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February 3, 2006 Vol. 6, No. 5

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BAY MILLS RESORT AND CASINO/WILD BLUFF GOLF COURSE
Video: 2005 Bay Mills Open Players Tournament Preview
-with Rob Lussenhof
http: //www.michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/baymillsopenpreview/ WATCH RYDER CUP 2006 FOR FREE IN IRELAND
Ireland is the place to be in 2006 so do not miss out! Visit: http://www.sullivangolf.ie to enquire
Video: Jack Berry's Ireland Golf Vacation
http://www.michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/golfireland/

WEST MICHIGAN GOLF SHOW
West Michigan Golf Show, DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, February 10-12
Web: http://westmichigangolfshow.com
Video: http:// michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/wmgs/index.html

MICHIGAN GOLF SHOW, ROCK FINANCIAL SHOWPLACE, NOVI, MARCH 10-12
Web: http://michigangolfshow.com
http://rockfinancialshowcase.com< br> Video: http://www. michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/michigangolfshow/

OTSEGO CLUB & RESORT-GAYLORD
Ski Packages
Web: http://otsegoclub.com/cwt.php
Video: http://michigangolfer.tv/miskier/season_1/show9/otsegoqt.html

SHANTY CREEK RESORT & CLUB
Ski Packages
Web: http://www.shantycreek.com/snowsports/earlybuy.html
Video: http://michigangolfer.tv/miskier/season_4/schuss/index.html

Edited by Art McCafferty-Producer/Publisher, GLSP
http://glsp.com
Website: http://glsp.com
Ezine http://michigangolfer.com
News: http://www.webgolfer.com/news.html
Video: http://michigangolfer.tv
Podcast: http://glsp.com/podcasts.html

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__/ MG ON THE ROAD
Detroit
Orlando-PGA Merchandise Show
__/ WOODS SLAMS PGA TOUR REVAMP
__/ THIS WEEK ON MG TV
__/ 06 PGA MERCHANDISE SHOW RECAP
__/ AND THEN THERE WAS ONE: FORD SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP BOWS OUT THIS YEAR
__/ WINTER EDITION OF THE MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE-NOW ONLINE
__/ CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN RAISING FUNDS FOR U.S. SKI TEAM
__/ MICHIGAN PGA AND AJGA ANNOUNCE "NAVIGATION COMPETITIVE JUNIOR GOLF" SEMINAR
__/ THAD GUTOWSKI TO HEAD UP INTERNET VIDEO SALES FOR GLSP
__/ LOOKING FOR A GOLF SCHOOL THIS YEAR?
__/ 19TH HOLE: TRIVIAL TRIVIA
__/ 2006 MICHIGAN GOLF CALENDAR
__/ ASSOCIATION LINKS

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MG ON THE ROAD
WELCOME TO DETROIT
This week, we along with thousands of other passengers, had the opportunity to be greeted by Detroit's Superbowl Welcoming Volunteers. They had lots of spirit, were very helpful to everyone and besides smiles, they also distributed a special edition of Visit Detroit magazine, A Superbowl Event Guide, a map of the Detroit Metro area and a package of Heat Treat Warmers. It was a real treat seeing the welcoming group in action. We also had a chance to read a number of Florida papers while away and Detroit was getting some nice ink. We also attended the Pistons game with the Timberwolves and were on hand to see them honor many of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks that were on hand. These are heady times for our state. Since the turn of the century, we have had the All Star Game, Stanley Cup, NBA Championship, The Ryder Cup and now the Superbowl. Is this a great state or what?

http://superbowl.com

Orlando-PGA Merchandise Show
Golf's "Show of Shows", the PGA Merchandise Show was projecting 40,000 buyers, media and other show goers to visit its 1,200 manufacturers over the five-day event. Some of the star power on hand were Greg Norman, Jim Furyk, Annika Sorenstam, Paul Creamer, Rick Martino, Butch Harmon, Dave Pelz, Rick Smith, Tom Fazio and the Black Crowes It was well attended by the northern snowbirds, happy for this annual winter respite. During our day there we ran into Darin Philport and Roger Wilson. of Hidden Valley Golf & Casting Club who were busy eyeing some of photographer Bill Thompson's work. Don White, the brand spanking new golf pro from Garland was accompanied by one of the chief buyers there, Mary Morgan. White has been everywhere in the north, having served, Treetops, Michaywe, White Pine National, Marsh Ridge and now Garland. He indicated that he was looking forward to the job and that he wanted to get a golf school going there. His twin brother Doug was also on hand. Doug White is the golf professional at Barton Hills CC in Ann Arbor. The big news there is that they will be hosting the Women's State Amateur there this summer. Barton Hills does have pedigree as it hosted the U.S. Women's Amateur in 1998. Kevin Helm was on hand doing some Michigan PGA business. He has a tough job this year as the association lost their title the Detroit Newspapers as their title sponsor. The All About Golf crew of Terry Moore, Jack Berry and Tom Cleary were meeting with their clients as well as taking double servings of the food in the media room. Berry, who now resides in Arizona during the winter season, was the only one sporting a tan. Kurt Kraly was busy showing off their new Club Car that has the GPS system built into the dash. This is a welcome and needed improvement over some of those systems that whacked your head if you did not enter or leave the cart properly. Jim Atkinson of Yahama was also on hand. Their Boylan Company is a distributor for the cars in Michigan. Larry Bowden, from the Natural and Marsh Ridge Resort, was beaming. He told us that Gaylord just had 12 inches of new snow and that is resort was nearly full with snowmobilers. Rich Smith was working the Srixon booth and Treetops golf architect Tom Fazio was also on hand working the Ireland booth. Fazio has been hired to restore the great Waterville Golf Links in Ireland. Failte Ireland's Director of Golf Damian Ryan indicated that Fazio is doing a tremendous job. on the course. Ed Baker and Doug Pagoda were working the Active.com booth, attempting to enlist more people in their online services.

The show has struggled to re energize itself over the past five years. Smaller attendance, the impact of electronic commerce, a fall off of participation from some of golf's bigger companies and the plethora of smaller state shows have all contributed to the dilemma. The show has fought back with outside equipment demonstrations, more room for vendors in the closed space and more educational seminars. They also used to be up against the Superbowl in some years and you could have hosted a driving range seminar in there without fearing for show goers safety. My friend, Peter Allen, from Hornung's, indicates that he does not write much business at all at the show and that Hornung has drastically scaled back the size of their booth. With email, cell phones and other forms of communication at his disposal, he is able to get his business done in Michigan before the show.

What's new? It is always s hoot going through the new product area and as in year's past there are a lot of things to spend your golf dollar on. There was Bed Head Pajamas, Ballzee greeting cards, golf hat cases, ball marker golf hats, butt head covers, club safe, the usual outbreak of breakthrough putters, Drycard, a waterproof score care, presumable for places like Seattle, Eric Dickerson's Magic Belt which has audio replay of his sideline banter while on Monday Night Football, flagsticks where you can insert advertisements, a green friendly golf belt that also contains a divot repair tool, nude tees and Voodoo Visions Head Covers. These and many more products are on their way to a golf store near you.

Having said all of that, the PGA show does herald the start of our own slate of golf shows. WMGS kicks off our state's show dates. The show is held in the very nice Devos Center. This is followed by the Lansing show in the Lansing Center and then the massive Michigan Golf Show at the new Rock Financial Showplace. Let us all hope for a great start to a great year.

***
WOODS SLAMS PGA TOUR REVAMP

World No1 Tiger Woods has criticised the PGA Tour's plans for a World Championships from next year. The championships will comprise four tournaments featuring the world's leading players, and they will all be held in the US.

"Golf is a global sport now," Woods told the UK's Guardian newspaper. "Look at the world rankings - there are players from all over the world, and that's indicative of how our game has changed. We have a responsibility to play round the world and to grow the game as much as we can."

George O'Grady, chief executive of the European Tour, has promised to fight the PGA's decision, with many top European players set to spend more time playing in the US. Woods' opinions carry huge weight in golf given the commerical impact his rise to prominence has had on the sport.

David Smith
David.Smith@sportbusiness.com
Source: © http://sportbusiness.com

***
THIS WEEK ON MG TV-OVER 400,000 viewers in 2005
BILL SHELTON ON CAROLINA GOLF
Bill Shelton returns to our show to tell us a little about Carolina golf. Bill, after serving as President of Eastern Michigan University for 11 years, served as Chancellor at East Carolina University for a year and a half in an interim capacity. His new life in North Carolina, has allowed him to check out some of their golf inventory. Join our host, Bill Shelton as he brings you Carolina Golf.
http://michigangolfer.tv/2006shows/carolina

JACK BERRY'S IRELAND GOLF-PART II
This show, taped at Claddagh's in Northville, highlights Southwestern Ireland and the courses, Old Ballybunion, the new Ballybunion by Robert Trent Jones, Lahinch and Greg Norman's Doonbeg. Robert Trent Jones also drops by to tell the viewer his thoughts about his work at Ballybunion.
http://www.michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/golfireland/southwest

***
AND THEN THERE WAS ONE: FORD SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP BOWS AFTER THIS YEAR
The Buick Open was Michigan's premier golf tournament as I grew up with the sport. It was pretty special, as the first tournament director, Fred Rideout, went to elementary school in New Brunswick, Canada. with my father. It was with a great sense of pride when I took my father to the Buick Open for the first time and he reconnected with Rideout. At the time, The Michigan Golfer was beginning its first year of what is now our 24 years of publishing.

As golf popularity continued its upward spiral, other state tournaments were added; the LPGA Oldsmobile Classic at Walnut Hills in Lansing, The Farmers Charity Classic in Grand Rapids, The Futures Tour first in Milford and Grand Rapids and then later at Ann Arbor, the Bay Mills Open in Brimley and the Ford Senior Players Championship in Dearborn. These were heady times in Michigan. However, with the announcement that the Ford Senior Players Championship will bow out after this year, we find we are back where we started, with the Buick Open.

Ouch.

***
'06 PGA MERCHANDISE SHOW RECAP
by Terry Moore

In spite of the oft-heard (and not entirely accurate) refrain that the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando "lacks buzz and fanfare" due to a number of big-name equipment manufacturers no longer exhibiting at the Show, I still find the Show a worthwhile experience. Heck, I'm from a cloudy and cold Michigan and it's held in Florida in January-- what more motivation do I need? Admittedly, not having certain big club companies in attendance remains a problem for Reed Expositions, the owner and organizing body. Yet at the same time, there's plenty of other lower profile but innovative companies and concerns exhibiting at the Show that warrant one's attention. And despite all of the nay saying, the Show still is a nexus for industry networking, media exposure (especially due to The Golf Channel's coverage) and information gathering. Anyway, here are a few of my favorite tidbits from last week's Show:

"The Unauthorized State of the Industry:" Expertly and entertainingly led by Pellucid's Jim Koppenhaver and Edgehill Consulting's Stuart Lindsay, this fast-moving, one hour presentation was informative, insightful and candid. Space limitations don't permit me here to capture their many cogent observations and fact-based trends for the still lagging golf industry but I'll mention a few for now: 1) One adverse affect of the recent number of "plow unders" (i.e. courses sold for development) is that golf is losing some of its "bunny slopes" for novices; 2) Golfers are "more bears than squirrels," meaning courses shouldn't discount rounds in the spring when golfers really want to play. 3) The play rate for golfers is still declining, in fact the median rate of frequency is only eight (8) rounds per year! 4) If present trends hold true, 50% of avid golfers in 2010 will be 65 years and older. So any current "senior" rates below age 65 are destined for financial woes for operators. 5) Based on forecasts, it will be 6-7 years for the golf industry to reach equilibrium between supply and demand.

· Heavy Putter: With a huge infomercial campaign set to run on The Golf Channel, expect to see a sales surge for this company that made its debut at the Show last year. With an overall heavier weight, this putter does indeed lend for using one's larger muscles in the stroke. This year the company brought out an impressive-looking Matte Series with dark gray head and with an adjustable tip-weight kit.

· Q-Roll Putter: Now headed up by ex-Ashworth and former Swing Dynamics executive Andrew Tarlow, this is another putter company with a solid and convincing product with excellent feel. The key feature is a patented Radius Face design that affords more topspin in the stroke.

· Drycard: Sounds too simple to be true but here's an answer to wet, soggy and unusable paper scorecards. Inspired by New Zealand currency, this waterproof and durable Drycard material works just fine in rainy and humid conditions. So say goodbye to the days when an embarrassing "snowman" was carded and then thankfully washed away by a godsend downpour.

· Mark Mender: For those frustrated by golfers not fixing their ball marks correctly here's a smart product. Instead of the usual long prong tool that could harm the green's root structure, this product uses pinchers to more gently repair the mark. Now how do you get Bubba to use the dang thing?

· Tri-Bag: This British-made bag and cart combo product is ideal for those looking for a well-made carry bag with the option of a convenient and space-saving "pull cart." Especially well designed is the slickwheel system by which the wheels are detachable in one easy snap. In a landscape of sedentary American golfers prone to ride, the Tri-Bag fights a needed but uphill battle.

· Srixon: Hate to admit it, but this was the only ball company I stopped to see. Last season, I really liked the performance and feel of the Z-UR so I was curious what's on the horizon for 2006. Besides the Z-URS there's a new AD333 ball which features a thinner cover than its predecessor and a large "soft Energetic Gradient Growth core", whatever that means. The result, according to Srixon, is a ball that launches higher, with less spin and more ball speed. Big Srixon news is the signing of Jim Furyk to play its ball and forged wedges this year. Also, Treetops Rick Smith is a Srixon guy and he was signing autographs in his usual affable way.

· Wales: Ireland has been on a roll the past decade and rightfully so due to its stellar collection of links courses and the upcoming Ryder Cup. But Wales is making a nice move inside and along the rail in the overseas travel market. It had a major presence at the Show touting its seaside courses as well as the celebrated 2010 Ryder Cup venue, Celtic Manor. Savvy traveler Jack Berry highly recommends a Wales golf holiday and that's good enough for me.

· Visiball: This product has been around for a while but I came upon it only this year. Essentially this is a pair of eyeglasses specifically aimed at finding golf balls more quickly in the rough. The spectral selective lens eliminates most colors (think fall golf and leaves) while enhancing white objects. In competitive situations this product could be a valuable accessory saving both time and penalty strokes. Only fly in the ointment is that Visiball is not approved by the USGA as it currently violates Rule 14. But Visiball is appealing and hopes to hear back soon. Until then, it lurks in the same forbidden territory as non-conforming drivers and balls.

***
CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN RAISING FUNDS FOR U.S. SKI TEAM
Crystal Mountain will be raising funds for the U.S. Ski Team on Friday, February 10, 2006 during its U.S. Ski Team Day, a fundraiser to benefit athletes of the U.S. Ski Team. For every All-Day lift ticket sold at Crystal Mountain on February 10 -- the first day of the Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy -- Crystal Mountain will donate one dollar to help support U.S. Ski Team athletes. Crystal is one of 65 ski areas across the nation participating in U.S. Ski Team Day.

"It is an honor to support the U.S. Ski Team and to play a part in helping these athletes achieve their dreams,* said Jim MacInnes, president and general manager of Crystal Mountain.

Taken and edited from a Crystal Mountain release

***
MICHIGAN PGA AND AJGA ANNOUNCE "NAVIGATION COMPETITIVE JUNIOR GOLF" SEMINAR
The Michigan PGA and America Junior Golf Association (AJGA) will present a “Navigating Competitive Junior Golf” seminar at Eagle Eye Golf Club in Bath, Michigan on Saturday, February 11th, 2006. The time of seminar is 9:00am to 12:00pm with free admission.

College coaches including Bruce Cunningham of Eastern Michigan University and Cindy Trout of Western Michigan University will discuss college recruiting, scholarships and give a snapshot to what it is like to play competitive golf at the college level.

The deadline for online registration at http://www.michigan.pga.com is
Saturday, February 4th at 5:00pm.
Taken and edited from a Timothy M Czelada MPGA release.

***
THAD GUTOWSKI TO HEAD UP INTERNET VIDEO SALES FOR GLSP
Thad Gutowski, a legendary figure in Michigan golf, will be heading up the Internet Video sales for the golf division of Great Lakes Sports Publications. Thad, the founder of Falcon Golf, a Michigan based golf club marketing firm that thrived in the 70's and early 80's, has been involved as an on air talent of Michigan Golfer Television in the past. Gutowski will team up with videographer, Joe Yunkman to launch and promote product lines in this new medium.

Clients on board for this season include:
Harbor Pointe CC
Native American Cup
Old Channel Trail
Otsego Club-The Tribute
Point O'Woods CC
The Heather GC at Boyne
The Michigan Amateur at Boyne
Washtenaw CC

GLSP creates video products for four markets, golf, travel, skiing and running. Shows scheduled on other channels for this year include:
Columbus Marathon
Crim Festival of Races
Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon
Gaylord Convention and Visitors Bureau
Grand Island Marathon
Grand Rapids Marathon
ING Edmonton Marathon
Kate's 5K Run in Essexville
Martian Marathon
Milford Labor Day 30K
Niagara Fallsview Casino Marathon
Nub's Nob Ski School
Red October
Run Around the Bay
Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
Steve's Run at Southwest Michigan College

***
19TH HOLE: TRIVIAL TRIVIA
If you yelled for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee.

The human heart creates enough pressure when it pumps out to the body to squirt blood 30 feet.

Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories a hour (Don't try this at home,maybe at work)

The flea can jump 350 times its body length. It's like a human jumping the length of a football field.

The catfish has over 27,000 taste buds. (What could be so tasty on the bottom of a pond?)

Butterflies taste with their feet. (Something I always wanted to know.)

The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue.

Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people. (If you're ambidextrous, do you split the difference?)

Elephants are the only animals that cannot jump. (okay, so that would be a good thing)

An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

Starfish have no brains.

Polar bears are left-handed.

(If they switch, they'll live a lot longer) Thanks and a Tip of the Tam to Dr. Jack Minzey for passing these on.

***
LOOKING FOR A GOLF SCHOOL THIS YEAR? CHECK OUT THESE VIDEOS

Jim Flick: Boyne
http://michigangolfer.tv/2005shows/flick/

Dave Pelz: Homestead
">http://michigangolfer.tv/2003shows/show18/index.html

Judy Mason: Treetops
http://michigangolfer.tv/2001shows/show14/index.html

Jim McLean:Grand Traverse Resort
http://michigangolfer.tv/2003shows/show4/index.html

Scot Wilson: Crystal Mountain Resort
http://michigangolfer.tv/2003shows/show4/index.html

***
WINTER EDITION OF THE MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE-NOW ONLINE
Winter Issue 2005 Vol.23, No.4

Table of Contents
Page Article
4 Golfing Ireland, by Jason Deegan
http://www.michigangolfer.com/win05-06/win0106_4-11.pdf
Sullivan Golf & Travel
12 Michigan's Century-old Golf Courses, by Kelly Hill and Art McCafferty
http://www.michigangolfer.com/win05-06/win0106_12-17.pdf
18 Michigan Golf History, 2001-2005, by Art McCafferty
http://www.michigangolfer.com/win05-06/win0106_18-22.pdf
23 Michigan Golfer's Top 10 Lists for 2005
http://www.michigangolfer.com/win05-06/win0106_23-26.pdf
27 Michigan Golfer TV Schedule
http://www.michigangolfer.com/win05-06/win0106_27.pdf
28 Books for the Holidays
http://www.michigangolfer.com/win05-06/win0106_28-29.pdf
30 Slice of Life, by Terry Moore
http://www.michigangolfer.com/win05-06/win0106_30-31.pdf

***
MICHIGAN TOURNAMENTS
http://michigangolfer. com/tournaments.html

***
2006 MICHIGAN GOLF CALENDAR
http://michigangolfer.com/calendar.html" ASSOCIATION LINKS
American Association of Golf Course Architects
http://asgca.org
Golf Association of Michigan
http://www.gam.org/
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
http://www.gcsaa.org
Michigan Section PGA
http://www.Michigan.PGA.com
Michigan Golf Course Owners Association
http://mgcoa.org
Michigan High School Athletic Association
http://www.mhsaa.com/
Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association
http://migca.com
Michigan Publinx Seniors Golf Association
http://mpsga.net
National Golf Course Owners Association
http://ngcoa.org
National Golf Foundation
http://ngf.org
National High School Golf Coaches Association
http://www.nhsgca.org

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