Merry Christmas Golfaholics! FRED ALTVATER PUBLISHER Back 9 Media Group Also Publishes: Ohio Golf Journal Indiana Golf Journal Back 9 Report Yeah, I know it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but in trying to keep up with retailers, we are helping our readers get an early jump on their holiday shopping. If you have golfers on your Christmas list, you won’t want to miss our golf gift guide. The LIV wrapped up their 2023 season with the team championship at Trump Doral in Miami last month. Bryson DeChambeau’s Team, The Crushers, comprised of Charles Howell III, Paul Casey and Anirban Lahiri won the title and shared a $14 million payday. For those of you mathematically challenged that is $3.5 million each. By comparison Jon Rahm earned $3.24 million for winning the 2023 Masters. It appears that we should consider the LIV Team Championship on par with the Masters. We also wonder if the Official World Golf Ranking’s latest ruling disallowing world ranking points for the rival LIV Series, will lead to the top names eventually leaving that tour and look to regain membership on the PGA, or DP World Tours? Tiger Woods’ and Rory McIlroy’s TGL arena golf concept is getting closer to actual competition and have convinced several top-name players to join in the fun. See Ed Schmidt Jr.’s article about ‘5 Things You Need to Know About the TGL.’ Len Ziehm writes about the USGA’s big move to Pinehurst. Back 9 Report wonders if Ryder Cup participants should be paid, plus we have GAM tournament results from last month. As we near the end of 2023, we hope you get in a few last rounds, plus we hope we see you on the Back 9. Michigan Golf Journal
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 06 14 16 36 Christmas Ideas For Your Favorite Golfer Ray Hearn Designs Golf Courses For Every Player Italian Ryder Cup Sets Records & Pros Still NOT Paid Next At Pinehurst: USGA Golf House & World Golf Hall of Fame St. John’s Resort Undergoes Massive Redesign 5 Things You Need To Know About Tiger Woods’ TGL Michigan Golf News 06 11 16 27 14 24 20 You Gotta Have This: Sun Mountain’s NEW Tour Series+ Rainwear News & Notes From Around The Golf World 22 30 Our Favorite Videos Our Contributors DP Tour Opens Doors To PGA Tour Members Proper Nutrition To Improve Athletic Performance 41 40 33 36 Michigan Golf Journal
Volvik Golf Balls The most colorful ball in golf makes the ideal gift for any golfer on your Christmas list. Volvik has over 40 years’ experience in golf ball production. Their innovations have led the industry in the production of 3- and 4-piece multi-layer high performance golf balls for players of every skill set. They created the world’s first matte finished golf ball and they continue to expand their product line with their newest Vivid XT Soft ball. Volvik golf balls have been in use on the world’s professional tours since 2012. Just in time for Christmas, purchase two dozen Vivid XT Soft golf balls and receive a free leather belt. (Offer expires 12-10-2023) Help your favorite golfer stand out in the crowd and play with colorful Volvik golf balls. Find out more at: https://volvik.com/ Golf Training Aids Does your favorite golfer constantly complain about his, or her game? Do they need a little help? GolfTrainingAids.com has the widest and most complete compilation of training aids to help every golfer lower their score. Two of their most popular products are The Connector and The Putting Arc. Dan Frost created The Connector, a uniquely designed foam ball device with axis rods running through it to help golfers maintain connection between their arms and torso to improve alignment at impact. The result, better ball striking and more compression of the golf ball at impact. Immediate feedback is produced on the amount of rotation required for a variety of golf skills, from putting to driver swings. The Connector helps golfers establish proper arm position at address and trains the body and arms Michigan Golf Journal
to work in harmony to make the swing motion more efficient. Used by more than 1,500 playing professionals, the Putting Arc MS-3D allows golfers to have a balanced stroke, so golfers learn and constantly monitor eye and shoulder position, as well as head stability. Benefits include developing a consistent stance, head, eye, and body alignment with square putter face at initial alignment and through impact. Golfers also learn to putt on a proper path with effective putter toe release in their strokes. The Putting Arc is available in four models: the allpurpose, indoor-outdoor MSIII, the MS3D which has a mirror for feedback on eye and shoulder position, the T4, for outdoor use and the smaller T3 designed for easy packing and travel. Find the perfect gift for the golfer in your life at GolfTrainingAids.com and ThePuttingArc.com. Square Launcher Xccelerator Makes Golf Simple Again The Square Launcher Xccelerator helps reduce unruly swing thoughts to create a repeatable swing that produces a square club face and makes the game easier. By helping to imitate a natural underhand tossing motion the Square Launcher Xccelerator provides one easy repeatable motion to more consistently produce solid contact and better golf shots. The inventors of the Square Launcher Xccelerator tested over 60 different methods of golf improvement aids, but found this to be the best solution. Improve your practice sessions and build muscle memory using the Square Launcher Xccelerator to create more consistency in your game. To learn more watch this short video, https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc-UEks7HXE and visit their website: https://squarelaunchergolf. com/. Gear Up Sportswear If your favorite golfer could use a little upgrade in his oncourse wardrobe, Gear Up Sportswear has a variety of golf shirts that will make him, or her
look like a pro. Gear Up Sportswear shirts will never wrinkle, shrink or fade, even after hundreds of washings. Their proprietary blend of fabrics keep golfers cool and looking good on the course, or off. Your favorite golfer will love them, they are the most durable, comfortable and affordable shirts you can buy. Available in men’s and women’s styles. Order today at: https://gearupsportswear.com/ Ace Indoor Golf Simulators SQAIRZ Golf Shoes SQAIRZ Golf Shoes have taken the golf world by storm. A blend of research and modern technology SQAIRZ Golf Shoes provide a stable foundation to help produce a balanced golf swing. Nick Faldo believes in them and Sepp Straka wins with them, on the PGA Tour. Every golfer will be happy to find a new pair of SQAIRZ Golf shoes in their stocking this Christmas. Find out more at: https://sqairz.com/ Zoom Broom Are you troubled with leaves that are between your golf ball and the hole on cool autumn days? One of the newer products on the market, the Zoom Broom has the answer. Its lightweight design fits easily in your golf bag and is permitted for use by the USGA. The slim handle makes it easy to use and it weighs less than two pounds, even with the battery installed. How about an in-home golf simulator for the golfers in your life. Ace Indoor Golf has been customizing simulators to fit every situation. Want something simple in the garage, or more formal for the man cave, Ace Indoor has the experience to bring golf into your home for the whole family to enjoy. If your guy is a DIY’er, Ace Indoor Golf has the individual components to build your own simulator at a price every Santa can afford. Visit their website: https://aceindoorgolf.com/ Michigan Golf Journal
The Zoom Broom also does double duty as it can quickly clear the deck, or patio when you are ready to entertain guests. Find out the full Zoom Broom story at: https:// zoombrooms.com/ GolfForever Training System GolfForever is the first golf-specific home training program to embrace the approach of home exercise equipment paired with streaming video instruction. GolfForever customizes each golfer’s exercise routines specifically for them, based on a proprietary strength and flexibility test. It is safe and highly effective for any golfer. Tour. The new SpyneTM Technology and MultiZone Texturing are strategically placed in highsensory areas to optimize control, responsiveness, and confidence for every skill-level golfer. For a premium gift at an affordable price, consider personalized grips featuring Marvel characters, or favorite NFL, MLB, NHL and NCAA teams. Visit https://superstrokeusa.com/ for discounted pricing. Honma’s Expertly Crafted Clubs Bring Elegance to Any Golf Bag Honma’s BERES LADY GO clubs are designed to inspire confidence with an easy-to-swing design that gives golfers the confidence they need to swing freely every time. This 10-piece game-improvement set, for women, includes a driver, 5-wood, 25- and 28-degree utility clubs, irons (7-SW), a chipper and putter. This makes the perfect Christmas gift and also includes a matching bag, headcover, tote bag and shoes case, all in a Tiffany blue color. Honma’s BERES Nx irons, for both Men and Women, are designed to generate high ball flight and added distance. The wide sole eases turf interaction, but also works in concert with a Scottie Scheffler trains with GolfForever and it helped him become the top-ranked player in the world. Between Black Friday and December 25th, save $100 on the combination of the GolfForever Swing Trainer and the GolfForever App subscription, plus receive FREE shipping. Find it at: GolfForever.com. SuperStroke’s Zenergy Customized Putter Grips Make the Perfect Gift SuperStroke’s Zenergy line of golf grips are featured on many of the pros putters on the PGA
hollowed-out lower body with tungsten weighting near the toe. An ultra-thin clubface results in a high MOI, more impact repulsion, and a low-anddeep Center of Gravity for higher straighter shots Honma’s Beres Nx Irons will help your golfer lower scores and look good doing it. Order today at: https://us.honmagolf.com/ the ball. Kavooa Pro can easily be adjusted to stabilize a golfer’s head and hips during the swing, which helps produce consistent impact. It also includes a phone clip holder, allowing for golfers to easily video their swing for analysis. Kavooa Pro weighs just 3.5 pounds and can easily collapse and stowed in the side pocket of most golf bags. It can be used on the course, at the range, or in a backyard. During the holiday season, type in the code Holiday20 and receive 20 percent off your purchase. Offer is good through December 15 at KavooaGolf. com. Kavooa Pro Helps Stabilize Head and Hips Kavooa Pro swing trainer helps golfers quickly improve and develop consistent contact with Michigan Golf Journal
Ray Hearn Designs Golf Courses For Every Player Michigan-native Ray Hearn is becoming one of the most popular golf designers in the country. His philosophy includes assuring courses are enjoyable for every handicap and skill-level. Watching the Masters as a nine-year old, Ray told his father that he wanted to design golf courses. In high school, he had not changed his mind and sought out advice from both Pete Dye and Robert Trent Jones Sr. Jones and Dye, both Hall of Fame golf course designers told him the same thing, “Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty, work on the maintenance crew at a course and learn the business from the ground up.” By Fred Altvater
After receiving degrees from Michigan State, Hearn was offered a six-year teaching position in Europe. He taught turf management and design in Scotland, Ireland and England, which allowed him to study the great masters up close and personal. When he returned to America, he worked for Jerry Matthews and gained additional knowledge from Pete Dye, Michael Hurzdan and others. He has worked on over 150 courses around the world and received the “Award of Excellence” on five occasions from the American Society of Golf Course Architects. He recently completed a new design at St. John’s Resort in Northville, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. Working closely with ownership, he turned three older nine-hole tracks into a wonderful championship 18-hole course, The Cardinal and added a seven-hole short course, stateof-the-art driving range and putting course. Ray has been working closely with BOYNE Resort in developing a Master Plan and renovating all the courses at the popular Northern Michigan Resort. A new short course is set to open next year near the Highlands’ Lodge and will courses more sustainable. See the full interview HERE. offer BOYNE visitors one more golfing option. An extensive renovation was completed to BOYNE’s Moor Course which vastly improved the green surrounds and grass lines. Hearn used modern technology and GPS mapping to update several of the holes on the Donald Ross Memorial Course, to more accurately resemble the original Ross design. Back 9 Report talked with Ray Hearn about his recent endeavors and ideas to make Michigan Golf Journal
St. John’s Resort Undergoes Massive Redesign By Fred Altvater Michigan Golf Journal
If you visited St. John’s Resort in Northville, a suburb of Detroit, in the past you will not recognize it after its latest redesign by Ray Hearn. Founded in 1949, St. John’s was previously a Catholic Seminary under the direction of the Archdiocese of Detroit until 1988. The property was restored to use in 1994 as a Center for Youth & Family. In 1998 it was redeveloped as a conference center for corporate events, weddings and other celebrations. A hotel, The Inn at St. John’s opened in 2006. The Inn at St. John’s is now one of the finest boutique hotels in the state and prides itself offering the best culinary experience and upscale accommodations. Its impeccable service and distinctive ambiance combined with the golf course and excellent dining opportunities make it one of the most desirable lodging options in the Metro Detroit area. The Pulte Family Foundation purchased the property in 2021 and has undertaken a massive renovation to the historic site. One hundred percent of the profits generated by the Inn and golf operations are returned to the foundation and used to serve disadvantaged youth, as well as persons with emotional and mental disabilities in the Metro Detroit area. Hearn did a masterful job turning three outdated nine-hole courses into one 18-hole championship course, a seven-hole short course, state-of-the-art driving range and putting course. Michigan’s largest golf retailer, Carl’s GolfLand maintains a large golf shop, training center and heated Trackman driving range on the property. Hearn’s new course, dubbed The Cardinal, incorporates the slightly rolling topography to create a championship quality routing that will challenge every golfer. Over 1,000 trees were eliminated to open up sight lines and provide alternative routings for the new course and the new par three. Not one hole resembles another on the course and the total collection of 18 holes makes this one of the very best new courses in the state. It is a must play for golfers. Hearn used his knowledge of classic Scottish designs to create a one-of-a-kind golfing experience on the short course. The Cardinal course, along with the adjoining Inn at St. John’s, has been so well received that it may soon host a professional tournament. To learn more, or to make a reservation at the Inn at St. John’s and The Cardinal Golf Course click HERE.
Italian Ryder Cup Sets Records & Pros Still NOT Paid By Fred Altvater The results are in and they are conclusive, sportsmen and women around the world enjoy watching Europe and the United States do battle in the Ryder Cup. The 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy set new records across the board attracting unprecedented levels of engagement across social media, as well as global broadcasts. A total of 271,191 people from 100 different countries attended the 44th Ryder Cup in person Michigan Golf Journal
at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, with millions more following the action on their televisions and other digital platforms. Internet posts about the Ryder Cup led to more than 600 million impressions and pageviews on their website. Furthermore, early figures show views of Ryder Cup official social media channels amounted to 197.6 million, with a total of 26.7 million interactions, contributing to the channels gaining 500,000 new followers. On Ryder Cup Europe’s platforms alone, impressions numbered over 347 billion, a 117 per cent increase over the 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris. Data also show notable increases across global broadcasts, with a rise in average viewership on Sky Sports in the UK of 38 per compared to the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits and 25 per cent up on the 2018 edition at Le Golf National, making it the most watched Ryder Cup on Sky Sports on record. Guy Kinnings, Executive Director of the Ryder Cup, said, “The 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy once again underlined the global appeal and continued growth of one of the world’s leading sporting events. This year’s contest, played against the backdrop of the historic city of Rome, truly connected with fans around the world, and our early figures show significant increases in engagement even from the recent recordbreaking editions. The Ryder Cup is undoubtedly a unique and special event in sport. These extraordinary numbers certainly are testament to that and to the wonderful entertainment the European and US team provided on the course, as well as the unforgettable scenes of Luke Donald and his players celebrating a memorable victory at Marco Simone. Luke was a magnificent captain and those scenes really captured what it means to play for something bigger than yourself, which is something that
inspired Luke and his players throughout his Captaincy.” All this success suggests that maybe the professionals should be paid some of the billions of dollars that are generated from the biennial Ryder Cup Matches. Back 9 Report wondered if it is time to pay Ryder Cup participants. The full segment can be viewed HERE. Put Patrick Cantlay pic here There have been rumblings before about participation by American golf professionals. In 1999, David Duval threatened to abstain from Ryder Cup participation and a last-minute compromise was made to donate $200,000 to every players particular charity, a tradition that is still carried on today. Current pros do not seem to be impressed with the PGA’s charitable largesse, or lack thereof. In Rome, Patrick Cantlay even went so far as to refuse to wear a hat with the Ryder Cup logo on it as a not-so-quiet protest against not receiving cash remuneration for being on the U.S. Team. Evidently his concern about money created turmoil among U.S. Team members and helped aid Team Europe to defeat the Americans 16.5-11.5 in Rome. The Ryder Cup, like so many former ideas, has grown into something greater than was ever envisioned by the PGA and the European Tours. It is one of the most highly anticipated and watched sporting events in the world. In the past the DP World Tour needed the funds generated from the Ryder Cup every two years just to keep their tour afloat. Today with all the billions of dollars floating around the golf world, that may not be the case. I’m sure the PGA and the DP World Tour, owners of the Ryder Cup, want to keep all the money for themselves, but maybe it’s time to pay the players for their participation. Michigan Golf Journal
Golf News Michigan GAM Tournament Results PGA tops GAM in Fuller Cup Matches The PGA Team won seven of the 12 singles matches to end a five-year losing streak and win the 51st Fuller Cup Matches, 10-8, at Birmingham Country Club. The morning four-ball matches ended in a 3-3 tie. GAM won the first two matches of the afternoon, but the PGA won five consecutive matches for the win. Even though GAM has won the last five Fuller Cups, the PGA dominated the matches in the first three decades and lead the series 36-13-2. The Fuller Cup matches promote sportsmanship, friendship and quality golf among professionals and amateurs. The matches are named for the late Ernest Fuller, a Michigan golf course developer. DTE Co-Workers Win GAM Net Team Championship Yvette Johnson and Sean Gouda have worked together at DTE for several years and have been golf partners for a long time, too. This time they won the 33rd GAM Net Team Championship Finals at Meadowbrook Country Club. “It feels great,” said Johnson, who is 61. “We kind of ham and egged it. When I needed to make a putt I made it and when we needed him to make one, he made it. It was really a really good day for us.” Gouda, 41, made a final tap-in par for a net birdie on the 18th hole to give the duo their winning margin and a closing four-ball net 7-under 65. Michigan Golf Journal
Gieselman & Strickland Win Third GAM Senior/Mid-Amateur Team Title Tom Gieselman and Scott Strickland made a birdie on the final hole to win the 14th GAM Senior/Mid-Amateur Team Championship at Barton Hills Country Club. Competitors played Four-ball for the first nine holes and Foursomes on the back nine. The closing birdie was accomplished by using Strickland’s tee shot, a wedge by Gieselman, then Strickland holed the birdie putt. It earned the longtime friends their third victory in this event. GAM Golf Day Championship Winners The GAM Golf Days Championship included 84 golfers at Plum Hollow Country Club. Winners, both net and gross, were determined among men, women, and senior men. Players became eligible for this final championship by having won a previous GAM Golf Day event earlier in the season. Season champions crowned at Plum Brook included Edward Zhao, who shot 72 to win the men’s gross scoring title, Stephen Wise, who shot a net 67 to win the men’s net title, Christopher Sande won the senior men’s gross title, Joe Shaffer was the senior men’s net champ, Rachel Bender won the women’s gross and Peggy Westman, captured the women’s net title. The championship completed the 14th season of GAM Golf Days, a service for all GAM members that offers playing opportunities at top golf courses across the state, including private clubs, for costsaving rates.
You Gotta Have This: Sun Mountain’s NEW Tour Series+ Rainwear As temperatures begin to drop around the country, golfers are looking for comfortable, yet stylish outerwear to keep them dry and warm. Sun Mountain has stepped up with their new Tour Series+ Rainwear that is waterproof and offers fourway stretch for full range of motion during the golf swing. Playing golf in the cold and rain drops the “Fun Meter” to the bottom of the scale, if it’s raining, or even looks like it might rain, it’s always a good idea to have highquality rainwear in your bag, to protect you from the elements. body temperature for the entire round. Long zippers on the legs allow for easy removal over golf shoes. Sun Mountain has thought of everything the pant legs even have built-in snaps on the hem, to eliminate the problem of the legs dragging on the ground. “The combination of top-ofclass waterproof protection and breathability plus the four-way stretch make our Tour Series+ the most playable rainwear on the market,” said Mark Heydon, Vice President of Outerwear at Sun Mountain Sports. “The added temperature control of the 37.5 is icing on the cake.” By Ed Travis Sun Mountain has years of experience making rainwear and knows a thing, or two, about functional outerwear for golfers and sportsmen. The Tour Series+ Rainwear is better than just OK,” It’s, “You gotta have this.” The new Tour Series+ includes several features that make it a must have. Both the pants and the jackets are made from waterproof fabric that contains activated coconut shell carbon and volcanic sand in the fibers. Called 37.5 Technology, the fibers can absorb moisture and heat energy, which controls Michigan Golf Journal
Women’s Jacket –– 2-way front zipper –– Body temperature regulating material –– Packable hood –– Scalloped cuffs –– Three color combinations choices –– MSRP: $239.99 Fast Facts Sun Mountain Tour Series+ Rainwear All pieces are waterproof and have 4-way stretch Men’s Jacket –– 2-way front zipper –– Body temperature regulating material –– Adjustable cuffs & waist –– Four color combination choices –– MSRP: $299.99 Women’s Pant –– Deep leg zips & snap system at hem shortens pants 2.0” –– Body temperature regulating material –– Silicon grip pattern inside the waistband –– Velcro® cinch system at cuff –– Color: Black –– MSRP: $199.99 Men’s Pant –– Body temperature regulating material –– Zippered pass-through pockets –– Belt loops –– Deep leg zips & snap system at hem shortens pants 2.5” –– Color: Black –– MSRP: $299.99
5 Things You Need To Know About Tiger Woods’ New TGL 1. WHAT IS TGL? Capitalizing on the huge popularity of simulator golf, TGL, in partnership with the PGA Tour, will pit some of the world’s greatest golfers in a high-tech, high energy environment with a live By Ed Schmidt Jr. The Golf Travel Guru 2. WHO’S PLAYING TGL? The league will be comprised of six teams with four players each. Each TGL match will feature three players competing for each team. Players who have committed to play account for 223 PGA Tour wins, 32 Major Championship titles and an astonishing 886 weeks as the No. 1 ranked player in the world. They include: Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Adam Scott, Matt Fitzpatrick, Max Homa, Billy Horschel, Justin Rose, Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler, Patrick Cantlay, audience. The players will be hitting shots into a screen similar in size to a large movie theater screen. Closer range shots will be played “greenside” in the stadium (see below). TGL will feature six teams of PGA Tour players competing in two-hour tournaments. Michigan Golf Journal
Wyndham Clark, Lucas Glover, Min Woo Lee, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Tom Kim, Keegan Bradley, Sahith Theegala, Cameron Young and Kevin Kisner. 3. WHERE WILL TGL PLAY? An indoor, custom-built, 2,000-seat arena has been constructed on the campus of Palm Beach State College. The venue will be covered by an air-supported dome that reaches a height of 75 feet and outside the venue will be two plazas to host pre-match festivities. The players will wear microphones and will attempt shots from about 35 feet away to a mammoth 64-foot high/46-foot wide screen, powered by Full Swing technology. (Approximately 20 times the size of a standard simulator screen.) Alongside the simulator inside the venue will be a data-rich short-game complex that includes three sand bunkers and three individual 15 feet x 27 feet Virtual Greens within a massive 3,800 square-foot putting surface. The shortgame complex will be approximately the size of a basketball court, while the entire playing surface inside the venue (simulator area and short game complex) will be 97 yards by 50 yards, roughly the size of a football field. 4. WHEN DOES THE FIRST SEASON START? The inaugural TGL season begins January 20, 2024. A 15-week regular season will be followed by playoffs and championship match. Each team will play 5 matches during the season. The events will take place on Monday evenings throughout the year and will be broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+ in the U.S. with the first match airing in prime time on Tuesday, January 9th, on ESPN and ESPN+. 5. WHO CREATED TGL? Who Are Team Owners? The league is the brainchild of sports executive Mike McCarley, a former Golf Channel president, as well as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy under a corporate umbrella called TMRW Sports. Currently four of six ownership groups have been announced. • Atlanta Drive GC is led by Arthur M. Blank’s AMB Sports and Entertainment which also owns the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United and PGA TOUR Superstores. • TGL Boston is led by John Henry, Tom Werner, Mike Gordon, and Fenway Sports Group, who also own the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool FC, Pittsburgh Penguins and RFK Racing. • Los Angeles Golf Club is led by Alexis Ohanian, owner of the Angel City FC, Seven Seven Six, Serena Williams, and Venus Williams; as well as the Antetokounmpo brothers, Alex Morgan, Servando Carrasco, and Michelle Wie West, who are limited partners. • TGL New York is owned by Steven A. Cohen, who also owns the New York Mets and Cohen Private Ventures. To follow the new golf league, TGL visit their website: https://tglgolf.com/
Next at Pinehurst: USGA Golf House & World Golf Hall of Fame Things are hectic at Pinehurst and these are extraordinary times at the “Cradle of American Golf.’’ The United States Golf Association (USGA) will unveil its new campus in Pinehurst on By Len Ziehm December 1st and the popular resort will also be hosting the U.S. Open in June. The newest course at Pinehurst, Tom Doak’s No. 10 is set to open in April and don’t forget the World Golf Hall of Fame is relocating to Pinehurst from St. Augustine.
The USGA first began exploring the idea of moving some of its operations to Pinehurst in 2009, those talks have now come to fruition. “Our campus all along was to showcase all our values, not just our championships,’’ said Janeen Driscoll, director of brands communications for the USGA. “This community only knows us for the U.S. Opens we bring here. We truly believe this is the center of the golf universe, and we’re going to give back.’’ Pinehurst donated the site and the USGA received $27 million from the state of North Carolina to entice the USGA to relocate and help bolster local economic development. Twenty Pinehurst residents were hired by the USGA to open a small office after the 2005 U.S. Open, while the main USGA corporate offices, with 350 employees, remained in Far Hills, New Jersey. The new Pinehurst Golf House will include a staff of 65. It’s a massive facility built on land that had been previously used for tennis courts, located between The Carolina Hotel and the first tee of historic Pinehurst No. 2. One wing of the complex will house administrative offices and the testing center. The other will include the ‘USGA Experience’ on the first floor and the World Golf Hall of Fame on the higher floors. At our museum in New Jersey most everything is about the history of golf,’’ said Driscoll. “About 90 percent of our collection is in a vault Michigan Golf Journal
below ground, though, and most people don’t get to see it. We have golf bags of most every president, books dating back to 1400 and a very rich art collection related to the game of golf. That’s why we built this. It’s not just to look back at history.’’ The World Golf Hall of Fame began in Pinehurst in the 1970’s and is returning to its roots. Pinehurst will host the annual Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies every year that the U.S. Open is held in Pinehurst. The 2024 World Golf Hall of Fame class includes; Padraig Harrington, Sandra Palmer, Johnny Farrell, Beverly Hanson and Tom Weiskopf, plus the 13 LPGA Founders. Items from Far Hills will be brought to Pinehurst and exhibits will change every six months. The USGA Experience will feature a championship gallery, interactive exhibits, movie shorts and video clips for golf devotees. “It’ll give us a chance to story-tell more than we had in New Jersey,’’ said Driscoll, a golf industry veteran who has been a Pinehurst area resident since 2000. “This will be almost double the size of what we have in New Jersey.’’ The new headquarters will also house the new U.S. National Development Team. Heather Daly Donofrio, previously from the LPGA, will become USGA Managing Director of Player Relations and Development. Chris Zambri, associate head men’s coach at Pepperdine University, was named the first head coach of the U.S. National Development Program. With the addition of the World Golf Hall of Fame and the USGA Golf House, Pinehurst is truly becoming the “Cradle of American Golf.”
News & Notes From Around the Golf World Golfers Win Spots on Team USA The national tournament to decide who will represent Team USA versus Team Scotland in the Amateur Golf Championship was held in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania last month. Although the weather was somewhat less than perfect, due to Hurricane Hugo, competitors weathered the storm to decide the five players that will compete against a team of golfers from Scotland next year. Winners in each handicap division were as follows: Watch this video from Tournament Director, Randy Tantlinger with all the action from the 2nd annual Team USA vs. Team Scotland Amateur Golf Championship. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Pu_J0d4ynQA Tom Morris Flight Jack Nicklaus Flight Prestwick Flight St. Andrews Flight Tom Watson Flight Chris Girouard Derek Afton Jimmy Wolfe Dave Peters Denny Schimdt Ocean Springs, Mississippi Grand Rapids, Michigan Greenville, Pennsylvania Collegeville, Pennsylvania Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania Michigan Golf Journal
As short courses are popping up across the golf world, Threetops at Treetops Resort, Michigan’s Most Spectacular Resort, was recognized by AARP The Magazine as one of the nation’s very best short courses and ‘Not to Be Missed.’ Designed by Rick Smith in 1992, after a visit to Augusta National’s par 3 course, it was one of the very first public short courses in the country and is still one of the very best. Other short courses on AARP’s list include; Bandon Preserve at Bandon Dunes, The Cradle at Pinehurst, The Sandbox at Sand Valley, The Hay at Pebble Beach and The Baths at Kohler. Short courses have become staples at many golf resorts, inviting players of all skill levels to kick back and tee it up with just a few clubs and a putter. “Threetops was one of the first in the country, before it became a popular design,” said Barry Owens, GM of Treetops. “We are proud to be included in this prestigious list! It’s the perfect invitation for our nation’s largest population to join us in Pure Michigan.” “AARP members are active and enjoy traveling, so why not make memories on Threetops. Folks of all abilities can play where many of their favorite PGA icons have played. The roster is hefty; including Arnold Palmer, Lee Travino, Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson, and even ‘The Bear’ Jack Nicklaus among others,” Owens went on to say. For the full AARP story click HERE. To learn more about all the great golf at Treetops visit: www.Treetops.com. AARP Names Michigan’s ‘Threetops’ One of Nation’s Best Short Courses
Golf Heritage Society Holds Annual Convention The Golf Heritage Society held its National Convention last month in Lexington, Kentucky. It featured a full agenda of workshops and Cronheim, senior director, USGA Golf Museum and Library spoke about preserving golf history. The GHS National Hickory Golf Tournament was contested at the Gay Brewer, Jr. Course at Picadome. The Annual Trade Show featured golf collectibles, including hickory clubs, books, medals, trophies, ceramics and books. Golf collectibles in all price ranges, from tens of dollars to thousands of dollars for truly rare items were available for purchase, or trade. Founded in 1970, the GHS is a global nonprofit organization that honors and preserves golf’s history For information, or to join the GHS, visit GolfHeritage.org. presentations, as well as a trade show with the world’s most fascinating golf collectibles. “The GHS convention program has something for everyone who loves the game of golf,” said Dr. Bern Bernacki, president of the Society. “Golf collecting is a ‘hot’ market these days, and the trade show will offer items of interest to golfers of every age and income level.” The convention honored two of Lexington’s best golfers, amateur Marion Miley, plus former PGA Tour player and Masters Champion, Gay Brewer. Stacy Schiff, USGA Librarian, and Hilary Michigan Golf Journal
DP World Tour Opens Doors to PGA Tour Members With many of its biggest names defecting to the LIV Tour the DP World Tour has lacked star power at their events. It appears that the PGA Tour, who has a strategic alliance with the DP World Tour, will allow easier access to European Tour events for their members. Full membership to the DP World Tour will be granted to PGA Tour members ranking 126-200, which means those players will immediately be eligible to enter DP World Tour events. Affiliate membership will be granted to those players who participate in any Race to Dubai ranking tournament. The Race to Dubai is a season-long competition to qualify for the DP World Tour Playoffs and earn additional prize money, plus a piece of a $6 million bonus pool. By Fred Altvater Players who compete in 15, or more DP World Tour tournaments can also earn a guaranteed minimum bonus of $150,000. Eligible players must actively join the DP World Tour in December for the 2024 season. The PGA Tour also has a system in place to allow the top 10 players at the end of the Race to Dubai Season to be issued PGA Tour membership for the following season, if they do not already have membership on the American Tour. David Howell, Chairman of the DP World Tour’s Tournament Committee, said: “When we announced our Strategic Alliance with the PGA TOUR in November 2021, one of the prime objectives was to give as many opportunities as possible to members of both Tours, and this is another perfect example of how this is working.” Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the DP World Tour, said: “Our Ten Cards initiative will give the opportunity for DP World Tour members to excel on the PGA TOUR next season and this new membership opportunity announced today will give PGA TOUR members the chance to do exactly the same on our Tour. I am excited at the possibilities.” Michigan Golf Journal
The PGA Tour and the DP World Tour have been at odds in the past, but with the threat of the LIV poaching top names and diluting professional golf, they have become close allies. In January 2021, with the European Tour struggling to stay afloat during COVID and the threats posed by the LIV Series, the PGA Tour purchased 15% of the European Tour’s stock for $85 million, plus an additional $30 million to be paid via installments over the next three years. Top European players have always migrated to the United States for the larger purses and increased earning power, but most remained loyal to their home tour. Now the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour are working together, more closely than ever before, to provide a clear path for Europeans to compete on the PGA Tour. This assures a fresh intake of young talented players competing in Europe, but also making their way to the PGA Tour more accessable.
Proper nutrition can help enhance athletic performance. A physically active lifestyle, which includes regular exercise, and eating well are the wisest ways to perform your best. Proper Nutrition To Improve Athletic Performance By Franciscan Health Michigan Golf Journal
Determining The Right Diet For Each Athlete Eating a healthy diet can provide the energy you need to finish a race or just enjoy a casual sport or activity. But, when you don’t get the right mix of nutrients, you will feel tired and perform poorly during sports, especially in golf. The right diet depends on the intensity of the activity, total time spent training for your sport, age, sex, and specific sport, or activity. “People tend to overestimate the number of calories they burn per workout, so it is important to avoid taking in more energy than you expend exercising,” explained Patrick Miller, a certified athletic trainer with Franciscan Health Sports Medicine. How Many Carbohydrates Does An Athlete Need? Carbohydrates provide energy during sustained exercise and are stored in the muscles and liver. Simple sugars may give you an immediate burst of energy, but their effect does not last very long. Complex carbohydrates provide energy, fiber, vitamins and minerals. These foods are low in fat. Examples of complex carbohydrates include bagels, pasta, rice, and whole grain breads. Simple sugars provide a lot of calories, but they don’t provide vitamins, minerals or other nutrients. Examples of simple sugars to avoid include candy, jams and jellies, and soft drinks.
“What matters most is the total amount of carbohydrates you eat each day,” said Miller. “To perform at your peak, a little more than half of your calories should come from carbohydrates.” Eating Carbohydrates Before Strenuous Exercise If you’ll be exercising for longer than an hour, you need to eat carbohydrates before you start. We recommend a cup of yogurt, a glass of fruit juice, or a whole grain English muffin with jelly. It’s always best to limit the amount of fat you consume the hour before an athletic event, as doing so can interfere with carbohydrate breakdown in the body. Eating Carbohydrates During Strenuous Exercise If you’ll be doing more than an hour of intense aerobic exercise, your body also needs carbohydrates during exercise. You can satisfy this need by having 5 to 10 ounces of sports drink every 15 to 20 minutes, one-half to two-thirds cup of low-fat granola, or two to three handfuls of pretzels. Eating Carbohydrates After Strenuous Exercise “If you are working out heavily, you need to eat carbohydrates after exercise to rebuild the energy stored in your muscles,” explained Miller. If you exercise or train for more than 90 minutes, more carbohydrates are necessary, ideally paired with protein. A sports bar, trail mix with nuts, or yogurt and granola will suffice. If you work out for less than an hour, water should be constantly consumed, but you shouldn’t need any extra food if training for a shorter time. Michigan Golf Journal
How Much Protein Doses An Athlete Need? Protein is important for muscle growth and repairing body tissues. The body can also use protein for energy, but only after it uses stored carbohydrates. Athletes – even bodybuilders – need only a little extra protein to support muscle growth. Athletes can easily get this by consuming more total calories. Dangers Of Eating Too Much Protein Most people already eat almost twice as much protein as they need for muscle development. Too much protein in the diet can lead to loss of can lose several liters of sweat in just an hour of vigorous exercise. Clear urine is a good sign that you have fully rehydrated. Some ideas for keeping enough fluids in your body include: –– Drink plenty of fluids with every meal –– Drink 16 ounces of water before a workout –– Continue to drink water during and after exercise –– Replace any body weight loss during exercise with an equal amount of fluids –– Children especially should drink water during strenuous sports activities We hope these tips increase your stamina and improve enjoyment of your athletic activities. calcium, added burden on the kidneys, increased chance for dehydration and increased body fat. Athletes who consume extra protein for fitness may not get enough carbohydrates, the most important energy source during exercise. For peak athletic performance, Miller does not recommend taking amino acid supplements, or excessively eating protein. How Much Water And Other Fluids Does An Athlete Need? Water is the most important nutrient for any athlete. Water and fluids keep the body hydrated and at the right temperature. An athlete’s body
Our Contributors This Month 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/ Michigan Golf Journal
VIDEOS Michigan-native Ray Hearn is responsible for renovating or designing over 150 golf courses worldwide. He recently completed work at St. John’s Resort near Detroit and has ongoing renovations at BOYNE Resort in Northern Michigan. His designs are perfect for the average golfer and he always strives to make golf courses sustainable and environmentally sound. Back 9 Report wonders if Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Cam Smith & Patrick Reed will want to leave the LIV Series since the Official World Golf Rankings denied world ranking points to the rebel league? Amy Lillibridge talks about recent events and the ever-expanding goals of the Evans Scholarship Foundation. Ray Hearn Talks Recent Designs and Sustainability Did OWGR Just Kill LIV? Amy Lillibridge Talks About Current Happenings at Evans Scholars Foundation Watch Now Watch Now Watch Now
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