Golf is in Full Swing in Michigan FRED ALTVATER PUBLISHER Back 9 Media Group Also Publishes: Ohio Golf Journal Indiana Golf Journal Back 9 Report Golf is going strong in Michigan. The weather has been cooperating to make courses around the state green and lush. The PGA Tour, as well as the LPGA and EPSON Tours will all visit the state in June. The Rocket Mortgage Classic held at Detroit Golf Club has become one of the best events on the PGA Tour every year and generates millions of dollars for charity. This will be the 9th edition of the Meijer LPGA Classic in Grand Rapids. Blythefield Country Club always identifies the best players in the game. Brooke Henderson has won the event twice, Lexi Thompson, Nelly Korda and Jennifer Kupcho have also hoisted trophies in Grand Rapids. The EPSON Tour has two events in Michigan in consecutive weeks. First at Battle Creek and then in the U.P. at the Island Casino Resort. Get some tickets, take your kids and enjoy watching some of the best golfers on the planet right here in Michigan. The collegiate golf season wrapped up in May. Although Michigan colleges did not win any titles, there were a few schools that qualified for the NCAA National Championships. In this issue we take you to Georgia, The Dream & Nightmare, plus Len Ziehm has golf travel notes. We hope you have a great summer of golf in Michigan and maybe we will see you on the Back 9. Michigan Golf Journal
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Michigan Golf Journal is Published By Back 9 Media Group Publisher: Fred Altvater, USGTF Teaching Professional Advertise with Michigan Golf Journal, Contact us for more information Be sure to take advantage of the links to social media, videos and other content provided within the articles 27 FIND INSIDE 10 14 18 28 College Golf RoundUp LIV’s Brooks Koepka’s PGA Win Creates More Controversy Three Pro Tours Visit Michigan in June What Is A Sports Medicine Specialist? The Dream & The Nightmare: Best Kept Secrets In Michigan 06 10 12 22 14 Travel Notes From Len Ziehm Shot Scope Pro L2—What Else Could You Need? 18 26 Our Contributors Magnificent Mountain Golf in Northern Georgia Grapes From Another Mother Need New Wedges? Cobra’s Snakebite Line Might Be In Your Future Our Favorite Videos 34 28 32 27 35 Michigan Golf Journal
Men’s NCAA Division I The college golf season annually wraps up play with the NCAA Championships at the end of May. In the Men’s Division I, none of Michigan’s teams made it out of regional play. Although the MSU Spartans did not qualify for the championship, they were one of the six locations that hosted Men’s Division I Regional action. Eagle Eye Golf Club in Lansing hosted Georgia, Illinois, Oregon, Florida and Texas, who claimed the top five spots and moved on to the NCAA Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. MSU finished seventh out of the 13 teams in the regional, to end their 2023 season. Luke O’Neill, from Kansas State, fired three rounds of 68-69-69 to take medalist honors. Austin OU Golf Club in Norman. Alabama, Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas Tech and Duke were the five teams that advanced. With a total of -14-under par, Ludvig Aberg, from Texas Tech, won medalist honors and Will King, from the University of Kansas, with a -9-under par effort advanced as the low individual score from the Oklahoma Region. The Cliffs at Keowee Falls in Salem, South Carolina hosted the final regional with Georgia Tech, Arkansas, North Carolina, New Mexico and Texas A&M getting the automatic bids. Furman’s Sam Lape fired 15-under for the three rounds to advance as an individual. Florida’s Fred Biondi finished at -7 under par to barely edge out Jackson Buchanan, from Illinois and Ross Steelman, from Georgia Tech, to grab medalist honors for the Individual portion of the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship. Steelman had held the 36-hole lead, but Biondi’s final round 67 moved him to the top of the leaderboard. 2023 Collegiate Golf Season Ends with NCAA Division I Regionals & Championship In the Auburn Regional, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Chattanooga, Ohio State and Colorado State claimed the top five spots and qualified for the National Championship. Drew Salyers was low medalist with scores of 72-68-72 and will play in the National Championship as an individual. Arizona, Stanford, Virginia, San Francisco and East Tennessee State qualified for the National Championship at Bear’s Best Golf Club in Las Vegas, hosted by UNLV. Oklahoma State’s Jonas Baumgartner carded three rounds of 70-68-63 to grab medalist honors. At the Institute Golf Club in Morgan Hill, California, Mississippi State, Brigham Young, Florida State, Baylor and Pepperdine were the five teams to advance to the National Championship. With three rounds of 71-72-69 Riley Lewis of Loyola Marymount was low medalist and will compete in the National Championship as an individual. The University of Oklahoma hosted a regional at the Jimmie Michigan Golf Journal
After the individual competition the top eight teams qualified for match play to decide the NCAA Champion. North Carolina was the top seed with Florida, Illinois, Pepperdine, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Virginia and Arizona State rounding out the top eight teams. The team championship was not final at the time of publishing, but the results can be found at: https:// results.golfstat.com/public/leaderboards/gsnav.cfm?pg=match&tid=2601 Men’s Division II Avalon Lakes Golf Club in Warren, Ohio hosted the Men’s NCAA Division II Championship. Oklahoma Christian took the title by 15 shots over Barry University. Grand Valley State wrapped up their 2023 season with a T-3 finish in the NCAA Division II National Championship. Although they did not place anyone in the top 20, the GVSU had solid efforts from all five players. They were led by Charles Delong and Bryce Wheeler, who both finished at T-25. Drew Coble was T-36, Nick Krueger T-40 and Charlie Cooley T-86. Men’s Division III Hope College, from Holland, Michigan, qualified for the Division III Championship, but did not make the final cut finishing outside the top 18 to enter match play. Women’s NCAA Division II Championship The Women’s NCAA Division II Championship was held at Fox Run Golf Club in Eureka, Missouri. Both Grand Valley State and Wayne State made it out of regionals to the Division II National Championship. The women from GVSU finished 11th, while the Wayne State ladies were 18th. Grand Valley State’s Paula Badino carded three solid rounds to get to -1 under par good enough for a T-4 finish in the Individual portion of the tournament.
Women’s NCAA Division I Stanford’s Rose Zhang repeated as the NCAA Women’s Individual National Champion. She won the NCAA Individual title last year, as well. It was just another addition to the No. 1 ranked amateur’s already bulging trophy case. In April, she became the youngest player to win the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. In her last 35 amateur events she has finished inside the top 10 on 22 occasions and won 15 titles. She is one of the most dominant woman amateurs of all time. Having accomplished every major feat in women’s amateur golf, Zhang announced she will turn professional and compete against the best women golfers in the world on the LPGA Tour. In the team portion of the NCAA Women’s Tournament, Wake Forest took down the women from USC to win the 2023 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf National title. Emilia Migliaccio, Rachel Kuehn and Lauren Walsh won their matches to give the Demon Deacons their first NCAA Women’s Division I Golf championship. In the match play the Demon Deacons downed No. 6 Florida State and No. 7 Texas A&M to reach the national championship match, where they beat USC 3-1-0. Michigan State was the No. 1 seed coming out of the Palm Beach Regional, but their season ended with an 18th place finish at the NCAA Championship in Scottsdale. MSU’s Katie Lu did qualify for the individual portion of the tournament and finished T-41 out of the field of 81 players. Michigan Golf Journal
Last month at the PGA Championship Brooks Koepka added more controversy to professional golf by winning the Wanamaker Cup. It was his third PGA Championship win and fifth major championship victory. Koepka also held the 54-hole lead at the Masters in April eventually finishing runner-up behind Jon Rahm. The PGA win places Koepka in some very exclusive company. Only 11 golfers in history have won more majors than he has. Plus, at the age of 33, he may very well win more. His spot in the World Golf Hall of Fame is secure, but what will his legacy in the game be? LIV’s Brooks Koepka’s PGA Championship Victory Creates More Controversy When faced with a knee injury that prevented him from playing his best, he opted to take the guaranteed money from the upstart Saudi-backed LIV Series. His knee has since healed and he has returned to his world-class level of performance. The win guarantees he will be exempt into the four major championships for the next five years, plus it moves him to No. 13 on the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR), even though he does not earn OWGR points when he competes in LIV events. One of the questions that arose at the PGA Championship, would Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson be invited to be on the U.S. Team for the upcoming Ryder Cup? Johnson and Koepka By Fred Altvater Michigan Golf Journal
are clearly two of the very best players from the United States and would be locks to be on the Ryder Cup team, but their suspensions from the PGA Tour may be a problem. When the Koepka, Johnson, Phil Mickelson and the other PGA Tour players decided to leave the tour for the greener pastures of the LIV, PGA Tour Commissioner, Jay Monahan immediately suspended all of the players that bolted for the LIV. The PGA of America, along with the DP World Tour owns the Ryder Cup and the PGA Tour does not really have a say in who is eligible to be on the teams, however, the PGA Tour does own a substantial piece of the DP World Tour and Monahan sits on the European Tour’s Board of Directors. Could Monahan use his position to block LIV players from being on either the American, or European Teams? Be assured the battle for supremacy in professional golf right now is fierce. Commissioner Monahan and the CEO of the LIV Tour, Greg Norman are not willing to play nice and both sides are at odds with each other. American Team Ryder Cup Captain, Zach Johnson has been put squarely in the middle of this debate and is keeping his options open. He surely would love to have players the caliber of Koepka and Dustin Johnson on his Ryder Cup Team, but that decision will ultimately be made by someone with a higher pay grade. Stay tuned golf fans with legal maneuverings working their way through the courts and players taking to social media to make comments, the LIV versus PGA Tour battle is just warming up.
LPGA June 15-18 Jennifer Kupcho will defend her 2022 title at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give at the Blythefield Golf Club in Grand Rapids. Kupcho had to go overtime last year to get her second LPGA Tour win by defeating both Leona Maguire and Nelly Korda, in three-way playoff. The Meijer Classic once again boasts a top-notch field with many of the game’s top females entered to compete for a piece of the $2.5 million purse. A popular attraction at the tournament is the J. Brewer Pavilion with an all-you-can-eat food experience provided by local restaurants and breweries. General Admission tickets are only $10.00 each and are valid any one day, Thursday through Three Pro Tours Visit Michigan in June Sunday. A weekly is available for $25.00. Kids, ages 17 and under, receive free admission with a ticketed adult. General admission tickets include general grounds access to the tournament, public viewing bleacher seating and various concessions areas located throughout the course. Discovery Land will again return as a destination for kids and families and will be free and open to the public. For more information on the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, visit meijerLPGAclassic.com. The LPGA also returns to Michigan July 19-22, for the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational. For a schedule of events and ticket information visit, https://www.dowglbi.com/. PGA Tour Tony Finau is set to defend his Rocket Mortgage title June 29-July 2 at the Detroit Golf Club. This year the purse has been upped to $8.8 million. Since 2019, the Rocket Mortgage Classic has invested more than $6.8 million into local charitable organizations, including more than $3.8 million through its landmark “Changing the Course” digital inclusion effort. Learn more about this year’s charitable beneficiaries and how we’re working to connect the community. Players already committed to this year’s tournament include, Finau, two-time major Michigan Golf Journal
champion, Collin Morikawa and the ever-popular Rickie Fowler. Learn more about events surrounding the event, plus ticket information at: https://www. rocketmortgageclassic.com/. Epson Tour The EPSON Tour has not one, but two events in the Mitten State in June. Battle Creek Country Club will once again host the EPSON Tour’s Firekeeper’s Casino Hotel Championship, June 9-11. Last year 17-year-old Xiaowen Yin got her first professional win in a playoff over Gina Kim. The EPSON Tour bills itself as “The Road to the LPGA” and features young ladies trying to make their way to the big tour. For times and ticket information visit: https:// firekeeperscasino.com/things-to-do/fkchc. June 23-25 the EPSON Tour heads to the U.P. for the Island Resort Championship on their Sweetgrass course. This will be the 12th edition of the popular golf tournament and features a total purse of $225,000. Last year Taipei’s Ssu-Chia Cheng collected her second professional title at the Island Resort Championship with a total of -17 under par. It was also her second win in Michigan as she won the 2019 Firekeeper’s Casino Hotel Championship. For more information visit: https://islandresortgolf. com/island-resort-championship/.
Two of the best kept secrets in Michigan are The Nightmare and The Dream golf courses near West Branch, owned and operated by the Courtemanche family. The Dream opened for play in 1997 and The Nightmare came six years later in 2003. Both The Dream & The Nightmare: Best Kept Secrets In Michigan By Fred Altvater courses feature wide forgiving fairways with beautifully designed and well maintained greens. In the late 1960’s Art Courtemanche owned a trucking business, but was looking for other business opportunities. While listening to his friends talk about their golf experiences, he Michigan Golf Journal
decided it would be a good idea to build a golf course. North of Bay City, near Pinconning, he found a suitable property. Armed with a bulldozer, front end loader and excavator, Art and his sons, Tom and Dan spent their evenings building and shaping the Green Hills Golf Course, which opened in 1971. Art put his family to work operating the new endeavor and it became successful. As they grew older Tom and Dan dreamed of owning their own course. In 1994 the acreage that is now, The Dream, near West Branch became available and the brothers bought it. The course was a hit with local golfers, plus the prime location along I-75 drew in golfers heading farther north. Their new course was a hit and five years after opening The Dream, they purchased a piece of property near their first course on which they constructed The Nightmare. Be advised, the name, Nightmare has nothing to do with the difficulty of the course. It is simply a play off the name of their sister course, The Dream. Both courses are a joy to play and are always maintained to tournament quality. The courses offer multiple tee options for every skill level. Women and juniors will like the forgiveness and appreciate the rolling terrain with subtle breaks on the greens. From the back tees The Dream can play up to 7,000 yards and The Nightmare maxes out at 7,019 yards. Both will provide a true test for the avid golfer. You will not play any course, that charges double the green fee, in better condition than these two beauties. I have played both courses on numerous occasions and have found them to be in excellent condition on every visit. In addition, the naturally rolling sand hills of the area provide an aesthetically pleasing round for every golfer. For over fifty years the Courtemanche family has persevered in the golf business, plus added a fourth course in nearby Gladwin, owned and
operated by their sister and her husband, Jann and John Schumacher. One note, neither The Nightmare, nor The Dream have a liquor license. These may be the only golf courses, you will ever play, that allows golfers to bring their own adult refreshments to the course. If you have a golf group heading farther north to play at Gaylord, Garland, Forest Dunes, or Boyne, why not add The Nightmare and The Dream to your golf junket? They are two of the best courses you can play, plus they won’t deplete your wallet. Weekday green fees are as low as $60.00, including cart and range balls. With ‘stay & play’ packages available, you might want to consider making The Dream and The Nightmare your final destination. Learn more, or reserve a tee time at: http://www.thedream.golf/. Michigan Golf Journal
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Reynolds Lake Oconee Famed architect Tom Fazio is returning to this beautiful Georgia resort to add nine holes on the existing Bluffs nine on the National Course, which will result in a completely new 18-hole layout. Fazio originally designed the first 18 holes at the National course, which opened in 1997 with two nines, The Ridge and The Bluffs. He returned to add the nine-hole Cove in 2000, to meet the ever-growing demand at Reynolds Lake Oconee. The new nine will be attached to the existing Bluff nine and be built on land that includes a creek, natural boulders and an existing pond. The tract slopes down to a cove of Lake Oconee and includes more than 100 feet of elevation change. It is scheduled to open in late 2024 and will be private, accessible only to Reynolds Lake Oconee members. The membership will have two private 18-hole championship courses, as well as the other 90 holes available for resort guests to play. The demand for new upscale golf courses continues to expand with big name designers currently renovating, or adding new courses to existing resorts, as well as creating completely new golf destinations. Here are a few new projects currently underway. Travel Notes From Len Ziehm By Len Ziehm Michigan Golf Journal
Myrtle Beach The folks at Myrtle Beach in South Carolina are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the World Amateur Handicap Championship. It’s rightly billed as the “World’s Largest’’ tournament and registration has already topped 2,400 for the event that runs, August 28, to September 1. The tourney normally draws about 3,200 competitors with players coming from all 50 states and over 25 countries, but this one could be even bigger. Players are flighted by gender, age and handicap. Over 50 courses will be used during the week of competition as golfers compete for over $100,000 in prizes. Cragun’s Resort The season is just getting underway at this 36-hole facility in Brainerd, Minnesota. The Lehman 18, is a part of a multi-million-dollar renovation supervised by Minnesota native and PGA Tour Champions player Tom Lehman. The Dutch 27 at Cragun’s includes three nine-hole layouts dubbed the Red, White and Blue. They offer a variety of playing options, although the Red course is set to undergo a Lehman renovation and will be closed beginning July 1 and won’t reopen until 2024. Walt Disney World The world-famous Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando currently has four courses operated by the Arnold Palmer Management firm. World Disney World just concluded its 50th anniversary festivities and will begin work towards its centennial with a renovation underway to its Magnolia Course. A Joe Lee design, it’s the longest of the Disney courses and hosted a PGA Tour event for several years. An extensive renovation has limited play to 14 holes, but the course will be at full strength before the year is out. The 14th through 17th holes are being reconfigured and all 18 greens are being enhanced. In keeping with a family theme at Disney, a new putting course was added that is perfect for a family golf day, while visiting the parks.
Rodeo Dunes Be on the lookout for a new project from Michael and Chris Keiser, sons of famed golf course developer, Mike Keiser and owners of Wisconsin’s Sand Valley. They are building a new golf destination in the Denver area with two new 18-hole courses. The tract has additional space for as many as six courses. Knowing the Keiser reputation for success and creating memorable golf resorts, this should be yet another diamond in the growing Keiser golf empire. Pinehurst North Carolina’s Pinehurst Resort is adding a tenth course, and Michigan resident, Tom Doak is designing it. In addition, the Southern Pines Golf Course renovation is progressing and is now open for play. It is a wonderful Donald Ross design and fits nicely with Pine Needles and Mid-Pines to create the perfect Pinehurst golf getaway. Back 9 Report talked with Kelly Miller, who is the CEO of Pine Needles, Mid-Pines and their newest course, Southern Pines. Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=zGkcogNghoQ&t=17s. GrayBull The Dormie network is adding its seventh destination, GrayBull in the sandhills of Nebraska. Construction of the David McLay Kidd creation has started, but the course will not be ready for play until next year. The golf industry continues to grow and the demand for new places to play has never been more prominent. When you are making your travel plans add one of these great destinations to your itinerary. Michigan Golf Journal
What Is A Sports Medicine Specialist? By Henry O. Akinbobuyi Sports medicine specialists are medical professionals who have received specialized training in sports medicine. They are equipped to handle various types of sports-related injuries, from sprains and strains to concussions and fractures. They can identify, treat, and prevent injuries related to physical activity, exercise, and sports. Theywork with professional athletes, amateur sports enthusiasts, as well as active individuals of all ages to help them maintain their physical fitness and avoid injuries. “I tend to use the analogy that we’re like the primary care of orthopedics,” said Blake Averill, MD, sports medicine specialist with Franciscan Health. “We’re not surgeons, but we should be the first person you see for any sports-related injuries or concerns.” Dr. Averill emphasizes that athletes should visit a sports medicine specialist for even the slightest ache, pain, or injury experienced during or immediately after playing a sport to avoid worsening. There are patients with several conditions that sports medicine physicians like Dr. Averill may see, such as teenagers with twisted ankles, middle-aged patients attempting to get physically active, while dealing with hamstring Michigan Golf Journal
issues, or even the elderly playing light sports with sore shoulders. Is A Sports Medicine Specialist Different From A Primary Care Physician? “The majority of sports medicine specialists do complete a residency in family medicine, but then go on to do an additional fellowship in sports medicine,” said Dr. Averill. “Still, it’s not just family medicine, you could go on to do that sports med training if you did a residency in pediatrics, emergency medicine, internal medicine, and physiatry.” Dr. Averill explained that most sports medicine specialists come from different medical backgrounds, but have chosen to get that additional training to focus on musculoskeletal medicine. Who Can Benefit By Seeing A Sports Medicine Specialist? A sports medicine physician offers several benefits for athletes. Their roles in helping prevent and treat sports-related injuries include: • Examining and diagnosing injuries such as sprains, strains, fractures, and concussions. • Developing and supervising rehabilitation programs to help patients recover from injuries. • Monitoring patients’ progress and making any necessary adjustments to their treatment plans. • Advising athletes and other active individuals on ways to prevent future injuries and maintain their physical fitness. • Collaborating with other healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists and trainers, to provide comprehensive medical care. Young Athletes And Parents Children and their parents can also significantly benefit from the help of sports medicine specialists. Some children can be very excited and energetic while competing in their favorite sports. Understandably, immersion in a sport can distract a child from proper form and movement, which can lead to injuries over time. “We see a lot of kids after the fact, so if they have any type of pain or curiosity at all, they can come in and we can do a full assessment in my office where I can look at their dynamics, arches, how
they walk and run, and how their shoulders are moving,” Dr. Averill said. Dr. Averill explained that all the assessment methods used, along with sports medicinetrained physical therapists, can help children avoid injuries and even improve their overall performance by correcting their form and helping them use the correct muscles as a runner or thrower, for example. Injured Athletes and AthletesIn-Training “I think the majority of people we see is going to be after acute injuries like falls, shoulder dislocations, or calf muscle sprains, but I’d like to see people sport they have in mind for preparation. “We can get you connected with dieticians, physician therapists, occupation therapists, and even our athletic training staff,” said Dr. Averill. “I can also talk to our orthopedic surgeons if there’s an issue, so we do a really good job of making sure we bring everyone to the table and give you the best information you can have.” Sports Medicine Specialists diagnose injuries and develop rehab plans to help injured athletes get back into the game. They also provide guidance on injury prevention to help athletes perform at their optimal levels in their chosen sport. more before the fact,” Dr. Averill said. “Still, we do have a good amount of people who will come and see us before they start training.” Dr. Averill mentioned how people may visit him while preparing for extensive running, such as training for a 5K or a half marathon, to receive suggestions for performing at their best while avoiding injuries. “The uniqueness and what I enjoy about sports medicine is how well we collaborate with other people,” said Dr. Averill. Sports medicine specialists can assist patients by referring them to other specialists depending on their injury or the specific Michigan Golf Journal
Shot Scope Pro L2— What Else Could You Need?By Ed Travis Shot Scope, based in Edinburgh, Scotland, has made a great reputation for their golf technology and the latest release, the Pro L2 laser rangefinder, has most all the bells and whistles a golfer needs at a wallet-friendly price. Shot Scope CEO David Hunter says, “Our mission remains to provide the best in performance and accuracy at an affordable price point, and we believe PRO L2 meets that objective.” Shot Scope’s Pro L2 laser rangefinder does all of that and more. It does lack the ability to track game performance on the course, plus it doesn’t use satellites for GPS distances. The Pro L2 does have on/off slope, vibrates when the target is acquired and has the same accuracy as other brands that cost considerably more. Fast Facts Shot Scope Pro L2 Laser Rangefinder Slope adjustment (tournament on/off switch) 6x magnification 700-yard range Target lock vibration Scan mode Adjustable eyepiece Water resistant Case, cleaning cloth, carry clip, cart magnet CR2-3V battery 2-year warranty Blue or Grey accent $149.99 The choice should be obvious. At less than $150.00 retail, Shot Scope is a very attractive range finder choice and is sure to build a loyal following. Michigan Golf Journal
Need New Wedges? Cobra’s Snakebite Line Might Be In Your Future By Ed Travis Three new Cobra Snakebite wedges hit retail stores recently with the groove configuration maximized for spin, adding bite on the greens, plus there is even a new game-improvement model, the Snakebite-X. Cobra had a real hit with the original Snakebit wedges introduced two years ago. At the time they earned kudos for a great name in a club category not known for original monikers. For the latest 2023 models the grooves have been redesigned to provide more spin and the milling is 11% deeper with 40% sharper edges. The big news for this year is the addition to the lineup of regular and One Length models of the Snakebite-X, specifically designed for those needing help with their wedge play. These clubs have a hollow cavity back with a TPU insert. Cobra touts improved feel, plus forgiveness for off-center hits has been ratcheted up a notch. The teardrop design makes hitting shots from a variety of lies and the most difficult turf condition much easier. Fast Facts Cobra Snakebite Wedges Stock grip: Lamkin Crossline $159 Snakebite Three grind options Stock shaft: KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 Stock lofts: 48° to 60° in 2° increments Snakebite One Length Stock shaft: 37.5” KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 Stock lofts: 48° to 60°, except 58° Snakebite-X Hollow cavity back TPU insert Stock lofts: 48°, 52°, 56°, 60° Stock Shaft: KBS MAX 85
Magnificent Mountain Golf in Northern Georgia By Mike May As summer approaches and temperatures near the boiling point in various parts of the country, the mountains of Northern Georgia stay cool all summer, with long lazy days to enjoy golf. The best mountain golf along the Eastern Seaboard is not restricted to North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Georgia is often overlooked and golfers are pleasantly surprised to know that three courses, Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa, Valhalla Golf Club and Sky Valley Country Club are three of the best mountain courses to be found. All three courses are also members of the Georgia Golf Trail. “There isn’t a better golf getaway, especially in the late spring, summer, and early fall, than North Georgia,” said Doug Hollandsworth, Founder, Georgia Golf Trail. “Georgia’s mountain golf courses are terrific.” Nestled in the mountains of North Georgia, Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa is the quintessential mountain golf getaway. Even though Brasstown Valley is located in a mountainous terrain, the golf course was built in a valley. Just a two-hour drive from both Atlanta and Chattanooga, it is easily accessible for golfers in the Southeast. At Brasstown Valley, the mountain air is clearer, cleaner, and crisper, plus the atmosphere is refreshing and re-energizing. The golf course winds its way through wildlife preserves, ponds, and streams, with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. FYI: Brasstown Bald, elevation: 4,784 feet is the highest peak in Georgia and a beautiful sight from the golf course. The Valhalla Golf Club, nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, has been referred to by several golf pundits as “Alpine mountain golf at its finest.” It is truly “affordable golf in priceless Michigan Golf Journal
FYI: An ideal place to spend the night in Helen is at the luxurious Valhalla Resort, which is adjacent to the Valhalla GC. Sky Valley Country Club has an average elevation of 3,500 feet which makes it one of the highest elevation golf courses in Georgia. Sky Valley is surrounded by the Nantahala surroundings.” The most memorable shot at Valhalla is the downhill tee shot on the par-three 15th with a significant 150-foot drop from tee to green. The nearby town of Helen has a strong German theme to its architecture and atmosphere. You will feel an Octoberfestlike celebration every day. National Forest. Several elevated tees add an element of excitement, intrigue, and strategy to the Sky Valley golf experience. FYI: Sky Valley is always well maintained and the tee-togreen course conditions are exemplary. While at Sky Valley don’t miss the opportunity to eat at The Dillard House. The food is homemade and is served “family-style.” It is Southern cooking at its finest, 365 days
a year. Each menu item is a family recipe and from the dining room, you can see the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. FYI: Famous patrons at The Dillard House include former President Jimmy Carter and the late, great country & western singer Waylon Jennings. If your travels to Georgia begin or end in Atlanta, play golf at Stonemont, a par-70 layout, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. It features gently rolling fairways flanked by Georgia pines with many dramatic views of Stone Mountain. Tip to the wise, putts at Stonemont tend to break away from Stone Mountain. FYI: Comfortable accommodations with views of Stone Mountain Lake are available at the Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort. After visiting the Georgia Golf Trail, it won’t be easy leaving Georgia, but it will be easy to plan a return visit. the Stone Mountain Golf Club, just east of Atlanta. Located within Stone Mountain State Park, the golf club features “One Lake, One Mountain, and two Incredible Courses,” Lakemont and Stonemont. Water is present on eight of the first 13 holes on the Lakemont course. It is not heavily bunkered, but its biggest defense mechanisms are the pine tree-lined fairways and Stone Mountain Lake. FYI: Wonderful views of Stone Mountain are present throughout the course. ‘Peaceful’ is the one word to describe the setting at Michigan Golf Journal
We all come from somewhere, even when it comes to lineage and genealogy. The same is true for grapes. Grape breeding is the intentional crosspollination of two different grape varietals, but wasn’t until the 1990’s that DNA fingerprinting of grapevines was fully developed at the University of California at Davis. DNA technology revealed that even some of the world’s classic grapes varietals - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay - have different parents. Cabernet Sauvignon is actually a ‘cross’ between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s interesting that they used the names of both parents! Most parts of the Midwest, including Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, have cold winters and hot, Grapes From Another Mother By Kurt Wieneke Michigan Golf Journal
humid summers. Most of the classic vitis vinifera varietals, such as Cabernet and Chardonnay, cannot grow in these conditions. Frigid winters can kill the vines and humid conditions can lead to disease, pests, or rot. This is why hybrid grapevines such as Chambourcin, Seyval Blanc, and Traminette were invented - to be more adaptable to the cold climate and humidity, so that the vines can produce fruit year after year. Grape breeding has been around a long time. Sometimes you hear about French hybrids, as some people in France were fairly prolific breeders in the late 1800s, developing grapes such as Chambourcin, De Chaunac, and Marechal Foch. Americans have had a big impact in grape breeding, as well. The Traminette grape, prevalent throughout the Midwest, was invented in 1965 at the University of Illinois in Champaign. Elmer Swenson from Wisconsin, is considered the pioneer of Midwest grape growing. His endless tinkering with grape hybrids was instrumental in convincing Midwest farmers to consider other crop options like reliably hardy, disease-resistant, relatively lucrative, and in-demand grapes that would make decent wine. Due to the research and grower’s willingness to experiment with various cross-breeding techniques the wine business in the Midwest has grown and flourished.
Our Contributors This Month Ed Travis Mike May Kurt Wieneke 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 Mike May is a freelance golf travel writer based in Wellington, Florida. As you would expect, he is a “Golfaholic” focused on beating ‘Old Man Par’ each time he steps on a golf course. Contact him at mmaymarketing@gmail.com KurtWieneke, akaWineGuyKurt, a freelance wine writer who grew up in Seymour and is now based in Indianapolis. Kurt, an avid wine taster, enjoys sharing his 30 years of experience in collecting and tasting fine wines. Len Ziehm Len Ziehm spent 41 years as a golf columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. He now free lances golf travel pieces and posts for http://lenziehmongolf.com/. Find Len on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ lenziehmongolf/ Michigan Golf Journal
VIDEOS Back 9 Report visited North Berwick, the fourth oldest course in the world, an Old Tom Morris design. https://youtu.be/gog_1MK0OUo Brooks Koepka’s huge win at the PGA Championship puts him squarely on track to be on the U.S. Ryder Cup Team. Will his association with the LIV Tour keep him off the team? https://youtu.be/xgzocehTNj8 Back 9 Report talked with Beau Welling, one of the designers for Fields Ranch, about the new PGA facility in Frisco, Texas. https://youtu.be/wAeFtfsxunw Playing the 4th Oldest Course in the World, North Berwick Koepka’s PGA Win Creates Ryder Cup Controversy Designer Beau Welling Talks About The PGA’s New Mega Facility Fields Ranch Watch Now Watch Now Watch Now
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