Michigan Golfer ON-LINE: Michigan Golf News

Michigan Golf News

April 16, 2004 VOL. 4, No. 16

Sponsored by:

Bay Mills Resort and Casino/Wild Bluff-Brimley
Web: http://www.4baymills.com
Video: http://michigangolfer.tv/2003shows/show11/index.html

Michigan-Host State of the 35th Ryder Cup Matches, Oakland Hills CC
September 14-19
Web: http://michigan.org/golf

The Walter Hagen Story, by Walter Hagen
Web: http://vintagepublishing.com/walterhagen.htm
Video: http://michigangolfer.tv

Dundee Internet Services
Web: http://dundee.net

Edited by Art McCafferty-Publisher-Michigan Golfer

__/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/ __/

__/ MICHIGAN GOLFER TELEVISION
"IRELAND AND THE RYDER CUP"
"GENE SARAZEN AND SHELL'S WONDERFUL WORLD OF GOLF"
__/ TIMBERSTONE GOLF COURSE -A FIVE STAR RATING FROM GOLF DIGEST
__/ A SURE SIGN OF SPRING-THE BEAR IS COMING OUT OF HIBERNATION
__/ "UGLY PANTS" GOLF EVENT AT OLD CHANNEL TRAIL
__/ MGN ON THE ROAD
Chelsea
Ypsilanti
__/ MICHIGAN GOLFER SPRING ISSUE NOW ONLINE
__/ MASTERS REPORT BY TERRY MOORE
__/ MICHIGAN GOLF NEWS ASSOCIATION SUBSCRIBERS
__/ HURRY UP AND PUTT-WALL STREET JOURNAL
__/ LPGA TIP OF THE WEEK
__/ QUOTES OF THE WEEK-ARNOLD PALMER AND PHIL MICKELSON
__/ CALENDAR OF GOLF EVENTS
__/ ASSOCIATION LINKS

MICHIGAN GOLFER TELEVISION-DOUBLE FEATURE
"IRELAND: SITE OF THE NEXT RYDER CUP"
Sponsored by:
Bay Mills Resort and Casino
The State of Michigan
Arthur Hills Michigan Golf Trail

Damien Ryan, Director of Golf Programming for "Tourism Ireland", chats with reporter Vanessa Bell concerning their hosting of the 2006 Ryder Cup at The Kildare Hotel & Straffan. Damien indicated that in 1998 when they secured the Ryder Cup. Ireland did 58,000 rounds and last year they did 250,000. In 2006 they are projecting 450,000 rounds played for an economic impact of 230 million Euros. He also chats about planning for the "Irish Night" at Henry Ford Museum while here. Susy Avery, of Henry Ford Museum and formerly, VP of Travel Michigan, will host the evening of merriment. http://michigangolfer.tv/2004shows/show7/index.html

GENE SARAZEN AND SHELL'S WONDERFUL WORLD OF GOLF NOW PLAYING MGTV
The gentleman who hit one of the most famous golf shots in history of The Masters, Gene Sarazen, was a person of many talents. He was the first immigrant golfer, the inventor of the wedge and the host of a golf television show, "Shell's Wonderful World of Golf", that benchmarked the industry. Join our reporter Vanessa Bell as she chats with show producer Al Barkow and Mary Sarazen, daughter of Gene Sarazen, about the new Clock Tower Press offering. Our show relives all those early and eventful days in golf television. http://www.michigangolfer.tv/2004shows/show6/

TIMBERSTONE GOLF COURSE -A FIVE STAR RATING FROM GOLF DIGEST
This year, 16 courses received the highest rating of 5 stars that Golf Digest defines as "Golf at its absolute best. Pay any price at least once in your life." TimberStone in Iron Mountain, Michigan, is among 7 newcomers to this list and joins some very exclusive company. The others making the 5 star list for 2004 include *Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Ore.), *Bethpage State Park (Black) (N.Y.), *Big Creek Golf & CC (Ark.), Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys) (Kohler, Wis.), Blackwolf Run (River) (Kohler, Wis.), Bulle Rock, (Md.), *Golden Horseshoe Golf Club (Gold) (Va.), The Homestead Resort (Cascades) (Va.), Kiawah Island Golf Resort (Ocean) (S.C.), *Longaberger Golf Course (Ohio), Pebble Beach Golf Links (Cal.), Pinehurst (No. 2) (N.C.), Whistling Straits G.C. (Straits), (Sheboygan, Wis.), *Woodland Hills Golf Course (Neb.), World Woods Golf Course (Pine Barrens) (Fla.). (*denotes first-time 5-star designation)

In addition, of 21 courses in the State of Michigan receiving a 4 _ Star Rating or better, TimberStone is the ONLY course that received 5 Stars, the other 20 received 4 _ and include such names as Garland, Elk Ridge and Treetops.

Ron Whitten of Golf Digest said that, "One thing all our five star courses have in common: Each will seriously test your golf game." As for amenities at a golf course, Whitten notes that the consensus is that they're great, but not essential. "So even TimberStone, with its double-wide trailer for a clubhouse, deserves it's five stars. "TimberStone has to be the biggest secret in the U.S.," says Don Koch, a lumber salesman from Wausau, Wis. "It is a must-play. Just don't plan on sitting around a pool or in a hot tub afterward."

TimberStone in Iron Mountain will open for the 2004 season around May 1 http://www.timberstonegolf.com. Tee times are available up to 12 days in advance of play by calling 906-776-0111.

*Note: For those that would like a glance of Timberstone, we have some video of the course that we shot for the Tom Izzo and Steve Mariucci Golf Classic at http://michigangolfer.tv/2004shows/show4/index.html In addition, we also did a video a couple of years ago that you might want to pull up. http://michigangolfer.tv/2002shows/show25/timberstoneqt.html
We hope to go back and capture the essense of this course for a show next year.

MGN ON THE ROAD
Chelsea- Jeff Daniels Comedy Golf Jam
We stopped by to chat with Judy Gallagher, the overall director of the Jeff Daniels Comedy Golf Jam about this year's event. It will be earlier than usual, being held on May 24th, at the Polo Fields Golf and Country Club of Ann Arborm with the theme being MI, My, MI.

The proceeds go to suppporting Daniel's Purple Rose Theater, which is now hosting Steve Martin's Underpants play. Judy also mentioned that Mitch Albom's new play will be put on this summer.

Michigan, My Michigan

A song to thee, fair State of Mine
Michigan, my Michigan
You bring us Golf Jam, number nine,
Michigan, my Michigan

Thou offer fairways far and wide,
Michigan, my Michigan
For Purple Rose and Purple pride,
Michigan, my Michigan

Our loyal golfers sound thy claim,
Upon the golden hole of fame.
Our plyawrights all will write the name,
Of Michigan, my Michigan

The Michigan Golfer Television Show will bring you all the fun of this great outing on June 4th. Only on http://michigangolfer.tv

Ypsilanti-
Quentin Lutz, V.P. Global Business, Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest and Associates, was guest lecture at a Sports Marketing class at EMU. Quentin, has done well in his international focused job, as Arthur Hills et.al., has three courses going in Sweden, completed paperwork on a new course just outside of Shanghai, China, and he is off to Hungary next week for a project there. He indicated that 40% of the Arthur Hills firm's work is now outside the United States. International golf architecture, long the domain of Nicklaus and Palmer, now has a new challenger with Arthur Hills.

A SURE SIGN OF SPRING-THE BEAR IS COMING OUT OF HIBERNATION
The start of golf season in Northern Michigan is near. Grand Traverse Resort and Spa grounds and maintenance crews have started their mowing. They open their golf season this week with their Gary Player-designed Practice Range and Spruce Run. The Bear will open on Friday April 23, with The Wolverine on Friday April 30. The Jim McLean Golf School with Director of Instruction Jason Jenkins opens in mid-May.

UGLY PANT GOLF EVENT AT OLD CHANNEL TRAIL
Old Channel Trail Golf Course is hosting an inaugural golf event to benefit Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, Inc. The Ugly Pants Open, scheduled for Sunday, April 18, is a 9-hole scramble event with prizes awarded for the top two-person golf team and for the duo wearing the ugliest pants.

Those who bring donations to the drop-off center located at the golf course from Monday, April 12 through Sunday of the event will be entered to win other prizes. Every one who donates a bag of items will receive a certificate good for a bucket of range balls at Old Channel Trail.

The Ugly Pants Open event starts at 10 am on Sunday, April 18, with a brunch for players followed by an 11 am shotgun start. Entry fees are $25 per player, $17 per player for Old Channel Trail Golf Course Members. In addition, Old Channel Trail will be having a ÔLast Chance for a Good Cause' sale of items left in the Lost and Found basket for longer than 6 months. Proceeds of this sale and from the event will benefit Goodwill.
http://www.OCTGOLF.com .

LPGA TEACHING TIP OF THE WEEK-CREATING DISTANCE
Problem: I don't hit the ball very far!

Solution: Clubhead speed is what accounts for distance. The faster you can swing the club, the farther the ball will fly. To create faster swing speed, check the pressure you use to hold the club. On a scale of one to 10, with ten being very tight, relax the pressure to a 4 or 5. The nature of the word "grip" indicates a tight hold, but if you soften your hand pressure, or "hold" the club, it allows the clubhead to swing through with greater speed. Tension in the hands creates tension in the arms and thus slows the swing down.

Drill: Take practice swings while holding the club at a 10 on the pressure scale (very tight). Now relax your hands and forearms and hold the club with a grip pressure of 4. Swing again as you listen and feel for more clubhead speed. Hit balls and note the different results when holding the club very tight vs. fairly loose.

Remember: A tight grip creates tension in the hands and forearms, while a softer hold allows the club to swing through!

This week's tip courtesy of Kathy O'Kelly, Capitol City Golf Course, Olympia,WA

-------ADV-----------------------------------------------------
MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE SPRING ISSUE NOW ONLINE EVERYWHERE
http://michigangolfer.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MICHIGAN'S GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS-W.BRUCE MATTHEWS AND ROBERT TRENT JONES-PART I
By L'anse Bannon and Art McCafferty
We have chosen W. Bruce Matthews and Robert Trent Jones for the first of our series, on "Michigan's Golf Course Architects ". Both were born at the turn of one century and died, as a new one was to begin. We hope you enjoy our words, and just as importantly our supportive video. While it is always interesting to study and write about the accomplishments of architects, it is quite another thing to offer readers of a magazine the opportunity to become viewers, by simply clicking on a link.

THE BIG BREAK VISITS THE GAYLORD GOLF MECCA
by Vanessa Bell and Brian Manning
The Golf Channel launched "The Big Break" reality TV show this past fall, and it was a hit. Vanessa Bell, Art McCafferty and Brian Manning bring you the story, as they interview "The Big Break" host Rick Smith and 2nd place winner, Rochester Hills' Anthony Sorentino.

NOTRE DAME HEAD COACH, TYRONE WILLINGHAM ON GOLF AND FOOTBALL
by John Wukovitz
Tyrone Willingham, Notre Dame head football coach, chats with John Wukovitz about the parallels between football and golf. Wukovitz thought he might catch the coach in a more laid back atmosphere. It was nothing doing as Willingham seems to be just as uptight as a golfer as he is as a coach.

RISK AND REWARD:REACHABLE PAR FIVES
by John Bebow
John Bebow, formerly of the Detroit News and now a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, discusses the risk and rewards of the 3rd hole at The Bear, the 16th at Eagle Crest Resort and a number of other temptations that golfers will find interesting.

SLICE OF LIFE
by Terry Moore
" Pardon the interruption, but I must get a few things off my chest. Usually a nice, comforting essay about some aspect of golf is in order for this column but spring fever and the emergence of the Michigan golf season have gotten the better of me. There have been so many incidents and media tempests surrounding the game that I must jump in and offer my two cents worth.
Terry Moore offers another look at his view of the golf life."

MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE SPRING ISSUE NOW ONLINE EVERYWHERE
http://michigangolfer.com

------------------------------------------------ADV-----------------

MASTERS REPORT BY TERRY MOORE
It's a sportswriter's truism that you don't root for players or for teams. Instead, you root for stories. Good stories. And good stories were in abundance at this year's Masters. Foremost among them was the sensational and goose bumps-inducing final round play that saw aces and eagles and a bundle of clutch birdies by the contenders. All of this exciting theatre of action was topped off by Phil Mickelson's 18-foot birdie putt on the last hole, earning him his elusive first major championship. Considering all his travails and near misses, it should come as no surprise that even a former Eastern bloc Olympic judge rated Phil a 9.9 for his leap of pure joy after canning the putt.

The label of being the "best player never to have won a major" is a heavy and often unfair load to bear. The mantle wears like some prickly sack cloth where only the most humble, obedient and patient wayfarer can endure it without harsh complaint. Over the years, Mickelson consistently displayed poise, courtesy and good manners in answering the incessant and nagging question of when he'd win a major. That's why this Masters victory was so sweet for him. In the press conference afterwards, Mickelson said, "The most difficult part of this ten-year journey has been dealing with, I don't want to say failure, but dealing with losses time after time. It gets frustrating." After 43 major championships as a pro, Mickelson finally broke through. And he did it in style and with a smile. Has there ever been a champion in such a stress-filled situation who carried himself so well and so freely? Do submarine commanders really grin and relax in the midst of a depth charge attack? Somehow Mickelson was able to play the game in the moment and without fear of consequences. He played just like the same fresh-face, grinning All-America collegiate star relishing his first Masters while capturing the fancy of the gallery. Yes, it was retro Mickelson--1991 vintage.

Along the way, Mickelson caught some good breaks--his second shot hanging up on the slope and out of the hazard on no. 13 on Friday and, of course, having one of the most favorable reads on his final putt thanks to the serendipity of playing partner Chris Dimarco's bunker shot. But seldom do breaks alone crown a Masters champion. Mickelson's overall game was outstanding. He was first in the all-important greens in regulation category (hitting nearly 74% of them) while being in the top ten in both driving distance and driving accuracy over the Augusta National. And he avoided the Big Mistake that has often haunted Mickelson in his quest for a major. Instead, he incurred only one double bogey (16th hole, round one) during the tournament. Here credit an off-season re-examination of his game, under the eyes of Treetops Rick Smith and short-game expert Dave Pelz, for Mickelson's steady and controlled play.

It was fortunate in one key instance that Ernie Els didn't win the Masters. I say this without any bias against The Big Easy, a classy competitor, world-class golfer and consummate gentleman. But if Ernie had won, the matter of "Reliefgate" would have reared its ugly head in the media for weeks or even years on end. During Saturday's round on the 11th hole, Els received relief from a brush pile deep in the woods by Masters Competition and Rules Chairman Will Nicholson thereby overruling the on-site rules official John Brendle, the veteran PGA Tour rules authority. Later that night in reviewing tape of the incident, The Golf Channel clearly showed, prior to the Nicholson ruling, Els inadvertently causing his ball to move when removing some of the brush. This infraction would've resulted in a penalty and surely Els would've been lucky to have carded even a double bogey. Instead, Els was given relief from the pile (thereby nullifying any possible pending penalty) by Nicholson (as is his right as final rules arbiter) and ended up making a terrific bogey on the hole. The well-respected Nicholson ruled the pile was largely man-made-- as a result of a recent ice storm clean-up. But by many observers' estimation the ruling seemed a stretch given how deep Els' errant drive was in the woods and the impeccable maintenance standards of Augusta National. Yet other rule mavens insist it's irrelevant where the brush pile was found--given it was still on the golf course. In any event, the ruling eerily brought to mind the incident at the 1958 Masters involving Arnold Palmer at the 12th hole and recently retold in controversial and regrettable fashion by Ken Venturi in his new biography. I'm not going to spend time on that matter, which hurt Venturi's reputation far more than Palmer's or any Masters official. The decision of the Competition and Rules Chairman is indeed final. There's no allegation here against anyone's integrity or honesty. But if Els would have prevailed in this Masters, that ruling on the 11th hole would have lingered far longer than the erroneous line-of-sight relief ruling Els received at the 1994 U.S. Open at Oakmont where he won in a playoff. Thank goodness, it didn't matter this time around.

Space constraints don't allow me to delve into other elements of this year's Masters including Tom Watson's poignant post-round press conference on Thursday after learning of Bruce Edwards' death that morning; Arnold Palmer's regal final 18 holes on Friday; low amateur and teenager Casey Wittenberg's sensational play; and all those aces, eagles and birdies on Sunday creating a chorus of thunderous cheers (what, no double eagles?) Finally, this was Phil Mickelson's Masters, smiling his way into golf history. Good story. Good guy. I must confess I rooted for both.

HURRY UP AND PUTT-WALL STREET JOURNAL
Friday's Wall Street Journal had a story by Paula Szuchman and Heather Won Tesoriero, that spoke to a more aggressive approach to slow play. Among rememides, were new gps systems that track play and allow rangers to email slow players, hiring pace-management consultants and training classes for its rangers.
http://wallstreetjournal.com

MICHIGAN GOLF NEWS ASSOCIATION SUBSCRIBERS
Golf Association of Michigan
http://www.gam.org
Michigan Golf Course Owners Association
http://mgcoa.org
Michigan PGA
http://michigan.pga.com
Michigan Women's Golf Association, MWGA
http://www.mwgolf.org
Michigan State Amateur Golf Association
Dick Loring
skillplay@aol.com
Upper Peninsula Golf Association
http://upga.org

GOLF QUOTES OF THE WEEK
ARNOLD PALMER
"I don't think I could ever separate myself from this club and this golf tournament. I may not be present, I may not be here, but I'll still be a part of what happens here, only because I want to be." On his farewell at the Masters-Arnold Palmer

PHIL MICKELSON: Well, it was interesting, that the front nine, I was 2 over par. I felt like I had hit a lot of good shots that led to bogeys. I bogeyed 3 after I hit a good tee shot and a good wedge in there and it was a little long. I hit a good 7-iron into 5 that was long and it led to a bogey. I hit a good 8-iron onto 6 that came up short and led to a bogey.

After the first hole, I drove it very wel l and drove it in almost every fairway, and I started having birdie chances on 7 and 8 and 9. I didn't have the greatest start on 10, and knowing that I was trailing and knowing that Ernie was starting to make a move, it was a critical par. I had a decent shot out of there, came up short of the green, chipped up to about 12 feet. When I made that putt on 10, that gave me the momentum, if you will, to have a good backside.

I'll say one other thing, too. When I was on 12, just before I hit, I heard that Ernie had just made eagle. I heard the roar. I didn't know what had happened, but I figured he had just made eagle. I took a pretty aggressive line at that pin. Nobody goes after that pin, and I took a pretty aggressive line at it, knocked it in there about 12 feet and made the putt. I knew I was three back when I was facing that putt; if I could make that putt on 12, all I'd have to do was birdie 13, and I would be within a shot, with five to go.

And so, when that putt on 12 went in, that's when I started to feel like I could make this happen.

Taken and edited from The Wire, "In Their Words"

GOLF CALENDAR 2004

APRIL
04/21 Club Car Tournament, Boulder Point,
http://www.clubcar.com

MAY
05/02 Paul Dicenzo Memorial Golf Outing, Pine Knob
http://pauliegolf.com
05/16 Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Outing-Indianwood
http://michigan-golf-foundation.com
05/17 2004 CAN AM Cup, Port Huron Golf Club
05/22 Play Golf America-Carl's Golfland in Plymouth
05/22-24 Girls Golf MHSAA Regionals -- L.P. -- May 20, 21, 22 or 24 U.P.
05/24 Jeff Daniels Comedy Golf Jam
05/31-06/06 Farmers Charity Classic, Egypt Valley CC, Ada
http://www.farmerscharityclassic.com

JUNE
06/04-6 Bank of Ann Arbor FUTURES Golf Classic, Ann Arbor
http://futurestour.com/2004/AnnArbor.html
06/04-5 Girls Golf MHSAA Finals -- L.P. -- June 4-5; U.P.
06/05 Greyhound Tournament, Cattails GC, South Lyon
http://www.mhsaa.com/
06/16 Washtenaw County Hospitality Golf Outing, Lake Forest GC, Ann Arbor
06/22-26 Michigan Amateur-Grosse Ile G&CC
http://gam.org
06/24-25 Izzo Mariucci Golf Classic, Timberstone and Pine Grove Golf Courses
http://imclassic.org
06/25-26 3rd Annual Hickory Open, Kingsley Club, Traverse City
http://www.hickorygolf.com
06/25-27 2004 Michigan Open-Pro Am-Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
http://michigangolftour.com
06/28-07/01 Detroit Newspapers Michigan Open Championship, Grand Traverse Resort
and Spa.
http://michigangolftour.com
06/28-29 Tylenol Par-3 Shootout, Treetops Resort,
http://treetops.com
06/28-30 Michigan Girls Jr. Amateur-Midland CC
06/27- 5th Annual Great Lakes Junior Masters Golf Championship, Shanty
07/02 Creek Resort

JULY
07/05-11 Ford Senior Players Championship TPC of Michigan DearbornÊ
http://www.fordseniorplayerschamp.pgatour.com Ê
07/15-18 Detroit Newspapers Tournament of Champions-Pro Am-Boyne Mountain and Bay Harbor
http://michigangolftour.com
07/23-28 Michigan PGA Womens's Open Pro-Am and Tournament 2004, Crystal Mountain Resort
http://crystalmountain.com
07/26-08/01 Buick Open, Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc,

AUGUST
08/2-8 Jamie Farr LPGA Owens Corning Classic presented by Kroger, Highland Meadows GC, Sylvania, OH
http://jamiefarrowenscorning.com
08/9-10 GAM Championship,Plum Hollow CC
http://gam.org
08/16-17 GAM Women's Championship, Owosso CC
http://gam.org
08/19 MGCOA Summer Meeting and Outing, Gull Lake View, Augusta
http://mgcoa.org
08/20-23 PGA Championship Pro Am-Shanty Creek
http://michigangolftour.com
08/23-29 Bay Mills Open Player Championship,Wild Bluff GC - Brimley
http://baymillsopen.com
08/3-0 Turning Point Invitational, Country Club of Detroit,
http://turningpointinvitational.com
08/30-31 GAM Women's Senior Amateur, Mt. Pleasant CC
http://gam.org

SEPTEMBER
09/8-9 GAM Senior Amateur, Belvedere GC
http://gam.org
09/11-12 Michigan Net Amateur, The Loon
09/14-19 The Ryder Cup -Oakland Hills CC
http://rydercup.com
09/15 The Ryder Cup Captains Challenge, Detroit Golf Club
09/16 The Ryder Cup Champions Invitational, Oakland University
09/25-26 Atlas Trophy Matches (Men & Women), Yarrow GC
09/28 GAM Tournament of Champions Egypt Valley CC
http://gam.org

OCTOBER
10/07-9 Boys Golf Regionals -- October 7, 8 or 9
10/15-16 Boys Gol MHSAA Finals -- October 15-16
http://www.mhsaa.com/

NOVEMBER
11/28-30.MGCOA Annual Meeting at the Somerset Inn in Troy.

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/
Hichigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association
http://migca.com
National Golf Course Owners Association
http://ngcoa.org
National Golf Foundation
http://ngf.org

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