SQAIRZGolfShoes AreaGreat SucesStory ChristmasIdeas forGolfers Tour SedonaGolf Pictorial november202
We HaveMuch to be Thankful For FRED ALTVATER PUBLISHER Back 9 Media Group Also Publishes: Ohio Golf Journal Indiana Golf Journal Back 9 Report I have been hearing nothing but rave reviews from friends that have visited the new SkyBridge at BOYNE Mountain. It opened just in time to catch the height of the color season. At 1,200 feet in the air it provides a panoramic view of the surrounding hillsides that were alive with vibrant reds, yellows and golds. If you are looking for a new adventure, you may want to give it a try. Sunday, October 23rd was one of the most beautiful days on record in northern Michigan. I had the opportunity to play Crystal Downs that day and the old girl did not disappoint. Alister MacKenzie routed a sometimes quirky, but challenging design over and around the sand dunes that split Lake Michigan and Crystal Lake. Driving back to Cadillac after my round, the leaves, although somewhat past their peak, were still ablaze with color and the sunshine made it a very pleasant drive indeed. The Girls High School golf season ended last month, and we have the results for all four divisions in this issue. In early October we visited Sedona, Arizona. If you have never been to that part of the country, please put it near the top of your wish list. The red cliffs and rock formations are simply awe-inspiring, plus as you can see in this issue, there are some very good golfing opportunities in Sedona as well. SQAIRZ golf shoes is one of the fastest growing companies. They have based their success on scientific facts and proven performance. Learn more in our feature article. The golf season is definitely winding down in Michigan and we are looking forward to Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be Thankful for this year. We are Thankful for good health and to be able to play this game we love so much. We are thankful for our advertisers, contributing writers and of course, our readers. We hope you enjoy the November issue of Michigan Golf Journal and have a Wonderful Thanksgiving with your Family. Maybe I will see you on the Back 9 before the turkey is served. 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 26 FIND INSIDE 12 16 22 30 SQAIRZ Golf Shoes Are A Great Success Story SQAIRZ Launches NEW 3:16 Golf Shoe Christmas Ideas for Your Favorite Golfer Michigan Golf News MHSAA Girls Golf Championships PXG Introduces New 0211 Driver & Lower Pricing 06 11 12 16 18 29 Three Must-Play Myrtle Beach Courses News & Notes 26 22 Our Contributors Golf In Sedona Will Take Your Breath Away Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler in Louisiana Wolverine & Spartan Fans Love Whiskers Golf Shoelaces Our Favorite Videos 40 30 36 34 41 Michigan Golf Journal
Why are SQAIRZ Golf Shoes one of the fastest growing companies in the world today? Because their success is based on the latest technology and performance where it counts, on the golf course. SQAIRZ Golf Shoes Are A Great Success Story It has been proven time after time that the biomechanics of the golf swing begins from the ground up. The legs, hips, shoulders and arms are all reliant on a solid foundation created by the feet. With SQAIRZ square-toe design, wider footprint and contact with the ground, they provide a more stable base, which creates better balance for a more rapid turn, thus more club head speed is produced, which relates to more distance. 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 Michigan Golf Journal
with the ground, but also have structure to permit adequate movement for correct weight distribution. Today’s lightweight, flexible, 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 the only connection to the ground is the golf shoe. The founder of SQAIRZ, Robert Winskowicz loves golf and is constantly searching for ways to improve performance on the course. He joined with three highly recognized footwear designers to develop SQAIRZ Golf Shoes to maximize stability and swing speed. 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.” Proven Results Before SQAIRZ were released for sale to the golfing public, months of independent testing versus competitive golf shoes proved that they produced more ground surface area connection than any other golf shoe. This greater ground force reaction, balance and stability, results in more accuracy and distance for every golf shot. Last season, PGA Tour professional Sepp Straka switched to SQAIRZ Golf Shoes and had a career year. Straka had five top ten finishes, including a win at the Honda Classic to go with one runner-up, as well as a third-place finish. He earned a career high $4.7 million and finished the season at No. 7 on the FedEx Cup points list, which earned him another $1.75 million from the FedEx Cup bonus pool. He was quoted after his win at the Honda Classic, “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.”
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 between the feet and heels to create the correct weight shift throughout the golf swing.” Winskowicz stressed the importance of ground contact and maintaining balance and stability throughout the golf swing in an interview with Back 9 Report: Mou – leave a black square for the video. The rage in golf shoes over the past decade has been for softer materials, but that is counterproductive to obtaining the best balance and stability for the feet, which is necessary to create a strong turn through the golf ball. 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. If you are looking for a golf shoe that creates the best balance and stability throughout the Straka’s strong performance has carried over to the 2022-23 fall season. In just two starts, he has made both cuts and finished runnerup at the Sanderson Farms Championship last month. If it works this good for a PGATour pro, shouldn’t you try SQAIRZ Golf Shoes? When six-time major Champion and Hall of Fame member Sir 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 urge their students to wear SQAIRZ shoes. Michigan Golf Journal
entire golf swing, then look no further than SQAIRZ and their scientifically proven approach to golf shoe design.
The fastest growing golf shoe company in the world, SQAIRZ announced the launch of their newest creation the limited-edition 3:16 with portions of the proceeds going to benefit Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to people around the world. They have helped meet the needs of victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine since 1970. Beginning in 1983, Operation Christmas Child has collected and distributed more than 198 million shoebox gifts filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items to children in more than 170 countries. Robert Winskowicz, Founder and CEO of SQAIRZ has been a supporter of Operation Christmas Child for several years. SQAIRZ Launches NEW 3:16 Golf Shoe “I have been active in supporting Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child shoebox program. The very thought of the joy this brings to a child somewhere in the world was my motivation behind designing this shoe and partnering with Samaritan’s Purse. The shoe celebrates the word and message of John 3:16 and symbolizes the act of giving. I hope golfers will join us in providing a moment of happiness to a child somewhere in the world, regardless of their nationality, faith, or ethnicity.” Winskowicz and SQAIRZ’s commitment to helping children across the world is one more example how golfers always dig deep to provide billions of dollars of charitable dollars every year to people in need. Find out how you can purchase a pair of these limited-edition 3:16 SQAIRZ golf shoes HERE.
Christmas is just around the corner and if you have an avid golfer on your list, we have a few ideas for just the right gift. Bushnell PRO X3 Range Finder Buhsnell has long been known for producing the best range finders for golfers. Their latest the PRO X3 will help take your favorite golfer’s game to the next level. The PRO X3 features, slope with adjustable elevation, a dual display, slope-switch technology, visual Pinseeker JOLT, magnetic cart mount and is fully waterproof. Christmas Ideas for Your Favorite Golfer The Pro X3 has taken the world’s best-performing rangefinder to the next level. It has the ability to accurately provide distance even at 600 yards, with 7X magnification, and an enhanced ultrabright backlit display to provide crisp, clear data output in the LCD. Trust me, any golfer would be ecstatic to find this beauty under the Christmas Tree. Learn more at: https://www.bushnellgolf.com/ Sun Mountain Mid-Stripe Golf Bag Just in time for Christmas, Sun Mountain has created the Mid-Stripe Golf Bag along with a collection of matching accessories. This new bag offers a classic look but is loaded with modern conveniences. The built-in handle makes is easy to lift into your trunk, or golf cart. Dual shoulder straps make the bag comfortable for those that like to walk and carry. Other matching items include, an overnight bag, alignment stick cover, towel and tees. The Mid-Stripe Stand Bag is available in a variety of colors, and you can always count Michigan Golf Journal
on Sun Mountain to build high-quality golf equipment. Visit www.sunmountain.com to find out more. Putting Arc Are you tired of listening to your favorite golfer complain about three-putt greens? The Putting Arc has been helping golfers develop a confident and repeatable putting stroke for years. They understand the physics behind the stroke and their training aid will help you become more consistent on the greens. Over the years they have helped hundreds of professional golfers win championships and they can help any golfer putt better and lower their scores. In fact, Grant Waite, Charley Hull and Keegan Bradley all recently won professional titles after honing their putting stroke by using The Putting Arc. Visit their website for more information: https:// theputtingarc.com/. Gear Up Sportswear Every golfer wants to look and feel their best both on the course and off. Gear Up Sportswear has a variety of great styles to fit every size for both men and women. These comfortable shirts are guaranteed to never shrink, fade or wrinkle, plus their unique design keeps golfers cool, calm and collected even when staring down a five-foot putt. Gear Up Sportswear shirts are available in a variety of sizes and their bold patterns keep you
looking sharp while you are struggling to make a double bogey. Find out more and order online at: https:// gearupsportswear.com/. ACE Indoor Golf Simulator If you know someone who eats, sleeps and lives golf, how about an indoor simulator? This is for a Santa with a slightly larger budget, but if you have a game room, or man cave that could use more entertainment, ACE Indoor Golf has the perfect option and system for you. They were born from years of development and the proprietary perimeter-weighting technology delivers performance advantages for every skilllevel. They have found the magic formula to increase Moment of Inertia with lower spin rates, tighter dispersion and better aerodynamic lift that yields a more stable ball flight. All this techno-babble means that OnCore has created a better golf ball for the average golfer. Find out more at: https://www.oncoregolf.com/ Whiskers Golf Shoelaces Does the golfer on your list like to be color coordinated, or is just in need of a bit of They have years of experience and are one of the leading Indoor Golf Simulator companies in the country and can transform any room into an entertainment center for the entire family. With the advancement of technology most indoor simulators can be programmed for other games and activities, in addition to golf. Be the Santa with the Mostest, check out ACE Indoor Golf at: https://www.aceindoorgolf.com/ OnCore Golf Balls OnCore Golf Balls have not been on the market for that long, but they are rapidly becoming the go-to ball for golfers around the world. Michigan Golf Journal
color to his game? Whiskers Golf Shoelaces are the perfect answer to either of those questions. They are designed to hold up under the pressures of the golf swing or walking for over five hours on a wet soggy golf course, plus look good while doing it. Available in a variety of team colors and patterns, Whiskers Shoelaces are made in the USA and will add a little pep to every golfer’s step. Remember, if you feel good, you play good. Learn more, order online at: https://www. whiskerslaces.com/ Golf Lessons A great gift for any current golfer, or someone who may want to learn the game is a series of lessons from a certified teaching professional. Don’t forget your kids. Golf lessons for children can open a window that will give them a lifetime of enjoyment, plus help them gain confidence, while getting away from the electronic devices and getting much needed outdoor exercise. Google search PGA, or USGTF Teaching Professionals in your area code and a host of qualified instructors will instantly pop up to help your golfer improve their game and drastically increase their enjoyment level.
Emerald Golf Club Named 2022 Golf Course of the Year by MGCA Congratulations to The Emerald GC in St. Johns, for being named the 2022 Michigan Golf Course of the Year by GAM Partner and member of the Michigan Golf Alliance, the Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA). The popular mid-Michigan public venue opened in 1996 after the late Michigan Golf Hall of Fame architect Jerry Matthews designed a new 18 holes on the property that included the site of a previous nine-hole private facility, and it has been ranked and regarded among the state’s top courses for public play since. The MCGA Course of the Year award honors a member course that meets four criteria : exceptional quality of the course, exceptional quality of ownership and management, outstanding contribution to its community and significant contribution to the game. Golf News Michigan BOYNE’s SkyBridge Officially Opens On a beautiful October day BOYNE’s latest attraction the SkyBridge opened with autumn’s red, gold and yellow colors providing a glorious background. SkyBridge is modeled after BOYNE’s SkyBridge in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The 1,204-foot Michigan SkyBridge spans the McLouth and Disciples Ridge peaks at BOYNE Mountain hanging 218 feet in the air. This work of art is held in place by two huge timber framed anchors paying respect to the state’s logging heritage. To reach SkyBridge, take one of several chairlifts up the mountain, or hike one of BOYNE Mountain’s trails. Either way, it will be an exhilarating adventure. Michigan’s ‘Second Bridge’ has been receiving rave reviews and allows BOYNE Mountain visitors to take a ‘walk on the wild side’ to experience the beauty of the Mitten State. Michigan Golf Journal
James Piot Finishes LIV Season Former MSU golfer and 2021 U.S. Amateur Champion just completed his first season as a professional on the new LIV Golf Tour. Out of the 60 professionals that competed in the eight events in 2022, Piot finished a respectable 30th on the money list. Only 48 players are invited to participate every week in the no-cut LIV events. Finishing inside the Top 36 at year’s end should allow him exemption into the 2023 LIV Tour’s schedule of tournaments. The first event of the LIV season was held in London, in June. Tournaments were also held in New York, Portland, Boston, Chicago, Bangkok, Jeddah and Miami. The rookie showed consistent performance throughout the year and only finished outside the Top 25 in one event. His season was highlighted by a sixth-place finish in Bangkok. For the year Piot earned nearly $1.7 million, plus was reportedly paid a $1 million signing bonus to join the LIV Tour.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association Girls Golf State Championships were held at four locations last month. In Division 1 the ladies competed at Bedford Valley Golf Club outside of Battle Creek. The top-ranked teams heading into the state championship were 1. Northville, 2. Brighton, 3. Rochester Adams. Both Division 2 and 3 State Championships were held at MSU’s Forest Akers West Course. South MHSAA Girls Golf Championships Lyon, Farmington Hills Mercy and Byron Center were the top three ranked teams in Division 2 heading to the finals. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, Macomb Lutheran North and Grosse Ile were the top three schools for Division 3. Division 4 headed to The Meadows at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids. No. 1 ranked Jackson Lumen Christi, No. 2 Adrian Lenawee Christian and No. 3 Kalamazoo Christian led the field. Results: Division 1 Rochester Adams was the victor in the MHSAA Girls Division 1 State Team Championship. They did it the old-fashioned way by beating four-time state champ, as well as No. 1 ranked Northville, plus No. 2 ranked Brighton. Michigan Golf Journal
The Adams Girls had a commanding 15-shot lead over Brighton and 18-shot lead over Northville after the first round. Adams kept the foot on the gas in the second round and won by a 47-stroke margin over Brighton. Rochester High School finished third and Northville was fourth. Grand Blanc senior, Kate Brody won the MHSAA Girls Championship as a sophomore in 2020 and added a second state championship title to her resume this year. She fired a two-day total of 145 at Bedford Valley to end her high school career before heading to the University of Wisconsin next year. Brody finished one shot ahead of runner-up Elise Fennell from East Kentwood and four better than Grace Wang, from Rochester Adams and Rockwood’s Jessica Jolly, who both tied for third. Division 2 Farmington Hills Mercy Girls Golf Team had won two MHSAA State Championships and had finished runner-up two other times in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s but had not been a factor in the state tournament for the past 20 years. Head Coach Vicky Kowalski acknowledged that today’s girls high school golfers shoot a lot lower scores than back in those days, when Mercy was an annual power in Michigan girls golf. Mercy held a 10-stroke lead after the first round and their two-day total of 684 was 27 shots better than runner-up South Lyon, who had been ranked No. 1 ahead of Mercy and was the defending MHSAA State Champion. In the individual segment of the tournament, junior Macie Elzinga, from Byron Center became the first MHSAA State Champion in her school’s history. She began the final round with a one-shot lead over two-time MHSAA State Champ, from South Lyon, Gabby Tapp. Tapp was seeking her third state title in the last four years, but Elzinga’s final round 76 was good enough to finish five shots ahead of Tapp for the title.
Division 3 Macomb Lutheran North found themselves tied atop the leaderboard in Division 3 with Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood after the first round of play. In the second and final round the Macomb ladies bettered their first-round score by four shots to win by six shots over Bloomfield Hills. Grosse Ile finished third. Grand Rapids South Christian and Grand Rapids Catholic Central rounded out the top five. Lauren Timpf, a junior, fired two rounds of 70-72 to lead Macomb Lutheran North to take Division 3 honors for the second consecutive year. Grosse Ile senior, Lily Bargamian finished runner-up, seven shots back of Timpf. Hannah Robinson, from Charlotte, was third, Grand Rapids Catholic Central sophomore Ava Wisinski and Grand Rapids Christian freshman, Lillian O’Grady tied for fourth. Michigan Golf Journal
This is how the game should be played. Ambitious challenges. Stunning views. An old-school Donald Ross layout, and Pete Dye’s modern gem. It all comes together at the Midwest’s favorite golf destination. frenchlick.com/golf • 888-936-9360 Just the way golf intended. 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 or text INGAMB to 53342! Division 4 Four years ago, Jackson Lumen Christi only had two golfers on their girl’s golf team, but now they are the Division 4 MHSAA Champions. In 2022 the team won six of the nine team events in which they competed and finished runner-up in the other three. They were the top ranked team heading into the MHSAA State Championship and proved their ranking to be well deserved, winning by a total of 23 strokes over second place Adrian Lenawee Christian. In the individual portion of Division 4, Mia Melendez from Ann Arbor Greenhills won the MHSAA state title with a 149 total. One shot back, Logan Bentley of Columbia Central finished second, Grace Slocum of Traverse City St. Francis was third, Mackenzie Goudreau and Natalie Kellogg both from Montague were fourth and fifth respectively. Congratulations to all the competitors in the 2022 MHSAA Girls State Golf Championship.
New BMW’s Available For Guests at Pinehurst Pinehurst Resort, home of the 2024 U.S. Open, announced an exclusive partnership with BMW of North America to provide their guests with complimentary access to the latest BMW vehicles via the “Guest Drive Program.” Guests of the “Cradle of American Golf” will have the opportunity to explore North Carolina’s famed Sandhills region behind the wheel of an “Ultimate Driving Machine.” The “Guest Drive Program” is available to all registered guests with a valid driver’s license from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., every Wednesday through Sunday. A wide selection of BMW’s are available to experience firsthand, plus next year the 2023 program will feature BMW’s all-new fully-electric vehicles – the BMW iX Sports ActivityVehicle and the BMW i4 Gran Coupe. Introducing new electric driving experiences for guests connects with Pinehurst Resort’s sustainability initiatives of the last decade-plus. Several courses, including Nos. 2, 3 and 4, have News & Notes undergone restorations and reimaginations, significantly reducing the amount of irrigable turf and overall water usage. The 43-room Manor Inn was completely renovated in 2019 following LEED® standards, and the venerable Carolina Hotel is undergoing significant upgrades to all guest and conference rooms, hallways, the lobby and Coffee House. For more information, visit www.pinehurst.com. Keegan Bradley Uses The Putting Arc to Win Zozo Championship We all know that since the USGA and The R&A banned anchored putters, Keegan Bradley has struggled to stay on PGA Tour leaderboards. To improve his putting technique and performance, Michigan Golf Journal
he has been using The Putting Arc teaching aide and it worked. His final round two-under par 68, at the Zozo Championship in Japan, was good enough to collect his first win, since the 2018 BMW Championship. As every golfer knows a consistent putting stroke is the difference between good golf scores and great golf scores. Learn how The Putting Arc can help you game at: www.thePuttingArc.com. Sweet Golf Deals From Alabama Looking to escape the winter snow and cold, plus play a few rounds of golf? Well Alabama can help with both of those issues for golfers. With friendly bag boys and beverage cart girls on the courses, plus servers and chefs in the award-winning restaurants, visitors to Alabama are made to feel right at home. Here are three exciting offers to make it easier than ever to book your next golf trip to Alabama. 1. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail The popular Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is offering unlimited golf, including cart and range balls, beginning at $95.00 per person, per day. If you want to stretch your stay for two, or more days that price can drop to $75.00 per day. The offer runs from November 7th through March 12, 2023 and excludes Ross Bridge and Lakewood Club. Click Here For Details 2. Peninsula & Craft Farms Six-Pack Offer In Gulf Shores at the Peninsula Club and Craft Farms, golfers can buy six rounds of discounted golf. Golfers can save as much as $40.00 per round, but don’t delay this ‘Six-Pack- offer is only available until November 15th, plus only a limited quantity are available. Click Here for Details 3. Kiva Dunes Winter Patron Golf Card Kiva Dunes is yet another great golf, beach and vacation destination on the Alabama coastline. Their Winter Patron Golf Card offers rounds beginning as low as $73.00 per round. Kiva Dunes is a Jerry Pate/JimEdgemon design and has been rated Gulf Shores No. 1 Public Golf Course. The card can be used anytime between November 1 and March 14, 2023, but must be purchased before November 15, 2022. Click Here For Details
Plus, Coastal Alabama has so much more than just golf. There are plenty of palm trees, white sandy beaches, a variety of dining options, plus other attractions and entertainment for the entire family. Learn more from Len Ziehm’s report on his recent visit to Gulf Shores in the October issue of Michigan Golf Journal. Pueblo Bonito Wins Travel Awards If you have considered traveling south of the border this winter for sun, fun and golf, consider staying at award-winning Pueblo Bonito Resorts. This year two Pueblo Bonito resorts, Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan Beach Resort and Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Golf & Spa Resort, were recognized for excellence in Conde Nast Traveler’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards. The winning properties were selected by the prestigious publication’s readers in the “Top 20 Resorts in Western Mexico” category. The winning resorts were chosen by reviews from over 240,000 Conde Nast Traveler readers, that shared their recent travel knowledge of the world’s top hotels, and resorts. Pueblo Bonito Mazatlán Beach Resort first opened in 1987 and recently completed a major renovation project. Located along the Zona Dorada, or Golden Zone of Mazatlan, the original Pueblo Bonito hotel set the bar for luxury travel in Mazatlan. The extensive makeover paid homage to the hotel’s Old-World charm, while elevating all elements of the property, including the guest suites and restaurants as well as the lobbies, pools, and façade. The resort’s deluxe all-inclusive plan features meals at a variety of on-site restaurants, from Angelo’s to the reimagined Cilantro’s seafood restaurant. Guests can also access dining outlets at a sister property, Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay Resort & Spa as well as Casa 46, a destination restaurant in a historic home in the heart of colonial Mazatlán. Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Golf & Spa Resort, a family-friendly setting on a coastal bluff high above the beach and sea, welcomes guests to an oasis of lush gardens and stylish accommodations. The beautifully appointed suites at Sunset Beach offer deluxe accommodations and ocean views from every room. The resort’s extensive list of amenities include an award-winning Armonia Spa, The Market at Quivira (a culinary food hall with an enticing array of themed eateries), six swimming pools and a luxury all-inclusive plan. As a bonus, resort guests enjoy exclusive access to Quivira Golf Club, its spectacular Jack Nicklaus-designed course set along sheer cliffs at Land’s End. Back 9 Report visited Pueblo Bonito’s Quivira Resort and filed this video report about our Michigan Golf Journal
trip to paradise: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=xUe0TglzlPE If you want to bring the entire family, there are also plenty of activities to keep kids of all ages busy. The Sunset Beach Kids Clubs organizes arts and crafts projects, board games, pool games and movies. Tweens and teens, ages 12 to 19 can gravitate to the Fun Lab, a lounge and recreation center built for teenagers that offers video games, pool tables, a movie and karaoke theater, plus a soda fountain that serves pizza, nachos and popcorn. The unforgettable sunsets over the ocean can best be viewed at the Sky Pool at Sunset Beach. This two-tiered infinity pool is perched 250 feet above sea level and is one of the best selfie spots in all of Los Cabos. Pueblo Bonito Golf & Spa Resorts is one of Mexico’s premier hotel brands and has been earning travel awards, as well as praise from guests, since 2007. The family-owned hospitality company has attracted a loyal following over the past 30 years and consistently delivers great vacation experiences. For more information on Pueblo Bonito Golf & Spa Resorts, please visit www.pueblobonito.com.
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club With sister course True Blue standing nearby this golf opportunity is unmatched in South Carolina’s Grand Strand area. All the major golf publications have recognized the beauty of Caledonia, to say nothing of the good food served in its clubhouse. It was named Golf Digest’s Best New Course of 1997. The lateMike Strantz designed Caledonia Golf & Fish Club on Pawleys Island. Unfortunately, Strantz, succumbed to cancer at age 50 in 2005, while at the peak of his designing career. He also designed both True Blue, adjacent to Caledonia and Tobacco Road, near Pinehurst, another wellregarded Carolina layout. I find it hard to pick a course better than Caledonia in the Myrtle Beach area, but a survey of club professionals ranked Caledonia second behind the Dunes Club. It had been six years since our last visit to Caledonia and our morning tee time was drenched in bright sunshine. The course seemed even better than we remembered and given all that has happened in the golf world in recent years, we found that a most pleasant surprise. By Len Ziehm Myrtle Beach has been South Carolina’s golf hotbed for many years. We have visited several times over the past 13 years, but our latest visit was a bit different. Our travel writing itinerary called for stops at three courses, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, World Tour Golf Links and the Love Course at Barefoot Resort. Caledonia, a Mike Strantz classic, is one of the most decorated of Myrtle Beach’s nearly 100 courses. At World Tour Golf Links we uncovered a course that we had never heard of, and in the Love Course we got our first good taste of a four-course facility that holds a unique place in golf history. All three have their own story to tell. Michigan Golf Journal
Three Must-Play Myrtle Beach Courses World Tour Golf Links Golf course architect Melvin Graham’s original concept for World Tour Golf Links included three nine–hole loops. The Open 9 included holes inspired by the U.S. and British national open championships. The Championship 9 drew inspiration from courses that have hosted the Masters, U.S. Open, PGA Championship and British Open. The International 9, which no longer exists, included holes from other famous courses. Graham’s project was eight years in the planning stages before it opened as a 27-hole facility in 1999. The 18 holes in operation today come from 14 courses in three countries and nine states. The course allows golfers to get a feel for the famous courses they see on television, but never get a chance to visit in person. Plaques on each hole provide historical anecdotes of events that occurred on the original versions. I actually played six of these holes at the real course, plus have seen many of the others on televised events. Some of the holes might seem a bit of a stretch, compared to the real ones. However, the opportunity to make birdie on the replica of the par-3 sixteenth hole at Augusta National was a thrill that would be hard to duplicate with a birdie on just another course. Augusta National is represented with four holes at World Tour Golf Links. The par-3 16th is No. 7 on the Open 9. On the Championship 9, players can experience the thrill of Augusta’s famed ‘Amen Corner’ as the 4-6 holes replicate holes 11-13. St. Andrews has two holes with Pinehurst No. 2, TPC Sawgrass, Colonial, English Turn, Pine Valley, the National Country Club of Canada, Winged Foot East, Cypress Point, Royal Troon, Olympic Club, Oakmont and Bay Hill all represented with replica holes, as well.
The Love Course at Barefoot Resort The Love Course is the most popularof the four championship courses at Barefoot Resort. The courses were designed by golfing legends, Davis Love III, of an antebellum plantation were placed around the green at Nos. 4 and 6. All four Barefoot courses opened together on the same day, April 13, 2000. Such a feat was never done before and has not been duplicated in American golf. All four courses are immaculately maintained and are popular with golfers visiting Myrtle Beach. Greg Norman, Tom Fazio and Pete Dye. We were only able to play the Love Course and will have to wait to compare it with the other three on successive trips. They were all designed as championship layouts and if they are anything like the Love Course, they will all test your golfing skills. This was Love’s design breakthrough, and he gave it a special touch. Faux ruins Michigan Golf Journal
PXG Introduces New 0211 Driver & Lower Pricing When the 0211 driver was introduced in January of 2021, we questioned PXG’s pricing strategy. The titanium body, carbon fiber crown and replaceable sole weight design, normally priced at $375.00 was discounted to $245.00. Did this mark a new and interesting trend for PXG? Were they forsaking the ultra-priced end of the market to sell greater volume to golfers not willing to pay $500.00, or more for a single club? The answer is now clear. PXG has lowered their pricing on their entire line. The 2022 version of the 0211 driver is now being offered at the rock bottom price of $219.00. Even the top of the line 0311 Gen5 driver originally listed for $499.0 has been dropped by $150.00 to $349.00. The newest 0211 version lacks the carbon fiber crown and the sole weights but retains the adjustable hosel with a Ti412 titanium variable By Ed Travis thickness face and Ti811 titanium body including crown. PXG says compared to the old version the 0211 creates 1.7 mph more ball speed, thus adding 4.9 yards of carry. A part of this gain can be attributed to the lower spin of the new version, which tested below 2,600 rpm, almost 150 rpm less than the previous model. PXG founder and CEO Bob Parsons was quoted, “With these sticks you get far more than you pay for! These golf clubs represent a well-researched design that strips away all distractions while employing top-quality materials and advanced technologies to help make the game easier and more enjoyable for golfers across the board.” The answer is clear, PXG has made a conscious effort to reach more golfers, by lowering the pricing on their high-quality golf clubs. Now every golfer can try the mystique of the PXG brand for themselves.
Golf In Sedona Will Take Your Breath Away Sedona, Arizona is one of the most majestic areas we have ever had the pleasure of visiting. We love the area and continue to return year after year. In addition to the awe-inspiring views, great hiking and various dining opportunities, we have experienced golf at three of the area’s courses. Sedona Golf Resort and Oak Creek Country Club are both public facilities. Seven Canyons is a private course surrounded by an upscale residential community near Boynton Canyon. All three courses are a joy to play, but it is difficult to focus on your golf game with jaw-dropping vistas at every turn. By Fred Altvater Michigan Golf Journal
Sedona Golf Resort sits a few miles south of Sedona proper, in the Village of Oak Creek. The 18-hole championship course winds its way over two miles back into a gorgeous canyon before turning back to the clubhouse for another nine holes of vista filled golf. Hilton Vacation Club can provide several options for accommodations. The Ridge at Sedona Golf Club has various condo-style rooms and is easily located for travel about the area, plus the views aren’t too bad either.
Oak Creek Country Club also sits just outside of the town of Sedona near Bell Rock. Oak Creek Country Club is a public play facility that is known for its hospitality. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. it features five tee options to accommodate every skill level golfer. Ask you traverse the course, don’t forget to look around and appreciate the beauty that surrounds you on all sides. Michigan Golf Journal
Seven Canyons is a private golf club including a residential community offering various housing options from villas, fractional housing, custom-built homes and condominiums. It sits at the base of huge red cliffs and the course winds through the verdant valley. The course and community are in perfect harmony with the natural environment and the spirit of Sedona. It is a one-of-a-kind oasis retreat where golf, social activities, and a luxury residential community are elevated to provide you with a relaxed atmosphere of distinction.
If you bleed Michigan Blue and MSU Green, Whiskers Laces are for you. Whiskers is America’s foremost designer and manufacturer of men’s and women’s premium shoelaces. Laces represent an accessory that adds just the right amount of color pop and patterns to wardrobes. Whiskers golf-specific shoelaces come super close to maize and blue as well as Spartan green and white. Talk about a new, fun way to celebrate your school and teams while spending four-plus hours on a golf course. Wolverine & Spartan Fans Love Whiskers Golf Shoelaces By Rich Katz “Wolverine and Spartan fans are among our best customers,” says Kyle Groth, Co-Founder and CEO of Whiskers. “From members at famous courses in the Detroit area to golfers in Northern Michigan, they’re saluting their schools on their golf shoes and collecting dozens of other Whiskers colors and patterns.” Groth, an entrepreneur in the spirits business, literally stepped into (pun intended) the laces business as a fluke. Four years ago, while readying for a wedding, he snapped a shoelace. The only replacement he could find was the cheap, inferior variety carried in a local drugstore. Michigan Golf Journal
He saw an open lane to create a business that “upscaled” the lace offering. He studied the category with a proxy to the growing popularity of premium-made, colorful socks. Teaming with Mike Gossett, a veteran product creator for Nike and Crocs was the next step and, voila, Whiskers was born. While the company is big in dress and casual shoes, sneakers and boots categories, its push in golf is masterful. Anchored by a “do as the pros do” theme, Whiskers boasts more than 100 PGA and LPGA Tour players and caddies noticeably wearing its laces. This includes major winners and perennial Ryder Cup and President’s Cup stars weaving Whiskers into their FootJoy, adidas, Nike and ECCO kicks. Whiskers laces are also darling gifts for golfers in tournaments and outings in Ohio and nationally. No one expects laces when they open their swag bags. Lacing up takes approximately three minutes and the resulting splash of flash injects personality to even the dullest of footwear. Match lace color with your shirt and perhaps Milan runways are in your future. Unlike buying the latest-and-greatest driver with technology likely rendered antiquated six months post-purchase, Whiskers laces are built to last and come in 70 colors and patterns. They’re affordable, too, at $15 for one pair and $45 and $60 for three- and five-packs, respectively. Check it out at: www.whiskerslaces.com.
Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler in Louisiana By Jim Grosjean Michigan Golf Journal
Winter is just around the corner here in the north, but that doesn’t mean you and your golf clubs must hibernate for the next five months. A trip to Louisiana could be just the cure for your cold weather blahs! As the Cajuns say in Louisiana, “Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler.” (Let the Good Times Roll!) Golf enjoys a year-long season in Louisiana, but the prime time starts in October and runs through May, exactly right for northern visitors. Every trip to Louisiana should begin in New Orleans, known for its superior dining and music. The Golf Club at Audubon Park will get your golf trip off to a great start. Don’t be fooled though, at only 4,220 yards from the tips, it is an extremely challenging track. The historic course opened in 1898, but there are live oak trees much older lining the fairways throughout the course. Denis Griffiths redesigned the course in 2001,
adding Bermuda grass to the fairways and TifEagle on the greens, which are quite fast. Expect more than a few three-putts. Visitors to New Orleans should also make the 15-mile trip to play the TPC of Louisiana, home of the PGA Tour Zurich Classic. Pete Dye supplied a visually stunning and rewarding course full of pitfalls and rewards. Six tees range from 5,121 yards to a robust 7,425 providing every level of golfer a fighting chance to score well. Beware you must avoid more than 100 bunkers and numerous lakes that await to attract your golf ball. A few miles to the north lies Baton Rouge and the Santa Maria Golf Course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. The Baton Rouge Recreation Department does an excellent job maintaining the live oaks and fifteen lakes with an ever-watchful eye towards conservation. Just west of New Orleans, near Morgan City, we found the Atchafalaya at Idlewild Golf Course. Spanish moss hangs from the trees, while gators lurk around in the ponds. Cypress knees are used as 150-yard markers and once again, we experienced fast greens, that are common in southern Louisiana. Slightly further west along the Audubon Golf Trail is Farm d’Allie Golf Club near Lafayette. Water is visible on fifteen holes and there are enough bunkers to keep things interesting. Architect Jeff Blume designed a course that’s playable, yet fun for all golfers. Michigan Golf Journal
With casinos at both The Golden Nugget and the L’Auberge hotels, Lake Charles is a must-visit destination for golfers, who like to visit the casino after their round. Both hotels provide Las Vegas quality accommodations, plus the Country Club at the Golden Nugget and Contraband Bayou at the L’Auberge Resort both offer championship quality golf experiences. We also recommend Mallard Golf Club at Lake Charles, which is an anomaly in Louisiana, due to the fact that it does not have any trees! It relies on its length and raised greens to supply the challenge. For more information on Lake Charles, check out the May 2022 issue of Michigan Golf Journal. While golf may be foremost in your mind, Louisiana has so much more to offer. Do you like to combine your golf with fishing? Would you care to try a Louisiana delicacy like beignets or boudins? How about a visit to a craft brewery or a craft distillery? Try your hand at a game of chance? Does pure American music touch your soul? Everything you need to plan the golf trip of your life can be found at www.louisianagolftrails.com. Enjoy your stay in Louisiana, “Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler.”
Our Contributors This Month Ed Travis Jim Grosjean 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 Jim Grosjean is a former Buckeye, an avid golfer, who plays to a 7 handicap, and now resides in Tucson. He retired from his day job, that spanned over 50 years, as a professional musician in Nashville. During that time, he performed with Frank Sinatra, Garth Brooks, Itzhak Perlman, Bruce Springsteen and hundreds more familiar names. You can find out more at: https://www. facebook.com/jim.grosjean 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: ht tps : //www. facebook.com/ lenziehmongolf/ Michigan Golf Journal
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