visit BOYNE this year, it would be advisable to make your reservations NOW!
Bandon Dunes Experiencing a Growth Spurt As COVID restrictions eased golfers flocked to Bandon Dunes and the existing five courses have been filled to capacity. Due to the immense popularity, the owner Mike Keiser decided a greater supply of courses were necessary, to satisfy Golfaholics. The last addition to the resort, the Sheep Ranch has been open for less than two years and Keiser recently announced a new course will be added on a separate ocean-side property just south of the town of Bandon, Operations Jeff Simonds talked about the history of Bandon Dunes: The new 18-hole course named, New River Dunes, will be designed by David McLay Kidd and will reside on a separate piece of property south of Bandon. Keiser has been in plus a new par-3 short course will be added to the existing Bandon Dunes Resort. Bandon Dunes already offers golfers five memorable 18hole tracts, Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Old MacDonald, Bandon Trails and the Sheep Ranch. For a little variety there is also the par-3 Bandon Preserve, the Punch Bowl putting course and Shorty’s Practice Range. Back 9 Report visited Bandon Dunes in 2019 and Director of By Fred Altvater Michigan Golf Journal
negotiations with government officials for ten years to get the project started. A new par-3 course will be created by Tom Doak and sit adjacent to the existing Bandon Preserve. Both Doak and Kidd have history at Bandon. McLay Kidd designed the first course at Bandon, Bandon Dunes. Doak is responsible for Pacific Dunes, Old MacDonald and the Punch Bowl. The award-winning team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw designed Bandon Trails, the Sheep Ranch, as well as, the 13-hole par-3 Bandon Preserve. Obtaining the necessary Federal permits before construction can begin makes it impossible to predict an opening date. “The bureaucratic ball is beginning to roll,” said Keiser, “We’ve just begun the process of getting approvals on both of the new courses. You never know whether they will be forthcoming or whether they will demand changes, or who knows what.” Another reason more courses will be needed at Bandon Dunes Resort is that the USGA will hold 13 national championships on Bandon Dunes’ courses through 2045. The resort has already hosted a very successful USGA Four-Ball Championship and the 2020 U.S. Amateur. Mike Keiser has set the standard for how new golf resorts are conceived. He along with his two sons, Mike and Chris are involved in all aspects of the courses. The Keisers also own Sand Valley in Wisconsin, Cabot Cape Breton, in Nova Scotia, as well as, Cabot Saint Lucia, which is currently under construction in the Caribbean.
By Ed Schmidt Jr. I love golf. From dew busting and splitting fairways to rolling in 20 footers, as well as, draining a few frosty brews, after a round. I can’t get enough of the golf experience. There are a few things, however, that can be extremely bothersome and can easily alter my euphoric state, while I’m roaming the fairways. 1. Smug and Unfriendly Pro Shop Attendants How many times have I had to deal with the boorish and bored pro shop counter attendant, who wishes he, not me, was playing. You know the type: The junior golfer phenom with PGA Tour dreams who washed out on the mini-tours and ended up behind the pro shop counter. He doesn’t want to be there, and it usually shows with his indifferent attitude. 2. Grumpy Starters This is typically the perpetually irritated retired guy who reads the rules like some basic training drill instructor. The guy treats you like Ways to Ruin a Good Round of Golf 10 Michigan Golf Journal
a bunch of first graders about to embark on a field trip. Don’t do this, don’t do this, don’t do this…. Many of these guys act like you’ve never been on a golf course. 3. Bad Beverage Cart Service When my game is going down the dumper and the golf gods are against me, I occasionally need a sports drink or some swing oil (beer or a wee nip will do). I’ve had too many rounds where I see the concession cart on the front nine and then they never show up again when I really need some refreshment. I don’t know if it’s a logistics thing, understaffing, laziness or what, but it happens all too frequently. 4. Inconsiderate Course Maintenance Guys You’ve got a great round going and then “mower guy” shows up during your backswing and poof…. there goes your tee ball into the trees. Show some consideration “mower guy” and park up on that nearby hill while I’m swinging. 5. Aerated Greens I love how many courses neglect to tell you about their aerated greens. There’s nothing quite like playing 18 holes of bumpy and goofy putts. Then, they have the gall to charge you full-price for a less than perfect product. 6. Limited Signage Is there anything worse than driving around aimlessly trying to find the next hole on a long and winding course. Hey course designers and owners, if you’re going to put a few city blocks between greens and tees at least give us some easy-toread signage. I’ve been on too many courses where the tiny signs are a joke, and you end up with an unwanted tour of the course. I would rather not end up like Jordan Spieth and play the wrong tees.
7. Getting Stuck Behind a Large Group of Boozing Dubbers We’ve all been there… You get an afternoon tee time behind a group that’s totally focused on their mulligans and “worst dressed golfer” awards. If you don’t have the six hours to play behind one of these groups, I highly suggest you head back to your car, throw your clubs in the trunk, and get the heck out of there. 8. Hackers Hitting From the Tips Is there anything better than watching Harry Hacker go to the back tees on a 490-yard par 4 and dribble his tee shot barely past the forward tees. 9. Bad service, Tip-Happy Cart Attendants These are the guys that run up to your cart after a round and say: “Can I clean your clubs, sir?” They proceed to do a half-ass job and are more interested in the green coming from your pocket than the dirt on your clubs. 10. Worthless Course Rangers This is the guy who rarely does anything to speed up agonizingly slow players. He simply can’t seem to comprehend the concept that a foursome of super slow players is ruining the golf experience for several other foursomes. As I mentioned earlier, I LOVE Golf, but these few unfortunate occurrences can tend to ruin a great day on the course. We hope you avoid these mishaps and maybe we can see you on the Back 9. Michigan Golf Journal
Our Contributors This Month Belinda Theoret Belinda Theoret & her husband, David, The Golfin’ Guy, travel the country to help golfers choose the best golf destination for their next golf getaway. Belinda also has an interest in golf fashion and provides reviews of the latest trends. You can find Belinda on Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/bel inda. theoret Ed Travis Ed Schmidt Jr. 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. https://www.facebook. com/ed.travis.98 An intrepid traveler and storyteller, author of three books and more than 3,400 published articles, columns and blog posts, Ed Schmidt Jr., aka The Golf Travel Guru, is well versed in a variety of topics including, golf lifestyle, luxury travel, wine travel destinations, sports and health. Find him at: http://www. thegolftravelguru.com/ Len Ziehm Len Ziehm spent 41 years as a golf columnist for the Chicago SunTimes. He now free lances golf travel pieces and posts for http:// lenziehmongolf.com/. Find Len on Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/lenziehmongolf/ Soph i s t i cat i on and moder n comfor t come t oge ther at our l andmark four-d i amond re sor t wi th go l f cour s e, 5 i ve St eakhous e, heat ed and covered dr i v i ng range wi th Trackman , and the ar eas l arge s t re t a i l go l f s tore - Car l ’s Go l f l and . For s t ay & p l ay package s , re sor t re s ervat i ons and t ee t ime s ca l l 734-414-0600 or v i s i t the i nnat s t j ohns . com. 44045 Fi ve Mi l e Road Pl ymouth , MI 48170 Michigan Golf Journal
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